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. . ILLUSTRATBD 



OF THE FAMOUS 



VALLEY OF THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH 
AND THE PARK REGIONS, 

IN'CLUDING THE MOST FERTILE AND WIDELY-KNOWN 
PORTIONS OF 

MINNESOTA AND NORTH DAKOTA. 

Containing Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Repre- 
sentative Citizens, with a Review of their Life Work; their Identity with the 
Growth and Development of these Famous Regions; Reminiscences 
of Personal History and Pioneer Life; and other Interesting and 
Valuable Matter which should be Preserved in History. 



Presidents of the United States. 

Embracing Biographical Sketches and a Full Page Portrait of Each. 



History of Minnesota, 

Embracing an Account of Early Explorations, Organization, a Review of the Political 
History, and a Concise History of the Indian Outbreak of 1862. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



•••• • ••■••,* •• • 

.*. .•• ;. ; .«. ;•. ••• , 



CHICAGO: 

A.LDEN, Ogle & Company. 

IS 89. 



Biography is the only true history T — Emerson. 



» »< 



• » « CorVKIGHT, 1889, 

; Bv 

OCCIDENTAL PUBLISHING CO. 
Chicago, III. 



PRINTED AVD UOUND BV 

DONOHUE & HENNEBERRV, 
CHiCA<*Q, 



Presidents of the United States. 



PAGE. 

George Washington 9 

.John Adams 14 

Thomas Jefferson 20 

James Madison 26 

James Jlouroe 33 

Jolin Quincj' Adams 38 

Andrew Jackson 47 

Martin Van Buren 52 

VVni. Henry Harrison 56 

Jolm Tyler 60 

James K. Polk 64 

Zacharv Tavlor 68 



L"AGE. 

Millanl Fillmore 72 

Franklin Pierce 70 

James Buchanan 80 

Abraham Lincoln si 

Andrew Johnson 93 

U. S. Grant 96 

Rutherford B. Hayes 102 

James A. Garflcld 109 

Chester A. Arthur 113 

Grover Cleveland in 

Benjamin Harrison 120 



History of Minnesota. 



CHAPTER I. 

Location, Topography, &c 123 

Location 123 

Resources 123 

Topography 123 

Railroads 124 

Population Statistics 124 

CHAPTER II. 

History from 1660 to 1888 125 

Early Explorations 125 

During the Seventeenth Century 126 

During tlie Eighteenth Century 128 

During tlie Nineteenth Century 129 

Organization as a Territory 131 

Organization as a State 131 

Chronological Events 132 



CHAPTER III. 

The Indian Mas.sacke 133 

Indian Tribes I.33 

Bloodshed 135 

B.attles 138 

Surrender of Indians 138 

E.Keeulion of Thirty-eight Indians 139 

CHAPTER IV. 

Tki!1iitoriai, and State Officers 140 

CHAPTER V. 

Representation in Congress and Creation of 

Counties 143 

Senators 143 

Representatives 143 

Creation of Counties 144 



TABLE OF COX TENTS. 



Red River Valley and Park Regions. 



DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL INTRODUCTORY. 



PAGE. 

Topography : 149 

General Remarks 149 

Area 150 

Soil and Surface Features 150 

Climate 150 



PAfJE. 

Resources and Fertility 1")0 

Early Seltlenicnt mO 

Indian Outbreak 151 

Advent of Railroads 152 

Progress and Development 15;^ 



Biographical 



PAGE. 

Aanenson, Reinert 25C 

Aaker, Hon. L. K 796 

Aberle, Christian 501 

Abbott, Albert 586 

A.'ker, Nels E 788 

Adams, Orison T 275 

Adams, Elmer 420 

Adams, Andrew 751 

Ainsworth, Walter C 708 

Alstead, John II 187 

Alderman, John 337 

AlNm, Cyrus S 340 

Allen, Hon. J. H 717 

Almen, Rev. L. (1 576 

Aldrin. Peler 590 

Alley, William H 738 

Anderson. Alexander... 254 

Anderson, Andrew G 286 

Anderson, Williiim J 671 

Anderson, John S 710 

Anderson, John II 736 

Andrews, Charles R 793 

ArnesOD, George 504 

Armstrong, Edward A 546 

Ashburner, James 041 

Austin, Theodore D 549 

Auslund, Swan 296 



PAGE. 

Hates, William D 729 

Baumbaeh, Hon. Fred 160 

Basselt, Norman A 185 

Bassetl, John 617 

Barrows, William H 246 

Barker, Henry W 268 

Baxter, Hon. L. L 297 

Ba.\ter, C. L 70S 

Bain, Robert 302 

Barnes, O. J 353 

Barns, Comfort 648 

Barnard, James 11 370 

Bailey, Walter D 469 

Barrett, Norbert 488 

B.irrett, J 785 

Baer, William 538 

Backer, Charles 555 

Barry, George W 778 

Bayrell, L. S 791 

Belyea, Arthur C . 259 

Bell, Dawson 389 

Bell, Frank D 454 

Beach, Timothy 459 

Beaudetle, Joseph 474 

Bergquist, John G 489 

Bennett, Thomas J 534 

Bennewitz, Hon. J. C 540 



PAGE. 

Bennewil/, Thco. L 569 

Berg, John A 559 

Bergerson, William 590 

Becker, William 599 

Becker, John. 722 

Belcourt, Dr. O. E 610 

Beck, Ole J 647 

Bird, George N 743 

Billings, Daniel W 761 

Bjorge, Chri.st 566 

Blakemore, Robert B 602 

Blanchard, James B 396 

Blanding, Joseph W 416 

Bly, Dr. T. H 540 

Bowman, H. A. 741 

Boerner, Albert 363 

Borchers, Louis 525 

Boyd, Dr. H. J 451 

Boylan, James H 593 

Bond, Charles H 657 

Bottineau, Pierre 771 

Bodine, P. P 793 

Bronson, Dexter E 323 

Bronson, W. N 244 

Brewster, Loren L 270 

Brewster, Joseph E 497 

Brown, Charles A 281 



TABLE. OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Brown, Henry T 284 

Brown, Charles H 363 

Brown, Benjamin F 370 

Brown, Hon. C. L 799 

Breuer, Charles M 284 

Brennin, .John 313 

Briggs, R. H 323 

Brandenburg, Alonzo 435 

Brockmeyer, Rev. A 454 

Britis, E. M GIO 

Broker, A. J (iTH 

Brate, Peter 683 

Brans, Henry A 703 

Breneman, John 725 

Briinelle, George 783 

Broberg, Peter 518 

Bray, Moyse 554 

Burnham. Frank J 204 

Burnhara, Fred W 458 

Burkhardl. Rudolpli C 434 

Biirkee, Burre E ,593 

Butler, Stephen G 6 

Budge. William 728 

Bullard, Clarence E 749 

Canfield, Thomas H 800 

Cantield, JIannin F 553 

Canestorp, Ole 221 

Cahaley, Cottrell J 240 

Cavallin. Rev. J. 379 

Campbell, William W 411 

Campbell, J. V 763 

Catlin, B. D 439 

Caswell, Nathan C 507 

Cavileer, Cliarles 516 

Carlisle, Aaron II 616 

Calkins. W. W 788 

Chidester, William E 173 

Christenson, John 176 

Christiansen, Judge CO 289 

Childs, E. D 461 

Chabot', Alberic 476 

Clague, Pliilip H 285 

Clark, Reuben 581 

Clark, Joseph P 786 

Clark, George H 712 

Claydon, Frederic 668 

Clapp, Hon. Moses E 784 

Cleveland, Dr. W. P 734 

Clement, C. C 329 

Cook, George F 276 

Cooke, Harvey E 371 

Cowie, James F. 310 

Corliss, Hon. E. E 315 

Coulter George 354 



PAGK. 

Coulter, Robert 385 

Coulter, John 420 

Coulter, Christopher L 736 

Collins, Stanhope L 417 

Colby, Joseph A 42.1 

Coe, William L 426 

Compton, Hon. James 513 

Conklin, Charles H 547 

Costain, John 585 

Colyor, Charles IT 596 

Cooper, George 042 

Colehour, James A 673 

Connelly, Edward 730 

Comstock. Hon. S. G 157 

Crowe, William H 205 

Crowell, Alvin M 636 

Dahlluim, Olaf .. 167 

Davis, E. C 313 

Davenport, Dr. L. C 288 

Daley, Charles A 293 

Daly, M. J .543 

Dampier, Dr. E. C 356 

Davidson, Samuel S 369 

Davidson, Rev. I. F 725 

Davison, L. Ed 571 

Dawson, Rev. William 635 

Dale, Hans J 660 

Danielson, John A 723 

Darrow, Dr. E. M 753 

Darrow. Dr. D. C 793 

De Camp, Horace 333 

Deniars, Dr. Gustave .531 

Deming, George L 558 

Deacon, William G 785 

Dickey, Rev. Thomas E 364 

Dianard, Samuel M 667 

Dow, Judge F 326 

Douglas, Wallace B 344 

Dodge, Mrs. Martha 506 

Dower, Jolm 683 

Dobell, George E 745 

DulTy, Francis J 179 

Dunlap, Marcus J 371 

Dunlap, Thomas W 739 

Dunlap, Dr. A. H 433 

Duncan, Dr. W. T 3.50 

Dunn, Mickel M 365 

Dwyer, John S 260 

Dwyer, Dennis 273 

Dybdal, A. E 334 

Earsley, A C 264 

Eames, Hiram T 383 

Eastland, Swan E 387 



PAGE. 

Earl, Jasper W 443 

Eaton, Oriel C 447 

Eddy, Ernest C 720 

Eddy, John L 066 

Edwards, Henry F 438 

Eiken, Andrew 341 

Elg, Charles 466 

Elliot, Ezra F 483 

Erickson, Knud D 176 

Erickson, Olof S 533 

Erickson, A. B 737 

Ericksen, Louis 685 

Erwin, Andrew 338 

j Everdell, Lyman B 387 

Evcnson, Even S 614 

Everts, Edmund .\ 665 

Farmer, John P 4H4 

Falley, Dr. Charles F 331 

Falley. Fred 787 

Fay, Edwin 397 

Faber, George N 301 

Fairfield, Edwin M 734 

Falk, Dr. E. N 696 

Fisher, Clarence J 266 

Fisher, Jacob 534 

Pisk, J. F 467 

Field, Frank C 658 

Fish, Dr. E. W 799 

Flaten, Ole E 414 

Foss, Judge J>. O 311 

Fontaine, Louis 250 

Fournet, Feli.\ 490 

Foreman, James 771 

Fry. George L 300 

Frey, Jacob J 398 

Fredenburg, David V 335 

Prankberg, Erick 319 

Freeman, C. W 356 

Francis. Gowen D 438 

Frazee, Theodore 722 

Fritz, George 779 

Gardner, Sherman 599 

Garred. George P 793 

Geisert, T. B 211 

Gewalt, Louis 318 

George, August F 237 

Gillesby , Thomas B 390 

Gifford, Coral W 346 

Gill. Henry P 373 

Gilbertson, Gilbert 394 

Gilbertson, Ilellack 653 

Gilpin, Joseph 462 

Gilseth, Andrew J 498 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



VM.V.. 

Gilger. William tiGa 

Gieriet, John 797 

GlennoD, Michael J 365 

Glaspel, Dr. G. W 538 

Glaisyer, Herbert 559 

Glarum, Ole B 6-23 

Gould, William G 481 

Golhia, Peter 453 

Gregg, Captain J. W 307 

Griggs, Captain Alexander. . . . 701 

Grussendorf, Edward 355 

Grass, John II 494 

Green, Maurice 532 

Green, George II 640 

G rant, .Tarvis A 776 

Gunn, .loscpli 250 

Gunderson, Andrew 432 

Gummer, Kd -vard 56!) 

Gummer, .lolin 710 

Hand. Dr. Win. K 184 

Hamilton, Frank 201 

Hamilton, (Irorge D 694 

Hamlin, Henry 15 6.S9 

Hanson, XelsII 233 

Hanson, John 2,50 

Hanson, Hans I' 278 

Hanson, John II 447 

Hanson, llansO 551 

Hanson, Jacoli M 614 

Hanson, Albert L 732 

Hansen. Erich C. F 333 

Hansen, John P 359 

Hassen, James W 019 

Hauge, Lars J 246 

Hardy, Newell N 327 

Handy, Richard 090 

Hampson , Fred L 330 

Harrison, Harris K 388 

Harris, Knule O 415 

Harris, James K 504 

Hannah, John A 436 

Hanna, Dennis 781 

Ilaugen, Andrew 455 

Hansman, Jo.seph 400 

Hays, Milton B 444 

Ilamery, Oscar L 493 

Halvor.son, Martin 530 

Ilazlett. Isaac 534 

Haines, Prof. Angus 503 

Haines, James C 666 

Haines, George 051 

Hartson. Frank D 574 

Hart, Francis A 598 

Hartung, Frederick W 095 



r.VGK. 

Harrin, J. P 752 

Heald, Timothy 374 

Renault, George G 422 

Hemstead, Dr. Werner 582 

Herrick, Henry B 217 

Herbrandson, Peter 777 

Heskin, Swen N 760 

Hennebohle, F 756 

Henry, Louis 608 

Hinman, Justus K 787 

Hixson, Hon. D. W 180 

Hixson, Avery W 494 

Hilleboe, Prof. Hans S 637 

Hill, Charles B 342 

Hill, Dr. Sylvester J 659 

Hintze. Louis 377 

HIgley, F. M 773 

Holes, Andrew 109 

Holasek, Winslow 325 

Iloppe, Frank 362 

Hoerting, William 380 

Holbeck, Chris 422 

Hodgson, Joseph B 436 

Hollinger, Charles. 545 

Howe, J. J 554 

Holther, Olaf A 607 

Horneck, Samuel N 638 

Hosier, B. A 6,52 

Holcn, Peter 1 092 

Horr, Walters 694 

Hodge, (Jiarles H 700 

Holmes, Hon. E. G 724 

Holmes, Oliver M 791 

IIov, Torger P 780 

Hokenson, Gustaf A 778 

Hunting, Henry M 177 

Hubert, Anton 261 

Hyser, Edward K 340 

Irish, John S 348 

Irish, Jeff H 557 

Iverson, Iver 174 

Iverslie, Carl M 707 

Jacobson, S 446 

Jacobus, Delos 503 

Jenkins, Gen. Horatio 293 

Jensen, Jorgen . 314 

Jensen, Jens P 470 

.Jenks, W. R. L 483 

Jerrue, Frank 621 

Jellum, EUef N 633 

Jerome, Frank 400 

Johnson, Martin 217 

Johnson, Lage 227 



PAOE. 

Johnson, Ole 238 

Johnson, Henry 3"i7 

Johnson, Chrittian 360 

Johnson, Theodore 373 

Johnson, Iver 483 

Johnson, Hon. J, A : . . . 523 

Johnson, ICrick H 565 

Johnson, Bengt 768 

Jorgenson, Even 257 

Jorgenson, Martin 001 

Jorgens, Sven 406 

Just, Dr. A. A 387 

Jung, John 687 

Judkins^ Mark D 228 

T^abernaglc, John 767 

Kenaston, F. E 168 

Ketcham, George 303 

Kent, Frank 308 

Keenau, John 609 

Kelly, John B 046 

Kelly, Patrick 755 

Keye, F. D 758 

Keye, Henry C69 

Kemper, Henry 679 

Kenny, Rev. E 745 

Kirk, AlvaH 386 

Kiewel, Jacob 402 

Kislenmacher, William 456 

King, Rev. Samuel H 488 

Kivel. John 520 

Kissack, William 674 

Kjeldson, Nels 294 

Kloos, Charles B 427 

Knappen, Charles C 187 

Knutson, Christian J 536 

Knight, John 620 

Kotschevar, John S 192 

Koyle, Dr. F. T 311 

Koistad, John () 591 

Konzen, Peter n 645 

Kreidler, Daniel W 413 

Krueger, Frederick 604 

Kyed, John 391 

Larson, Simon 166 

Larson, Emel 175 

Larson, Hans A 587 

Larson, Andrew. . . 551 

Larson, Louis 675 

Lar-son, Nels JI 549 

Larson, Eli B 473 

Lamb, Patrick II 219 

Laastuen, Knud O 234 

Lamphere, George N 243 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Lauder, Judge W. S 375 

Lake, Fred H 390 

Lawlor, Rev. E.J 442 

La Blanc, Joseph 485 

Lascbapelle, Sirs. P. J 500 

La Due, John S 617 

LaloDo, T 638 

La Gro, James S 698 

Langcii, OleT 754 

La Moure, Hon. Judson 788 

Lee, John P 190 

Lee, JohnK 339 

Lee, Hon. W. E 581 

Le Masurier, E. P 717 

Letourneau, Oliver 681 

Letson, James H 360 

Lewis, Charles L 408 

Lemieux, Dr. Israel 786 

Lightbourn, D. C 194 

Lier, Peter.. 301 

Lindquist, Gustaf. A 403 

Lilyquist, Charles 613 

Long, William P 164 

Locken,J. H 505 

Loseth, Ole F 537 

Loltwood, Peter N 556 

Logan, Dr. John R 573 

Love, Edwin H 627 

Locke, Dr. J. Frank 661 

Lonne, Rev. Jens 1 748 

Lundberg, Ole L 209 

Lund, Andrew T . . 726 

Lund, Andrew 193 

Lucken, Ole H 334 

Lundin, John P 766 

Mallon, Michael M 620 

Mathews, John C 651 

Mathews, William H 260 

Markus, William F 693 

Martin, John B 718 

Martin, John M 208 

Mattson, Hon. Edwin 747 

Matterson, Lucius L 544 

Marth, John 180 

Marcil, Rev. Joseph H 583 

Madson, Christian 196 

Mackenroth, Frank 213 

Mays, George L 259 

Mallory, Charles P 468 

Maynard, Judge A. K 539 

McMillan. Albert S 563 

McCulloch, Prof. J. T 594 

McCauley , David 611 

McDonald, Donald 631 



P.\GE. 

McGrew, Hon. J. G 339 

McGrath, Dennis F 273 

McGrath, .John 315 

JlcCollor. Peter F 332 

McDonnell, Hon. M. J .561 

McLean, Dr. T. N 448 

McLane, J. W 752 

McNeil, Robert J 437 

McKay, John A 343 

McVeety, Thos. L 402 

McVeety , James 458 

Mclntyre, A. P 774 

McNeice, Washington 678 

Merchant, Elzear G 613 

Jlelgaard, Hans L 709 

Merrell, Jabcz 761 

Mendenhall, Rev. H. G 765 

Metcalf, Dr. J. E 424 

Mickleson, Hans 585 

Mills, Hon. Ira B 189 

Miller, S. N 249 

Miller, Hon. J. II 351 

Mix, C. H 479 

Migge, Gottfried 520 

Miksche, Anton 407 

Mott, Alfred W 570 

Mott, Nelson A 706 

Mott, James 473 

Morgan, Hon. Charles W 635 

Morell, Dr. W. N 650 

Morrill, E. K 514 

Moles, William S 191 

Moses, William 206 

Mosuess, Ole 465 

Montague, Judge R. J 329 

Morrisse, Geo. F 379 

Morrow, William J 527 

Morrisey, James E 512 

Morrisey, Thomas S 421 

Mussey, Harvey E 664 

Munson, Nels S 703 

Mumford, R. B 166 

Mundigel, John A 237 

MuUin, Thomas D 331 

Myran, Nels H 294 

Myran, O. H 711 

Myers, Thomas C 714 

Nash, William 224 

Nelson, John A 252 

Nelson, Nels E 358 

Nelson, Hans P 499 

Nelson, Hon. Knute 763 

Nelson, Hon. Nelson E 789 

Neer, Joseph II. . 640 



PAGE. 

Nisbct, Robert 377 

Nisbet, James 339 

Niles, Palmer W 757 

Nimesyern, J. N 769 

North, E. D 502 

Norin, Dr. F. L 282 

Nolan , James 589 

Noleni, R. H 776 

Nutting, Frank B 686 

Nye, Eli S 342 

O'Brien, Dennis 687 

O'Brien, Miss Julia 735 

O'Brien, James E 491 

Odell, Peter A 579 

O'Dell, Abel II 647 

Ohlsson, John 395 

Olsen, Herman W 506 

Olson, JohnL 220 

Olson, N. K 300 

Olson, Jacob 423 

Olson, Gilbert.. 433 

Olson, Sam 471 

Olson, Ole W 497 

Olson, Iver C 630 

Olson, Lars J 686 

Olson, Nels J 688 

Olson, Gunder 707 

Onan, Col. Warren 393 

Opheim, Andrew 594 

Orcutt, Freeman 317 

Ostrom, John E 603 

Otteruess, E. O 680 

Paulsrud, Nels 405 

Pattee, Dr. W. H 773 

Paine, :Miltou J 203 

Partridge, George 204 

Patterson, Dr. Robert 263 

Patterson, Daniel 566 

Palmer, George II 274 

Palmer, William H 733 

Parkhurst, Stephen H 312 

Packard, Sidney F 415 

Park, James D 438 

Page, Hon. Henry G 486 

Pary.Olof 579 

Peterson, Andrew 770 

Peterson, Jr. , J 225 

Peterson, Frank II 283 

Peterson, John G. (of Barrett). . 473 

Peterson, Daniel 548 

Peterson, John G 549 

Peterson, Frank W^ 575 

Peterson, William C 633 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Peterson, John 714 

Peters, John 457 

Pederson, Anders H 173 

Pcrley, Georpe E 305 

Pettier, Oliver 573 

Pctlit, Bert H C07 

Peake, Kev. E. S 7G3 

Phelps, Harvey II 222 

Pliillipiii, M. I' 349 

Phiniuy, B. II 401 

Phillips. O. II 4G3 

Place, John 1 573 

Piatt, Lewis I) 710 

Ponsomhy, Charles C 442 

Prescott, Nathan JI 213 

I'ropper, Moses 1' 3!)!) 

Prcvost, Joseph 650 

Piihler, Frcderieli 247 

Pullman, Charles 384 

Parcel], lion. W. E 431 

Putnam, Dr. C. S 477 

Pyatt, Hon. John C 381 

QiuUley, Olc J 441 

CJuam, Hon. Nels 658 

Uailson, Hon. Andrew 684 

Uismusson, Halvor 277 

Itasniussen, Peter 600 

Riunstad, Peter 440 

Uamstad, L. L 452 

Kapp, Charles G 539 

Keynolds, J. W... 419 

Keynolds, Dr. W. S 634 

Keynolds, J. E 775 

Jieichert, Ignatz 755 

Uinehart, John E 215 

Kidley, Charles 242 

Rich, Morgan T 336 

]{islo\v, John 767 

Hiehard.son, Dr. J. S 731 

I{()binson, Alexander 332 

Robertson, 8.0 576 

Robertson, Donald 677 

Roberts, Judge Augustus 552 

Roberts, (Captain W. C 606 

Roosnian, Judge W. W 626 

Rodman, JIartin 643 

Roise, Paul H 644 

Royem, Esten 1 668 

Ross, H. J 749 

Jtobb, Thomas 753 

Rose, Amos 763 

Rosenthal, Frederick 790 

liuggles, John M 291 

Running, Alexander 347 



PAGK. 

Ryerson, Richard D 584 

Ryan, John M 689 

Sampson, Hon. Bernhard 181 

Sanford, Jasper N 205 

Sanford, Henry F 280 

Sauby, Tobias 273 

Sawyer, Charles K 318 

Sackett, John ( ) 379 

Sand. Casper 382 

Sawbririge, Mrs. Emma 451 

Saugstad, Rev. C 495 

Sarff, Manasses 629 

Sather, Andrew () 669 

Satre, Frank T 719 

Schow, Edwin C 186 

Schjaastad, John 210 

Schmidt, Philip C 262 

Schmitz, Adam 738 

Sehels, Father Sebastian 397 

Schafer, John W 517 

Schroeder, Nils F 546 

Scott, James 593 

Scott, S. Arthur 682 

Seidlinger, Prosper 236 

Selby, JohnF 605 

Shedd, C. C 183 

Shaler, Charles H 195 

Shea, James 202 

Shapleigh, Thomas C 3U6 

Slieppard, Michael B 307 

Shephard, Henry 716 

Sheets, Arthur W 728 

Shoudy, Chester 764 

Simonson, Simon D 405 

Simmons. Frank B 744 

Simpson, Thomas 764 

Sivigny, Barthelmy 796 

Sjordal, Theodore <) 567 

Slocum, W. E 352 

Smith, Roderick . . . 475 

Smith, Charles A 532 

Smith, Lucas W 588 

Smith, William 691 

Snell, Harry H 297 

Snow, Asa H 299 

Solem, A 429 

Spendley, Charles S 197 

Spcrry, B. W 522 

Sperry, Albert H 618 

Spaulding, Calvin L 526 

Spicer, John M 596 

Steenerson, Hon. H 159 

Stave, Christian P 192 

Strate, HensP 258 



PAGE. 

Studlien, Anton L 282 

Staal, John H 345 

Stevens, Mott T 358 

Stephens, A. D 845 

Stoneburg. John A 369 

Strong, Johnll.. 560 

Stone.Dr. J. J 570 

Stone, Philo 637 

Stinehour, L. E 660 

Storey, Thomas H 676 

Stollz, OttoF 730 

Stuart, Dr.F. H 732 

Struett, Loviis 747 

Sullivan, James E 295 

Sunderhauf. Albert 343 

Sutherland, William II 352 

Sutton, Isaac C 699 

Sutton, Lyman H 375 

Sutton, Edward J 792 

Sundet, John O ■■>28 

S vanson, August 253 

Swaine, Dr. Geo. D 366 

Swanson, Albert 644 

SwensoD, Olof J 163 

Sweet, Ephraim A 322 

Swenson, Rev. S. G 587 

Tate, Reuben F 562 

Taylor, Benjamin C 582 

Taralscth, Knud J 561 

Thompson, Hugh 165 

Thompson, Peter E 195 

Thompson, Thomas A 491 

Thompson, Sylvester N 639 

Thompson, John H 673 

Thompson, Edward T 715 

Thomp.son, Frank J 769 

Thronsen, Carl 252 

Thorson, Sam 478 

Thorson. T. J 537 

Thysell, Carl G 530 

Tharahlson, Ole 541 

Thornquist, Swan P 603 

Thorpe, G. L 780 

Torstein, Frank 207 

Torgerson, Samuel 267 

Torstenson, Ole 478 

Todd, Ovid B 780 

Treat, George L 269 

Truax, Dr. AValter E 304 

Tripp, Frederick 795 

Tuttle Romeo J ... 635 

Tweeton, John G 334 

UfEord, Nathan B 339 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Underwood, A. .1 770 

Urie, Horace G 218 

Utterberg, John 378 

Valentine, Ezra G 188 

Van Doreu, James K 241 

Van Dyke, James D 670 

Van Dyke, Hon. J. II 779 

Vivian, Dr. G 409 

Von Baumbach, Hon . F 1(>0 

Vought, M. L 672 

AValsh, Thomas 707 

Walsh, Edmund M 161 

Ward. Noah P 230 

Walters, August 449 

Walker, AVilliam E 464 

Walker, Andrew 797 

Walker, Henry T 799 

Wallace, William A 577 

Wallace, James P 6;il 

Washburn, George 612 

Wattam, Dr. George S 649 

Wait, Hon. John 602 

— Wells, RufusP 330 

" Wells, Alpheus 199 



PAGE. 

Wells, H. H 844 

Werner, Wigo 222 

Webster, Calno U 255 

Webster, Harvey M 242 

Weslberg. John M 254 

Went/el, August 367 

West, John 430 

Wegener, Rudolph 493 

Weling, John B 535 

Wear, Dr. I, N 580 

Weigel, Frank 784 

Weeks, John 790 

Weston, George E 794 

Wheelock, Harry JI 435 

Wheeler, Dr. H. M 543 

White, Richard E 445 

White, Rev. George S 623 

White, Joseph W 696 

Whitford, James 525 

Whitney, George A 741 

Whipple, C. H 759 

Williams, Olliver 199 

Williams, .Tohn 653 

Williams, Benjamin 653 

Williams, James E 703 

Winger, Charles 316 



PAGE. 

Widenhoefer, William 231 

Widcnhoefer, Christian 267 

Willis, Charles F 335 

Wilde, George C 487 

Winchester, Geo. C 639 

Wilcox, Alvin H 654 

Wiggins, John H 691 

Wittse, Richard W 721 

Woodard, H. F 418 

Woodworth, D. A 558 

Woodman, Eli 595 

Wood, W. W 746 

Wood, Hon. John E 754 

Wool.son. Dr. L. B 713 

Wold, Erik 450 

Wright, Hon. Chas. D 353 

Wright George B 368 

Wyvell, John 345 

Yeaton, Lewis F 681 

Yerxa, Thomas E 739 

Younggren, Oscar 751 

Ziebarth, Edward A 171 



Illustrations. 



PAGE. 

Adams, .John 15 

Adams, John Quincy 39 

Arthur, Chester A 112 

Buchanan, James 81 

Cleveland, Grover .... 116 

Fillmore, Millard 73 

Garfield, James A 108 

Grant, U. S 97 



PAGE. 

Harri.son, Wm. H 57 

Harrison, BeDJamiu 121 

Hayes, Rutherford B 103 

Jackson, Andrew 46 

JelTerson, Thomas 21 

Johnson, Andrew 93 

Lincoln, Abraham 85 

Madison, James 27 



PAGE. 

Monroe, James 33 

Pierce, Franklin 77 

Polk , James K 65 

Taylor, Zachary 69 

Tyler, John 61 

Van Buren, Martin 53 

Washington, George 8 



GEORGE WASH/NGTON. 



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w 






■_.\._ tfNi _^!. c*5_.i._t^. .b'/tj^^ 





-^^ 



EORGE WASHING- 
TON, the " Father of 
his Country" and its 
first President, 1789- 
'97, was born Febru- 
ary 22, 1732, in Wash- 
ington Parish, West- 
moreland C o u n t y, Virginia. 
His father, Augustine Wash- 
ington, first married Jane But- 
ler, who bore him four chil- 
dren, and March 6, 1730, he 
married Mary Ball. Of six 
children by his second mar- 
riage, George was the eldest, 



the others being Bett^-, Samuel, John, Au- 
gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the 
youngest died in infancy. Little is known 
of the early years of Washington, beyond 
the fact that the house in which he was 
born was burned during his early child- 
hood, and that his father thereupon moved 
to another farm, inherited from his paternal 
ancestors, situated in Stafford Count}^ on 
the north bank of the Rappahannock, where 
he acted as agent of the Principio Iron 
Works in the immediate vicinity, and died 
there in 1743. 

From earliest childhood George devel- 
oped a noble character. He had a vigorous 
constitution, a fine form, and great bodily 
strength. His education was somewhat de- 



fective, being confined to the elementary 
branches taught him by his mother and at 
a neighboring school. He developed, how- 
ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en- 
joyed in that branch the instructions of a 
private teacher. On leaving school he re- 
sided for some time at Mount Vernon with 
his half brothe)-, Lawrence, who acted as 
his guardian, and who had married a daugh- 
ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto- 
mac, the wealthy William Fairfax, for some 
time president of the executive council of 
the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law, 
Lawrence Washington, had served with dis- 
tinction in 1740 as officers of an American 
battalion at the siege of Carlhagcna, and 
were friends and correspondents of Admiral 
Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on 
the Potomac has been named. George's 
inclinations were for a similar career, and a 
midshipman's warrant was procured for 
him, probably through the influence of the 
Admiral ; but through the opposition of his 
mother the project was abandoned. The 
family connection with the Fairfaxes, how- 
ever, opened another career for the young 
man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap- 
pointed surveyor to the immense estates of 
the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then 
on a visit at Belvoir, and who shortly after- 
ward established his baronial residence at 
Greenway Court, in the Shenandoah Valley. 



PRES/DE\TS OF THE UNI TED STATES. 



Three years were passed bv young Wash- 
ington in a rough frontier life, gaining ex- 
perience which afterward proved very es- 
sential to him. 

In 1751, when the Virginia militia were 
put under training wiih a view to active 
service against France, Washington, though 
only nineteen years of age, was appointed 
Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep- 
tember of that )'ear the failing health of 
Lawrence Washington rendered it neces- 
sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and 
George accompanied him in a voj'age to 
Barbadoes. They returned earh' in 1752, 
and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav- 
ing his large property to an infant daughter. 
In his will George was named one of the 
executors and as eventual heir to Mount 
Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece 
soon succeeded to that estate. 

On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle as 
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752 
the militia was reorganized, and the prov- 
ince divided into four districts. Washing- 
ton was commissioned by Dinwiddie Adju- 
tant-General of the Northern District in 
1753, and in November of that vear a most 
important as well as hazardous mission was 
assigned him. This was to pnoceed to the 
Canadian posts recently established on 
French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand 
in the name of the King of England the 
withdrawal of the French from a territory 
claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had 
been declined by more than one officer, 
since it involved a journey through an ex- 
tensive and almost unexplored wilderness 
in the occupancy of savage Indian tribes, 
either hostile to the English, or of doubtful 
attachment. Major Washington, however, 
accepted the commission with alacrity ; and, 
accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached 
Fort Le Boeuf on French Creek, delivered 
his dispatches and received reply, which, of 
course, was a polite refusal to surrender the 
posts. This reply was of such a character 



as to induce the Assembl)' of Virginia to 
authorize the executive to raise a regiment 
of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining 
the asserted rights of the British crown 
over the territor}' clajmed. As Washing- 
ton declined to be a candidate for that post, 
the command of this regiment was given to 
Colonel Joshua Frv, and Major Washing- 
ton, at his own request, was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio, 
news was received that a parly previously 
sent to build a fort at the confluence of the 
Monongahela with the Ohio had been 
driven back bv a considerable French force, 
which had completed the work there be- 
gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor 
of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor 
of Canada. This was the beginning of the 
great " French and Indian war," which con- 
tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel 
Fry, Washington succeeded to the com- 
mand of the regiment, and so well did he 
fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly 
commissi(jncd him as Commander-in-Chief 
of all the forces raised in the colony. 

^V cessation of all Indian hostility on the 
frontier having followed the expulsion ol 
the French from the Ohio, the object of 
Washington was accomplished and he re- 
signed his commission as Commander-in- 
Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro- 
ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in 
the General Assembl}-, of which he had 
been elected a member. 

January 17, 1759, Washington married 
Mrs. Martha (_Dandridge) Custis, a young 
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de- 
voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years 
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- 
rupted only by his annual attendance in 
winter upon the Colonial Legislature at 
Williamsburg, until summoned by his 
country to enter upon that other arena in 
which his fame was to become world wide. 

It is unnecessary here to trace the details 
of the struggle upon the question of local 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



self-government, which, after ten years, cul- 
minated bv act of Parliament of the port of 
Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia 
that a congress of all the colonies was called 
to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, 
to secure their common liberties — if possible 
by peaceful means. To this Congress 
Colonel Washington was sent as a dele- 
gate. On dissolving in October, it recom- 
mended the colonies to send deputies to 
another Congress the following spring. In 
the meantime several of the colonies felt 
impelled to raise local forces to repel in- 
sults and aggressions on the part of British 
troops, so that on the assembling of the next 
Congress, Mav 10, 1775, the war prepara- 
tions of the mother country were unmis- 
takable. The battles of Concord and Lex- 
ington had been fought. Among the earliest 
acts, therefore, of the Congress was the 
selection of a commander-in-chief of the 
colonial forces. This otfice was unani- 
mously conferred upon Washington, still a 
member of the Congress. He accepted it 
on June 19, but on the express condition he 
should receive no salary. 

He immediately repaired to the vicinity 
of Boston, against which point the British 
ministry had concentrated their forces. As 
early as April General Gage had 3,000 
troops in and around this proscribed city. 
During the fall and winter the British policy 
clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub- 
lic sentiment and to build up a British party 
in the colonies. Those who sided with the 
ministry were stigmatized by the patriots 
as " Tories," while the patriots took to them- 
selves the name of " Whigs." 

As early as 1776 the leading men had 
come to the conclusion that there was no 
hope except in separation and indepen- 
dence. In May of that year Washington 
wrote from the head of the army in New 
York : " A reconciliation with Great Brit- 
ain is impossible When I took 

command of the army, I abhorred the idea 



of independence ; but 1 am now fully satis- 
fied that nothing else will save us." 

It is not the object of this sketch to trace 
the militar)' acts of the patriot hero, to 
whose hands the fortunes and liberties of 
the United States were confided during the 
seven years' bloody struggle that ensued 
until the treaty of 1783, in which England 
acknowledged the independence of each of 
the thirteen States, and negotiated with 
them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The 
merits of Washington as a military chief- 
tain have been considerably discussed, espe- 
cially by writers in his own country. Dur- 
ing the war he was most bitterly assailed 
for incompetency, and great efforts were 
made to displace him ; but he never for a 
moment lost the confidence of either the 
Congress or the people. December 4, 1783, 
the great commander took leave of his offi- 
cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms, 
and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where 
the Congress of the States was in session, 
and to that body, when peace and order 
prevailed everywhere, resigned his com- 
mission and retired to Mount Vernon. 

It was in 1788 that Washington was called 
to the chief magistracy of the nation. He 
received every electoral vote cast in all the 
colleges of the States voting for the office 
of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was 
the time appointed for the Government of 
the United States to begin its operations, 
but several weeks elapsed before quorums 
of both the newly constituted houses of the 
Congress were assembled. The city of New 
York was the place where the Congress 
then met. April 16 Washington left his 
htjme to enter upon the discharge of his 
new duties. He set out with a purpose of 
traveling privately, and without attracting 
any public attention ; but this was impossi- 
ble. Everywhere on his way he was met 
with thronging crowds, eager to see the 
man whom the}' regarded as the chief de- 
fender of their liberties, and everywhere 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



he was hailed with those public manifesta- 
tions of joy, regard and love which spring 
spontaneously from the hearts of an affec- 
tionate and grateful people. His reception 
in New York was marked by a grandeur 
and an enthusiasm never before witnessed 
in that metropolis. The inauguration took 
place A])ril 30, in tiie presence of an immense 
multitude which had assembled to witness 
the new and imposing ceremony. The oath 
of office was administered by Robert R. 
Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When 
this sacred pledge was given, he retired 
with the other officials into the Senate 
chamber, where he delivered his inaugural 
address to both houses of the newly con- 
stituted Congress in joint assembly. 

In the manifold details of his civil ad- 
ministration, Washington proved himself 
equal to the requirements ol his position. 
The greater portion of the first session of 
the first Congress was occupied in passing 
the necessary statutes for putting the new 
organization into complete operation. In 
the discussions brought up in the course of 
this lesfislation the nature and character of 
the new system came under general review. 
On no one of them did any decided antago- 
nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a 
limited government, clothed only with spe- 
cific powers conferred by delegation from 
the States. There was no change in the 
name of the legislative department ; it still 
remained " the Congress of the United 
States of America." There was no change 
in the original flag of the country, and none 
in the seal, which still remains with the 
Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle, 
with other emblems, imder the great and 
expressive motto, " E Phiribus Unuiii." 

The first division of parties arose upon 
the manner of construing the powers dele- 
gated, and they were first styled " strict 
constructionists" and " latitudinarian con- 
structionists." The former were for con- 
fining the action of the Government strictly 



within its specific and limited sphere, while 
the others were for enlarging its powers by 
inference and implication. Hamilton and 
Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet- 
were regarded as the chief leaders, respect 
ively, of these rising antagonistic parties, 
which have existed, under different names, 
from tiiat day to this. W^ashington was re- 
garded as holding a neutral position between 
them, though, by mature deliberation, he 
vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790, 
passed by the party headed b}- Hamilton, 
which was based upon a principle construct- 
ively leading to centralization or consoli- 
dation. This was the first exercise of the 
veto power under the present Constitution. 
It created considerable excitement at the 
time. Another bill was soon passed in pur- 
suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has 
been adhered to in principle in every ap- 
portionment act passed since. 

At the second session of the new Con- 
gress, Washington announced the gratify- 
ing fact of " the accession of North Caro- 
lina" to the Constitution of 1787, and June 
1 of the same year he announced by special 
message the like " accession of the State of 
Rhode Island," with his congratulations on 
the happy event which " united under the 
general Government" all the States which 
were originally confederated. 

In 1792, at the second Presidential elec- 
tion, Washington was desirous to retire ; 
but he yielded to the general wish of the 
country, and was again chosen President 
by the unanimous vote of every electoral 
college. At the third election, 1796, he was 
again most urgently entreated to consent to 
remain in the executive chair. This he 
positively refused. In September, before 
the election, he gave to his countrymen his 
memorable Farewell Address, which in lan- 
guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit 
and crowning glory of his illustrious life. 
After March 4, 1797, he again retired ta 
Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



n 



His administration for the two terms had 
been successful beyond the expectation and 
hopes of even the most sanguine of his 
friends. The finances of the country were 
no longer in an embarrassed condition, the 
public credit was fully restored, life was 
given to every department of industry, the 
workings of the new S3'stem in allowing 
Congress to raise revenue from duties on 
imports proved to be not only harmonious 
in its federal action, but astonishing in its 
results upon the commerce and trade of all 
the States. The exports from the Union 
increased from §19,000,000 to over $56,000,- 
000 per annum, while the imports increased 
in about the same proportion. Three new 
members had been added to the Union. The 
progress of the States in their new career 
under their new organization thus far was 
exxeedingly encouraging, not only to the 
friends of libertv within their own limits, 
but to their sympathizing allies in all climes 
and countries. 

CM the call again made on this illustrious 



chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon 
and take command of all the United States 
forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, 
when war was threatened with France in 
1798, nothing need here be stated, except to 
note the fact as an unmistakable testimo- 
nial of the high regard in which he was still 
held by his countrymen, of all shades of po- 
litical opinion. He patriotically accepted 
this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop 
to all action under it. He again retired to 
Mount Vernon, where, after a short and 
severe illness, he died December 14, 1799, 
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The 
whole country was filled with gloom by this 
sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli- 
tics and creeds in religion, in every State 
in the Union, united with Congress in " pay- 
ing honor to the man, first in war, first in 
peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
men." 

His remains were deposited in a family 
vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount 
Vernon, where they still lie entombed. 




*«p??^~ -" 



«4 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 







grosn ^IDBMS 



^xTTii^^rTrimHtTiifTTnfrrrrn 







t^^» 




OHN ADAMS, the second 
President of the United 
States, 1797 to 1 801, was 
born in the present town 
of Ouincv, then a portion 
of Braintree, Massachu- 
setts, October 30, 1735. His 
father was a farmer of mod- 
erate means, a wortliy and 
industrious man. He was 
a deacon in the church, and 
was very desirous of giving 
his son a collegiate educa- 
tion, hoping that he would 
become a minister of the 
gospel. But, as up to this 
time, the age of fourteen, he had been only 
a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had 
no taste for books, he chose farming. On 
being set to work, however, by his father 
out in the field; the very first day con- 
verted the boy into a lover of books. 

Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he 
entered Harvard College, and graduated in 
1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed 
for integrity, energy and abilit)'. Thus, 
having no capital but his education, he 
Started out into the stormy world at a time 
of great political e.vcitement, as France and 
England were then engaged in their great 
seven-years struggle for the mastery over 
the New World. The fire of patriotism 



seized young Adams, and for a tiai^ he 
studied over the question whether he 
should take to the law, to politics orihe 
army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a 
friend, making prophecies concerning the 
future greatness of this country which have 
since been more than fulfilled. For two 
years he taught school and studied law, 
wasting no odd moments, and at the earl)- 
age of twenty-two years he opened a law 
office in his native town. His inherited 
powers of mind and untiring devotion to 
his profession caused him to rise rapidly 
in public esteem. 

In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married 
Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy- 
man at Wevmouth and a lady of rare per- 
sonal and intellectual endowments, who 
afterward contributed much to her hus- 
band's celebrity. 

Soon the oppression of the British in 
America reached its climax. The Boston 
merchants employed an attorney by the 
name of James Otis to argue the legality of 
oppressive tax law before the Superior 
Court. Adams heard the argument, and 
afterward wrote to a friend concerning the 
ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a 
flame of fire. With a promptitude of 
classical allusion, a depth of research, a 
rapid summarv of historical events and 
dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a 




wz Jdw/ij 



yOHIV ADAMS. 



'7 



prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried 
away all before him. American independence 
was then and there horn. Every man of an 
immensely crowded audience appeared to 
me to go away, as I did, ready to take up 
arms." 

Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be 
read before the literary club of his town, 
upon the state of affairs, which was so able 
as to attract public attention. It was pub- 
lished in American journals, republished 
in England, and was pronounced by the 
friends of the colonists there as " one of the 
very best productions ever seen from North 
America." 

The memorable Stamp Act was now 
issued, and Adams entered with all the 
ardor of his soul into political life in order 
to resist it. He drew up a series of reso- 
lutions remonstrating against the act, which 
were adopted at a public meeting of the 
citizens of Braintree, and which were sub- 
sequently adopted, word for word, by more 
than forty towns in the State. Popular 
commotion prevented the landing of the 
Stamp Act papers, and the English author- 
ities then closed the courts. The town of 
Boston therefore appointed Jeremy Grid- 
ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a 
petition before the Governor and council 
for the re-opening of the courts ; and while 
the two first mentioned attorneys based 
their argument upon the distress caused to 
the people by the measure, Adams boldly 
claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation 
both of the English Constitution and the 
charter of the Provinces. It is said that 
this was the first direct denial of the un- 
limited right of Parliament over the colo- 
nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was 
repealed. 

Directly Mr. Adams was employed to 
defend Ansell Nickerson, who had killed an 
Englishman in the act of impressing him 
(Nickerson) into the King's service, and his 
client was acquitted, the court thus estab- 



lishing the principle that the infamous 
royal prerogative of impressment could 
have no existence in the colonial code. 
But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah 
Quincy defended a party of British soldiers 
who had been arrested for murder when 
they had been only obejnng Governmental 
orders ; and when reproached for thus ap- 
parently deserting the cause of popular 
liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a 
thousandfold rather live under the domina- 
tion of the worst of England's kings than 
under that of a lawless mob. Next, after 
serving a term as a member of the Colonial 
Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find- 
ing his health affected b}- too great labor, 
i-etired to his native home at Braintree. 

The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa- 
mous Boston " Tea Part}'," the first open 
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the 
Congress at Philadelphia ; and when the 
Attorney-General announced that Great 
Britain had " determined on her system, 
and that her power to execute it was irre- 
sistible," Adams replied : " I know that 
Great Britain has determined on her S3'S- 
tem, and that very determination deter- 
mines me on mine. You know that I have 
been constant in my opposition to her 
measures. The die is now cast. I have 
passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or 
die, with my countr}-, is my unalterable 
determination." Tiie rumor beginning to 
prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress 
had independence in view, Adams foresaw 
that it was too soon to declare it openly. 
He advised every one to remain quiet in 
that respect; and as soon as it became ap- 
parent that he himself was for independ- 
ence, he was advised to hide himself, which 
he did. 

The next year the great Revolutionary 
war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams, 
residing near Boston, kept her husband ad- 
vised by letter of all the events transpiring 
in her vicinity. The battle of Bunker Hill 



IR 



I'RESIDENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



came on. Congress had to do something 
immediately. The first thing was to 
choose a commander-in-chief for tiie — we 
can't say " army " — the fighting men of the 
colonies. The New England delegation 
was almost unanimous in favor of appoint- 
ing General Ward, then at the head of the 
Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged 
the appointment of George Washington, 
then almost unknown outside of his own 
State. He was appointed without ojjpo- 
sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution, 
which was adopted, annulling all the royal 
authority in the colonies. Having thus 
prepared the way, a few weeks later, viz., 
June -, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Vir- 
ginia, who a few months before had declared 
that the British Government would aban- 
don its oppressive measures, now offered 
the memorable resolution, seconded by 
Adams, "that these United States arc, and 
of right ought to be, free and independent." 
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and 
Livingston were then appointed a commit- 
tee to draught a declaration of independ- 
ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams 
to draw up the bold document, but the 
latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform 
that responsible task. The Declaration 
drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost 
defender on the floor of Congress. It was 
signed by all the fifty-five members present, 
and the next day Mr. Adams wrote to his 
wife how great a deed was done, and how 
proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued 
to be the leading man of Congress, and 
the leading advocate of American inde- 
pendence. Above all other Americans, 
he was considered by every one the prin- 
cipal shining mark for British vengeance. 
Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to 
the most dangerous task of crossing the 
ocean in winter, exposed to capture bv the 
British, who knew of his mission, which 
was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera- 
tion of the French. Besides, to take him- 



self away from the country of which he 
was the most prominent defender, at that 
critical time, was an act of the greatest self- 
sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the 
sea, he had two ver}' narrow escapes from 
capture ; and the transit was otherwise a 
stormy and eventful one. During thc- 
summer of 1779 he returned home, but was 
immediatel)- dispatched back to France, to 
be in readiness there to negotiate terms of 
peace and commerce with Great Britain as 
soon as the latter power was ready for such 
business. But as Dr. Franklin was more 
popular than heat the court of France, Mr. 
Adams repaired to Holland, where he was 
far more successful as a diplomatist. 

The treaty of peace between the United 
States and England was finally signed at 
Paris, January 21, 1783; and the re-action 
from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had 
so long been experiencing threw him into 
a dangerous fever. Before he fully re- 
covered he was in London, whence he was 
dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti- 
ate another loan. Compliance with this 
order undermined his physical constitution 
for life. 

In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy 
to the court of St. James, to meet face to 
face the very king who had regarded him 
as an arch traitor ! Accordingly he re- 
paired thither, where he did actually meet 
and converse with George III.! After a 
residence there for about three years, he 
obtained permission to return to America. 
While in London he wrote and published 
an able work, in three volumes, entitled: 
'' A Defense of the American Constitution." 

The Articles of Confederation proving 
inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a 
carefully draughted Constitution was 
adopted in 1789, when George Washington 
was elected President of the new nation, 
and Adams Vice-President. Congress met 
for a time in New York, but was removed 
to Philadelphia for ten years, until suitable 



JOHN ADAMS. 



19 



buildings should be erected at the new 
capital in the District of Columbia. Mr. 
Adams then moved his family to Phila- 
delphia. Toward the close of his term of 
ofifice the French Revolution culminated, 
when Adams and Washington rather 
sympathized with England, and Jefferson 
with France. The Presidential election of 
1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first 
place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer- 
son the second place. 

]Mr. Adams's administration was consci- 
entious, patriotic and able. The period 
was a turbulent one, and even an archangel 
could not have reconciled the hostile par- 
ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng- 
land and France was bitter, and for four 
years Mr. Adams struggled through almost 
a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he 
was not truly a popular man, and his cha- 
grin at not receiving a re-election was so 
great that he did not even remain at Phila- 
delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr. 
Jefferson, his successor. The friendly 
intimacy between these two men was 
interrupted for about thirteen 3'ears of their 
life. Adams finall}- made the first advances 
toward a restoration of their mutual friend- 
ship, which were gratefully accepted by 
Jefferson. 

Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity 
to retire to private lile, where he could rest 
his mind and enjoy the comforts of home. 
By a thousand bitter experiences he found 
the path of public duty a thorny one. For 
twenty-six years his service of the public 
was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted 
as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im- 
portant sense he was as much the " Father 
of his Country " as was Washington in 
another sense. During these long years of 
anxiety and toil, in which he was laying, 
broad and deep, the foundations of the 



greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he 
received from his impoverished country a 
meager support. The only privilege he 
carried with him into his retirement was 
that of franking his letters. 

Although taking no active part in public 
affairs, both himself and his son, John 
Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr. 
Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of 
England, who persisted in searching 
American ships on the high seas and 
dragging from them any sailors that might 
be designated by any pert lieutenant as 
British subjects. Even for this noble sup- 
port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou- 
sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion, 
for the first time since his retirement, he 
broke silence and drew up a very able 
paper, exposing the atrocity- of the British 
pretensions. 

Mr. Adams outlived nearly all hisfamil3'. 
Though his physical frame began to give 
way many years before his death, his mental 
powers retained their strength and vigor to 
the last. In his ninetieth year he was 
gladdened by the popular elevation of his 
son to the Presidential office, the highest in 
the gift of the people. A few months more 
passed away and the 4th of Julv, 1826, 
arrived. The people, unaware of the near 
approach of the end of two great lives — 
that of Adams and Jefferson — -were making 
unusual preparations for a national holiday. 
Mr. Adams la)' upon his couch, listening to 
the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial 
music and the roar of cannon, with silent 
emotion. Only four days before, lie had 
given for a public toast, " Independence 
forever." About two o'clock in the after- 
noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives." 
But he was mistaken by an hour or so; 
and in a few minutes he had breathed his 
last. 



P/fES/DElVTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



ji?^ 





'"^teii?^ 



O M A S J E F F E R- 
son, the third Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, 1 801-9, ^^^s 
born April 2, 1743, 
the eldest child of 
his parents, Peter 
and Jane (Randoipii) Jef- 
ferson, near Charlottes- 
ville, Albemarle Countv, 
\ irginia, upon the slopes 
of the Blue Ridge. When 
he -was fourteen years of 
age, his father died, leav- 

■ y 4;c-y,s'-z. '"S ^ widow and eight 

^^\\^ children. She wasa beau- 
tiful and accomplished 
lady, a good letter-writer, with a fund of 
humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His 
parents belonged to the Church of England, 
and are said to be of Welch origin. But 
little is known of them, however. 

Thomas was naturally of a serious turn 
of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at 
school, his choice studies being mathemat- 
ics and the classics. At the age of seven- 
teen he entered William and Mar\- College, 
in an advanced class, and lived in rather an 
expensive style, consequently being much 
caressed by gay society. That he was not 
ruined, is proof of his stamina of character. 
But during his second year he discarded 



societ}-, his horses and even his favorite 
violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, becoming ex- 
traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek 
authors. 

On leaving college, before he was twenty- 
one, he commenced the study of law, and 
pursued it diligently until he was well 
qualified for practice, upon whicii he 
entered in 1767. By this time he was also 
versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An- 
glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine 
arts. Being very polite and polished in his 
manners, he won the friendship of all whom 
he met. Though able with his pen, he was 
not fluent in public speech. 

In 1769 he was chosen a member of the 
Virginia Legislature, and was the largest 
slave-holding member of that body. He 
introduced a bill empowering slave-holders 
to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected 
by an overwhelming vote. 

In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great 
loss; his house at Shadwell was burned, 
and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes 
was consumed. But he was wealthy 
enough to replace the most of it, as from 
his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his 
practice at the bar his income amounted to 
about $5,000 a year. 

In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, 
a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished 





9M7l^ 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



n 



young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of 
land and 130 slave?; yet he labored assidu- 
ously for the abolition of slavery. For his 
new home he selected a majestic rise of 
land upon his large estate at Shadwell, 
called IMonticello, whereon he erected a 
mansion of modest 3'et elegant architecture. 
Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste 
in magnificent, high-blooded horses. 

At this pei^iod the British Government 
gradually became more insolent and op- 
pressive toward the American colonies, 
and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most 
foremost to resist its encroachments. From 
time to time he drew up resolutions of re- 
monstrance, which were finally adopted, 
thus proving his ability as a statesman and 
as a leader. By the vear 1774 he became 
quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de- 
fending the right of the colonies to defend 
themselves. His pamphlet entitled: "A 
Summary View of the Rights of British 
America," attracted much attention in Eng- 
land. The following year he, in company 
with George Washington, served as an ex- 
ecutive committee in measures to defend 
by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem- 
ber of the Congress, he was not a speech- 
maker, yet in conversation and upon 
committees he was so frank and decisive 
that he always n^.ade a favorable impression. 
But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re- 
mained in hopes of reconciliation with the 
parent country. 

At length, however, tiie hour arrived for 
draughting the " Declaration of Indepen- 
dence," and this responsible task was de- 
volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and 
Adams suggested a few verbal corrections 
before it was submitted to Congress, which 
was June 28, 1776, only six da3^s before it 
was adoplted. During the three days of 
the fiery ordeal of criticism through which 
it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened 
not his lips. John Adams was the main 
champion of the Declaration on the floor 



of Congress. The signing of this document 
was one of the most solemn and momentous 
occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer 
and silence reigned throughout the hall, 
and each signer realized that if American 
independence was not finally sustained by 
arms he was doomed to the scaffold. 

After the colonies became independent 
States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat 
in Congress in order to aid in organizins: 
the government of Virginia, of which State 
he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he 
was thirty-six years of age. At this time 
the British had possession of Georgia and 
were invading South Carolin:^, and at one 
time a British officer, Tarleton, sent a 
secret expedition to Monticello to capture 
the Governor. Five minutes after Mr. 
Jefferson escaped with his family, his man- 
sion was in possession of the enemy ! The 
British troops also destroyed his valuable 
plantation on the James River. " Had they 
carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with 
characteristic magnanimity, " to give them 
freedom, they would have done right." 

The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the 
Virsfinia Governor. While confined to his 
secluded home in the forest by a sick and 
dying wife, a party arose against him 
throughout the State, severely criticising 
his course as Governor. Being very sensi- 
tive to reproach, this touched him to the 
quick, and the heap of troubles then sur- 
rounding him nearly crushed him. He re- 
solved, in despair, to retire from public life 
for the rest of his days. For weeks Mr. 
Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed 
heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during 
which time unfeeling letters were sent to 
him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith- 
fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost 
so much property and at the same time 
done so much for 'his country! After her 
death he actually fainted away, and re- 
mained so long insensible that it was feared 
he never would recover! Several weeks 



24 



P/fES/DS.VTS OF THE U.VITED STATES. 



passed before he could fully recover his 
equilibrium. He was never married a 
second time. 

In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng- 
land compelled their king to make to the 
Americans overtures of peace, and in No- 
vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap- 
pointed by Congress, unanimous! v and 
witiiout a single adverse remark, minister 
plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty. 

In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap- 
pointed on a committee to draught a plan 
for the government of the Northwestern 
Territorv. His slavery-prohibition clause 
in that plan was stricken out by the pro- 
slavery majority of the committee; but amid 
all the controversies and wrangles of poli- 
ticians, he made it a rule never to contra- 
dict anj'body or engage in any discussion 
as a debater. 

In company with Mr. Adams and ^Dr. 
Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in 
May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary 
in the negotiation of treaties of commerce 
with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went 
to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his 
mission. The suavity and high bearing of 
his manner made all the French his friends; 
and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote 
to her sister that he was "the chosen 
of the earth." But all the honors that 
he received, both at home and abroad, 
seemed to make no change in the simi)licity 
of his republican tastes. On his return to 
America, lie found two parties respecting 
the foreign commercial policv, Mr. Adams 
sympathizing with that in favor of England 
and himself favoring France. 

On the inauguration of General Wash- 
ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was 
chosen by him for the office of Secretary of 
State. At this time the rising storm of the 
French Revolution became visible, and 
Washington watched it with great anxiety. 
His cabinet was divided in their views of 
constitutional government as well as re- 



garding the issues in France. General 
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was 
the leader of the so-called Federal party, 
while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of tiie 
Republican party. At the same time there 
was a strong monarchical party in this 
country, with which Mr. Adams sympa- 
thized. Some important financial measures, 
which were proposed by Hamilton and 
finally adopted by the cabinet and approved 
by Washington, were opposed by Mr. 
Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to 
reproach iiim with holding office under an 
administration whose views he opposed. 
The President poured oil on the troubled 
waters. On his re-election to the Presi- 
dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain 
in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his 
resignation at two different times, probably 
because he was dissatisfied with some of 
the measures of the Government. His 
final one was not received until January i, 
1794, when General Washington parted 
from him with great regret. 

Jefferson then retired to his quiet home 
at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even 
reading the newspapers lest the political 
gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi- 
dent's again calling him back to the office 
of Secretary of State, he replied that no 
circumstances would ever again tempt him 
to engage in anj-thing public! But, while 
all Europe was ablaze with war, and France 
in the throes of a bloody revolution and the 
principal theater of the conflict, a new 
Presidential election in this coinitry came 
on. John Adams was the Federal candi- 
date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi- 
can candidate. The result of the election 
was the pi'omotion of the latter to the Vice- 
Presidency, while the former was chosen 
President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson 
really did not desire to have either office, 
he was " so weary " of party strife. He 
loved the retirement of home more than 
any other place on the earth. 



THOMAS JEFFEHSON. 



But for four long years his Vice-Presi- 
dency passed jo^-lessly awa}-, while the 
partisan strife between Federalist and Re- 
publican was ever growing hotter. The 
former party split and tlie result of the 
fourth general election was the elevation of 
Mr. Jefferson to the Presidenc}' ! with 
Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men 
being at the head of a growing party, their 
election was hailed everywhere with joy- 
On the other hand, many of the Federalists 
turned pale, as they believed what a portion 
of the pulpit and the press had been preach- 
ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist," 
a "Jacobin," the "incarnation of all evil," 
" breathing threatening and slaughter! " 

Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con- 
tained nothing but the noblest sentiments, 
expressed in fine language, and his personal 
behavior afterward exhibited the extreme 
of American, democratic simplicit}-. His 
disgust of European court etiquette grew 
upon him with age. He believed that 
General Washington was somewhat dis- 
trustful of the ultimate success of a popular 
Government, and that, imbued with a little 
admiration of the forms of a monarchical 
Government, he had instituted levees, birth- 
days, pompous meetings with Congress, 
etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to 
slaves everywhere he met them, and carried 
in his countenance the indications of an ac- 
commodating disposition. 

The political principles of tiie Jeffersoni- 
an party now swc|)t the country, and Mr. 
Jefferson himself swayed an influence which 
was never exceeded even by Washington. 
Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou- 
isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000. 
the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com- 
prising all the land west of the Mississippi 
to the Pacific Ocean. 

The 3'ear 1804 witnessed another severe 
loss in his family. His highly accomplished 
and most beloved daughter Marin sickened 
and died, causing as great grief in the 



stricken parent as it was possible for him to 
survive with an}' degree of sanity. 

The same year he was re-elected to tlie 
Presidenc}', with George Clinton as Vice- 
President. During his second term our 
relations with England became more com- 
plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp- 
ton Roads, the United States frigate 
Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit- 
ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made 
to surrender. Three men were killed and 
ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara- 
tion. England grew insolent. It became 
evident that war was determined upon by 
the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri- 
cans were forced into the British service 
upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory 
solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's 
Presidential term closed. Amid all these 
public excitements he thought constantly 
of the welfare of his family, and longfed 
for the time when he could return home 
to remain. There, at Monticello, his sub- 
sequent life was very similar to that of 
Washington at Mt. Vernon. His hospi- 
tality toward his numerous friends, indul- 
gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his 
propert)-, etc., finally involved him in debt. 
For years his home resembled a fashion- 
able watering-place. During the summer, 
thirty-seven house servants were required I 
It was presided over by his daughter, Mrs, 
Randolph. 

Mr. Jefferson did much for the establish- 
ment of the University at Charlottesville, 
making it unsectarian, in keeping with the 
spirit of American institutions, but poverty 
and the feebleness of old age prevented 
him from doing what he would. He even 
went so far as to petition the Legislature 
for permission to dispose of some of his 
possessions bv lottery, in order to raise the 
neccssar}' funds for home expenses. It was 
granted ; but before the plan was carried 
out, Mr. Jefferson died, July 4, 1826, at 

12:50 1'. M. 



26 



PRESIDENTS OF THE U.XITED STATES. 











^^'AMES MADISON, the 
:^; lourth President of the 
^$^ United States, iSog-'i/, 
.■■ was born at Port Con- 

,^ . ;v^._ way, Prince George 
S.-Jl: Count}-, \'irginia, March 
i6, 1 75 1. His father, 
Colonel James Madison, was 
a wealthy planter, residing 
upon a very fine estate 
called " Montpelier," only 
twenty-fiye miles from the 
home of Thomas Jefferson 
at Monlicello. The closest 
j)ersonal and political at- 
taciiment existed between 
these illustrious men from their early youth 
until death. 

James was the eldest of a family of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, all 
of whom attained maturity. His early edu- 
cation was conducted mostly at home, 
under a private tutor. Being naturally in- 
tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him- 
self with unusual vigor to study. At a very 
early age he made considerable proficiency 
in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish 
languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton 
College, New Jersey, of which the illus- 
trious Dr. Weatherspoon was then Presi- 
dent. He graduated in 1771, with a char- 



acter of the utmost purity, and a mind 
highly disciplined and stored with all the 
learning which embellished and gave effi- 
ciency to his subsequent career. After 
graduating he pursued a course of reading 
for several months, under the guidance of 
President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re- 
turned to Virginia, where he continued in 
incessant study for two years, nominally 
directed to the law, but really including 
extended researches in theology, philoso- 
phy and general literature. 

The Church of England was the estab- 
lished church in Virginia, invested with all 
the prerogatives and immunities which it 
enjoyed in the fatherland, and other de- 
nominations labored under serious disabili- 
ties, the enforcement of which was lightly 
or wrongly characterized by them as per- 
secution. Madison took a prominent stand 
in behalf of the removal of all disabilities, 
repeatedly appeared in the court of his own 
county to defend the Baptist nonconform- 
ists, and was elected from Orange County to 
the Virginia Convention in the spring of 
1766, when he signalized the beginning of 
his public career by procuring the passage 
of an amendment to the Declaration of 
Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub- 
stituting for " toleration" a more emphatic 
assertion of religious liberty. 



w 




/ a.^<Uy''^ -c^ acy^^^ ^^^ 






JAMES MADISON. 



29 



In 1776 he was elected a member of the 
Virginia Convention to frame the Constitu- 
tion of the State. Like Jefferson, he took 
but Httle part in the pubhc debates. His 
main strength lay in his conversational in- 
fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777, 
he was chosen a member of the Council of 
State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in 
the Continental Congress, where he first 
gained prominence through his energetic 
opposition to the issue of paper money by 
the States. He continued in Congress three 
vears, one of its most active and influential 
members. 

In 1784 Mr. Madison was elected a mem- 
ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren- 
dered important service by promoting and 
participating in that revision of the statutes 
which effectually abolished the remnants of 
the feudal system subsistent up to that 
time in the form of entails, primogeniture, 
and State support given the Anglican 
Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon- 
strance" against a general assessment for 
the support of religion is one of the ablest 
papers which emanated from his pen. It 
settled the question of the entire separation 
of church and State in Virginia. 

Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to 
the stud}' and experience through which he 
had already passed : 

" Trained in these successive schools, he 
acquired a habit of self-possession which 
placed at ready command the rich resources 
of his himmousand discriminating mind and 
of iiis extensive information, and rendered 
him the first of every assembly of which he 
afterward became a member. Never wan- 
dering from his subject into vain declama- 
tion, but pursuing it closely in language 
pure, classical and copious, soothing al- 
wavs the feelings of his adversaries by civili- 
ties and softness of expression, he rose to the 
eminent station which he held in the great 
Nadonal Convention of 17S7 ; and in that of 
Virginia, which followed, he sustained the 



new Constitution in all its parts, bearing off 
the palm against the logic of George Mason 
and the fervid declamation of Patrick 
Henrj-. With these consummate powers 
were united a pure and spotless virtue 
which no calumny has ever attempted to 
sullv- Of the power and polish of his pen, 
and of the wisdom of his administration in 
the highest office of the nation, I need say 
nothing. They have spoken, and \vill for- 
ever speak, for themselves." 

In January, 1786, Mr. Madison took the 
initiative in proposing a meeting of State 
Commissioners to devise measures for more 
satisfactory commercial relations between 
the States. A meeting was held at An- 
napolis to discuss this subject, and but five 
States were represented. The convention 
issued another call, drawn up bv Mr. Madi- 
son, urging all the States to send their dele- 
gates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to 
draught a Constitution for the United 
States. The delegates met at the time ap- 
pointed, every State except Rhode Island 
being represented. George Washington 
was chosen president of the convention, 
and the present Constitution of the United 
States was then and there form.ed. There 
was no mind and no pen more active in 
framing this immortal document than the 
mind and pen of James Madison. He was, 
perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of 
the Federalist. 

Mr. Madison was a member of the first 
four Congresses, 1789-97, in which he main- 
tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's 
financial policy. He declined the mission 
to France and the Secrctai-yship of State, 
and, gradually identifying himself with the 
Republican party, became from 1792 its 
avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice 
for the Presidency as successor to Wash- 
ington. Mr. Jefferson wrote: "There is 
not another person in the United States 
with whom, being placed at the helm of our 
affairs, my mi-nd would be so completely at 



3° 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



rest for the fortune of our political bark." 
But Mr. Madison declined to be a candi- 
date. His term in Conoress had expired, 
and he returned from New York to his 
beautiful retreat at Montpelier. 

In 1794 Mr. Madison married a young 
widow of rem;irkable powers of fascination 
— Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro- 
thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir- 
ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been 
educated in the strictest rules of that sect. 
When but eighteen years of age she married 
a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia, 
where she was introduced to brilliant scenes 
of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside 
the dress and address of the Quakeress, and 
became one of the most fascinating ladies 
of the republican court. In New York, 
alter the death of her husband, she was the 
belle of the season and was surrounded with 
admirers. Mr. Madisnn won the prize. 
She proved an invaluable helpmate. In 
Washington she was the life of society. 
If there was any diffident, timid young 
girl just making her appearance, she 
found in Mrs. Madison an encouraging 
Iriend. 

During the stormy administration of John 
Adams Madison remained in private life, 
but was the author of the celebrated " Reso- 
lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia 
Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien 
and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report" 
in which he defended those resolutions, 
which is, by many, considered his ablest 
State paper. 

The storm passed away ; the Alien and 
Sedition laws were repealed, John Adams 
lost his re-election, and in 1801 Thomas Jef- 
ferson was chosen President. The great re- 
action in public sentiment which seated 
Jefferson in the presidential chair was large- 
ly owing to the writings of Madison, who 
was consequently well entitled to the post 
of Secretary of State. With great ability 
he discharged the duties of this responsible 



office during the eight years of Mr. Jeffer- 
son's administration. 

As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and 
neither of his daughters could be often with 
him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over 
the festivities of the White House; and as 
her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold- 
ing his office for two terms, this remarkable 
woman was the mistress of the presidential 
mansion for sixteen j'ears. 

Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by 
the cares of his office, all the duties of so- 
cial life devolved upon his accomplished 
wife. Never were such responsibilities 
more ably discharged. The most bitter 
foes of her husband and of the administra- 
tion were received with the frankly prof- 
fered hand and the cordial smile of wel- 
come; and the influence of this gentle 
woman in allaying the bitterness of party 
rancor became a great and salutary power 
in the nation. 

As the term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency 
drew near its close, party strife was roused 
to the utmost to elect his successor. It was 
a death-grapple between the two great 
parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr. 
Madison was chosen President by an elec- 
toral vote of 122 to 53, and was inaugurated 
March 4, 1809, at a critical period, when 
the relations of the United States with Great 
Britain were becoming embittered, and his 
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, 
aggravated bv tiie act of non-intercourse of 
May, 1 8 10, and finallv resulting in a decla- 
ration of war. 

On the i8th of June, 181 2, President 
Madison gave his approval to an act of 
Congress declaring war against Great Brit- 
ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility 
of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved ; and in the autumn 
Madison was re-elected to the Presidency 
by 128 electoral votes to 89 in favor of 
George Clinton. 

March 4, 1S17, Madison yielded the Presi- 



yAAfES MADISOiV. 



3« 



dency to his Secretary of State and inti- 
mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to 
his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he 
passed the evening of his days surrounded 
by attached friends and enjoying the 
merited respect of the whole nation. He 
took pleasure in promoting agriculture, as 
president of the county society, and in 
watching the development of the University 
of Virginia, of which he was long rector and 
visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829 
as a member of the convention called to re- 
form the Virginia Constitution, where his 
appearance was hailed with the most gen- 
uine interest and satisfaction, though he 
was too infirm io participate in the active 
work of revision. Small in stature, slender 
and delicate in form, with a countenance 
full of intelligence, and expressive alike of 
mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten- 
tion of all who attended the convention, 
and was treated with the utmost deference. 
He seldom addressed the assembly, though 
he always appeared self-possessed, and 
watched with unflagging interest the prog- 
ress of every measure. Though the con- 
vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only 
twice ; but when he did speak, the whole 
house paused to listen. His voice was 
feeble though his enunciation was very dis- 
tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansbury, 
relates the following anecdote of Mr. Madi- 
son's last speech: 

" The next day, as there was a great call 
for it, and the report had not been returned 
for publication, I sent my son with a re- 
spectful note, requesting the manuscript. 
My son was a lad of sixteen, whom I had 
taken with me to act as amanuensis. On 
delivering my note, he was received with 
the utmost politeness, and requested to 
come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait 
while his eye ran over the paper, as com- 
pany had prevented his attending to it. He 
did so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct 
the report. The lad stood near him so that 



his eye fell on the paper. Coming to a 
certain sentence in the speech, Mr. Madison 
erased a word and substituted another ; but 
hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the 
second word, drew his pen through it also. 
My son was young, ignorant of the world, 
and unconscious of the solecism of which he 
was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic- 
ity, he suggested a word. Probably no 
other person then living would have taken 
such a liberty. But the sage, instead of 
regarding such an intrusion with a frown, 
raised his eyes to the boy's face with a 
pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ; 
it is the very word,' and immediately in- 
serted it. I saw him the next day, and he 
mentioned the circumstance, with a compli- 
ment on the young critic." 

Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 28, 
1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five. 
While not possessing the highest order of 
talent, and deficient in oratorical powers, 
he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well- 
balanced mind. His attainments were solid, 
his knowledge copious, his judgment gener- 
ally sound, his powers of anal\-sis and logi- 
cal statement rarely surpassed, his language 
and literary style correct and polished, his 
conversation witty, his temperament san- 
guine and trustful, his integrit)' unques- 
tioned, his manners simple, courteous and 
winning. By these rare qualities he con- 
ciliated the esteem not only of friends, but 
of political opponents, in a greater degree 
than any American statesman in the present 
century. 

Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir- 
teen years, and died July 12, 1849, in the 
eighty -second year of her age. She was one 
of the most remarkable women our coun- 
try has produced. Even now she is ad- 
miringly remembered in Washington as 
" Dolly Madison," and it is fitting that her 
memory sh(Duld descend to posterity in 
company with thatof the companion of 
her life. 



3^ 



PliESIDEXTS OF THE UN/TED .STATES. 



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'AMES MONROE, the fifth 
President of the United 
States, i8i7-'25, wasborn 
in Westmoreland County 
Virginia, April 28, 1758. 
He was a son of Spence 
Monroe, and a descendant 
of a Scottish cavalier fam- 
ily. Like all his predeces- 
sors thus far in the Presi- 
dential chair, he enjoyed all 
the advantages of educa- 
tion which the country 
could then afford. He was 
early sent to a fine classical 
school, and at the age of si.x- 
teen entered William and Mary College.. 
In 1776, when he had been in college but 
two years, the Declaration of Independence 
was adopted, and our feeble militia, with- 
out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug- 
gling against the trained armies of England. 
James Monroe left college, hastened to 
General Washington's headquarters at New 
York and enrolled himself as a cadet in the 
army. 

At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis- 
tinguished himself, receiving a wound in his 
shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap- 
taincy. Upon recovering from his wound, 
he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster- 
ling, and in that capacity he took an active 
part in the battles of Brandywine, Ger- 
mantown and Monmouth. At Germantown 



he stood by the side of Lafayette when the 
French Marquis received his wound. Gen- 
eral Washington, who had formed a high 
idea of young Monroe's abilitv, sent him to 
Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which 
he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was 
Virginia at that time that the effort proved 
unsuccessful. He, however, received his 
commission. 

Finding no opportunity to enter the army 
as a commissioned officer, he returned to his 
original plan of studying law, and entered 
the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was 
then Governor of Virginia. He developed 
a very noble character, frank, manly and 
sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him: 

"James Monroe is so perfectly honest 
that if his soul were turned inside out there 
would not be found a spot on it." 

In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly 
of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem- 
ber of the Executive Council. The next 
year he was chosen delegate to the Conti- 
nental Congress for a term of three years. 
He was present at Annapolis when Wash- 
ington surrendered his commission of Com- 
mander-in-chief. 

With Washington, Jefferson and Madison 
he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old 
Articles of Confederation, and urged the 
formation of a new Constitution, which 
should invest the Central Government with 
something like national power. Influenced 
by these views, he introduced a resolution 



JAAfES MO ^r ROE. 



35 



that Congress should be empowered to 
regulate trade, and to lay an impost dut}- 
of five per cent. The resolution was refer- 
red to a committee of which he was chair- 
man. The report and the discussion which 
rose upon it led to the convention of five 
States at Annapolis, and the consequent 
general convention at Philadelphia, which, 
in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the 
United States. 

At this time there was a controversy be- 
tween New York and Massachusetts in 
reference to their boundaries. The high 
esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held 
is indicated by the fact that he was ap- 
pointed one of the judges to decide the 
controversy. While in New York attend- 
ing Congress, he married Miss Kortright, 
a young lad)' distinguished alike for her 
beauty and accomplishments. For nearly 
fifty years this happy union remained un- 
broken. In London and in Paris, as in her 
own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration 
and affection by the loveliness of her per- 
son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the 
amiability of her character. 

Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe 
commenced the practice of law at Freder- 
icksburg. He was yery soon elected to a 
seat in the State Legislature, and the next 
year he was chosen a member of the Vir- 
ginia convention which was assembled to 
decide upon the acceptance or rejection of 
the Constitution which had been drawn up 
at Philadelphia, and was now submitted 
to the several States. Deepl}' as he felt 
the imperfections of the old Confederacy, 
he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
thinking, with many others of the Republi- 
can party, that it gave too much power to 
the Central Government, and not enough 
to the individual States. 

In 1789 he became a member of the 
United States Senate, which office he held 
acceptably to his constituents, and with 
honor to himself for four years. 



Having opposed the Constitution as not 
leaving enough poiver with the States, he, 
of course, became more and more identi- 
fied with the Republican party. Thus he 
found himself in cordial co-operation with 
Jefferson and Madison. The great Repub- 
lican part}^ became the dominant power 
which ruled the land. 

George Washington was then President. 
England had espoused the cause of the 
Bourbons against the principles of the 
French Revolution. President Washing- 
ton issued a proclamation of neutralit}- be- 
tween these contending powers. France 
had helped us in the struggle for our lib- 
erties. All the despotisms of Europe were 
now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from tyrann\- a thousandfold 
worse than that which we had endured. 
Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than 
prudent, was anxious that we should help 
our old allies in their extremity. He vio- 
lently opposed the President's procla- 
mation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such 
a character, developed his calm, serene, 
almost divine greatness by appointing that 
very James Monroe, who was denouncing 
the policy of the Government, as the Minis- 
ter of that Government to the republic of 
France. He was directed by Washington 
to express to the French people our warm- 
est sympathy, communicating to them cor- 
responding resolves approved by the Pres- 
ident, and adopted by both houses of 
Congress. 

Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na- 
tional Convention in France with the most 
enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and 
affection. He was publicly introduced to 
that body, and received the embrace of the 
President, Merlin dc Douay, after having 
been addressed in a speech glowing with 
congratulations, and with expressions of 
desire that harmony might ever exist be- 



36 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



tween the two nations. The flags of the 
two republics were intertwined in the hall 
of the convention. Mr. Monroe presented 
the American colors, and received those of 
France in return. The course which he 
pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng- 
land and to the friends of England in 
tills country that, near the close of Wash- 
ii.gton's administration, Mr. Monroe, was 
recalled. 

After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a 
book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the 
Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af- 
fairs." In this work he very ably advo- 
cated his side of the question; but, with 
the magnanimity of the man, he recorded a 
warm tribute to the patriotism, ability and 
spotless integrity of John Jay, between 
whom and himself there was intense antag- 
onism : and in subsequent years he ex- 
pressed in warmest terms his perfect 
veneration for the character of George 
Washington. 

Shortly after his return to this country 
Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of 
V'irginia, and held that office for three 
years, the period limited by the Constitu- 
tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France, 
and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to 
England in 1803. In 1806 he returned to 
his quiet home in Virginia, and with his 
wife and children and an ample competence 
from his paternal estate, enjo3'ed a few years 
of domestic repose. 

In 1809 Mr. Jefferson's second term of 
ofifice expired, and many of the Republican 
party were anxious to nominate James 
Monroe as his successor. The majority 
were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon- 
roe withdrew his name and was soon after 
chosen a second time Governor of Virginia. 
He soon resigned that office to accept the 
position of Secretary of State, offered him 
by President Madison. The correspond- 
ence which he then carried on with the 
British Government demonstrated that 



there was no hope of anv peaceful adjust- 
ment of our difficulties with the cabinet of 
St. James. War was consequently declared 
in June. 1812. Immediately after the sack 
ot Washington the Secretary of War re- 
signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest 
request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad- 
ditional duties of the War Department, 
without resigning his position as Secretary 
of State. It has been confidently stated, 
that, had Mr. Monroe's energies been in the 
War Department a few months earlier, the 
disaster at Washington would not have 
occurred. 

The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon- 
roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou- 
sand men, picked from the veteran armies 
of England, were sent with a powerful fleet 
to New Orleans to acquire possession of 
the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan- 
ces were in the most deplorable condition. 
The treasury was exhausted and our credit 
gone. And yet it was necessaiy to make 
the most rigorous preparations to meet the 
foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec- 
retary of War, with virtue unsurpassed in 
Greek or Roman story, stepped forward 
and pledged his own individual credit as 
subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus 
succeeded in placing the city of New Or- 
leans in such a posture of defense, that it 
was enabled successfuih- to lepel the in- 
vader. 

Mr. Monroe was truly the armor-bearer 
of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. His energy 
in the double capacity of Secretarv, both 
of -State and War, pervaded all the depart- 
ments of the country. He proposed to 
increase the army to 100,000 men, a meas- 
ure wiiicii he deemed absolutely necessary 
to save us from ignominious defeat, but 
which, at the same time, he knew would 
render his name so unpopular as to preclude 
the possibility of his being a successful can- 
didate f(jr the Presidency. 



JAMES MONROE. 



%! 



The happy result of the conference at 
Ghent in securing peace rendered the in- 
crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not 
too much to say'that James Monroe placed 
in the hands of Andrew Jackson the 
weapon with which to beat off the foe at 
New Orleans. Upon the return of peace 
Mr. Monroe resigned the department of 
war, devoting himself entirely to the duties 
of Secretary of State. These he continued 
to discharge until the close of President 
Madison's administration, with zeal which 
was never abated, and with an ardor of 
self-devotion which made him almost for- 
getful of the claims of fortune, health or 
life. 

Mr. Madison's second term expired in 
March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded 
to the Presidency. He was a candidate of 
the Republican party, now taking the name 
of the Democratic Republican. In 182 1 he 
was re-elected, with scarcely any opposition. 
Out of 232 electoral votes, he received 231. 
The slavery question, which subsequently 
assumed such formidable dimensions, now 
began to make its appearance. The State 
of Missouri, which had been carved out of 
that immense territory which we had pur- 
chased of France, applied for admission to 
the Union, with a slavery Constitution. 
There were not a few who foresaw the 
evils impending. After the debate of a 
week it was decided that Missouri could 
not be admitted into the Union with slav- 
ery. This important question was at length 
settled by a compromise proposed by 
Henry Clay. 

The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which 
so much has been said, originated in this 
way: In 1823 it was rumored that the 
Holy Alliance was about to interfere to 
prevent the establishment of Republican 
liberty in the European colonies of South 
America. President Monroe wrote to his 
old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in 
the emergency. In his reply under date of 



October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the 
supposition that our attempt to resist this 
European movement might lead to war: 

" Its object is to introduce and establish 
the American system of keeping out of our 
land all foreign powers; of never permitting 
those of Europe to intermeddle with the 
affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our 
own principle, not to depart from it." 

December 2, 1823, President Monroe 
sent a message to Congress, declaring it to 
be the policy of this Government not to 
entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu- 
rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere 
with the affairs of nations on the American 
continent; and the doctrine was announced, 
that any attempt on the part of the Euro- 
pean powers " to extend their system to 
any portion of this hemisphere would be 
regarded by the United States as danger- 
ous to our peace and safety." 

March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered 
the presidential chair to his Secretar)- of 
State, John Quincy Adams, and retired, 
with the universal respect of the nation, 
to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou- 
doun County, Virginia. His time had been 
so entirely consecrated to his country, that 
he had neglected his pecuniary interests, 
and was deeply involved in debt. The 
welfare of his country had ever been up- 
permost in his mind. 

For many years Mrs. Monroe was in such 
feeble health that she rarely appeared in 
public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his 
residence with his son-in-law in New York, 
where he died on the 4th of July, 1831. 
The citizens of New York conducted his 
obsequies with pageants more imposing 
than had ever been witnessed there before. 
Our country will ever cherish his mem- 
ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his 
name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc- 
ing him the worthy successor of the illus- 
trious men who had preceded him in the 
presidential chair. 



3S 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 






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' <P"OHN OUINCY ADAMS, 
the sixth President of the 
United States, i825-'9, 
was born in the rural 
home of his honored 
father, Jolm Adams, in 
Q u i n c y , Massacluisetts, 
July II, 1767. His mother, 
a woman of exalted worth, 
watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant 
absence of his father. He 
commenced his education 
at the village school, giving 
at an early period indica- 
tions of superior mental en- 
dowments. 

When eleven years of age he sailed with 
his father for Europe, where the latter was 
associated with Franklin and Lee as Minister 
Plenipotentiary. The intelligence of John 
Ouincy attracted the attention of these men 
and received from them flattering marks of 
attention. Mr. Adams had scarcely returned 
to this country in 1779 ere he was again 
sent abroad, and John Quincv again accom- 
panied him. On this vovage he commenced 
a diary, which practice he continued, with 
but few ijiterrupticjns, imtil his death. He 
journeyed with his father frt^m Ferrol, in 
Spain, to Paris. Here he applied himself 
for six months to studv; then accompanied 



his father to Holland, where he entered, 
first a school in Amsterdam, and then the 
University of Leyden. In 1781, when onlv 
fourteen years of age, he was selected by 
Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Russian 
court, as his private secretarv. In this 
school of incessant labor he spent fourteen 
months, and tiien returned alone to Holland 
through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. Again he resumed his studies 
under a private tutor, at The Hague. 

In the spring of 1782 he accompanied his 
father to Paris, forming acquaintance with 
the most distinguished men on the Conti- 
nent. After a short visit to England, he re- 
turned to Paris and studied until May, 
1785, when he returned to America, leav- 
ing his father an embassador at the court 
of St. James. In 1786 he entered the jun- 
ior class in Harvard University, and grad- 
uated with the second honor of his class. 
The oration he delivered on this occasion, 
the " Importance of Public Faith to the 
Well-being of a Community," \vas pub- 
lished — an event verv rare in this or any 
other land. 

Upon leaving college at the age of twenty 
he studied law three years with the Hon. 
Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport. In 
1790 he opened a law office in Boston. The 
profession was crowded with able men, and 
the fees were small. The first }-ear he had 




3, ^ , cAIaa>v^ 



JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS. 



41 



no clients, but not a moment was lost. The 
second year passed away, still no clients, 
and still he was dependent upon his parents 
for support. Anxiously he awaited the 
third year. The reward now came. Cli- 
ents began to enter his office, and before 
the end of the year he was so crowded 
with business that all solicitude respecting 
a support was at an end. 

When Great Britain commenced war 
against France, in 1793, Mr. Adams wrote 
some articles, urging entire neutrality on 
the part of the United States. The view 
was not a popidar one. Many felt that as 
France had helped us, we were bound to 
help France. But President Washington 
coincided with Mr. Adams, and issued his 
proclamation of neutrality. His writings 
at this time in the Boston journals gave 
him so high a reputation, that in June, 
1794, he was appointed by Washington 
resident Minister at the Netherlands. In 
July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Port- 
ugal as Minister Plenipotentiary. Wash- 
ington at this time wrote to his father, John 
Adams: 

" Without intending to compliment the 
father or the mother, or to censure an}' 
others, I give it as my decided opinion, 
that Mr. Adams is the most valuable char- 
acter we have abroad; and there remains 
no doubt in mv mind tliat he will prove the 
ablest of our diplomatic corps." 

On his way to Portugal, upon his arrival 
in London, he met with dispatches direct- 
ing him to the court of Berlin, but request- 
ing him to remain in London mitil he sliould 
receive instructions. While waiting he 
was married to Miss Louisa Catherine John- 
son, to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged. Miss Johnson was a daughter of 
Mr. Joshua Johnson, American Consul 
in London, and was a lady endowed with 
that beauty and those accomplishments 
which fitted her to moye in the elevated 
sphere for which she was destined. 



\i\ July, 1799, having fulfilled all the pur- 
poses of his mission, Mr. Adams returned. 
In 1802 he was chosen to the Senate of 
Massachusetts from Boston, and then was 
elected Senator of the United States for six 
years from March 4, 1804. His reputation, 
his ability and his experience, placed him 
immediatel}' among the most prominent 
and influential members of that body. He 
sustained the Goyernment in its measures 
of resistance to the encroachments of Eng- 
land, destroying our commerce and insult- 
ing our flag. There was no man in America 
more familiar with the arrogance of the 
British court upon these points, and no 
one more resolved to present a firm resist- 
ance. This course, so truly patriotic, and 
which scarcely a voice will now be found 
to condemn, alienated him from the Fed- 
eral party dominant in Boston, and sub- 
jected him to censure. 

In 1805 Mr. Adams was chosen professor 
of rhetoric in Harvard College. His lect- 
ures at this place were subsequentl}' pub- 
lished. In 1809 he was sent as Minister to 
Russia. He was one of the commissioners 
that negotiated the treat}' of peace with 
Great Britain, signed December 24, 18 14, 
and he was appointed Minister to the court 
of St. James in 181 5. In 1817 he became 
Secretary of State in Mr. Monroe's cabinet 
in which position he remained eight years. 
Few will now contradict the assertion that 
the duties of that office were never more 
ably discharged. Probably the most im- 
portant measure which Mr. Adams con- 
ducted was the purchase of Florida from 
Spain for $5,000,000. 

The campaign of 1824 was an exciting 
one. Four candidates were in the field. 
Of the 260 electoral votes that were cast, 
Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John 
Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. 
Crawford, forty-one, and Henry Clay, 
thirty-seven. As there was no choice by 
the people, the question went to the House 



42 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UXITED STATES. 



of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the 
vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he 
was elected. 

The friends of all disappointed candidates 
now combined in a venomous assault upon 
Mr. jVdams. There is nothing more dis- 
graceful in the past history of our countrv 
than the abuse which was poured in one 
uninterrupted stream upon this high- 
minded, upright, patriotic man. There was 
never an administration more pure in prin- 
ciples, more conscientiously devoted to the 
best interests of the countrv, than that of 
John Ouincy Adams; and never, perhaps, 
was there an administration more unscru- 
pulously assailed. Mr. Adams took his seat 
in the presidential chair resolved not to 
know any partisanship, but only to con- 
sult for the interests of the whole Republic, 

He refused to dismiss any man from of- 
fice for his poHtical views. If he was a faith- 
ful officer that was enough. Bitter must 
have been his disappointment to find that the 
Nation could not appreciate such conduct. 

Mr. Adams, in his public manners, was 
cold and repulsive; though with his per- 
sonal friends he was at times very genial. 
This chilling address very seriously de- 
tracted from his popularity. No one can 
read an impartial record of his administra- 
tion without admitting that a more noble 
example of uncompromising dignity can 
scarcely be found. It was stated publicly 
that Mr. Adams' administration was to be 
put down, " thougii it be as ])ure as the an- 
gels which stand at the right hand of the 
throne of God." Many of the active i)ar- 
ticipants in these scenes lived to regret the 
course they pursued. Some years after, 
Warren R. Davis, of South Carolina, turn- 
ing to Mr. Adams, then a member of the 
House of Representatives, said: 

" Well do I remember the enthusiastic 
zeal with which we reproached the admin- 
istration of that gentleman, and the ardor 
and vehemence with which we labored to 



bring in another. For the share I had in 
these transactions, and it was not a small 
one, I hope God will forgive mc, for I shall 
never forgh r myself. 

March 4, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from 
the Presidency and was succeeded by An- 
drew Jackson, the latter receiving 168 out 
of 261 electoral votes. John C. Calhoun 
was elected Vice-President. The slavery 
question now began to assume pretentious 
magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Ouincy, and pursued his studies with una- 
bated zeal. But he was not long permittc.'d 
to remain in retirement. In November, 
1830, he was elected to Congress. In this 
he recognized the principle that it is honor- 
able for the General of yesterday to act as 
Corporal to-day, if by so doing he can ren- 
der service to his countr}-. Deep as are 
our obligations to John Quincy Adams for 
his services as embassador, as Secretary of 
State and as President; in his capacity as 
legislator in the House of Representa- 
tives, he conferred benefits upon our land 
which eclipsed all the rest, and which can 
never be over-estimated. 

For seventeen years, until his death, he 
occupied the post of Representative, tow- 
ering above all his peers, ever ready to do 
brave battle for freedom, and winning the 
title of " the old man eloquent." Upon 
taking his seat in the House he announced 
that he should hold himself bound to no 
part}'. He was usually the first in his 
place in the morning, and the last to leave 
his seat in the evening. Not a measure 
could escape his scrutiny. The battle 
which he fought, almost singly, against the 
pro-slavery party in the Government, was 
sublime in its moral daring and heroism. 
For persisting in presenting petitions for 
the abolition of slavery, he was threatened 
with indictment by the Grand Jury, with 
expulsion from the House, with assassina- 
tion; but no threats could intimidate him, 
and his final triumph was complete. 



JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS. 



43 



On one occasion Mr. Adams presented a 
petition, signed by several women, against 
the annexation of Texas for the purpose of 
cutting it up into slave States. Mr. How- 
ard, of Maryland, said that these women 
discredited not only themselves, but their 
section of the country, by turning from 
their domestic duties to the conflicts of po- 
litical life. 

"Are women," exclaimed Mr. Adams, 
" to have no opinions or actions on subjects 
relating to the general welfare? Where 
did the gentleman get his principle? Did 
he find it in sacred history, — in the language 
of Miriam, the prophetess, in one of the 
noblest and sublime songs of triumph that 
ever met the human eye or ear ? Did the 
gentleman never hear of Deborah, to whom 
the children of Israel came up for judg- 
ment ? Has he forgotten the deed of Jael, 
who slew the dreaded enemy of her coun- 
try ? Has he forgotten Esther, who, by her 
petition saved her people and her coun- 
try? 

" To go from sacred history to profane, 
does the gentleman there find it ' discredita- 
ble ' for women to take an interest in politi- 
cal affairs? Has he forgotten the Spartan 
mother, who said to her son when going 
out to battle, ' My son, come back to me 
with thy shield, or upon thy shield ? ' Does 
he remember Cloelia and her hundred com- 
panions, who swam across the river unc^er 
a shower of darts, escaping from Porsena ? 
Has he forgotten Cornelia, the mother of 
the Gracchi ? Does he not remember Por- 
tia, the wife of Brutus and the daughter of 
Cato ? 

" To come to later periods, what says the 
history, of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors ? 
To say nothing of Boadicea, the British 
heroine in the time of the Cassars, what 
name is more illustrious than that of Eliza- 
beth ? Or, if he will go to the continent, 
will he not find the names of Maria Theresa 
of Hungary, of the two Catherines of 



Prussia, and of Isabella of Castile, the pa- 
troness of Columbus ? Did she bring ' dis- 
credit ' on her sex by mingling in politics? " 

In this glowing strain Mr-. Adams si- 
lenced and overwhelmed his antagonists. 

In January, 1842, Mr. Adams presented 
a petition from forty-five citizens of Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts, praying for a peaceable 
dissolution of the Union. The pro-slavery 
party in Congress, who were then plotting 
the destruction of the Government, were 
aroused to a pretense of commotion such as 
even our stormy hall of legislation has 
rarely witnessed. They met in caucus, and, 
finding that the)- probably would not be 
able to expel Mr. Adams from the House 
drew up a series of resolutions, which, if 
adopted, would inflict upon him disgrace, 
equivalent to expulsion. Mi-. Adams had 
presented the petition, which was most re- 
spectfully worded, and had moved that it be 
referred to a committee instructed to re- 
port an answer, showing the reason why 
the prayer ought not to be granted. 

It was the 25th of January. The whole 
body of the pro-slaver}' party came crowd- 
ing together in the House, prepared to 
crush Mr. Adams forever. One of the num- 
ber, Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, was 
appointed to read the resolutions, which 
accused Mr. Adams of high treason, of 
having insulted the Government, and of 
meriting expulsion; but for which deserved 
punishment, the House, in its great mercy, 
would substitute its severest censure. With 
the assumption of a very solemn and mag- 
isterial air, there being breathless silence in 
the audience, Mr. Marshall hurled the care- 
fully prepared anathemas at his victim. 
Mr. Adams stood alone, the wliole pro-slav- 
ery party against him. 

As soon as the resolutions were read, 
every eye being fixed upon him, that bold 
old man, whose scattered locks were whit- 
ened by sevent3'-five years, casting a wither- 
ing glance in the direction of his assailants, 



44 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



in a clear, shrill tone, tremulous with sup- 
pressed emotion, said: 

" In reply to this audacious, atrocious 
charge of high treason, I call for the read- 
ing of the first paragraph of the Declaration 
of Independence. Read it ! Read it! and 
see what that says of the rights of a people 
to reform, to change, and to dissolve their 
Government.' 

The attitude, the manner, tlie tone, the 
words; the venerable old man, witii flash- 
ing eye and flushed ciicek, and whose very 
form seemed to expand under the inspiration 
of the occasion — all presented a scene over- 
flowing in its sublimitv. There was breath- 
less silence as that paragraph was read, in 
defense of whose principles our fathers had 
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their 
sacred honor. It was a proud hour to Mr. 
Adams as the}' were all compelled to listen 
to the words: 

" That, to secure these rights, govern- 
ments are instituted among men, deriving 
their just powers from the consent of the 
governed; and that whenever any form of 
government becomes destructive of those 
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or 
abolish it, and to institute new government, 
laying its foundations on such principles 
and organizing its powers in such form 
as shall seem most likely to effect their 
safety and happiness." 

That one sentence routed and baffled the 



foe. The heroic old man looked around 
upon the audience, and thundered out, 
" Read that again ! " It was again read. 
Tlien in a few fiery, logical words he stated 
his defense in terms which even prejudiced 
minds could not resist. His discomfited 
assailants made several attempts to rally. 
After a conflict of eleven days they gave 
up vanquished and their resolution was ig- 
nominiously laid upon the table. 

In January, 184G, when seventy -eight 
years of age, he took part in the great de- 
bate on tiie Oregon question, displaying 
intellectual vigor, and an extent and accu- 
racy of acquaintance with the subject that 
excited great admiration. 

On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on 
the floor of Congress with a paper in his 
hand to address the Speaker. Suddenly 
he fell, stricken by paralysis, and was caught 
in the arms of those around him. For a 
time he was senseless and was conveyed 
t.) a sofa in the rotunda. With reviving 
consciousness he opened his eyes, looked 
calmly around and said, " This is the end of 
earth." Then after a moment's pause, he 
added, " / am content." These were his last 
words, and he soon breathed his last, in the 
apartment beneath the dome of the capitol 
— the theater of his labors and his triumphs. 
In the language of h3-mnologv, he " died at 
his post;" he " ceased at once to work and 
live." 




^'^J-^<^J:^l^^^e.-^<:=::=J^Ct^ 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



47 



||PiiB^ii£,Ss®Bi^aiiJjs» 




'undrew JACKSON, 
the seventh President 
' of the United States, 
i829-'37, was born at 
,,... the Waxhaw Settle. 

---"-,v gu ment, Union Coun- 
'>i^ ty, North Carolina, 
March i6, 1767. His parents 
were Scotch-Irish, natives of 
Carrickfergus, who came to 
America in 1765, and settled 
-^(.nn-'^z on Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib- 
^ili^ utary of the Catawba. His 
father, who was a poor farm 
laborer, died shortly before An- 
drew's birth, when his mother removed to 
Waxhaw, where some relatives resided. 

Few particulars of the childhood of Jack- 
son have been preserved. His education 
was of the most limited kind, and he showed 
no fondness for books. He grew up to be a 
tali, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck- 
led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from 
trousers too short for him, very fond of ath- 
letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling. 
He was generous to the \ounger and 
weaker boys, but very irascible and over- 
bearing with his equals and superiors. He 
was profane — a vice in which he surpassed 
all other men. The character of his mother 



he revered; and it was not until after her 
death that his predominant vices gained 
full strength. 

In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew, 
or Andy, as he was called, with his brother 
Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo- 
lutionary forces under General Gumter, and 
was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang- 
ing Rock. In the following year the 
brothers were made prisoners, and confined 
in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment 
from their captors, and being spectators of 
General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill. 
Through their mother's exertions the bovs 
were exchanged while suffering from small- 
pox. In two da3'S Robert was dead, and 
Andy apparently dying. The strength of 
his constitution triumphed, and he regained 
health and vigor. 

As he was getting better, his mother 
heard the cry of anguish from the prison- 
ers whom the British held in Charleston, 
among whom were the sons of her sisters. 
She hastened to their relief, was attacked 
by fever, died and was buried where her 
grave could never be found. Thus Andrew 
Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was 
left alone in the world, without father, 
mother, sister or brother, and without one 
dollar which he could call his own. He 



48 



PRES/DEJVTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored 
diligently for six months. But gradually, 
as health returned, he became more and 
more a wild, reckless, lawless boy. He 
gambled, drank and was regarded as about 
the worst character that could be found. 

He now turned schoolmaster. He could 
teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica- 
tion table; and as he was a very bold boy, 
it is possible he might have ventured to 
teach a little writing. But he soon began to 
think of a profession and decided to study 
law. With a very slender purse, and on 
the back of a ver}' fine horse, he set out 
for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he 
entered the law office of Mr. McCay. 
Here he remained two years, professedly 
studying law. He is still remembered in 
traditions of Salisbiirv, which say: 

" Andrew Jackson was the most roaring, 
rollicking, horse-racing, card-plaving, mis- 
chievous fellow that ever lived in Salisbury. 
He did not trouble the law-books much." 

Andrew was now, at the age of twent}', 
a tall 3^oung man, being over six feet in 
height. He was slender, remarkabh' grace- 
ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis- 
ite horseman, and developed, amidst his 
loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a 
vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was 
fiery in the extreme; but it was said of him 
that no man knew better than Andrew 
Jackson when to get angry and when not. 

In 1786 he was admitted to the bar^ and 
two years later removed to Nashville, 
in what was then the western district of 
North Carolina, with the appointment of so- 
licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of- 
fice of little honor, small cmoliuuent and 
great peril. Few men could be found to 
accept it. 

And now Andrew Jackson commenced 
vigorously to practice law. It was an im- 
portant part of his business to collect debts. 
It required nerve. During the first seven 
years of his residence in those wilds he 



traversed the almost pathless forest between 
Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of 
200 miles, twenty-two times. Hostile In- 
dians were constantly on the watch, and a 
man was liable at any moment to be shot 
down in his own field. Andrew Jackson 
was just the man for this service — a wild, 
daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he 
made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to 
bear a charmed life. Boldly, alone or with 
few companions, he traversed the forests, 
encountering all perils and triumphing 
over all. 

In 1790 Tennessee became a Territory, 
and Jackson was appointed, by President 
Washington, United States Attorney for 
the new district. In 1791 he married Mi's. 
Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John 
Donelson), whom he supposed to have been 
divorced in that year by an act of the Leg- 
islature of Virginia. Two years after this 
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their 
great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just 
obtained a divorce in one of the courts of 
Kentucky, and that the act of the Virginia 
Legislature was not final, but conditional. 
To remedy the irregularity as much as pos- 
sible, a new license was obtained and the 
marriage ceremony was again performed. 

It proved to be a marriage of rare felic- 
ity. Probablv there never was a more 
affectionate union. However rough Mr. 
Jackson might have been abroad, he was 
always gentle and tender at home; and 
through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he 
treated Mrs. Jackson with the most chival- 
ric attention. 

Under the circumstances it was not un- 
natural that the facts in the case of this 
marriage were so misrepresented b}' oppo- 
nents in the political campaigns a quarter 
or a centurv later as to become the basis 
of serious charges against Jackson's moral- 
ity which, however, have been satisfactorily 
attested by abimdant evidence. 

Jackson was untiring in his duties as 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



49 



United States Attorney, which demanded 
frequent journeys through the wilderness 
and exposed him to Indian hostiHties. He 
acquired considerable property in land, and 
obtained such influence as to be chosen 
a member of the convention which framed 
the Constitution for the new State of Ten- 
nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected 
its first Representative in Congress. Albert 
Gallatin thus describes the first appearance 
of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House: 

"A tall, lank, uncouth-looking personage, 
with locks of hair hanging over his face and 
a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin; 
his dress singular, his manners and deport- 
ment those of a rough backwoodsman." 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the 
Democratic party. Jefferson was his idol. 
He admired Bonaparte, loved France and 
hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his 
seat. General Washington, whose second 
term of office was just expiring, delivered 
his last speech to Congress. A committee 
drew up a complimentary address in reply. 
Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad- 
dress and was one of twelve who voted 
against it. 

Tennessee had fitted out an expedition 
against the Indians, contrary to the policy 
of the Government. A resolution was intro- 
duced that the National Government 
should pay the expenses. Jackson advo- 
cated it and it was carried. This rendered 
him very popular in Tennessee. A va- 
cancy chanced soon after to occur in the 
Senate, and Andrew Jackson was chosen 
United States Senator by the State of Ten- 
nessee. John Adams was then President 
and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President. 

In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes- 
see, and resigned his seat in the Senate. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su- 
preme Court of that State, with a salary of 
$600. This office he held-six years. It is 
said that his decisions, though sometimes 
ungrammatical, were generally right. He 



did not enjoy his seat upon the bench, and 
renounced the dignity in 1804. About 
this time he was chosen Major-General of 
mihtia, and lost the title of judge in that of 
General. 

When he retired from the Senate Cham- 
ber, he decided to try his fortune through 
trade. He purchased a stock of goods in 
Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville, 
where he opened a store. He lived about 
thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of 
land of several thousand acres, mostly un- 
cultivated. He used a small block-house 
for a store, from a narrow window of 
which he sold goods to the Indians. As he 
had an assistant his office as judge did not 
materially interfere with his business. 

As to slavery, born in the midst of it. the 
idea never seemed to enter his mind that it 
could be wrong. He eventually became 
an extensive slave owner, but he was one of 
the most humane and gentle of masters. 

In 1804 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol- 
itics and settled on a plantation which he 
called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He 
set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership 
and traded in New Orleans, making the 
voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem- 
per he became involved in several quarrels 
and "affairs of honor," during this period, 
in one of which he was severely wounded, 
but had the misfortune to kill his opponent, 
Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair 
greatly injured General Jackson's popular- 
ity. The verdict then was, and continues 
to be, that General Jackson was outra- 
geously wrong. If he subsequently felt any 
remorse he never revealed it to an3-one. 

In 1805 Aaron Burr had visited Nash- 
ville and been a guest of Jackson, with 
whom he corresponded on the subject of a 
war with Spain, which was anticipated and 
desired by them, as well as by the people 
of the Southwest generally. 

Burr repeated his visit in September, 
1806, when he engaged in the celebrated 



5° 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



combinations whicii led to his trial for trea- 
son. He was warmly received by Jackson, 
at whose instance a public ball was given 
in his honor at Nashville, and contracted 
with the latter for boats and provisions. 
Earlv in 1807, when Burr had been pro- 
claimed a traitor by President Jefferson, 
volunteer forces for the Federal service 
were organized at Nashville under Jack- 
son's command; but his energy and activ- 
ity did not shield him from suspicions of 
connivance in the supposed treason. He 
was summoned to Richmond as a witness 
in Burr's trial, but was not called to the 
stand, probablv because he was out-spoken 
in his partisanship. 

On the outbreak of the war with Great 
Britain in 1812, Jackson tendered his serv- 
ices, and in January, 181 3, embarked for 
New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee 
contingent. In March he received an or- 
der to disband his forces; but in Septem- 
ber he again took the field, in the Creek 
war, and in conjunction with his former 
partner, Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the 
Indians the memorable defeat at Talladega, 
Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. 

In May, 1814, Jackson, who had now ac- 
quired a national reputation, was appointed 
a Major-General of the United States army, 
and commenced a campaign against the 
British in Florida. He conducted the de- 
fense at Mobile, September 15, seized upon 
Pensacola, November 6, and immediately 
transported the bulk of his troops to New 
Orleans, then threatened by a powerful 
naval force. Martial law was declared in 
Louisiana, the State militia was called to 
arms, engagements with the British were 
fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en- 
forcements had been received on both sides 
*iie famous victory of January 8, 18 15, 
-rowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and 
made him the typical American hero of 
the first half of the nineteenth century. 

In 181 7-' 1 8 Jackson conducted the war 



against the Seminoles of Florida, during 
which he seized upon Pensacola and e.\e- 
cutcd by courtmartial two British subjects, 

Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which 

might easily have involved the United 
States in war both with Spain and Great 
Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted 
by the cession of Florida to the United 
States; and Jackson, wlio had escajied a 
trial for the irregularity of his conduct 
only through a division of opinion in Mon- 
roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov- 
ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he 
declined the appointment of minister to 
Mexico. 

In 1823 Jackson was elected to the United 
States Senate, and nominated by the Ten- 
nessee Legislature for the Presidency. This 
candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and 
even merryment, speedily became popular, 
and in 1824, when the stormy electoral can- 
vas resulted in the choice of John Quincy 
Adams bv the House of Representatives, 
General Jackson received the largest popu- 
lar vote among the four candidates. 

In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected 
President over Adams after a campaign of 
unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu- 
rated March 4, 1S29, and at once removed 
from office all the incumbents belonging to 
the opposite party — a procedure new to 
American politics, but which naturall}- be- 
came a precedent. 

His first term was characterized b\' quar- 
rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun, 
and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at- 
tended by a cabinet crisis originating in 
scandals connected with the name of Mrs. 
General Eaton, wife of the Secretary of 
War; b}- the beginning of his war upon the 
United States Bank, and by his vigorous 
action against the partisans of Calhoun, 
who, in South Carolina, threatened to 
nullify the acts of Congress, establishing a 
protective tariff. 

In the Presidential campaign of 1832 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



SI 



Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral 
votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while 
Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform, 
received the vote of Vermont alone. In 
1833 President Jackson removed the Gov- 
ernment deposits from tlie United States 
bank, thercb}- incnrring a vote of censure 
from the Senate, which was, however, ex- 
punged four vears later. Duringthis second 
term of office the Cherokees, Choctawsand 
Creeks were removed, not without diffi- 
culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis- 
sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National 
debt was extinguished; Arkansas and 
Michigan were admitted as States to the 
Union; the Seminole war was renewed; the 
anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor- 
tance; the Mormon delusion, which had 
organized in 1829, attained considerable 
proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the 
country experienced its greatest pecuniary 
panic. 

Railroads with locomotive propulsion 
were introduced into America during Jack- 
son's first term, and had become an impor- 
tant element of national life before the 
close of his second term. For manv rea- 
sons, therefore, the administration of Presi- 
dent Jackson formed an era in American 
history, political, social and industrial. 
He succeeded in effecting the election of 



his friend Van Buren as his successor, re- 
tired from the Presidency March 4, 1837, 
and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage 
until his death, which occurred June 8, 

1845. 

Diiring his closing years he was a pro- 
fessed Christian and a member ot the Pres- 
byterian church. No American of this 
centurv has been the subject of such oppo- 
site judgments. He was loved and hated 
with equal vehemence during his life, but 
at the present distance of time from his 
career, while opinions still vary as to the 
merits of his public acts, few of his country- 
men will question that he was a warm- 
hearted, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere 
man. If his distinguishing qualities were 
not such as constitute statesmanship, in the 
highest sense, he at least never pretended 
to other merits than such as were written 
to his credit on the page of American his- 
torv — not attempting to disguise the de- 
merits which were equally legible. The 
majority of his countrymen accepted and 
honored him, in spite of all that calumny 
as well as truth could allege against him. 
His faults may therefore be truly said to 
have been those of his time; his magnifi- 
cent virtues may also, with the same jus- 
tice, be considered as typical of a state of 
societ)' which has nearly passed away. 



52 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



M 

^'1 






'<F«^«^<^»^«^«^t<^^ 



i^r^^^r^^XV A "A. AJ^^-TTry^ 






Ip 



# 



'^ 



% 




BU- 



eighth 




ARTIN VAN 
REN, the 
,50. President of the 
United States, 1837- 
'41, was born at Kin- 
^■^ derhook, New York, 
December 5, 17S2. 
His ancestors' were of Dutch 
origin, and were among the 
earHest emigrants from Hol- 
Lind to the banks of the 
Hudson. His father was a 
tavern-keeper, as well as a 
farmer, and a very decided 
Democrat. 
'^ .Martin commenced the study 
of law at the age of fourteen, and took an 
active part in politics before he had reached 
the age of twenty. In 1803 he commenced 
the practice of law in his native village. 
In i8og he removed to Hudson, the shire 
town of his county, where he spent seven 
years, gaining strength by contending in 
the courts with some of the ablest men 
who have adorned the bar of his State. 
The heroic example of John Quincy Adams 
in retaining in office every faithful man, 
without regard to his political preferences, 
had been thoroughly repudiated by Gen- 
eral Jackson. The unfortunate principle 
was now fully established, that " to the 
victor belong the spoils." Still, this prin- 
ciple, to which Mr. Van Buren gave his ad- 



herence, was not devoid of inconveniences. 
When, subsequently, he attained power 
which placed vast patronage in his hands, 
he was heard to say : " I prefer an office 
that has no patronage. When I give a man 
an office I offend his disappointed competi- 
tors and their friends. Nor am I certain of 
gaining a friend in the man I appoint, for, 
in all probability, he expected something 
better." 

In 1812 Mr. Van Buren was elected to 
the State Senate. In 181 5 he was appointed 
Atiorne3'-General,and in 1 8 16 to the Senate 
a second time. In 1818 there was a great 
split in the Democratic party in New York, 
and Mr. Van Buren took the lead in or- 
ganizing that portion of the party called 
the Albanv Regency, which is said to have 
swayed the destinies of the State for a 
quarter of a century. 

In 1821 he was chosen a meml:)er of the 
convention for revising the State Constitu- 
tion, in which he advocated an extension of 
the franchise, but opposed universal suf- 
frage, and also favored the proposal that 
colored persons, in order to vote, should 
have freehold property to the amount of 
$250. In this year he was also elected to 
the United States Senate, and at the con- 
clusion of his term, in 1827, was re-elected, 
but resigned the following year, having 
been chosen Governor of the State. In 
March, 1829, he was appointed Secretary of 




Oi^iyi^^ 




MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



55 



State by President Jackson, but resigned 
in April, 183 1, and during the recess of 
Congress was appointed minister to Eng- 
land, whither he proceeded in Se|)tember, 
but the Senate, when convened in Decem- 
ber, refused to ratify the appointment. 

In May, 1832, Mr. Van Buren was nomi- 
nated as the Democratic candidate for Vice- 
President, and elected in the following 
November. Ma}- 26, 1836, he received the 
nomination to succeed General Jackson as 
President, and received 170 electoral votes, 
out of 283. 

Scarcely had he taken his seat in the 
Presidential chair when a financial panic 
swept over the land. Many attributed 
this to the war which General Jackson had 
waged on the banks, and to his endeavor to 
secure an almost exclusive specie currency. 
Nearly every bank in the country was com- 
pelled to suspend specie payment, and ruin 
pervaded all our great cities. Not less than 
254 houses failed in New York in one week. 
All public works were brought to a stand, 
and there was a general state of dismay. 
President Van Buren urged the adoption of 
the independent treasury system, which 
was twice passed in the Senate and defeated 
in the House, but finally became a law near 
the close of his r.dministration. 

Another important measure was the pass- 
age of a pre-emption law, giving actual set- 
tlers the preference in the purchase of 
public lands. The question of slavery, also, 
now began to assume great prominence in 
national politics, and after an elaborate 
anti-slavery speech b}- Mr. Slade, of Ver- 
mont, in the House of Representatives, the 
Southern members withdrew for a separate 
consultation, at which Mr. Rhett, of South 
Carolina, proposed to declare it expedient 
that the Union should be dissolved ; but 
the matter was tided over by the passage 
of a resolution that no petitions or papers 
relating to slavery should be in any way 
considered or acted upon. 



In the Presidential election of 1840 Mr. 
Van Buren was nominated, without opposi- 
tion, as the Democratic candidate, William 
H. Harrison being the candidate of the 
Whig party. The Democrats carried only 
seven States, and out of 294 electoral votes 
only sixty were for Mr. Van Buren, the re- 
maining 234 being for his opponent. The 
Whig popular majority, however, was not 
large, the elections in many of the States 
being very close. 

March 4, 1841, Mr. Van Buren retired 
from the Presidenc\\ From his fine estate 
at Lindenwald he still exerted a powerful 
influence upon the politics of the country. 
In 1844 he was again proposed as the 
Democratic candidate for the Presidency, 
and a majority of the delegates of the 
nominating convention were in his favor ; 
but, owing to his opposition to the pro- 
posed annexation of Texas, he could not 
secure the requisite two-thirds vote. His 
name was at length withdrawn by his 
friends, and Mr. Polk received the nomina- 
tion, and was elected. 

In 1848 Mr. Cass was the regular Demo- 
cratic candidate. A schism, however, 
sprang up in the party, upon the question 
of the permission of slavery in the newly- 
acquired territory, and a portion of the 
party, taking the name of " Free-Soilers," 
nominated Mr. Van Buren. They drew 
away sufificient votes to secure the election 
of General Taylor, the Whig candidate. 
After this Mr. Van Buren retired to his es- 
tate at Kinderhook, where the remainder 
of his life was passed, with the exception of 
a European tour in 1853. He died at 
Kinderhook, Julv 24, 1862, at the age of 
eighty 3'ears. 

Martin Van Buren was a great and good 
man, and no one will question his right to 
a high position among those who have 
been the successors of Washington in the 
faithful occupancy of the Presidential 
chair. 



PRESfDENTS OF THE UXITED STATES. 





I 



WILLIAM HENRY HflHRISDN. %lf 



"'^'pf 








L I A M HENRY 
HARRISON, the 
ninth President of 
the United States, 
I 8 4 I , was born 
February 9, 1773, 
m Charles County, 
at Beriveley, the resi- 
his father, Governor 
Benjamin Harrison. He studied 
at Hampden, Sidney College, 
with a view of entering the med- 
ical profession. After graduation 
he went to Philadelphia to study 
medicine under the instruction of 
Dr. Rush. 
George Washington was then President 
-}{ the United States. The Indians were 
committing fearful ravages on our North- 
western frontier. Young Harrison, either 
lured by the love of adventure, or moved 
by the sufferings of families exposed to the 
most horrible outrages, abandoned his med- 
ical studies and entered the army, having 
obtained a commission of ensign from Pres- 
ident Washington. The first duty assigned 
him was to take a train of pack-horses 
bound to Fort Hamilton, on the Miami 
River, about forty miles from Fort Wash- 
ington. He was soon promoted to the 



rank of Lieutenant, and joined the army 
which Washington had placed under the 
command of General Wavne to prosecute 
more vigorously the war with the In- 
dians. Lieutenant Harrison received great 
commendation from his commanding offi- 
cer, and was promoted to the rank of 
Captain, and placed in command at Fort 
Washington, now Cincmnati, Ohio. 

About this time he married a daughter 
of John Cleves Symmes, one of the fron- 
tiersmen who had established a thriving 
settlement on the bank of the Maumce. 

In 1797 Captain Harrison resigned his 
commission in the army and was appointed 
Secretary of the Northwest Territory, and 
ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor, General St. 
Clair being then Governor of the Territory. 
At that time the law in reference to the 
disposal of the public lands was such tiiat 
no one could purchase in tracts less than 
4,000 acres. Captain Harrison, in the 
face of violent opposition, succeeded in 
obtaining so much of a modification of 
this unjust law that the land was sold in 
alternate tracts of 640 and 320 acres. The 
Northwest Territory was then entitled 
to one delegate in Congress, and Cap- 
tain Harrison was chosen to fill that of- 
fice. In 1800 he was appointed Governor 




^ J^/9c 



£i.^'iyL-4^;^Hn^-^ 



WILLIAM HENRT HARRISON. 



59 



of Indiana Territory and soon after of 
Upper Louisiana. He was also Superin- 
tendent of Indian Affairs, and so well did he 
fulfill these duties that he was four times 
appointed to this office. During his admin- 
istration he effected thirteen treaties with 
the Indians, by which the United States 
acquired 60,000,000 acres of land. In 1804 
he obtained a cession from the Indians of 
all the land between the Illinois River and 
the Mississippi. 

In 1S12 he was made Major-General of 
Kentucky militia and Brigadier-General 
in the army, with the command of the 
Northwest frontier. In 1813 he was made 
Major-General, and as such won much re- 
nown by the defense of Fort Meigs, and the 
battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813. In 
1 8 14 he left the army and was employed in 
Indian affairs by the Government. 

In 1816 General Harrison was chosen a 
member of the National House of Repre- 
sentatives to represent the district of Ohio. 
In the contest which preceded his election 
he was accused of corruption in respect to 
the commissariat of the army. Immedi- 
ately upon taking his seat, he called for an 
investigation of the charge. A committee 
was appointed, and his vindication was 
triumphant. A high compliment was paid 
to his patriotism, disinterestedness and 
devotion to the public service. For these 
services a gold medal was presented to him 
with the thanks of Congress. 

In 1819 he was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presiden- 
tial electors of that State, he gave his vote 
to Henry Clay. In the same year he was 
elected to the Senate of the United States. 
In 1828 he was appointed by President 
Adams minister plenipotentiary to Colom- 
bia, but was recalled b)' General Jackson 
immediately after the inauguration of the 
latter. 

Upon his return to the United States, 
General Harrison retired to his farm at 



North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, si.\- 
teen miles below Cincinnati, where for 
twelve years he was clerk of the County 
Court. He once owned a distillery, but 
perceiving the sad effects of whisky upon 
the surrounding population, he promptly 
abandoned his business at great pecuniary 
sacrifice. 

In 1836 General Hairison was brought 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency. 
Van Buren was the administration candi- 
date; the opposite party could not unite, 
and four candidates were brought forward. 
General Harrison received seventy-three 
electoral votes without any general concert 
among his friends. The Democratic party 
triumphed and Mr. Van Buren was chosen 
President. In 1839 General Harrison was 
again nominated for the Presidency by the 
Whigs, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. 
Van Buren being the Democratic candi- 
date. General Harrison received 234 elec- 
toral votes against sixty for his opponent. 
This election is memorable chiefly for the 
then extraordinary means employed during 
the canvass for popular votes- Mass meet- 
ings and processions were introduced, and 
the watchwords " log cabin " and " hard 
cider " were effectually u.sed by the Whigs, 
and aroused a popular enthusiasm. 

A vast concourse of people attended his 
inauguration. His address on that occasion 
was in accordance with his antecedents, and 
gave great satisfaction. A short time after he 
took his seat, he was seized by a pleurisy- 
fever, and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died April 4, just one short month after 
his inauguration. His death was universally 
regarded as one of the greatest of National 
calamities. Never, since the death of 
Washington, were there, throughout one 
land, such demonstrations of sorrow. Not 
one single spot can be found to sully his 
fame; and through all ages Americans will 
pronounce with love and reverence the 
name of William Henry Harrison. 



to 



PRESIDEiVTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



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/^^p.f^l^'^OMN TYLER, the ten 

H- •it.lf/ ■■ Prf>cirlpr>f nf fhf» TTnit/ 



tfe«ft 




th 
President of the United 
States, was born in 
Charles City County, 
V^irginia, March 29, 1790. 
His father. Judge John 
Tvler, possessed large 
landed estates in Virginia, 
and was one of the most 
distinguished men of his 
day, filling the offices of 
vSpeaker of the House of 
Delegates, Judge of the Su- 
preme Court and Governor 
of the State. 
At the early age of twelve 
young John entered William and Mary 
College, and graduated with honor when 
but seventeen years old. He then closely 
applied himself to the study of law, and at 
nineteen years of age commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession. When only twenty- 
one he was elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He acted with the Demo- 
cratic party and advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five years he 
was elected to tiie Legislature, receiving 
nearly the luianimous vote of his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age he was 
elected a member of Congress. He advo- 
cated a strict construction of the Constitu- 
tion and the most careful vigilance over 



State rights. He was soon compelled to 
resign his seat in Congress, owing to ill 
health, but afterward took his seat in the 
State Legislature, where he exerted a 
powerful influence in promoting public 
works of great utility. 

In 1825 Mr. Tyler was chosen Governor 
of his State — a high honor, for Virginia 
had many able men as comjietitors for 
the prize. His administration was signally 
a successful one. He urged forward inter- 
nal improvements and strove to remove 
sectional jealousies. His popularity secured 
his re-election. In 1827 he was elected 
L^nited States Senator, and upon taking his 
seat joined the ranks of the opposition. He 
opposed the tariff, voted against the bank 
as unconstitutional, opposed all restrictions 
upon slavery, resisted all projects of inter- 
nal improvements by the General Govern- 
ment, avowed his sympathy with Mr. Cal- 
houn's views of nullification, and declared 
that General Jackson, by his opposition to 
the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles 
of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. 
Tyler's record in Congress. 

This hostilit)' to Jackson caused Mr. 
Tyler's retirement from the Senate, after 
his election to a second term. He soon 
after removed to Williamsburg for the 
better education of his children, and again 
took his seat in the Legislature. 





xj(rhyrc 




JOHN TVLER. 



63 



In 1839 he was sent to the National Con- 
vention at Harrisburg to nominate a Presi- 
dent. General Harrison received a majority 
of votes, niuch to the disappointment of the 
South, who had wished for Henry Cla3-. 
In order to conciliate the Southern Whigs, 
John Tyler was nominated for Vice-Presi- 
dent. Harrison and Tyler were inaugu- 
rated March 4, 1841. In one short month 
from that time President Harrison died, 
and Mr. Tyler, to his own surprise as well 
as that of the nation, found himself an 
occupant of the Presidential chair. His 
position was an exceedingly difficult one, 
as he was opposed to the main principles of 
the party which had brought him into 
power. General Harrison had selected a 
Whig cabinet. Should he retain tliem, and 
thus surround himself witli councilors 
whose views were antagonistic to his own? 
or should he turn against the party that 
had elected him, and select a cabinet in 
harmony with himself? This was his fear- 
ful dilemma. 

President Tyler deserves more charity 
than he has received. He issued an address 
to the people, which gave general satisfac- 
tion. He retained the cabinet General 
Harrison had selected. His veto of a bill 
chartering a new national bank led to an 
open quarrel with the party which elected 
him, and to a resignation of the entire 
cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretarj^ 
of State. 

President Tyler attempted to conciliate. 
He appointed a new cabinet, leaving out all 
strong party men, but the Whig members 
of Congress were not satisfied, and they 
published a manifesto September 13, break- 
ing off ail political relations. The Demo- 
crats had a majoritv in the House ; the 
Whigs in the Senate. Mr. Webster soon 
found it necessary to resign, being forced 
out by the pressure of his Whig friends. 

April 12, 1844, President Tyler concluded, 
through Mr. Calhoun, a treaty for the an- 



nexation of Texas, which was rejected by 
the Senate ; but he effected his object in the 
closing days of his administration by the 
passage of the joint resolution of March i 

1845. 

He was nominated for the Presidency b)" 
an informal Democratic Convention, held 
at Baltimore in May, 1844, but soon with- 
drew from the canvass, perceiving that he 
had not gained the confidence of the Demo- 
crats at large. 

Mr. T3-ler's administration was particu- 
larly unfortunate. No one was satisfied. 
Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him. 
Situated as he was, it is more than can 
be expected of human nature that he 
should, in all cases, have acted in the wisest 
manner ; but it will probably be the verdict 
of all candid men, in a careful review of his 
career, that John Tyler was placed in a 
position of such difficulty that he could not 
pursue an)' course which would not expose 
him to severe censure and denunciation. 

In 18 1 3 Mr. Tyler married Letitia Chris- 
tian, who bore him three sons and three 
daughters, and died in Washington in 1842. 
June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar- 
riage with Miss Julia Gardner, of New 
York. He lived in almost complete retire- 
ment from politics until February, 1861, 
when he was a member of the abortive 
" peace convention," held at Washington, 
and was chosen its President. Soon after 
he renounced his allegiance to the United 
States and was elected to the Confederate 
Congress. He died at Richmond, January 
17, 1862, after a short illness. 

Unfortunately for his memory the name 
of John Tyler must forever be associated 
with all the misery of that terrible Re- 
bellion, whose cause he openly espoused. 
It is with sorrow that history records that 
a President of the United States died while 
defending the flag of rebellion, which was 
arrayed against the national banner in 
deadly warfare. 



64 



PltESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 




^^- --■-'* 




^',^^AMES KNOX POLK, 

' 'ri; the eleventh President of 
f#» the United States, 1845- 
'49, was born in Meck- 
Icnburj^ County, North 
CaroHna, November 2, 
1795. He was the eldest 
son of a family of six sons 
and four daug'hters, and was 
a grand-nephew of Colonel 
Thomas Polk, celebrated in 
connection with the Meck- 
lenburg Declaration of In- 
dependence. 

In 1806 his father, Samuel 
Polk, emigrated with his fam- 
ily two or three hundred miles west to the 
valley of the Duck River. He was a sur- 
ve\'or as well as farmer, and gradually in- 
creased in wealtii until he became one of 
the leading men of the region. 

In the common schools James rapidly be- 
came proficient in ail thecouimon brandies 
of an English education. In 1813 he was 
sent to Murfreesboro Academy, and in the 
autumn of 181 5 entered the sophomore class 
in the University of North Carolina, at 
Chapel Hill, graduating in 1818. After a 
short season of recreation he went to Nash- 
ville and entered the law (jffice of Felix \ 
Grundy. As soon as he had his finished i 



legal studies and been admitted to the bar, 
he returned to Columbia, the shire town of 
Maur}' County, and opened an office. 

James K. Polk ever adhered to the polit- 
ical faith of his father, which was that of 
a Jeffersonian Republican. In 1823 he was 
elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. As 
a "strict constructionist," he did not think 
that the Constitution empowered the Gen- 
eral Government to carry on a system of 
internal improvements in the States, but 
deemed it important that it should have 
that power, and wished the Constitution 
amended that it might be conferred. Sub-, 
sequently, however, he became alarmed lest 
the General Government become so strong 
as to undertake to interfere with slavery. 
He therefore gave all his influence to 
strengthen the State governments, and to 
check the growth of the central power. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss 
Mary Childress, of Rutherford County, Ten- 
nessee. Had some one then whispered to 
him that he was destined to become Presi- 
dent of the United States, and that he must 
select for his companion one who would 
adorn that distinguished station, he could 
not have made a more fitting choice. She 
was truly a lady of rare beauty and culture. 

In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk was chosen 
a member of Congress, and was continu- 




' f-X'M- 




JAMES K. POLK. 



ously re-elected until 1839. He then with- 
drew, only that he might accept the 
gfu be material chair of his native State. 
He was a warm friend of General Jackson, 
who had been defeated in the electoral 
contest by John Oiiincy Adams. This 
latter gentleman had just taken his seat in 
the Presidential chair when Mr. Polk took 
his seat in the H(juse of Representatives. 
He immediately united himself with the 
opponents of Mr. Adams, and was soon 
regarded as the leader of the Jackson party 
in the House. 

The four years of Mr. Adams' adminis- 
tration passed away, and General Jackson 
took tne Presidential chair. INIr. Polk had 
now become a man of great influence in 
Congress, and was chairman of its most 
important committee — that of Wa3's and 
Means. Eloquently he sustained General 
Jackson in all his measures — in his hostility 
to internal improvements, to the banks, and 
to the tariff. Eight years of General Jack- 
son's administration passed away, and the 
powers he had wielded passed into the 
hands of Martin Van Buren ; and still Mr. 
Polk remained in the House, the advocate 
of that type of Democracy which those 
distinguished men upheld. 

During five sessions of Congress Mr. 
Polk was speaker of the House. He per- 
formed his arduous duties to general satis- 
faction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to 
him was passed by the House as he with- 
drew, March 4, 1839. He was elected 
Governor by a large majority, and took 
the oath of office at Nashville, October 14, 
1839. He was a candidate for re-election 
in 1 84 1, but was defeated. In the mean- 
time a wonderful revolution had swept 
over the country. W. H. Harrison, the Whig 
candidate, had been called to the Presiden- 
tial chair, and in Tennessee the Whig ticket 
had been carried by over 12,000 majority. 
Under these circumstances Mr. Polk's suc- 
cess was hopeless. Still he canvassed the 



State with his Whig competitor, Mr. Jones, 
traveling in the most friendly manner to- 
gether, often in the same carriage, and at 
one time sleeping in the same bed. Mr. 
Jones was elected by 3.000 majority. 

And now the question of the annexation 
of Texas to our countr}' agitated the whole 
land. When this question became national 
Mr. Polk, as the avowed chamjjion of an- 
nexation, became the Presidential candidate 
of the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic 
party, and George M. Dallas their candi- 
date for the Vice-Presidency. They were 
elected by a large majority, and were in- 
augurated March 4, 1845. 

President Polk formed an able cabinet, 
consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J. 
Walker, William L. Marcy, George Ban- 
croft, Cave Johnson and John Y. Mason. 
The Oregon boundary' question was settled, 
the Department of the Interior was created, 
the low tariff of 1846 was carried, the 
financial system of the Government was 
reorganized, the Mexican war was con- 
ducted, which resulted in the acquisition of 
California and New Mexico, and had far- 
reaching C(jnsequences upon the later fort- 
unes of tiie republic. Peace was made. 
We had wrested from Mexico territory 
equal to four times the empire of France, 
and five times that of Spain. In the prose- 
cution of this war we expended 20,000 
lives and more than $100,000,000. Of this 
money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico. 

Declining to seek a renomination, Mr. 
Polk retired from the Presidency March 4, 
1849, when he was succeeded by General 
Zachary Ta3dor. He retired to Nashville, 
and died there June 19, 1849, '" the fift)^- 
fourth year of his age. His funeral was at- 
tended the following day, in Nashville, with 
every demonstration of respect. He left 
no children. Without being possessed of 
extraordinary talent, Mr. Polk was a capable 
administrator of public affairs, and irre- 
proachable in private life. 



68 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



; P^tigit^l'l^'^t^'Sat: 



'gff)^fe'>^^'^%^'^^<F.^.''. •■'■-. ''■••..'■ v 'i •■ 'ivv"^^. ; 




^ 21 AXJ;LLAar2 O^^XCDS^ i 










ACHARY TAY- 
LOR, the twelfth 
President of the 
United States, 
1849-50, was born 
in Orange County, 
Virginia, Septem- 
1784. His father, 
Richard Taylor, was Colo- 
nel of a Virginia regiment 
in the Revolutionary war, 
and removed to Kentucky 
in 1785; purchased a large 
plantation near Louisville 
and became an influential cit- 
izen ; was a member of the convention that 
framed the Constitution of Kentucky; served 
in both branches of the Legislature ; was 
Collector of the port of Louisville luider 
President Washington ; as a Presidential 
elector, voted for Jefferson, Madison, Mon- 
roe and Clay; died January 19,1829. 

Zachary remained on his father's planta- 
tion until 1808, in which year (May 3) he 
was appointed First Lieutenant in the 
Seventh Infantry, to fill a vacancy oc- 
casioned by the death of his elder brother, 
Hancock. Up to this point he had received 
but a limited education. 

Joining his regiment at New Orleans, he 



was attacked with yellow fever, with nearly 
fatal termination. In November, 18 10, he 
was promoted to Captain, and in the sum- 
mer of 1812 he was in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the left bank of the Wabash 
River, near the present site of Terra Haute, 
his successful defense of which with but a 
handful of men against a large force of 
Indians which had attacked him was one of 
the first marked military achievements of 
the war. He was then brevetted Major, 
and in 1814 promoted to the fidl rank. 

During the remainder of the war Taylor 
was actively employed on the Western 
frontier. In the peace organization of 1815 
he was retained as Captain, but soon after 
resigned and settled near Louisville. In 
May, 1816, however, he re-entered the army 
as Major of the Third Infantry ; became 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Infantry 
in 1819, and in 1832 attained the Colonelcy 
of the First Infantry, of which he had been 
Lieutenant-Colonel since 1 82 1 . On different 
occasions he had been called to Washington 
as member of a military board for organiz- 
ing the militia of the Union, and to aid the 
Government with his knowledge in the 
organization of the Indian Bureau, having 
for many years discharged the duties of 
Indian agent over large tracts of Western 




"^^^i^^r^j^^^^^^t^^X^^ . 



ZA CHA R r TA TL OR. 



country. He served through the Black 
Hawk war in 1832, and in 1837 was ordered 
to take command in Florida, then the scene 
of war with the Indians. 

In 1846 he was transferred to the com- 
mand of the Army of the Southwest, from 
which he was relieved the same year at his 
own request. Subsequent!}' he was sta- 
tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts 
Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work 
had been built under his direction in 1832. 

May 28, i84:5, he received a dispatch from 
the Secretary of War informing him of the 
receipt of information by the President 
"that Texas would shortly accede to the 
terms of annexation," in which event he 
was instructed to defend and protect her 
from " foreign invasion and Indian incur- 
sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation 
of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus 
Christi, where his force was increased to 
some 4,000. 

Taylor was brevetted Major-General May 
28, and a month later, June 29, 1846, his full 
commission to that grade was issued. After 
needed rest and reinforcement, he advanced 
in September on Monterey, which city ca- 
pitulated after three-days stubborn resist- 
ance. Here he took up his winter quarters. 
The plan for the invasion of Mexico, by 
way of Vera Cruz, with General Scott in 
command, was now determined upon by 
the Govenrment, and at the nivT^ment Taylor 
was about to resume active operations, he 
received orders to send the larger part of 
his force to reinforce the armv of General 
Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently 
reinforced by raw recruits, yet after pro- 
viding a garrison for Monterey and Saltillo 
he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of 
which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In 
this weakened condition, however, he was 
destined to achieve his greatest victory. 
Confidently relying upon his strength at 
Vera Cruz to resist the enemy for a long 
time, Santa Anna directed his entire army 



against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then 
to return to oppose the advance of Scott's 
more formidable invasion. The battle of 
Buena Vista was fought February 22 and 
23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks of 
Congress and a gold medal, and " Old 
Rough and Ready," the sobriquet given 
him in the army, became a household word. 
He remained in quiet possession of the 
Rio Grande Valley until November, when 
he returned to the United States. 

In the Whig convention which met at 
Philadelphia, June 7, 1848, Taylor was nomi- 
nated on the fourth ballot as candidate of 
the Whig party for President, over Henry 
Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster. 
In November Taylor received a majority 
of electoral votes, and a popular vote of 
i>36o,752, against 1,219,962 for Cass and 
Butler, and 291,342 for Van Buren and 
Adams. General Taylor was inaugurated 
March 4, 1849. 

The free and slave States being then equal 
in number, the struggle for supremacy on 
the part of the leaders in Congress was 
violent and bitter. In the summer of 1849 
California adopted in convention a Consti- 
tution prohibiting slavery within its borders. 
Taylor advocated the immediate admission 
of California with her Constitution, and the 
postponement of the question as to the other 
Territories until they could hold conven- 
tions and decide for themselves whether 
slavery should exist within their borders. 
This policy ultimately prevailed through 
the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of 
Henr}' Clay; but not during the life of the 
brave soldier and patricjt statesman. July 
5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious 
fever, which proved fatal, his death occur- 
ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters 
married Colonel W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju- 
tant-General and Chief of Staff in Florida 
and Mexico, and Private Secretary during 
his Presidency. Another daughter was 
married to Jefferson Davis. 



PRES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 





n t ■■ 1 11 n 1 11 1 1 11 1 " " ' I n 1 1 T n 1 1 1 1 n t ' [ " ' I ' M M M I ' 1 n i i M ' m / w I .n I ' It ! ' n I ' IT ' f 1 '^ ) , i " 



^Mm^^^ 





I LLARD FILL- 
^ MORE, the thir- 
' 1^3; teenth President 
of the United 
States, i850-'3, was 
born in Summer 
Hill, Cayuga 
County, New York, Janu- 
ary 7, i8oo. He was of 
New England ancestry, and 
his educational advantages 
were limited. He early 
learned the clothiers' trade, 
but spent all his leisure time 
in study. At nineteen years 
of age he was induced b>' 
Judge Walter Wood to abandon his trade 
and commence the study of law. Upon 
learning that the young man was entirely 
destitute of means, he took him into his 
own office and loaned him such money as 
he needed. That he might not be heavily 
burdened with debt, young Fillm.ore taught 
school during the winter months, and in 
various other ways helped himself along. 
At the age of twenty-three he was ad- 
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and 
commenced the practice of his profession 
in the village of Aurora, situated on the 






eastern bank of the Cayuga Lake. In 1825 
he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter 
of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great 
moral worth. In 1825 he took his seat in 
the House of Assembly of his native State, 
as Representative from Erie County, 
wiiither he had recently moved. 

Though he had never taken a very 
active part in politics his vote and his sym- 
pathies were with the Whig party. The 
State was then Democratic, but his cour- 
tesv, ability and integrity won the respect 
of his associates. In 1832 he was elected 
to a seat in the United States Congress. 
At the close of his term he returned to his 
law practice, and in two years more he was 
again elected to Congress. 

He now began to have a national reputa- 
tion. His labors were very arduous. To 
draft resolutions in the committee room, 
and then to defend them against the most 
skillful opponents on the floor of the House 
requires readiness of mind, mental resources 
and skill in debate such as few possess. 
Weary with these exhausting labors, and 
pressed bv the claims of his private affairs, 
Mr. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu- 
ents and declined to be a candidate foi' re- 
election. Notwithstanding this ccmmuni- 





'U. 




MILLARD FILLMORE. 



75 



cation his friends met in convention and 
renominated him b}' acclamation. Though 
gratified by this proof of their appreciation 
of his labors he adhered to his resolve and 
returned to his home. 

In 1847 ^Ji"- Fillmore was elected to the 
important office of comptroller of the State. 
In entering upon the very responsible duties 
which this situation demanded, it was nec- 
essary for him to abandon his profession, 
and he removed to the city of Albany. In 
this year, also, the Whigs were looking 
around to find suitable candidates for the 
President and Vice-President at the ap- 
proaching election, and the names of Zach- 
ary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying cry of the Whigs. On the 4th 
of March, 1849, General Taylor was inaug- 
urated President and Millard Fillmore 
Vice-President of the United States. 

The great question of slavery had as- 
sumed enormous proportions, and perme- 
ated every subject that was brought before 
Congress. It was evident that the strength 
of our institutions was to be severely tried. 
July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by 
the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore 
became President of the United States. 
The agitated condition of the country 
brought questions of great delicacy before 
him. He was bound by his oath of office 
to execute the laws of the United States. 
One of these laws was understood to be, 
that if a slave, escaping from bondage, 
should reach a free State, the United States 
was bound to do its utmost to capture him 
and return him to his master. Most Chris- 
tian men loathed this law. President Fill- 
more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see 
it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies 
to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas, 
and annex it to the United States. Presi- 
dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his 
exalted station against the atrocious enter- 
prise. 

Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to 



contend with, since the opposition had a 
majority in both Houses. He did every- 
thing in his power to conciliate the South, 
but the pro-slavery party in that section 
felt the inadequency of all measures of tran- 
sient conciliation. The population of the 
free States was so rapidly increasing over 
that of the slave States, that it was inevita- 
ble that the power of the Government 
should soon pass into the hands of the free 
States. The famous compromise measures 
were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin- 
istration, and the Japan expedition was 
sent out. 

March 4, 1853, having served one term. 
President Fillmore retired from office. He 
then took a long tour through the South, 
where he met with quite an enthusiastic 
reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al- 
luding to the rapid growth of the country, 
he said: 

" Canada is knocking for admission, and 
Mexico would be glad to come in, and 
without saying whether it would be right 
or wrong, we stand with open arms to re- 
ceive them; for it is the manifest destin}' of 
this Government to embrace the whole 
North American Continent." 

In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe 
where he was received with those marked 
attentions which his position and character 
merited. Returning to this country in 
1856 he was nominated for the Presidency 
by the "Know-Nothing" party. Mr. Bu- 
chanan, the Democratic candidate was 
the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore 
ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur- 
ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly 
silent. It was generally supposed, how- 
ever, that his sympathy was with the South- 
ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the 
conflict without any words of cheer to the 
one party or the other. For this reason 
he was forgotten by both. He died of 
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 
1874. 



76 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



P^7T7J7J#?^??? ???P?? ^r7^ 



^J'^ltlJ 



o<fe.#. 



? HH??^P^ aH H.r'Hr^.dH a 



FPI]I^LII] PIERCE. 



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liANKLIN PIERCE, 
the fourteenth Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, was born in 
Hillsborough, New 
Hampshire, Novem- 
ber 23, 1804. His 
f a t h e r, Governor 
Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev- 
olutionary soldier, a man of 
riijid integrity; was for sev- 
eral vears in the State Legis- 
lature, a member of the Gov- 
ernor's council and a General 
of the militia. 
Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu- 
ments of his father, enforced by strong and 
ready utterance and earnest gesture. It 
was in the days of intense political excite- 
ment, when, all over the New England 
States, Federalists and Democrats were ar- 
rayed so fiercely against each other. 

In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at 
Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824, 
and commenced the study of law in the 
office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin- 
guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted 
to the bar. He practiced with great success 
in Hillsborough and Concord. He served 



in the State Legislature four years, the last 
two of which he was chosen Speaker of the 
House by a very large vote. 

In 1833 he was elected a member of Con- 
gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United 
States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com- 
menced his administration.. 

In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means 
Appleton, a lady admirably, fitted to adorn 
every station with which her husband was 
honored. Three sons born to them all 
found an early grave. 

Upon his accession to office. President 
Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen- 
eral of the United States, but the offer was 
declined in consequence of numerous pro- 
fessional engagements at home and the 
precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health. 
About the same time he also declined the 
nomination for Governor by the Demo- 
cratic party. 

The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce 
into the army. Receiving the appointment 
of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a 
portion of his troops at Newport. Rhode 
Island, May 27, 1847. He served during 
this war, and distinguished himself by his 
bravery, skill and excellent judgment. 
When he reached his home in his native 
State he was enthusiastically received by 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



79 



the advocates of the war, and coldly by its 
opponents. He resumed the practice of his 
profession, frequently taking an active part 
in political questions, and giving his sup- 
port to the pro-slavery wing of the Demo- 
cratic party. 

June 12, 1852, the Democratic conventit^n 
met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate 
for the Presidency. For four da3-s they 
continued in session, and in thirty-five bal- 
lotmgs no one had received the requisite 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been 
thrown tluis far for General Pierce. Then 
the Virginia delegation brought forward 
his name. There were fourteen more bal- 
lotings, during which General Pierce 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth 
ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other 
candidates eleven. General Winfield Scott 
was the Whig candidate. General Pierce 
was elected with great unanimity. Onl}' 
four States — Vermont, Massachusetts, Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral 
votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was 
inaugurated President of the United States, 
and William R. King, Vice-President. 

President Pierce's cabinet consisted of 
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson 
Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel- 
land, James Cam[)bell and Caleb Cushing. 

At the demand (;f slavery the Missouri 
Compromise was repealed, and all the Ter- 
ritories of the Union were tlirown open to 
slavery. The Territor)' of Kansas, west of 
Missouri, was settled by emigrants mainly 
from the North. According to law, they 
were about to meet and decide whether 
slavery or freedom should be the law of 
that realm. Slaver\' in Missouri and 
other Southern States rallied her armed 
legions, marched them into Kansas, took 
possession of the polls, drove away the 
citizens, deposited their own votes by 
handfuls, went through the farce of count- 
ing them, and then declared that, by an 
overwhelming majority, slavery was estab- 



lished in Kan.sas. These facts nobody 
denied, and yet President Pierce's adminis- 
tration felt bound to respect the decision 
obtained by such votes. The citizens of 
Kansas, the majority of whom were free- 
State men, met in convention and adopted 
the following resolve : 

"Resolved, That the body of men who, 
for the past two months, have been passing 
laws f(jr the people of our Territory, 
moved, counseled and dictated to by the 
demagogues of other States, are to us a 
foreign body, representing only the lawless 
invaders who elected them, and not the 
people of this Territory' ; that we repudiate 
their action as the monstrous consummation 
of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud 
unparalleled in the histor}^ of the Union." 

The free-State people of Kansas also sent 
a petition to the General Government, im- 
ploring its protection. In repl}- the Presi- 
dent issued a proclamation, declaring that 
Legislature thus created must be recog- 
nized as the legitimate Legislature of Kan- 
sas, and that its laws were binding upon 
the people, and that, if necessary, the whole 
force of the Governmental arm would be 
put forth to inforce those laws. 

James Buchanan succeeded him in the 
Presidency, and, March 4, 1857, President 
Pierce retired to his home in Concord, 
New Hampshire. \\'hcn the Rebellion 
burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast 
to the principles he had always cherished, 
and gave his symjjathies to the }>ro-slaver3'' 
party, with which he had ever been allied. 
He declined to do anything, either by 
voice or pen, to strengthen the hands of 
the National Government. He resided in 
Concord until his death, which occurixd in 
October, 1869. He was one t)f the most 
genial and social of men, generous to 
a fault, and contributed liberally of his 
moderate means for the alleviation of suf- 
fering and want. He was an honored 
communicant of the Episcopal church. 



So 



P/iES/DEXTS OF THE UXITED STATES. 




T*^^^ f*l'^^'^?*l'^*l'^^^??^'^ " 



*^^x'^<^<^f^<^C^eSf 



A\. 



EERSgrSSITEEl^KE'^^fc^g^g^^^g^iEi^^P^i^i^yrSEg: 



\ ai^\ i\ ( ii;:?5 IS f rafu\i^r :AVtY>^| 






AMES BUCHANAN, the 
fifteenth President of the 
United States. 1857-61, 
was born in Franklin 
C o u n t V, Penns3lvania, 
April 23, 1791. The 
])Iace where his father's 
c a b i n stood was called 
-Stony Batter, and it was 
situated in a wild, romantic 
spot, in a gorge of mount- 
ains, with towering sum- 
mits rising all around. He 
was of Irish ancestry, his 
father having emigrated in- 
1783, with ver}- little prop- 
erty, save his own strong arms. 

James remained in his secluded home for 
eight years enjoying very few social or 
intellectual advantages. His parents were 
industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli- 
gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer- 
cersburg, where James was placed in 
school and commenced a course in English, 
Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid 
and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College 
at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution, and was 
able to master the most abstruse subjects 
with facilit}'. In 1809 he graduated with 
the highest honors in his class. 

He was then eighteen years of age, tall, 



graceful and in vigorous health, fond of 
athletic sports, an unerring shot and en- 
livened with an exuberant flow of animal 
spirits. He immediately commenced the 
study of law in the city of Lancaster, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose 
very rapidly in his profession and at once 
took undisputed stand with the ablest law- 
yers of the State. When but twenty-six 
years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 
one of the Judges of the State, who was 
tried upon articles of impeachment. At 
the age of thirty it was generally admitted 
that he stood at the head of the bar, and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had 
a more extensive or lucrative practice. 

In 181 2, just after Mr. Buchanan had 
entered upon the practice of the law, our 
second war with England occurred. With 
all his powers he sustained the Govern- 
ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros- 
ecution of the war; and even enlisnng as a 
private soldier to assist in repelling the 
British, who had sacked Washington and 
were threatening Baltimore. He was at 
that time a Federalist, but when the Con- 
stitution was adopted by both parties, 
Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal- 
ists; we are all Republicans." 

The opposition of the Federalists to the 
war with England, and the alien and sedi- 





^7ne^ 




yz^&c^i'^^ 



yAA/ES BUCHANAN. 



8.^ 



tion laws of John Adams, brought the party 
into dispute, and the name of Federalist 
became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan almost 
immediately upon entering Congress began 
to incline more and more to the Repub- 
licans. In the stormy Presidential election 
of 1824, in which Jackson, Clay, Crawford 
and John Quincy Adams were candidates, 
Mr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen- 
eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the 
administration of Mr. Adams. 

Upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
General Jackson appointed Mr. Buchanan, 
minister to Russia. Upon his return in 1833 
lie was elected to a seat in tiie United States 
Senate. He there met as his associates, 
Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He 
advocated the measures proposed by Presi- 
dent Jackson of making reprisals against 
France, and defended the course of the Pres- 
ident in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removals from office of those who were not 
the supporters of his administration. Upon 
this question he was brought mto direct col- 
lision with Henry Clay. In the discussion 
of the question respecting the admission of 
Michigan and Arkansas into the Union, Mr. 
Buchanan defined his position by saying: 

" The older I grow, the more I am in- 
clined to be what is called a State-rights 
man." 

M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work 
upon " Democracy in America," foresaw 
the trouble which was inevitable from the 
doctrine of State sovereignty as held by 
Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con- 
vinced that the National Government was 
losing that strength which was essential 
to its own existence, and that the States 
were assuming powers which threatened 
the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan 
received the book in the Senate and de- 
clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be 
groundless, and yet he lived to sit in the 
Presidential chair and see State after State, 
in accordance with his own views of State 



rights, breaking from the Union, thus 
crumbling our Republic into ruins; while 
the unhappy old man folded his arms in 
despair, declaring that the National Consti- 
tution invested him with no power to arrest 
the destruction. 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi- 
dency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of 
State, and as such took his share of the 
responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi- 
can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad- 
ministration, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri- 
vate life; but his intelligence, and his great 
ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert 
a powerful influence in National affairs. 

Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the 
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with 
the mission to England. In the year 1856 
the National Democratic convention nomi- 
nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. 
The political conflict was one of the most 
severe in which our country has ever en- 
gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr. 
Buchanan was inaugurated President. His 
cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb, 
J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp- 
son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black. 

The disruption of the Democratic party, 
in consequence of the manner in which the 
issue of the nationality of slavery was 
pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at 
the National convention, held at Charleston 
in April, i860, for the nomination of Mr. 
Buchanan's successor, when the majority 
of Southern delegates withdrew upon the 
passage of a resolution declaring that the 
constitutional status of slavery should be 
determined by the Supreme Court. 

In the next Presidential canvass Abra- 
ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo- 
nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration. 
Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington 
long enough to see his successor installed 
and then retired to his home in Wheatland. 
He died June i, 1868, aged seventy-seven 
years. 



^4 



PKBS/DENTS OF THE VNITED STATES. 










B R A H A M LIN- 
COLN, the sixteenth 
President o[ the 
United States, iS6i-'5, 
^^rt , was born February 
^/TT^I*,^ 12, 1809, in Larue 
^•'■' (then Hardin) Countv, 
Kentucky, in a cabin on Nolan 
Creei<, three miles west of 
Iludgensviile. His parents 
w ere Thomas and Nancy 
(Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an- 
cestry and early years the little 
that is known may best be 
g^iyen in his own language : " My 
parents were both born in Virginia, of un- 
distinguished families — second families, per- 
haps 1 should say. My mother, who died 
in my tenth year, was of a family of the 
name of Hanks, some of whom now remain 
in Adams, and others in ^Licon County, 
Illinois. My paterna' grandfather, Abra- 
ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge 
County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or 
1782, where, a year or two later, he was 
killed by Indians — not in battle, but by 
stealth, when he was laboring to open a 
farm in tiic forest. His ancestors, who were 
Quakers, went to Virginia from Berks 
County, Pennsylvania. An effort to iden- 



tify them with the New England family of 
the same name ended in nothing more defi- 
nite than a similarity of Christian names in 
both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mor- 
decai, Solomon, Abraham and the like. 
My father, at the death of his father, was 
but six years of age, and he grew up, liter- 
ally, without education. He removed from 
Kentucky to what is now Spencer County, 
Indiana, in my eighth year. We reached 
our new home about the time the State came 
into the Union. It was a wild region, with 
bears and other wild animals stiK in the 
woods. There I grew to manhood. 

" There were some schools, so called, but 
no qualification was ever required of a 
teacher beyond ' readin', writin', and cipher- 
in' to the rule of three.' If a straggler, sup- 
posed to understand Latin, happened to 
sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked 
upon as a wizard. There was absolutely 
nothing to excite ambition for education. 
Of course, when I came of age I did not 
know much. Still, somehow, I could read, 
write and cipher to the rule of three, and 
that was all. I have not been to school 
since. The little advance 1 now have upon 
this store of education 1 liave picked up 
from time to time under the pressure of 
necessity. I was raised to farm-work, which 





-<^t^ £^ 



g^//^^ ^ c<^-t:^C^ 



j^BRAHAM LINCOLN. 



87 



I continued till I was twenty-two. At 
twenty-one I came to Illinois and passed 
the first year in Macon County. Then I got 
to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon, 
now in Menard County, where I remained 
a year as a sort of clerk in a store. 

" Then came the Black Hawk war, and I 
was elected a Captain of volunteers — ^a suc- 
cess which gave me more pleasure than any 
I have had since. I went the campaign, 
was elated ; ran for the Legislature the 
same year (1832) and was beaten, the only 
time I have ever been beaten by the people. 
The next and three succeeding biennial 
elections I was elected to the Legislature, 
and was never a candidate afterward. 

" During this legislative period I had 
studied law, and removed to Springfield to 
practice it. In 1846 I was elected to the 
Lower House of Congress ; was not a can- 
didate for re-election. From 1849 to 1854, 
inclusive, I practiced the law more assid- 
uously than ever before. Always a Whig 
in politics, and generally on the Whig elec- 
toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was 
losing interest in politics, when the repeal 
of the Missouri Compromise roused me 
again. What I have done since is pretty 
well known." 

The early residence of Lincoln in Indi- 
ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohio 
River, on Little Pigeon Creek, one and a 
half miles east of Gentryville, within the 
present township of Carter. Here his 
mother died October 5, 1818, and the next 
year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush) 
Johnston, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She ' 
was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom 
Abraham was indebted for his first encour- 
agement to study. He became an eager 
reader, and the few books owned in the 
vicinity were many times perused. He 
worked frequently for the neighbors as a 
farm laborer ; was for some time clerk in a 
store at Gentryville ; and became famous 
throughout that region for his athletic 



powers, his fondness for argument, his in- 
exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as 
well as for mock oratory and the composi- 
tion of rude satirical verses. In 1828 he 
made a trading voyage to New Orleans as 
" bow-hand " on a flatboat ; removed to 
Illinois in 1830 ; helped his father build a 
log house and clear a farm on the north 
fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of 
Decatur, and was for some time employed 
in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which 
was prominently brought forward for a 
political purpose thirty years later. 

In the spring of 185 1 he, with two of his 
relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on 
the Sangamon River and navigate it to 
New Orleans. The boat "stuck" on a 
mill-dam, and was got off with great labor 
through an ingenious mechanical device 
which some years later led to Lincoln's 
taking out a patent for "an improved 
method for lifting vessels over shoals." 
This voyage was memorable for another 
reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal- 
treated and flogged at New Orleans was 
the origin of his deep convictions upon the 
slavery question. 

Returning from this voyage he became a 
resident for several years at New Salem, a 
recently settled village on the Sangamon, 
where he was successively a clerk, grocer, 
surveyor and postmaster, and acted as pilot 
to the first steamboat that ascended the 
Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter- 
ested himself in local politics after his 
return from the Black Hawk war, and 
became known as an effective " stump- 
speaker." The subject of his first political 
speech was the improvement of the channel 
of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on 
which he announced himself (1832) a candi- 
date for the Legislature was his advocacy 
of this popular measure, on which subject 
his practical experience made him the high- 
est authority. 

Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as a 



88 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



" Henry Clay Whig," he rapidly acquired 
that command of language and that homely 
but forcible rhetoric which, added to his 
intimate knowledge of the people from 
which he sprang, made him more than a 
match in debate for his few well-educated 
opponents. 

Admitted to the bar in 1837 he soon 
established himself at Springfield, where 
the State capital was located in 1839, 
iargely through his influence; became a 
successful pleader in the State, Circuit and 
District Courts; married in 1843 a lady be- 
longing to a prominent family in Lexington, 
Kentucky; took an active part in the Pres- 
idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as 
candidate for elector on the Harrison and 
Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected to the 
United States House of Representatives 
over the celebrated Peter Cartwright. 
During his single term in Congress he did 
not attain any prominence. 

He voted for the reception of anti-slavery 
petitions for the abolition of the slave trade 
in the District of Columbia and for the 
Wilmot proviso; but was chiefly remem- 
bered for the stand he took against the 
Me.xican war. For several vears there- 
after he took comparatively little interest 
in politics, but gained a leading position at 
the Springfield bar. Two or three non- 
political lectures and an eulogy on Henry 
Clay (1852) added nothing to his reputation. 

In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act 
aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and 
in attacking that measure he had the im- 
mense advantage of knowing perfectly well 
the motives and the record of its author, 
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu- 
larly designated as the " Little Giant." The 
latter came to Springfield in October, 1854, 
on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi- 
cate his policv in the Senate, and the " Anti- 
Nebraska" Whigs, remembering that Lin- 
coln had often measured his strength with 



Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be- 
fore the Springfield Courts, engaged him 
to improvise a reply. This speech, in the 
opinion of those who heard it, was one of 
the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer- 
tainly the most effective in his whole career. 
It took the audience by storm, and from 
that moment it was felt that Douglas had 
met his match. Lincoln was accordingly 
selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for 
the United States Senate in place of General 
Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855, 
and led to several ballots; but Trumbull 
was ultimatel}- chosen. 

The second conflict on the soil of Kan- 
sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be- 
gan. The result was the disruption of the 
Whig and the formation of the Republican 
party. At the Bloomington State Conven- 
tion in 1856, where the new partv first 
assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an 
impressive address, in which for the first 
time he took distinctive ground against 
slavery in itself. 

At the National Republican Convention 
at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi- 
nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for- 
ward by the Illinois delegation for the 
Vice-Presidency, and received on the first 
ballot no votes against 259 for William L, 
Dayton. He took a prominent part in the 
canvass, being on the electoral ticket. 

In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi- 
nated by the Republican State Convention 
as its candidate for the United States Senate 
in place of Douglas, and in his speech of 
acceptance used the celebrated illustration 
of a "house divided against itself" on the 
slavery question, which was, perhaps, the 
cause of his defeat. The great debate car- 
ried on at all the principal towns of Illinois 
between Lincoln and Douglas as rival Sena- 
torial candidates resulted at the time in the 
election of the latter ; but being widely cir- 
culated as a campaign document, it fixed 
the attention of the country upon the 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



89 



former, as the clearest and most convinc- 
ing exponent of Republican doctrine. 

Early in 1859 lie began to be named in 
Illinois as a suitable Republican candidate 
for the Presidential campaign of the ensu- 
ing year, and a political address delivered 
at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru- 
ary 27, i860, followed by similar speeches 
at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in 
New England, first made him known to the 
Eastern States in the light by which he had 
long been regarded at home. By the Re- 
publican State Convention, which met at 
Decatur, Illinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln 
was unanimously endorsed for the Presi- 
dency. It was on this occasion that two 
rails, said to have been split by his hands 
thirtv years before, were brought into the 
convention, and the incident contributed 
much to his popularity. The National 
Republican Convention at Chicago, after 
spirited efforts made in favor of Seward, 
Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for 
the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin 
for Vice-President, at the same time adopt- 
ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform. 

The Democratic party having been dis- 
organized and presenting two candidates, 
Douglas and Breckenridge, and the rem- 
nant of the " American" party having put 
forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re- 
publican victory was an easy one, Lincoln 
being elected November 6 by a large plu- 
rality, comprehending nearly all the North- 
ern States, but none of the Southern. The 
secession of South Carolina and the Gulf 
States was the immediate result, followed 
a few months later by that of the border 
slave States and the outbreak of the great 
civil war. 

The life of Abraham Lincoln became 
thenceforth merged in the histor)' of his 
country. None of the details of the vast 
conflict which filled the remainder of Lin- 
coln's life can here be given. Narrowly 
escaping assassination by avoiding Balti- 



more on his way to the capital, he reached 
Washington February 23, and was inaugu- 
rated President of the United States March 
4, 1861. 

In his inaugural address he said: " I hold, 
that in contemplation of universal law and 
the Constitution the Union of these States is 
perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex- 
pressed in the fundamental laws of all na- 
tional governments. It is safe to assert 
that no government proper ever had a pro- 
vision in its organic law for its own termi- 
nation. I therefore consider that in view 
of the Constitution and the laws, the Union 
is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability 
I shall take care, as the Constitution en- 
joins upon me, that the laws of the United 
States be extended in all the States. In 
doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio- 
lence, and there shall be none unless it be 
forced upon the national authority. T!ie 
power conferred to me will be used to hold, 
occupy and possess the property and places 
belonging to the Government, and to col- 
lect the duties and imports, but beyond 
what may be necessary for these objects 
there will be no invasion, no using of force 
against or among the people an3where. In 
your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countr)'- 
men, is the momentous issue of civil war. 
The Government will not assail 3-ou. You 
can have no conflict without being your- 
selves the aggressors. You have no oath 
registered in heaven to destroy the Gov- 
ernment, while I shall have the most sol- 
emn one to preserve, protect and defend 
it." 

He called to his cabinet his principal 
rivals for the Presidential nomination — 
Seward, Chase, Cameron and Bates; se- 
cured the co-operation of the Union Demo- 
crats, headed by Douglas ; called out 75,000 
militia from the several States upon the first 
tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, 
April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the 
Southern posts April 19; called an extra 



9° 



PliES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



session of Congress for July 4, from which 
he asked and obtained 400,000 men and 
$400,000,000 for the war; placed McClellan 
at the head of the Federal army on General 
Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed 
Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan- 
uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862, 
issued a proclamation declaring the free- 
dom of all slaves in the States and parts of 
States then in rebellion from and after 
January i, 1863. This was the crowning 
act of Lincoln's career — the act by which 
he will be chiefly known through all future 
time — and it decided the war. 

October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called 
for 300,000 volunteers to replace those 
whose term of enlistment had expired ; 
made a celebrated and touching, though 
brief, address at the dedication of the 
Gettysburg military cemetery, November 
ig, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant 
Lieutenant-General and Commander-in- 
Chief of the armies of the United States, 
March 9, 1864; was re-elected President in 
November of the same year, by a large 
majority over General McClellan, with 
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice- 
President; delivered a very remarkable ad- 
dress at his second inauguration, March 4, 
1865; visited the armv before Richmond the 
same month; entered the capital of the Con- 
federacy the day after its fall, and upon the 
surrender of General Robert E. Lee'c army, 
April 9, was actively engaged in devising 
generous plans for the reconstruction of the 
Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri- 
day, April 14, he was shot in his box at 
Ford's Theatre, Washington, byJohnWilkes 
Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired early 
on the following morning, April 15. Al- 
most simultaneously a murderous attack 
was made upon William H. Seward, Secre- 
tary of State. 

At noon on the 15th of April Andrew 



Johnson assumed the Presidency, and active 
measures were taken which resulted in the 
death of Booth and the execution of his 
principal accomplices. 

The funeral of President Lincoln was 
conducted with unexampled solemnity and 
magnificence. Impressive services were 
held in Washington, after which the sad 
procession proceeded over the same route 
he had traveled four years before, from 
Springfield to Washington. In Philadel- 
phia his body lay in state in Independence 
Hall, in which he had declared before his 
first inauguration "that I would sooner be 
assassinated than to give up the principles 
of the Declaration of Independence." He 
was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near 
Springfield, Illinois, on May 4, where a 
monument emblematic of the emancipation 
of the slaves and the restoration of the 
Union mark his resting place. 

The leaders and citizens of the expiring 
Confederacy expressed genuine indignation 
at the murder of a generous political adver- 
sary. Foreign nations took part in mourn- 
ing the death of a statesman who had proved 
himself a true representative of American 
nationality. The freedmen of the South 
almost worshiped the memory of their de- 
liverer; and the general sentiment of the 
Sfreat Nation he had saved awarded him a 
place in its affections, second only to that 
held by Washington. 

The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln 
have been familiarly known throughout the 
civilized world. His tall, gaunt, ungainly 
figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd 
mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con- 
versations overflowing in humorous and 
pointed anecdote, combined with an accu- 
rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions 
of the time, are recognized as forming the 
best type of a period of American history 
now rapidly passing away. 




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NDREW JOHNSON, 

the seventeenth Presi- 
dent of the United 
States, i865-'9, was 
born at Raleigh, 
North Carolina, De- 
c em b e r 29, 1808. 
His father died when 
he was four years old, and in 
his eleventh year he was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor. He nev- 
er attended school, and did 
not learn to read until late in 
his apprenticeship, when he 
suddenly acquired a passion for 
obtaining knowledge, and devoted 
all his spare time to reading. 

After working two j-ears as a journey- 
man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South 
Carolina, he removed, in 1826, to Green- 
ville, Tennessee, where he worked at his 
trade and married. Under his wife's in- 
structions he made rapid progress in his 
education, and manifested such an intelli- 
gent interest in local politics as to be 
elected as " workingmen's candidate " al- 
derman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being 
twice re-elected to each office. 

During this period he cultivated his tal- 
ents as a public speaker by taking part in a 



debating societ\-, consisting largel}' of stu- 
dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and 
again in 1839, he was chosen to the lower 
house of the Legislature, as a Democrat. 
In 1 841 he was elected State Senator, and 
in 1843, Representative in Congress, being 
re-elected four successive periods, until 
1S53, when he was chosen Governor of 
Tennessee. In Congress he supported the 
administrations of Tyler and Polk in their 
chief measures, especially the annexation 
of Texas, the adjustment of the Oregon 
boundary, the Mexican war, and the tariff 
of 1846. 

In 1855 Mr. Johnson was re-elected Gov- 
ernor, and in 1857 entered the United 
States Senate, where he was conspicuous 
as an advocate of retrenchment and of the 
Homestead bill, and as an opponent of the 
Pacific Railroad. He was supported by the 
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic 
convention in i860 for the Presidential 
nomination, and lent his influence to the 
Breckenridge wing of that party. 

When the election of Lincoln had 
brought about the first attempt at secession 
in December, i860, Johnson took in the 
Senate a firm attitude for the Union, and 
in May, 1861, on returning to Tennessee, 
he was in imminent peril of suffering from 



94 



PJtES/DENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. 



popular violence for his loyalty to the " old 
flag." He was the leader of the Loyalists' 
convention of East Tennessee, and during i 
the following winter was very active in or- 
ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu- 
gees from that region, his own familv being 
among those compelled to leave. 
, By his course in thiscrisis Johnson came 
prominently before the Northern public, 
and when in March, 1862, he was appointed 
by President Lincoln military Governor of 
Tennessee, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, he increased in popularity b}' the vig- 
orous and successful manner in which he 
labored to restore order, protect Union 
men and punish marauders. On the ap- 
proach of the Presidential campaign of 1864, 
the termination of the war being plainly 
foreseen, and several Southern States being 
partially reconstructed, it was felt that the 
Vice-Presidencv should be given to a vSouth- 
ern man of conspicuous loyaltv, and Gov- 
ernor Johnson was elected on the same 
platform and ticket as President Lincoln; 
and on the assassination of the latter suc- 
ceeded to the Presidency, April 15, 1865. 
In a public speech two daxs later he said: 
"The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a 
crime and must be ])unished; that the Gov- 
ernment will not always bear with its ene- 
mies; that it is strong, not onl}' to protect, 
but to punish. In our peaceful history 
treason has been almost unknown. The 
people must understand that it is the black- 
est of crimes, and will be punished." He 
then added the ominous sentence: " In le- 
gard to my future course, I make no prom- 
ises, no pledges." President Johnson re- 
tained the cabinet of Lincoln, and exhibited 
considerable severity toward traitors in his 
earlier acts and speeches, but he soon inaug- 
urated a policy of reconstruction, proclaim- 
ing a general amnesty to the late Confeder- 
ates, and successively establishing provis- 
ional Governments in the Southern States. 



These States accordingly claimed represen- 
tation in Congress in the following Decem- 
ber, and the momentous question of what 
should be the policy of the victorious l^nion 
toward its late armed opponents was forced 
upon that body. 

Two considerations impelled the Repub- 
lican majority to reject the policy of l^resi. 
dent Johnson: First, an apprehension that 
the chief magistrate intended to undo the re- 
sults of the war in regard to slavery; and, sec- 
ond, the sullen attitude of the South, which 
seemed to be jilotting to regain the policy 
which arms had lost. The credentials of the 
Southern members elect were laid on the 
table, a civil rights bill and a bill extending 
the sphere of the Freedmen's Bureau were 
passed over the executive veto, and the two 
highest branches of the Government were 
soon in open antagonism. The action of 
Congress was characterized bv the Presi- 
dent as a " new rebellion," In July the 
cabinet was recotistructed, Messrs. Randall, 
Stanbur}^ and Browning taking the places 
of Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan, and 
an unsuccessful attempt was made by 
means of a general convention in Philadel- 
phia to form a new party on the basis of the 
administration policy. 

In an excursion to Chicago for the pur- 
pose of laying a corner-stone of the monu- 
ment to Stephen A. Douglas, President 
Johnson, accompanied by several members 
of the cabinet, passed through Philadelphia, 
New York and Albany, in each of which 
cities, and in other places along the route, 
he made speeches justifying and explaining 
his own polic)', and violently denouncing 
the action of Congress. 

August 12, 1867, President Johnson re- 
moved the Secretary of War, replacing 
him by General Grant. Secretary Stanton 
retired under protest, based upon the ten- 
ure-of-ofifice act which had been passed the 
preceding March. The President then is- 
sued a proclamation declaring the insurrec- 



A NDRE IV yOHNSON. 



95 



tion at an end, and that " peace, order, tran- 
quility and civil authorit}' existed in and 
throughout the United States." Another 
proclamation enjoined obedience to the 
Constitution and the laws, and an amnesty 
was published September 7, relieving nearly 
all the participants in the late Rebellion 
from the disabilities thereby incurred, on 
condition of taking the oath to support the 
Constitution and the laws. 

In December Congress refused to confirm 
the removal of Secretary Stanton, who 
thereupon resumed the exercise of his of- 
fice; but February 21, 1868, President 
Johnson again attempted to remove him, 
appointing General Lorenzo Thomas in his 
place. Stanton refused to vacate his post, 
and was sustained by the Senate. 

February 24 the House of Representa- 
tives voted to impeach the President for 
" high crime and misdemeanors," and March 
5 presented eleven articles of impeachment 
on the ground of his resistance to the exe- 
cution of the acts of Congress, alleging, in 
addition to the offense lately committed, 
his public expressions of contempt for Con- 
gress, in " certain intemperate, inflamma- 
tory and scandalous harangues" pronounced 
in August and September, 1866, and there- 
after declaring that the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress of the United States was not a 
competent legislative body, and denying 
its power to propose Constitutional amend- 
ments. March 23 the impeachment trial 
began, the President appearing b}' counsel, 
and resulted in acquittal, the vote lacking 



one of the two-thirds vote required for 
conviction. 

The remainder of President Jcjhnson's 
term of office was passed without any such 
conflicts as might have been anticipated. 
He failed to obtain a nomination for re- 
election by the Democratic part}', though 
receiving sixt3--five votes on the first ballot. 
July 4 and December 25 new proclamations 
of pardon to the participants in the late 
Rebellion were issued, but were of little 
effect. On the accession of General Grant 
to the Presidency, March 4, 1869, Johnson 
returned to Greenville, Tennessee. Unsuc- 
cessful in 1870 and 1872 as a candidate re- 
spectively for United States Senator and 
Representative, he was finally elected to the 
Senate in 1875, and took his seat in the extra 
session of March, in which his speeches 
were comparatively temperate. He died 
July 31, 1875, and was buried at Green- 
ville. 

President Johnson's administration was a 
peculiarly unfortunate one. That he should 
so soon become involved in bitter feud with 
the Republican majority in Congress was 
certainly a surprising and deplorable inci- 
dent; yet, in reviewing the circumstances 
after a lapse of so many years, it is easy to 
find ample room for a charitable judgment 
of both the parties in the heated contro- 
versy, since it cannot be doubted that any 
President, even Lincoln himself, had he 
lived, must have sacrificed a large portion 
of his popularity in carrying out any pos- 
sible scheme of reconstruction. 



96 



PPESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 







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Ohio. 



■^LYSSES SIMPSON 
GRANT, the eight- 
eenth President of the 
United States, iSSg-'jj, 
was born April 27, 1 822, 
at Point Pleasant, 
,^ Clermont Count\-, 
His father was of Scotch 
descent, and a dealer in leather. 
At the age of seventeen he en- 
tered the Military Academ}' at 
West Point, and four years later 
graduated twenty-first in a class 
of thirty-nine, receiving the 
commission of Brevet Second 
Lieutenant. He was assigned 
to the Fourth Infantr}- and re- 
mained in the army eleven years. He was 
engaged in ever}- battle of the Mexican war 
except that of Buena Vista, and received 
two brevets for gallantry. 

In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia, daughter 
of Frederick Dent, a prominent mercliant of 
St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the 
grade of Captain, he resigned his commis- 
sion in the army. For several years he fol- 
lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc- 
cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather 
trade with his father at Galena, Illinois. 

When the civil war broke out in 1861, 
Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en- 
tirely unknown to public men and without 



any personal acquaintance witli great affairs. 
President Lincoln's first call for troops was 
made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th 
Grant was drilling a company of volunteers 
at Galena. He also offered his services to 
the Adjutant-General of the army, but re- 
ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois, 
however, employed him in the organization 
of volunteer troops, and at the end of five 
weeks he was appointed Colonel of the 
Twenty-first Infantry. He took command 
of his regiment in June, and reported first 
to General Pope in Missouri. His superior 
knowledge of military life rather surprised 
his superior officers, who had never before 
even heard of him, and they were thus led 
to place him on the road to rapid advance- 
ment. August 7 he was commissioned a 
Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap- 
pointment having been made without his 
knowledge. He had been unanimously 
reconiinended by the Congressmen from 
Illinois, not one of whom had been his 
personal acquaintance. For a few weeks 
he was occupied in watching the move- 
ments of partisan forces in Missouri. 

September i he was placed in command 
of tlie District of Southeast Missouri, with 
headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with- 
out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth 
of the Tennessee River, and commanding 
the navie-ation both of that stream and 0/ 




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ULrSSES S. GRANT. 



99 



the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky 
to the Union ; for the State Legislature, 
which had until then affected to be neutral, 
at once declared in favor of the Govern- 
ment. In November following, according 
to orders, he made a demonstration about 
eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the 
crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ; 
but in order to accomplish this purpose he 
had to do some fighting, and that, too, with 
only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con- 
federates. Grant carried off two pieces of 
artiller)'^ and 200 prisoners. 

After repeated applications to General 
Halleck, his immediate superior, he was 
allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the 
Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in 
conjunction with a naval force. The gun- 
boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi- 
atelv made preparations to attack Fort 
Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on 
the Cumberland River. Without waiting 
for orders he moved his troops there, and 
with 15,000 men began the siege. The 
fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a 
strong one, but after hard fighting on three 
successive days Grant forced an " Uncon- 
ditional Surrender" (an alliteration upon 
the initials of his name). The prize he capt- 
ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600 
small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,- 
000 of the garrison had escaped in the night, 
and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's 
entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the 
first important success won by the national 
troops during the war, and its strategic re- 
sults were marked, as the entire States of 
Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the 
National hands. Our hero was made a 
Major-General of Volunteers and placed in 
command of the District of West Ten- 
nessee. 

In March, 1862, he was ordered to move 
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth, 
where the Confederates were concentrat- 
ing a large army ; but he was directed not 



to attack. His forces, now numbering 38,- 
000, were accordingly encamped near Shi- 
loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the 
arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more; 
but April 6 the Confederates came out from 
Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant 
violently, hoping to overwhelm him before 
Buell could arrive ; 5,0000! his troops were 
beyond supporting distance, so that he was 
largely outnumbered and forced back to the 
river, where, however, he held out until 
dark, when the head of Buell's column 
came upon the field. The next day the 
Confederates were driven back to Corinth, 
nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on 
both sides ; Grant, being senior in rank to 
Buell, commanded on both days. Two 
days afterward Halleck arrived at the front 
and assumed command of the army. Grant 
remaining at the head of the right wing and 
the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was 
evacuated by the Confederates. In July 
Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and 
Grant succeeded him in command of the 
Department of the Tennessee. September 
19 the battle of luka was fought, where, 
owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom- 
plete victory was obtained. 

Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved 
down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks- 
burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was 
sent by way of the river to attack that place 
in front ; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's 
surrendering Holly Springs to the Con- 
federates, Grant was so weakened that he 
had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman 
failed to sustain his intended attack. 

In January, 1863, General Grant took 
command in person of all the troops in the 
Mississippi Valley, and spent several months 
in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender 
or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4, 
following, the place surrendered, with 31,- 
600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi 
River thus fell permanently into the hands 
of the Government. Grant was made a 



l.i 



PRESIDENTS OF JHH UNITED STATES. 



Major-Gcneral in the regular army, and in 
October following he was placed in com- 
mand of the Division of the Mississippi. 
The same month he went to Chattanooga 
and saved the Army of the Cumberland 
from starvation, and drove Bragg from that 
part of the country. This victory over- 
threw the last important hostile force west 
of the AUeghanies and opened the way for 
the National armies into Georgia and Sher- 
man's march to the sea. 

The remarkable series of successes which 
Grant had now achieved pointed him out 
as the appropriate leader of the National 
armies, and accordingly, in Februar}-, 1864, 
the rank of Lieutenant-General was created 
for him by Congress, and on March 17 he 
assumed command of the armies of the 
United States. Planning the grand final 
campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia, 
Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler 
to capture Richmond, while he fought his 
own way from the Rapidan to the James. 
The costly but victorious battles of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and 
Cold Harbor were fought, more for the 
purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture 
any particular point. In June, 1864, the 
siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman, 
meanwhile, was marching and fighting daily 
in Georgia and steadily advancing toward 
Atlanta ; but Sigel had been defeated in the 
valley of Virginia, and was superseded by 
Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na- 
tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered 
up a force which he placed under Sheridan, 
and that commander rapidly drove Early, 
inasuccessionof battles, through the valley 
of Virginia and destroyed his army as an 
organized force. The siege of Richmcind 
went on, and Grant made numerous attacks, 
but was only partially successful. The 
people of the North grew impatient, and 
even the Government advised him to , 
abandon the attempt to take Richmond or 
crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he ; 



' never wavered. He resolved to "' fight it 
out on that line, if it took all summer." 

By September Sherman had made his 
way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him 
on his famous " march to the sea," a route 
which the chief had designed six months 
before. He made Sherman's success possi- 
ble, not only by holding Lee in front of 
Richmond, but also by sending reinforce- 
ments to Thomas, who then drew off and 
defeated the only army which could have 
confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was 
left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri- 
dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's 
plans. Each executed his part in the great 
design and contributed his share to the re- 
sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman 
finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat 
the enemy at Franklin, Thomas at Nash- 
ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him; 
and all this while General Grant was hold- 
ing Lee, with the principal Confederate 
army, near Richmond, as it were chained 
and helpless. Then Schofield was brought 
from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil- 
mington were captured on the sea-coast, so 
as to afford him a foothold ; from here he 
was sent into the interior of North Caro- 
lina, and Sherman was ordered to move 
northward to join him. When all this was 
effected, and Sheridan could find no one else 
to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant 
brought the cavalry leader to the front of 
Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove 
Lee from his entrenchments and captured 
Richmond. 

At the beginning of the final campaign 
Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in 
the lin'es at Richmond, besides the local 
militia and the gunboat crews, amounting 
to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force 
Grant had 1 10,000 men in the works before 
Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell 
on the 2d of April, and Richmond on tl:e 
3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch- 
burg. Grant pursued with remorseless 



C/I,rSSES S. Off ANT. 



energ}-, only stopping to strike fresh blows, 
and Lee at last found himself not only out- 
fought but also out-marched and out-gen- 
eraled. Being completely surrounded, he 
surrendered on the glh of April, 1865, at 
Appomattox Court-House, in the open field, 
with 27,000 men, all that remained of his 
army. This act virtually ended the war. 
Thus, in ten days Grant had captured 
Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his 
subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and 
Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller 
ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle, 
and received the surrender of 27,000 more 
at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an 
army of 70,000 soldiers. 

General Grant returned at once to Wash- 
ington to superintend the disbandment of 
the armies, but this pleasurable work was 
scarcely begun when President Lincoln was 
assassinated. It had doubtless been in- 
tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ; 
but he, fortunately, on account of leaving 
Washington early in the evening, declined 
an invitation to accompany the President 
to the theater where the murder was com- 
mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson 
President, but left Grant by far the most 
conspicuous figure in the public life of the 
country. He became the object of an en- 
thusiasm greater than had ever been known 
in America. Every possible honor was 
heaped upon him ; the grade of General 
was created for him by Congress; houses 
were presented to him by citizens; towns 
were illuminated on his entrance into them ; 
and, to cap the climax, when he made his 
tour around the world, "all nations did him 
honor" as they had never before honored 
a foreigner. 

The General, as Commander-in-Chief, 
was placed in an embarrassing position by 
the opposition of President Johnson to the 
measures of Congress ; but he directly man- 
ifested; his characteristic loyalty by obeying 
Congress rather than the disaffected Presi- 



dent, although for a short time he had 
served in his cabinet as Secretary of War. 

Of course, everybody thought of General 
Grant as the ne.xt President of the United 
States, and he was accordingly elected as 
such in 1868 "by a large majorit)-," and 
four years later re-elected by a much larger 
majority — the most overwhelming ever 
given by the peojile of this country. His first 
administration was distinguished by a ces- 
sation of the strifes which sprang from the 
war, by a large reduction of the National 
debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties 
with England which had grown out of the 
depredations committed by privateers fit- 
ted out in England during the war. This 
last settlement was 'made by the famous 
" Geneva arbitration," which saved to this 
Government $1 5,000,000, but, more than all, 
prevented a war with England. " Let us 
have peace," was Grant's motto. And this 
is the most appropriate place to remark 
that above all Presidents whom this Gov- 
ernment has ever had. General Grant was 
the most non-partisan. He regarded the 
Executive office as purely and exclusively 
executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect- 
ive of " politics." But every great man 
has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant 
was well aware of. 

After the close of his Presidency, our 
General made his famous tour around the 
world, already referred to, and soon after- 
ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward, 
of New York City, he engaged in banking 
and stock brokerage, which business was 
made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him- 
self, by his rascality. By this time an in- 
curable cancer of the tongue developed 
itself in the person of the afflicted ex- 
President, which ended his unrequited life 
July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from 
earth's turmoils the man, the General, who- 
was as truly the " father of this regenerated 
country" as was Washington the father of 
the infant nation. 



PRES/DE.V/S OF THE UNITED STATES. 




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UTHERFORD BIRCH- 
ARD HAYES, the nine- 
teenth President of 
tiie United States, 
i877-'8i, was born in 
ItL Delaware, Ohio, Oc- 
'^ ^'-^ tober 4, 1822. His 
ancestry can be traced as far 
hack as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish 
chieftains fighting side by side 
with Baliol, William Wallace 
and Robert Bruce. Both fami- 
lies belonged to the nobility, 
owned extensive estates and had 
a large following. The Hayes 
family had, for a coat of-arms, a 
shield, barred and surmounted by a flying 
eagle. There was a circle of stars about 
the eagle and above the shield, while on a 
scroll underneath the shield was inscribed 
the motto, "Recte." Misfortune overtaking 
the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 
1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut. 
He was an industrious worker in wood and 
iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul- 
tivated mind. His son George was born 
in Windsor and remained there during his 
life. 

Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married 
Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsbury, Con- 



necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born 
in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes 
at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford 
Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of 
President Hayes, was born in New Haven, 
in August, 1756. He was a famous black- 
smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in 
Brattleboro where he established a hotel. 
Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi- 
dent Hayes, was born. In September, 181 3, 
he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming- 
ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male 
side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch- 
ard, one of the principal founders of Nor- 
wich. Both of her grandfathers were 
soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 

The father of President Haj-es was of a 
mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, 
knit a stocking, or do almost anything that 
he might undertake. He was prosperous 
in business, a member of the church and 
active in all the benevolent enterprises of 
the town. After the close of the war of 1812 
he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a 
farm near the present town of Delaware. 
His family then consisted of his wife and 
two children, and an orphan girl whom he 
had adopted. 

It was in 1817 that the family arrived at 
Delaware. Instead of settling upon his 




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RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



'05 



farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into 
business in the village. He purchased an 
interest in a distillery, a business then as re- 
spectable as it was profitable. His capital 
and recognized ability assured him the 
highest social position in the community. 
He died July 22, 1822, less than three 
months before the birth of the son that was 
destined to fill the office of President of the 
United States. 

Mrs. Haj'es at this period was very weak, 
and the subject of this sketch was so feeble 
at birth that he was not expected to live 
beyond a month or two at most. As the 
months went by he grew weaker and weaker 
so that the neighbors were in the habit of 
inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. 
Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc- 
casion a neighbor, who was on friendly 
terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head and the mother's assiduous 
care of him, said to her, in a bantering way, 
"That's right! Stick to him. You have 
got him along so far, and I shouldn't won- 
der if he would really come to something 
yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. 
Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell 
but I shall make him President of the 
United States yet." 

The boy lived, in spite of the universal 
predictions of his speedy death; and when, 
in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he 
became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. 
He was seven years old before he was 
placed in school. His education, however, 
was not neglected. His sports were almost 
wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circum- 
stances tended, no doubt, to foster that 
gentleness of disposition and that delicate 
consideration for the feelings of others 
which are marked traits of his character. 
At school he was ardently devoted to his 
studies, obedient to the teacher, and care- 
ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of 
his schoolmates were involved. He was 



always waiting at the school-house door 
when it opened in the morning, and never 
late in returning to his seat at recess. His 
sister Fannie was his constant companion, 
and their affection for each other excited 
the admiration of their friends. 

In 1838 young Hayes entered Kenyon 
College and graduated in 1842. He then 
began the study of law in the office of 
Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health 
was now well established, his figure robust, 
his mind vigorous and alert. In a short 
time he determined to enter the law school 
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for 
two years he pursued his studies with great 
diligence. 

In 1845 he was admitted to the bar at 
Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went 
into practice as an attorney-at-law with 
Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he 
remained three years, acquiring but limited 
practice, and apparently unambitious oi 
distinction in his profession. His bachelor 
uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always 
manifested great interest in his nephew and 
rendered him assistance in boyhood, was 
now a wealthy banker, and it was under- 
stood that the young man would be his 
heir. It is possible that this expectation 
may have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent 
to the attainment of wealth than he would 
otherwise have been, but he was led into no 
extravagance or vices on this account. 

In 1849 hs removed to Cincinnati where 
his ambition found new stimulus. Two 
events occurring at this period had a pow- 
erful influence upon his subsequent life. 
One of them was his marriage to Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James 
Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his 
introduction to the Cincinnati Literar}- 
Club, a body embracing such men as Chief 
Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John 
Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes. 
The marriage was a fortunate one as every- 
body knows. Not one of all the wives of 



io6 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



our Presidents -.vas more universally ad- 
mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs. 
Hayes, and no one has done more than she 
to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. 

In 1856 JMr. Hayes was nominated to the 
office of Judije of the Court of Common 
Pleas, but declined to accept the nomina- 
tion. Two years later he was chosen to the 
■office of City Solicitor. 

In 1861, when the Rehellion broke out, 
he was eager to take up arms in the defense 
•of his countrv. His military life was 
bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he 
was appointed Major of the Twenty-third 
Ohio Infantry. In July tiie regiment was 
sent to Virginia. October 15, 1861, he was 
made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment, 
and in ,\ugust, 1862, was promoted Colonel 
of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but 
refused to leave his old comrades. He was 
wounded at the battle of South Mountain, 
4ind suffered severely, being unable to enter 
upon active duty for several weeks. No- 
vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as 
its Colonel, having been promoted Octo- 
ber 15. 

December 25, 1862, he was placed in com- 
mand of the Kanawha division, and for 
meritorious service in several battles was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also 
'brevetted Major-General for distinguished 



services in 1864. He was wounded four 
times, and five horses were shot from 
under him. 

Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics, 
and was among the first to unite \Ttth the 
Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864 
he was elected to Congress from the Sec- 
ond Ohio District, which had always been 
Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098. 
In 1866 he was renominated for Congress 
and was a second time elected. In 1867 he 
was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur- 
mau, the Democratic candidate, and re- 
elected in i86g. In 1874 Sardis Birchard 
died, leaving his large estate to General 
Hayes. 

In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi- 
dency. His- letter of acceptance excited 
the admiration of the whole country. He 
resigned the office of Governor and retired 
to his home in Fremont to await the result 
of the canvass. After a hard, long contest 
he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His 
Presidency was characterized by compro- 
mises with all parties, in order to please as 
man}' as possible. The close of his Presi- 
dential term in 1881 was the close of his 
public life, and since then he has remained 
at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso- 
nian retirement from public notice, in strik- 
ing contrast with most others of the world's 
notables. 



JAMES A. GARFfELD. 



109 



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AMES A. GARFIELD, 
twentieth President of 
the United States, 1881, 
was born November 19, 
1 83 1, in the wild woods 
of Cuyahoga County, 
Ohio. His parents were 
Abram and EHza (Ballou) 
Garfield, who were of New 
England ancestry. The 
senior Garfield was an in- 
dustrious farmer, as the 
lapid improvements which 
appeared on his place at- 
tested. The residence was 
the familiar pioneer log cabin, 
and the household comprised the parents 
and their children — Mehetable, Thomas, 
Mary and James A. In May, 1833, the 
father died, and the cai^e of the house- 
hold consequently devolved upon young 
Thomas, to whom James was greatly in- 
debted for the educational and other ad- 
vantages he enjoyed. He now lives in 
Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 
Ohio, near their birthplace. 

As the subject of our sketch grew up, he, 
too, was industrious, both in mental and 
phvsical labor. He worked upon the farm, ; 
or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at 
any other odd job that would aid in support 
of the family^ and in the meantime made the 1 



most of his books. Ever afterward he was 
never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for- 
got the friends of his youth. The poorest 
laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he 
always exhibited the character of a modest 
gentleman. 

Until he was about sixteen years of age, 
James's highest ambition was to be a lake 
captain. To this his mother was strongly 
opposed, but she finally consented to his 
going to Cleveland to carry out his long- 
cherished design, with the understanding, 
however, that he should try to obtain some 
other kind of employment. He walked all 
the way to Cleveland, and this was his first 
visit to the cit}'. After making many ap- 
plications for work, including labor on 
board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he 
finally engaged as a driver for his cousin, 
Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl- 
vania Canal. In a short time, however, he 
quit this and returned home. He then at- 
tended the seminary at Chester for about 
three years, and next he entered Hiram In- 
stitute, a school started in 1850 by the 
Disciples of Christ, of which church he was 
a member. In order to pav his way he 
assumed the duties of janitor, and at tmies 
taught school. He soon completed the cur- 
riculum there, and then entered Williams 
College, at which he graduated in 1856, 
taking one of the highest honors of his class. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi- 
dent. In his youthful and therefore zealous 
piety, he exercised his talents occasionally 
as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a 
man of strong moral and religious convic- 
tions, and as soon as he began to look into 
politics, he saw innumerable points that 
could be improved. He also studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1859. 
November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married 
Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever after- 
ward proved a worthy consort in all the 
stages of her husband's career. They had 
seven children, five of whom are still living. 

It was in 1859 that Garfield made his 
first political speeches, in Hiram and the 
neighboring villages, and three years later 
he began to speak at county mass-meetings, 
being received everywhere with popular 
favor. He was elected to the State Senate 
this year, taking his scat in January, i860. 

On the breaking out of tiie war of the 
Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to 
fight as he had talked, and accordingly he 
enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving 
his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Forty-second Regiment of the Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, August 14, that year. He 
was immediately thrown into active service, 
and before he had ever seen a gun fired in 
action he was placed in command of four 
regiments of infantry and eight companies 
of cavalry, charged with the work of driv- 
ing the Confederates, headed by Humphrey 
Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky. 
This task was speedilj' accomplished, al- 
though against great odds. On account of 
his success. President Lincoln commissioned 
him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862; 
and, as he had been the youngest man in 
the Ohio Senate two years before, so now 
he was the youngest General in the army. 
He was with General Buell's army at Shi- 
loh, also in its operations around Corinth 
and its march through Alabama. Next, he 
was detailed as a member of the general 



court-martial for the trial of General Fitz- 
John Porter, and then ordered to report to 
General Rosecians, when he was assigned 
to the position of Chief of Staff. His mili- 
tary history closed with his brilliant ser- 
vices at Chickamauga, where he won the 
stars of Major-General. 

In the fall of 1862, without any effort on 
his part, he was elected as a Representative 
to Congress, from that section of Ohio 
which had been represented for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesev and 
Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the 
youngest member of that body, and con- 
tinued there by successive re-elections, as 
Representative or Senator, until he was 
elected President in 1880. During his life 
in Congress he compiled and published by 
his speeches, there and elsewhere, more 
information on the issues of the day, espe- 
cially on one side, than any other member. 

June 8, 1880, at the National Republican 
Convention held in Chicago, General Gar- 
field was nominated for the Presidency, in 
preference to the old war-horses, Blaine 
and Grant ; and although man)' of the Re- 
publican party felt sore over the failure of 
their respective heroes to obtain the nomi- 
nation. General Garfield was elected by a 
fair popular majority. He was duly in- 
augurated, but on Jul)' 2 following, before 
he had fairly got started in his administra- 
tion, he was fatally shot by a half-demented 
assassin. After very painful and protracted 
suffering, he died September 19, 1881, la- 
mented by all the American people. Never 
before in the history of this country had 
anything occurred which so nearly froze 
the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as 
the awful act of Guiteau, the murderer. 
He was duly tried, convicted and put to 
death on the gallows. 

The lamented Garfield was succeeded by 
the Vice-President, General Arthur, who 
seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy 
inaugurated by his predecessor. 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 




^m^^m^^^^^^mk 



0^ 




HESTER ALLEN 
ARTHUR, the twen- 
ty-first Chief Execu- 
tive of this growing 
republic, i88i-'s, was 
born in FrankHn 
County, Vermont, 
October 5, 1830, the eldest of a 
family of two sons and five 
daughters. His father. Rev. 
Dr. William Arthur, a Baptist 
clergyman, immigrated to this 
country from County Antrim, 
Ireland, in his eighteenth year, 
and died in 1875, in Newton- 
ville, near Albany, New York, 
after serving many years as a successful 
minister. Chester A. was educated at that 
old, conservative institution. Union Col- 
lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he 
excelled in all his studies. He graduated 
there, with honor, and then struck out in 
life for himself by teaching school for about 
two years in his native State. 

At the expiration of that time young 
Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the 
city of New York and entered the law office 
of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In 
due time he was admitted to the bar, when 
he formed a partnership with his intimate 



friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar- 
diner, with the intention of practicing law 
at some point in the West ; but after spend- 
ing about three months in the Western 
States, in search of an eligible place, they 
returned to New York City, leased a room, 
exhibited a sign of their business and al- 
most immediately enjoyed a paying patron- 
age. 

At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's 
business prospects were so encouraging 
that he concluded to take a wife, and ac- 
cordingly he married the daughter of Lieu- 
tenant Herndon, of the United States Navv, 
who had been lost at sea. To the widow 
of the latter Congress voted a gold medal, 
in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery 
during the occasion in which he lost his 
life. Mrs. Artnvir died shortly before her 
husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi- 
dency, leaving two children. 

Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb- 
rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon 
suit, which was brought to recover posses- 
sion of eight slaves, who had been declared 
free by the Superior Court of New York 
City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who 
was nominated by the " Straight Demo- 
crats" in 1872 for the United States Presi- 
dency, was retained by Jonathan G. Lem- 



114 



PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



mon, of Virginia, to recover the negroes, 
but he lost the suit. In this case, however, 
Mr. Arthur was assisted by WiUiam M. 
Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon 
afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored 
wonian was ejected from a street car in 
New Vorii City. Mr. Arthur sued the car 
company in her behalf and recovered $500 
damages. Immediately afterward all the 
car companies in the city issued orders to 
their employes to admit colored persons 
upon their cars. 

Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well 
as his practice as a lawyer, raised him to 
prominence in the party of freedom ; and 
accordingly he was sent as a delegate to 
the first National Republican Convention. 
Soon afterward he was appointed Judge 
Advocate for the Second Brigade of the 
State of New York, and then Engineer-in- 
Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861, 
the first year of the war, he was made In- 
spector-General, and next, Quartermaster- 
General, in both which offices he rendered 
great service to the Government. Alter 
the close of Governor Morgan's term he 
resumed the practice of law, forming first a 
partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse- 
quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm. 
Each of these gentlemen were able lawyers. 

November 21, 1872, General Arthur was 
appointed Collector of the Port of New 
York by President Grant, and he held the 
office until July 20, 1878. 

The next event of prominence in General 
Arthur's career was his nomination to the 
Vice-Presidency of the United States, under 
the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the 
National Republican Convention held at 
Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar- 
field was placed at the head of the ticket. 
Both the convention and the campaign that 
followed were noisy and exciting. The 
friends of Grant, constituting nearl}' half 



the convention, were exceedingly persist- 
ent, and were sorely disappomted over 
their defeat. At the head of the Demo- 
cratic ticket was placed a very strong and 
popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were 
elected by a respectable plurality of the 
popular vote. The 4th of ;»Iarch following, 
these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu- 
rated ; but within four months the assassin's 
bullet made a fatal wound in the person of 
General Garfield, whose life terminated 
September 19, 1881, when General Arthur, 
ex officio, was obliged to take the chief 
reins of government. Some misgivings 
were entertained by many in this event, as 
Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe 
cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the 
Republican party ; but President Arthur 
had both the ability and the good sense to 
allay all fears, and he gave the restless, 
critical American people as good an ad- 
ministration as they had ever been blessed 
with. Neither selfishness nor low parti- 
sanism ever characterized any feature of 
his public service. He ever maintained a 
high sense of every individual right as well 
as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood 
so high that his successor, President Cleve- 
land, though of opposing politics, expressed 
a wish in his inaugural address that he 
could only satisfy the people with as good 
an administration. 

But the day of civil service reform had 
come in so far, and the corresponding re- 
action against "third-termism" had en- 
croached so far even upon "second-term" 
service, that the Republican party saw fit 
in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi- 
dent. Only by this means was General 
Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash- 
ington. On his retirement from the Presi- 
dency, March, 1885, he engaged in the 
practice of law at New York City, where he 
died November 18, 1886. 




^ 




a HOVER CLEVELAND. 



117 



^Ifelg 





ROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- 
second President of the 
United States, 1885 — , 
was born in Caldwell, 
Essex County, New 
Jersey, March 18, 
The house in which he 
was born, a small two-story 
wooden building, is still stand- 
S^Mm'i^ ing. It was the parsonage of 
" ^ ^ "^ the Presbyterian church, of 
which his father, Richard 
Cleveland, at the time was 
pastor. The family is of New 
England origin, and for two centuries has 
contributed to the professions and to busi- 
ness, men who have reflected honor on the 
name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve- 
land's great-great-grandfather, was born in 
IVLassachusetts, but subsequently moved to 
Philadelphia, where he became an intimate 
friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose 
house he died. He left a large family of 
children, who in time married and settled 
in different parts of New England. A 
grandson was one of the small American 
force that fought the British at Bunker 
Hill. He served with gallantr}' through- 
out the Revolution and was honorably 
dischargfed at its close as a Lieutenant in 
the Continental army. Another grandson, 
William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron 



Cleveland, who was distinguished as a 
writer and member of the Connecticut 
Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand- 
father. William Cleveland became a silver- 
smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac- 
quired by industry some property and sent 
his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of 
Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where 
he graduated in 1824. During a year spent 
in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after 
graduation, he met and fell in love with a 
Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy 
Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. 
He was earning his own way in the world 
at the time and was unable to marrv; but 
in three years he completed a course of 
preparation for the ministry, secured a 
church in Windham, Connecticut, and 
married Annie Neale. Subsequently he 
moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he 
preached for nearly two years, when he 
was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey, 
where was born Grover Cleveland. 

When he was three years old the family 
moved to Fayette ville, Onondaga County, 
New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived 
until lie was fourteen years old, the rugged, 
healthful life of a country boy. His frank, 
generous manner made him a favorite 
among his companions, and their respect 
was won by the good qualities in the germ 
which his manhood developed. He at- 
tended the district school of the village and 



ii8 



PUBS/DENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. 



was for a short time at the academy. His 
lather, however, believed that boys should 
be taught to labor at an early age, and be- 
fore he had completed the course of study 
at the academy he began to work in the 
village store at $50 for the first year, and the 
promise of $100 for the second year. His 
work was well done and the promised in- 
crease of pay was granted the second year. 
Meanwhile his father and family had 
moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton 
College, where his father acted as agent to 
the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, 
preaching in the churches of the vicinity. 
Hither Grover came at his father's request 
shortly after the beginning of his second 
year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed 
his studies at the Clinton Academy. After 
three years spent in this town, the Rev. 
Richard Cleveland was called to the vil- 
lage church of Holland Patent. He had 
preached here only a month when he was 
suddenly stricken down and died without 
an hour's warning. The death of the father 
left the family in straitened circumstances, 
as Richard Cleveland had spent all his 
salary of $1,000 per year, which was not 
required for the necessary expenses of liv- 
ing, upon th? education of his children, of 
whom there were nine, Grover being the 
fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- 
ton College, but the death of his father 
made it necessary for him to earn his own 
livelihood. For the first year (i853-'4) he 
acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in 
the Institution for the Blind in New York 
City, of which the late Augustus Schell was 
for many years the patron. In the winter 
of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent 
where the generous people of that place, 
Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a 
home for his mother, and in the following 
spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the 
West to earn his living. 

Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to 
an uncle, ' Lewis F. Allen, a well-known 



stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few 
miles distant. He communicated his plans 
to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of 
the West, and finally induced the enthusi- 
astic boy of seventeen to remain with him 
and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded 
short-horn cattle, knownas " Allen's Amer- 
ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to 
all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he 
entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen 
& Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a 
few months without pay, was paid $4 a 
week — an amount barely sufficient to meet 
the necessary e.xpenses of his board in the 
family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with 
whom he took lodgings. Life at this time 
with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle 
with the world. He took his breakfast by 
candle-light with the drovers, and went at 
once to the office where the' whole day was 
spent in work and study. Usually he re- 
turned again at night to resume reading 
which had been interrupted by the duties 
of the day. Gradually his cmplovers came 
to recognize the ability, trustworthiness 
and capacity for hard work in their young 
employe, and by the time he was admitted 
to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con- 
fidence. A year later he was made confi- 
dential and managing clerk, and in the 
course of three years more his salary had 
been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- 
pointed assistant district attorney of Erie 
County by the district attorney, the Hon. 
C. C. Torrance. 

Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 
he had been a staunch Democrat, and until 
he was chosen Governor he always made 
it his dut}', rain or shine, to stand at the 
polls and give out ballots to Democratic 
voters. During the first year of his term 
as assistant district attorney, the Democrats 
desired especially to carr)' the Board of Su- 
pervisors. The old Second Ward in which 
he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250 
majority, but at the urgent request of the 



G ROVER CLEVELAND. 



119 



party Crrover Cleveland consented to be 
the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, 
and came within thirteen votes of an elec- 
tion. The three years spent in the district 
attorney's office were devoted to assiduous 
labor and the extension of his professional 
attainments. He then formed a law part- 
nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpocl, 
e.x-State Treasurer, under the firm name 
of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk 
of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- 
ders, and he soon won a good standing at 
the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. 
Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- 
Senator A. P. Laning and e.\-Assistant 
United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- 
som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve- 
land & Folsom. During these years he 
began to earn a moderate professional in- 
come; but the larger portion of it was sent 
to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent 
to whose support he had contributed ever 
since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie 
Countv, i870-'4, and then resumed the 
practice of law, associating himself with the 
Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell. 



The firm was strong and popular, and soon 
commanded a large and lucrative practice. 
Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass 
in 1879, ^"d the firm became Cleveland & 
Bissell. In iBBi Mr. George J. Sicard was 
added to the firm. 

In the autumn election of 1881 he was 
elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of 
over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given 
a candidate for mayor^and the Democratic 
city ticket was successful, although the 
Republicans carried Buffalo by over i,ooo 
majority for their State ticket. Grover 
Cleveland's administration as mayor fully 
justified the confidence reposed in him by 
the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the 
great vote he received. 

The Democratic State Convention met 
at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi- 
nated Grover Cleveland for Governor 
on the third ballot and Cleveland was 
elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall ot 
1 884 he was elected President of the United 
States by about 1,000 popular majority, 
in New York State, and he was accordingly 
inaugurated the 4th of March following. 



PJiESIDE.VTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



^^^^y^^.. 



. .|>_i=Sj(a^l'':Sv2==«-«^ 



^mh 



BENJAMIN HAI^r^ISON. | 



k'^ 






?-5 




EXJAMIN IIAKRISON, 
tlie twenty-third Presi- 
dent of the United States, 
LS89, was born at North 
Bend, Hamilton County, 
Ohio, in tlie house of his 
grandfather, AVilliam Hen- 
ry Harrison (wlio was the 
ninth President of this 
country), August 20th, 
1833. He is a descendant 
of one of the historical 
families of this country, as 
also of England. The 
head of the family was a 
Major-General Harrison 
who was devoted to the cause of Oliver 
Cromwell. It became the duty of this Har- 
I'ison to participate in the trial of Charles 1. 
and afterward to sign the death warrant of 
the Iving, which subsequently cost him his 
life. His enemies succeeding to power, he 
was condemned and executed October 13tli, 
1660. His descendants came to America, 
and the first mention made in history of the 
Harrison family as representative in ])ublic 
affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- 
grandfather cf our present President, who 
was a member of the Continental Congress, 
1774-5-6, and one of the original signers of 



the Declaration of Independence, and three 
times Governor of Virginia. His son, Will- 
iam Henry Harrison, made a brilliant mili- 
tary record, was Governor of the Northwest 
Territory, and tlie ninth President of the 
United States. 

The subject of this sketch at an early age 
became a student at Farmers College, where 
he remained two years, at the end of which 
time he entered Miami University, at Ox- 
ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat 
of learning he entered, as a student, the of- 
fice of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself 
closely to the study of his chosen profession, 
and here laid the foundation fur the honora- 
ble and famous career before him. He spent 
two years with the linn in Cincinnati, at the 
expiration of which time he received the 
only inheritance of his life, which was a lot 
left him by an aunt, which he sold for !i^SOO. 
This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him 
in marrying the lady of his choice, and to 
whom he was then engaged, a daughter of 
Dr. Scott, then Principal, of a female school 
at Oxford, Ohio. 

After marriage he located at Indianapolis, 
Indiana, where he began the practice of law. 
Meeting -with slight encouragement he made 
but little the first year, but applied himself 






. cJv^ 



^jj^rp^-'^^V't^s^i:?^''^^ 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



'23 



closely to his business, and by perseverance, 
lionorable dealing and an npright life, suc- 
ceeded in building upan extensive practice and 
took a leading position in the legal profession. 

In 1860 he was nominated for the position 
of Supreme t'onrt lleporter for the State of 
Indiana, and then began his experience as a 
stump speaker. He canvassed the State 
thoroughly and was elected. 

In 1882 his patriotism caused him to 
abandon a civil office and to offer his country 
his services in a military capacity. He or- 
ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and 
was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- 
ment was composed of raw material, and he 
practically void of militar^^ schooling, he at 
once mastered military tactics and drilled his 
men, so that when he with his i-egiment was 
assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was 
known as one of the best drilled organ- 
izations of the army. He was especially 
distinguished for bravery at the battles of 
Eesacca and Peach Tree Creek. For his 
bravery and efficiency at the last named bat- 
tle he was made a Brigadier-General, Gen- 
eral Hooker speaking of him in the most 
complimentary terms. 

While General Harrison was actively en- 
gaged in the Held the Supreme Court declared 
the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, 
and another person was elected to fill the 
position. From the time of leaving Indiana 
with his regiment for the front, until the fall 
of 18G4, General Harrison had taken no leave 
of absence. But having been nominated 
that year for the same office that he vacated 
in order to serve his country where he could 
do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave 
of absence, and during that time canvassed 
the State and was elected for another term as 
Supreme Court Reporter. He then started 
to rejoin his command, then with General 
Sherman in the South, but was stricken down 



with fever and after a very trying siege, made 
his way to the front, and participated in the 
closing scenes and incidents of the war. 

In 1868 General Harrison declined a re- 
election as Reporter, and applied himself to 
the practice of his profession. He was a 
candidate for Governor of Indiana on the 
Republican ticket in 1876. Although de- 
feated, the brilliant campaign brought him 
to public notice and gave him a National 
reputation as an able and formidable debater 
and he was much sought in the Eastern 
States as a public speaker. He took an act- 
ive part in the Presidential campaign of 
1880, and was elected to the United States 
Senate, where he served six years, and was 
known as one of the strongest debaters, as 
well as one of the ablest men and best law- 
yers. When his term expired in the Senate 
he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest 
law firms in the State of Indiana. 

Sometime prior to the opening of the 
Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great 
political parties (Republican and Democratic) 
drew the line of political battle on the ques- 
tion of tariff, which became the leading issue 
and the rallying watchword during the mem- 
orable campaign. The Republicans appealed 
to the people for their voice as to a tariff to 
protect home industries, while the Democrats 
wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Re- 
publican convention assembled in Chicago in 
June and selected Mr. Harrison as their 
standard bearer on a jjlatform of ];rinciples, 
among other important clauses being that of 
protection, which he cordially indorsed in 
accepting the nomination. November 0, 
1888, after a heated canvass, General Harri- 
son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, 
who was again the nominee of the Demo- 
cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- 
sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1889. 



ii!>> 



HISTORY 



-OK- 



^MINNESOTA> 



ffjT) 







'STf"*^ 



CHAPTER II. 




HISTORY OF MINNESOTxV — FEOM 1000 TO 1887. 



HE first ex])loration by whites of 
the territory wJiich now com- 
prises the State of Minnesota 
dates back early into the seven- 
teenth century. It is claimed 
by good authorit}' that Jean 
Nicolet (pronounced Nicolay), 
one of Champlain's interpreters, 
was the first to spread knowl- 
edge of the country west of Lake Michigan. 
As early as 1635 he set foot upon the 
western shores of Lake Michigan, and ti'aded 
near Green Baj^, also roaming over various 
portions of "Wisconsin at about that time. 
In December of the same year he i-eturned 
to Canada. It is very doubtful whether 
Nicolct ever set foot on Minnesota soil, 
although it is certain that his visit to tlie 
country west of Lake Michigan was the 
means of spreading knowledge of this 
country, and of the aboiigines of Minnesota. 
It was said of him that he penetrated far 
distant countries, and in a letter bearing 
date of 1040, it is stated that "if he had 
proceeded three days more on a river which 
flows from that lake (Green Bay), he would 
have found the sea." The death of this 
explorer occurred at Three liivers in lO-tO. 

After Nicolet's visit to Wisconsin, for a 
quarter of a century history brings no trace 
of any explorations concerning this region. 
At the end of this time, in 1000, the first 
white men of whom there is any reliable 
record, set foot on Minnesota soil. They 
were Medard Chouart, called Groselliers, 
and Pierre d'Esprit, who was known as Sieur 
Eadisson. Both were Frenchmen wlio had 
come to Canada when young men to engage 



in the fur trade. About the middle of that 
century several important changes had been 
made in the location of Indian tribes. The 
Hurons and their allies, the Ottawas, after 
successive battles, had drifted to the west of 
Lake Michigan. In former times they had 
been located in the St. Lawrence region. 
Finally reaching the Mississippi they found 
the Iowa River. Later, returning to the 
Mississippi, they settled upon an island in 
the river near where the city of Hastings 
is now^ located ; but becoming involved in 
battles with the Sioux, we finally find the 
Hurons located about the headwaters of 
the Chippeway, and the Ottawas on the 
shores of Lake Superior, near where Bay- 
field is now situated. It was to trade with 
the Indians that the two Frenchmen men- 
tioned, Groselliers and Radisson, made their 
trip to this wild region. They passed the 
winter of 1059-00 among the Sioux villages 
in th.e Mille Lacs country, and the following 
spring and summer was sfjcnt in the region 
of Lake Superior. In August, 1060, they 
returned to Montreal, and their report of the 
countr\^ they had visited created much ex- 
citement. "Within a few weeks an exploring 
and trading party was formed, and accom- 
panied by six Frenchmen and two priests, 
one of whom was the Jesuit, Rene Menard, 
they again started westward, and on the 
15tii of October, 1600, they reached the 
Ottawa settlement on the shores of Lake 
Superior. The objects of this party were 
various, some bent on exploration, others 
on trading, while Father IMenard went as 
a missionary. Groselliers (pronounced Gro- 
say-ya) and Radisson, accompanied by others, 



120 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



pushed on through the country to the 
northwest of Lake Superior and at length 
reached Hudson's Bay. They returned 
to Montreal in May, 1662. The names 
of all the members of this party have 
not been preserved. Groselliers and Ilad- 
isson proceeded to Paris, thence to Lon- 
don, where they were well received bj' 
the nobility and scientific men. A vessel 
was fitted out and placed at their disposal, 
in the hope of finding a northwest passage 
to Asia. In June, 1668, they left England 
and made an extended voyage, reaching a 
tributary of Hudson's Bay and returning to 
England, where, in 1670, the famous trading 
corporation, the " Hudson's Bay Company," 
was chartered. 

Now to return to the venerable Father 
Menard, who had been left among the Ottawa 
Indians on the shores of Lake Superior in 
October, 1600. For nearly a year he lived 
there in a cabin built of fir liranches. In 
the summer of 1661 he decided to visit the 
Hurons, who had fled eastward from the 
Sioux of ^rinnesota and were located among 
the woods of northern Wisconsin, as stated. 
He was accompanied by one Frenchman, 
whose name has been lost in the mist of 
years. They became separated, and Father 
Menard was lost, as Perrot says, "in the 
labyrinth of trees." This was the last ever 
positively known of him, although his brevi- 
ary and cassock were said afterward to 
have been found among the Sioux Indians. 
Whether this good and venerable man 
starved or was murdered or captured by the 
Indians will forever be shrouded in mystery. 

These were tiie earliest explorations of the 
Northwest of which any record has Ijcen left, 
but after that period this region was visited 
by various parties at long intervals, and 
many interesting documents have been j)re- 
served giving accounts of their journeys and 
discoveries. 

About the year 1665 several French ti'ad- 



ere and the Jesuit, Allouez, visited the coun- 
try ofl' the western shore of Lake Su])erior. 
Early in 1679 we find Daniel 0. Du Luth 
west of Lake Michigan, and it is believcil he 
planted the French aiims on ^Minnesota soil. 
Ilis records state that " on July 2d. he caused 
his Majesty's arms to be planted in the great 
village of the Nadousioux, called Kathio, 
and at Songaskicous and Ilouctbatons, one 
hundred and twenty leagues distant from 
the former." Kev. E. D. Neill in his 
tliorough work relating to early explorers of 
Minnesota, locates this as being "one hun- 
dred and twenty leagues beyond Mille 
Lacs." Du liUth states that at one point on 
Minnesota soil he found upon a tree tliis 
legend: " Arms of the King cut on this tree 
in the year 1679." He established several 
posts, carried on trading with the Indians, 
and was probably the most prominent of 
the early exploi-ers. Later he was stationed 
near Lake Erie and died in 1710. His 
reports furnish much interesting information 
regarding the early explorations in the 
Northwest. 

La Salle was given a commission by the 
King of France in 1678 to "explore the 
West," and do limited trading. He visited 
various parts of the Northwest. His jeal- 
ousy of Du Luth appears to form a consider- 
able portion of his oificial reports, but it is 
stated on good authority that he wrote the 
first description of the upper Mississipjii 
Valley, August 22, 16S2, some montiis before 
the publication of Father Henne])in"s first 
work, "Description de la Louisiane." He 
must, however, have obtained his information 
from one of Hennepin's men. 

Father Louis Hennepin's explorations and 
adventures through the Northwest form an 
interesting chapter in the earlier history of 
this region. He was a native of Ath, an in- 
land town of the Netherlands, and had early 
assumed the robes of ]iriesthood. In 1676 
he came to Canada, and two years later was 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



127 



oi-dci'cd to join the La Salle exploring expe- 
dition. A ship was rigged, and on August 
7th, 1679, its sails caught the breezes of 
Lake Erie — the first European vessel 
launched on the great lakes. La Salle con- 
ducted his expedition to Green Bay, thence 
along the coast of Lake IMichigan, and about, 
tlie middle of January, 16S0, landed it on an 
eminence near Lake Peoria, on the Illinois 
River, where he commenced the erection of 
Fort Crevecoeur. On the last of February of 
the same year. Father Hennepin, in company 
with Michael Accault (Ako) and Angelle, 
left the fort to ascend the Mississippi River. 
On the 11th of April, 16S0, after having 
reached a point north of the Chippewa River, 
they were met and taken charge of by a 
)«irty of over a hundred Sioux Indians. They 
then proceeded with the Indians to their 
villages, nearly sixty leagues north of St. An- 
tliony falls. The^^ remained with the Indians 
^ome time, being well treated, and on the 
25th of July, 1680, they were met Ijy Du 
Luth, who was accompanied by his interpre- 
ter, Fafifart, and several French soldiers. 
They then proceeded to Mille Lacs, arriving, 
according to Father's Hennepin writings, on 
the 11th of August, 1680. In the latter part 
of September they started to return to the 
French settlement, passing by St. Anthony 
falls. Father Hennepin published two works 
relating to his discoveries, the first, " De- 
scription de la Louisiane," in 1836; the sec- 
ond, " The New Discovery," in 1697. These 
works called forth much criticism, as there 
can be no doubt Hennepin greatly magnified 
his own importance, and exaggerated his 
services ami discoveries. For instance, he 
claims to have descended the Mississippi 
River to the Gulf of JMexico, before proceed- 
ing northward, then returned and proceeded 
on to the St. Anthony falls. This in the face 
of his own stated facts — leaving Fort Creve- 
coeur the last of Februarj% he claims to have 
made this wonderful trip, and arrived two 



miles south of where the city of St. Paul is 
now located, late in vVpril, giving the 11th 
of April as the date of their capture by the 
Indians. However this may be. Father 
Hennepin's work was not in vain, and his 
memory is entitled to the credit for that 
which he did. His publications hastened and 
facilitated exploration, and his failing — if 
such it was — should be treated with charity. 
La Salle speaks of him highly, but charitably 
says, " it was his failing to magnify those 
adventures which concerned him." 

During lOSl, Nicholas Perrot and Le 
Sueur visited Lake Pepin, and the following 
winter the French traded with the Indians 
on Minnesota soil. Perrot had been ap- 
pointed by the governor of Canada as the 
commandant for the West, and was accom- 
panied by twenty men. Upon his arrival he 
caused a stockade to be built on the east 
bank of Lake Pepin, which bore his name 
for many j'ears. He discovered a number of 
lead mines, and his name figures conspicu- 
ously in the history of the early French ex- 
plorations and frontier woi'k. Perrot re- 
mained for some time after building the fort, 
then, in 1686, returned to Green Bay. He 
passed much time in collecting allies for the 
expedition against the Iroquois in New York, 
and in the spring of 16ST, was with DuLuth 
and Tont}^ with the French and Indian allies 
in the expedition against the Senecas of the 
Genesee Valley in New York. The follow- 
ing year he was sent with a company of 
Frenchmen to reoccupy the post on Lake 
Pepin, in Minnesota, and it was in 1689 that 
Perrot, in the presence of Father Joseph 
James Marest, a Jesuit, Boisgniblot, a trader 
on the Wisconsin and Mississippi, and Le 
Seur, made a formal I'ecord of taking posses- 
sion of the Sioux country in the name of the 
King of France. 

Le Sueur, who accompanied Perrot in his 
first trip to Lake Pepin in 1684, was inti- 
mately connected with that explorer's move- 



I2S 



niSTOKY OF MIXXHSOTA. 



ments. In 1092 Le Sueur was sent by Gov. 
Frontenac, of Canada, to the extremity 
of Lake Superior to maintain peace between 
the Indian tribes. Entering the Sioux 
country, in 1694, he estabhshcd a post upon a 
prairie island, nine miles below where Hast- 
ings is now located. He Avas accompanied 
by Penicaut and others. Here they estab- 
lislied a fort and storehouse and passed the 
winter, as game was ver}'^ abundant. On 
July 15, 1G95, V^c Sueur went back to Mon- 
treal accompanied Ijy a party of Ojibways, 
and the first Dakolah brave that ever visited 
Canada. Le Sueur then visited France, and 
in 1697 received a license to open certain 
mines tliat were supposed to exist in Minne- 
sota. The ship in which he was returning 
was ca])tured by the English, and he was 
taken to England; when released he returned 
to France and secured a new commission, but 
it was afterward suspended. Fortunately, 
D Ilberville, a kinsman of Le Sueur, was ap- 
pointed governor of the new territory of 
Louisiana, and in December, 1699, Le Sueur 
arrived from France with thirty workmen 
to proceed to the mines. During the next 
year he ascended the Minnesota River with 
his expedition, and in October, 1700, built a 
fort on the Blue Earth River, which he 
named L'lluillier. This was occupied by 
Le Sueur's men until 1702, when it was 
abandoned because of the hostility of the 
Indians. Charlevoix, who visited the val- 
ley of the icwer Mississippi in 1722, says that 
" Le Sueur spent at least one winter in his 
fort on the banks of the Blue Earth, and 
that in the following April he went up to the 
mine, almut a mile ahove, and in twenty-two 
days they obtained more than 30,000 ])ounds 
of the substance — lead." Le Sueur estimated 
the Sioux Indians at that time as being 
four thousand families. 

In 1703 a little volume was published in 
France and England by Baron La Ilon- 
tan, giving an account of his " travels," in 



Avhich he claimed to have penetrated and 
pursued explorations through the territory 
which now *orms Minnesota, farther than 
any of hi^ predecessors. He states that he 
found a river tributary to the ^Mississippi, 
and describes a journey of 500 miles up this 
stream, which he named Long River. His 
woniierful stoiy was believed at the time 
and the river was placed upon the early 
maps; but in later j'ears it was discredited 
ami is now by the closest students and ablest 
historians treated as fabulous. 

In September, 1727, Fort Beauharnois was 
erected and a French post established on the 
shores of Lake Pepin, under the directions of 
Sieur de la Perriere. An extensive trade 
was carried on with the Indians here, and it 
was occupied for a number of years. In 1 728 
Veranderie, who had been placed in com- 
mand of a post on Lake Xepigon, began lay- 
ing plans for finding a corjmunication with 
the Pacific Ocean. An expeditiuu was fitted 
out which left Montreal in 1731, under the 
management of his sons and a nei)hew, De la 
Jemeraye, he not joining the party until 
1733. A fourth son joined the expedition 
in 1735. In the autumn of 1731, the party 
reached Rainy Lake, at the foot of which 
a post, called Fort St. Pierre, was erected. 
The next year they I'eached Lake of the 
Woods, and established Fort St. Charles on 
its southwest bank. A few miles from Lake 
AVinnepeg they established a post on the 
Assinaboine, and a fort was established on 
the Maurepas ("Winnepeg) River. In June, 
173t), while twenty-one of the expedition 
were encamped on an isle in the Lake of the 
"Woods, tliev were surprised bv a Ijand of 
Sioux Indians hostile to the French allies, 
and all were killed. The island on this ac- 
count is called Massacre Island. The re- 
maining portion of the expedition pro- 
gressed as best they could. October 3, 
173S, they built an advanced post called 
Fort la Reine on the Assinaboine River. 



IIISTOR Y OF MINNESOTA. 



Tliey came in sight of the Eocky Mountains 
on the 1st of January, 1743, and, on the 
12tli, ascended them. In 1741, after plant- 
ing a leaden plate of the arms of France in 
the upper Missouri country, tliey returned, 
reaciiing Minnesota soil late in June, and 
after establishing several posts in the ex- 
treme northern frontier country they finally 
returned to Montreal. E.xpeilitions were 
afterward fitted out, one of which again 
reached the TJocky Mountains, hut tiie clasli 
of arms between France and England put 
an end to the explorations so far as the 
French were concei'ued. 

In 1763, by thetreaty of Versailles, France 
ceded Minnesota east of the Mississippi to 
England and west of it to Spain. In 17t!»i 
Ca[)t. Jonatiiau Carver, the first British sub- 
ject, although a native of Connecticut, visited 
the Falls of St. Anthony. He spent some 
three years among the different tribes of 
Indians in the upper Mississippi country ; 
found the Indinn nations at war and suc- 
ceeded in making peace between them. As 
a reward for his good ollices, it is claimed 
that two chiefs of the Sioux, acting for their 
nation, at a council held with Carver at a 
great cave, now within the corporate limits 
of St. Paul, deeded to Carver a vast tract of 
land on the Mississippi Eiver, extending from 
the Falls of St. Anthony to the foot of Lake 
Pepin, on the Mississippi, thence east one 
hundred miles; thence north one hundred 
and twenty miles; thence west to the place 
of beginning. This pretended grant, how- 
ever, was examined by our government and 
totally ignored. 

At the begmning of the present century 
there were no white men in Minnesota, except 
the few engaged in the fur trade, and the posts 
were chiefly held by the Northwest Com- 
])any, which corporation in 1794 erected a 
stockade at Sandy Lake. In 1802 we find 
William Morrison trading at Leech Lake, and 
two years later at Itasca. In the meantime. 



in 1796, the laws of the ordinance of 1787 
had been extended over the Northwest, and 
on May 7, 1800, that part of Minnesota east 
of the Mississippi had become a part of In- 
diana by the division of Ohio. On the 20th 
of December, 1803, that part of Minnesota 
west of the Mississippi, for forty years in the 
possession of Spain as a part of Louisiana, 
was ceded to the United States by Napoleon 
Bonaparte, who had just obtained it fidm 
Spain. In 1804 Fp])er Louisiana Tei'ritory 
was constituted. During the following year 
the United States for the fii'st time sent an 
officer to Minnesota, in the [)erson of Lieut. 
Z. M. Pike, who established government re- 
lations and obtained the Fort Snelling reser- 
vation from the Dakotahs. He I'emained 
here for some tiine, but the. war of 1812 
coming on postponed the militarv occupa- 
tion of the upper Mississippi by the United 
States for several years. Pike aftei'ward 
fell in battle at York, in Upper Canadii. 

In 1817 the Earl of Selkirk, a nobleman, 
visited the Scotch colony on the Ped Piver, 
established in 1812, and created quite an ex- 
citement on the part of some of the United 
States authorities. The same year Mayor 
Stephen II. Long, of the United States En- 
gineer Corps, visited Minnesota and made a 
report recommending the Ijluff' at the jimc- 
tion of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers 
as a site for a fort. 

In 1819 Minnesota east of the ]\rississi]ipi 
Piver became a part of Crawford County, 
Mich. During the same year Fort Snell- 
ing was established and the site of Mendota 
was occupied by the United States troops, 
under Col. Leavenworth. Major Taliaferro 
was a])pointed Indian agent. 

During the year 1820 much of interest 
transpired on Minnesota soil. Early in the 
spring Jean Baptiste Faribault brought 
Leavenworth's horses from PrairieduChien. 
On the .5th of May Col. Leavenworth estab- 
lished summer quarters at Camp Coldwater, 



130 



HISTOR y OF MINNESOTA. 



(Hennepin County). In July Gov. Cass, of 
Micliigan, visitetl iho camps. In August Col. 
Joshia Snelling succeeded Leavenworth in 
conunand, and on tlie 2(>tli of Septeniljcr the 
conier-stone of Fort Snelling (then Fort St. 
Anthony) was laid. On the 15th of April 
t lie superintendent of farming for Earl Sel- 
kirk left Prairie du Chien, having purchased 
seed wheat; he ascended the Minnesota 
Kiver to Dig Stone Lake, where the boats 
weie placed on rollers, dragged a short dis- 
tance to LakeTravcr.se, and reached Penibina 
.lune 3. This j'ear the first marriage in 
Minnesota occurred, Lieut. Green to a 
(iiuigiiler of Capt. Gooding. The first birth 
oS. a white child in the State occurred this 
year, a daugliter to Col. Snelling; died the 
following year. 

In 1S21 Fort St. Anthony (Snelling) was 
sufficiently completed to be occupied by 
ti'oops. During this year a sawmill Avas 
constructed at St. Anthony Falls for the use 
of tiie garrison under the supervision of 
Lieut. JMcCabe. 

Nothing of particular interest transpired 
during 1822. In 1823, however, the first 
steamboat, the A^irginia, arrived at the mouth 
of tiie Minnesota Kiver on the 10th of May, 
and created consternation among the Indians. 
I'eltrami, the Italian, during the same year 
explored the northernmost sources of the 
Mississippi, and Maj. Long, of the United 
States army, visited the northern boun<lary 
by way of the Minnesota iind \\<iK\ I'ivers. 
Mdlstones for grinding flour were sent to 
St. Anthony to be placed in the sawmill. 

In 1S2-1 Gen. Winlield Scott visited Fnrt 
St. Anthony, and at his suggestion the name 
was changed to Foil Snelling. 

Aftei- this time events crowd i-a[iidly one 
after the other to fill in the time. I'lom 
1825 on, the arrival of steamboats l)ccanie 
more frequent. During this year a heavy 
flood visited the Red River, and a portion of 
the colony were driven to Minnesota and 
settled near Fort Snelling. 



In 1832 Schoolcraft explored the sources 
of the Mississippi River, and during the fol- 
lowing year Rev. W. T. Boutwell established 
the first mission among the Ojil)wa3's on 
Leech Lake. About the same time E. F. Ely 
opened a mission school at Atkins, a trading 
post on Sandy Lake. 

That portion of Minnesota lying west of 
the Mississip})i River was attached to ]\liclii- 
gan in 1834. During this year Gen. II. II. 
Sibley settled at Mendota as agent for tiie 
fur conijiany, and Samuel W. and (iideon 
II. Pond, missionaries among the Sioux, ar- 
rived. They were followed the next year 
by T. S. "Williamson, J. I). Stevens and Alex- 
ander G. Iluggins. and in June, 1835. a 
Presbyterian Church was oi-gani/.ed at Foit 
Snelling. Late the same year Maj. J. L. 
Bean, in accordance with the treaty of 1825, 
surveyed the Sioux and Clii))peway bound- 
ary line as far as Otter Tail Lake. 

In 1836 the Territory of Wisconsin was 
organized, embracing all of Minnesota east 
of the Mississippi River; that territory west 
of the river being attacl'.etl to Iowa. A 
number of steamboats arrived during this 
year, a ])assenger on one of them being the 
ilistinguislied French astronomer, Jean N. 
Nicollet. 

In 1837 Gov. Dodge, of "Wisconsin, made 
a treaty at Fort Snelling with the Ojib- 
ways, by which the latter ceded all tiieir 
pine lands on the St. Croix and its tributaries ; 
a treaty was also effected at "Washington 
with a deputation of Dakotahs for their pine 
lands east of the Mississippi. These tivaties 
hnl the way to the first actual settlements in 
the State. The treaty was ratified by Con- 
gress in 1S38. At about this time Franklin 
Steele made a claim at St. Amlidny Kails; 
Pierre Parrant took a claim ami built a cabin 
(111 the jiresent site of St. I'aiil ; Jeremiah 
Russell and h.^ . Stratton made the first 
claim at Marine in the St. Croix Valley. 
During the year 1838 a steamboat arrived at 
Fort Snellins-- with J. N. Nicollet and J. C. 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



13: 



Fremont on a scientific expedition. Develop- 
ment begins in the St. Croix Valley. The 
next year the chapel of "St. Paul" was 
built and consecrated, giving the name to 
the capital of the State. 

Henry M. Rice arrived at Fort Snelling 
in 1840, others came and in November, 1841, 
St. Croix County was established with 
"Dakotah" designated as the countj'-seat. 

On the 10th of October, 1843, a settlement 
was commenced on the present site of the 
city of Stillwater, and the erection of a saw- 
mill was immediately commenced. The 
names of the town proprietors were : John 
McKusick, from Maine ; Calvin Leach, from 
Vermont ; Elam Greele}', from Maine and 
Elias McKeane, from Pennsylvania. 

Dr. E. D. Neill in his " Explorers and Pio- 
neers of Minnesota," says that in 1846 " the 
site of St. Paul was chiefly occupied by a 
few shanties, owned by 'certain lewd fellows 
of the baser sort,' Avho sold rum to the sol- 
diers and Indians." On the 6th of August, 
1846, the Wisconsin enabling act was passed. 

In 1847 St. Croix Count}^ was detached 
from Crawford County, "Wis., and reorgan- 
ized for civil and judicial purposes with Still- 
water as the count3'-seat. The town of St. 
Paul was surveyed and platted, and recorded 
in St. Croix County. During this 3'ear the 
Wisconsin constitutional convention was held. 

On the 29th of May, 1848, Wisconsin was 
admitted to the Union, leaving Minnesota 
(with its present boundaries) without a gov- 
ernment, and on the 26th of the following- 
August a convention was held at Stillwater 
to take measures for a separate territorial or- 
ganization. On the 30th of October, 1848, 
Henry II. Sibley was elected delegate to 
Congress, and he was admitted to a seat 
January 15, 1849. March 3d, 1849, a bill 
was passed organizing Minnesota Territory, 
and on tlie 19th of the same month territo- 
rial officers were appointed. June 1st Gov. 
Ramsey issued a proclamation declaring 



the territory organized, and on September 3d 
the first territorial Legislature assembled. In 
1851 the capital of the State was permanent- 
ly located, as was also the penitentiary. In 
June, 1854, the first line of railway was com- 
]/leted to St. Paul. 

On the 23d of February', 1857, an act 
passed the United States Senate, to author- 
ize the people of Minnesota to form a consti- 
tution, preparatory to their admission to the 
Union. In June a constitutional convention 
was held, and tiic State constitution was 
framed. This was adopted on the 13t]i of 
October, 1857, and a full list of State officers 
was elected. On the 11th of May, 1858, the 
President approved of the bill admitting the 
State, and Minnesota was full^^ recognized as 
one of the United States of America. The 
first State officers were sworn in on the 24th 
of May. 

From this time on we can only briefly re- 
view the -most important events that have 
transpired. A great tide of immigration had 
set in early in the "fifties," wiiicli rajiidly 
filled up portions of the State, until in 1857 
a census gave the State a total population of 
150,037. During that year, however, real 
estate speculation reached a climax, and the 
terrible financial panic occurred which great- 
ly retarded the settlement. 

In 1858 the State loan of fl250.000 was 
negotiated ; five million loan l)ili was 
passed, being voted on April 15; great strin- 
gency in money market. 

During 1859 the hard times continued 
to intensify. "Wright County War" oc- 
curred ; " Glencoe " and " Owatonna " money 
was issued ; work on the land grant roads 
ceased; collapse of the five million scheme; 
first export of grain that fall ; hard political 
struggle, in which the Republicans tri- 
umphed. 

Another warm political canvass occurred 
in 1860 ; the census taken this year gave the 
State a total population of 172,123. 



132 



//IS TOR y OF MINNESOTA. 



In 1801 war cast its gloom over the coun- 
try ; on Ajiril 13tli the President's ])roclania- 
tion for troops was received ; the first regi- 
ment recruited at once, and June 22d it em- 
barked at Fort Snelling for the seat of war. 

In 1SG2 occurred the memorable Sioux 
outbreak; August 17th, massacre at Acton ; 
August ISth, outbreak at Lower, Sioux 
Agency; 19th, New Ulm attacked ; 20tli, 
Fort Ridgely attacked ; 25tli, second attack 
on New Ulm ; 30th, Fort Abercrombie be- 
sieged ; September 1st, the bloody affair at 
I'ircli Coolie; 19th, first railroad in Minne- 
sota in o])eration, between St. Paul and 
Minneajiolis ; 22d, battle of "Wood Lake ; 
2(4th, ca])tives surrendered bj' the Indians at 
Camp Release; military commission tried 
321 Indians for murder, 303 condemned to 
(lie; December 26th, thirty-eight hung at 
Mankato. 

In 1S()3 Gen. Sibley conducted an expedi- 
tion to the Missouri Eiver ; July 3d, Little 
Crow was killed; July 24tii, battle of I]ig 
IMound ; 2(;th, battle of Dead Buffalo Lake ; 
July 2Sth, battle of Stony Lake. 

In ISfii the civil war was still in progress, 
and large levies for troops were made in 
Minnesota; expedition to Missouri River, un- 
der Sully ; inflation of money market : occa- 
sional Iiulian raids. 

In ISda the war closed and peace returns; 
^linnesotar re'dments return and ai-e dis- 
banded ; in all, 25,052 troops were furnished 
by the State ; census showed 250,000 in habi- 
tants. 

After the close of the war, and from 18(J() 
until 1872, "good times" prevailed; immigra- 



tion was very heavy, and real estate and 
all values were inflated. The western por- 
tion of the State received many settlers. 
Railway construction was very active. 

In 1873 the famous grasshopper raid began 
throughout the western part of the State, 
and continued about five seasons. January 
7-8-9 of this year, a terrible storm swept 
over the State, in which seventy ])ersons per- 
ished. In So])tember of the same year, the 
financial "panic of 1873"'' began. 

In 187-1 and 1875 nothing of especial im- 
portance occurred. 

On the 7th of Septembei', 1^7l^ an attack 
was made on the Pank of Northfield by a 
gang of ai'med outlaws from ]\Iissouri ; three 
of the latter were killed, ant! three were cajjt- 
ured. 

In 1877 biennial sessions ameiulment was 
adopted. 

In 1878 (May 2), three lldiiring mills at 
Minneapolis exploded, and eighteen lives 
lost. 

On November 15th. ISSO, a [)ortion t)f the 
hospital for the insane, at St. Peter, was de- 
stroyed by fire; eighteen inmates were 
burned to death, seven died subsequently of 
injuries and fright, aiul six were missing. 
Total loss was §;150,0(I0. 

In 1881 the State capitol at St. Paul was 
destroyed by fire. 

In 1884 the State prison, located at Still- 
water, was partly Ijuriuul. 

In 188(1 (April 14), a cyclone swe[)t over 
St. Cloud ami Sauk Rajuds. (lenu)lisliing 
scores of buildings, and killing about seventy 
])eople. 



CHAPTER III. 




THE INDIAN MASSACEE. 



HE outbrpak of the Indians in 
1802 furnishes one of the most 
interesting chapters in Minneso- 
ta's liistory. At the time of this 
sad tragedy there were scat- 
tered tiiroughout the State vari- 
ous liands of Sioux Indians, a 
powerful and warlilce nation. 
They included the Medawakontons (or Village 
of the Spirit Lake) ; Wapatons, (or Village 
of the Leaves) ; Sissetons (or Village of the 
Marsh), and Wapakutas (or Leaf Shooters). 
These four tribes, numbering about six thou- 
sand and two hundred persons, comprised 
the entire annuity Sioux of Minnesota. 
All these Indians had from time to time, 
from the 19th of July, 1815, to the date of 
the massacre in 1862, receiv'ed presents from 
the government, by virtue of various treaties 
of amity and friendship. From the time of 
the treaty of St. Louis in 1816, these tribes 
had remained friendl}' to tlie whites, and 
had by treaty stipulations pai'ted with all 
the lands to which tiie\' chiimed title in 
Iowa ; all on the east side of the Mississippi 
River, and all on the Minnesota River in 
Minnesota, except certain reservations. One 
of these reservations lay upon botli sides of 
the Minnesota ten miles on eiiher side of 
that stream, from Hawk River on the north 
to Yellow Medicine River on the south side, 
thence westerly to the head of Big Stone Lake 
and Lake Traverse, a distance of about one 
hundred miles. Another of these reserva- 
tions commenced at Little Rock River on 
the east and a line running due south from 
its mouth, and extending up the river 
westerly to the eastern line of the reserva- 



tion first named, at the Hawk and Yellow 
Medicine rivers. The last also had a width 
of ten miles on each side of the Minnesota 
River. 

Early in 1858 a scheme was devised Ijy 
the authorities at Washington for the civili- 
zation of these annuity Indians. A civiliza- 
tion fund was provided, to be taken from their 
annuities and expended in improving the 
lands of such as should abandon their tril)al 
relations and adopt the habits and modes of 
life of the whites. To all sucli, lands were 
assigned in severalty, eighty acres to the 
head of each family, on which should be 
erected the necessary farm buildings, and 
farming implements and cattle furnished 
him. At tlie time of the outln'eak about one 
hundred and seventy-five Indians had taken 
advantage of the provisions of this treaty 
and become " farmer Indians." A great 
majority of the Indians, however, disliked 
the idea of taking any portion of their gen- 
eral fund to carry out the civilization scheme. 
Those Avho retained the blanket, called 
"blanket Indians," denounced the measure 
as a fraud, as it was slowly but surely 
destroying what was, to them, their God- 
given right to the chase. The result, in brief, 
of this civilization scheme was this : After 
tlie chase was over the "blanket Indians" 
would pitch their tents about the homes of 
the "farmer Indians" and proceed to eat 
them out of house and home, and when the 
ruin was complete, the " farmer " with his 
wife and children, driven by necessity, \vould 
again seek temporary subsistence in the 
chase. During their absence the " blanket 
Indians" would commit whatever destruc- 



134 



HISTORY OF MIXXESOTA. 



tion of fences or tenements tlieir desires or 
necessities would suggest. In this way the an- 
nua! ))rocess continued, so tluit when tlie 
" fai'iner Indian " returned to his desohite 
lionu; in the spring to prepare again for a 
cro]), he looked forward to no different re- 
sults foi' tlio coming winter. It will thus be 
seen that the civilization scheme was an ut- 
ter failure.' 

The treaty referred to, of 1858, hpd opened 
for settlement a vast frontier country of the 
most attractive character in the valley of 
the Minnesota liiver, andonthe streams put- 
tin<r into tiie Minnesota on either side, such 
as Beaver Creek, Sacred Heart, Plawk and 
Chijipewa rivers, and some other small 
streams, there were flourishing settlements 
of white families. "Within this ceded tract, 
ten miles wide, were the scattered settle- 
ments of Birch Coolie, Patterson Rapids, 
and others as far up as the upper agency at 
Yellow Medicine, in Renville County. The 
county of Brown adjoined the reservation, 
and was at that tin;o settled mostly by Ger- 
mans. Here was also the flourishing town 
of New Ulm, and further on was a thriving 
settlement on the Big Cottonwood anil 
Watonwan. Other counties. Blue Earth, 
Nicollet, Sibley, IVIeelcer, McLeod, Kandij^ohi, 
Mononfi-aliaaiul ]\Iurrav, tog-ether with others 
somewhat removed from the direct attack of 
the Indians, as Wright, Stearns and Jackson, 
and even reaching on the north to Fort 
Abercrombie, thus extending from Iowa to 
the valley of the Red River of the North, 
were severally involved in the consequences 
of the warfare of 1802. This extended area 
had a population estimated at over fifty 
thousand. 

Early in the fifties complaints began to be 
made by the Indians, and dissatisfaction be- 
gan to be manifest. By the treaty of Trav- 
erse des Sioux, dated July 23, 1851, between 
the United States and the Sissetons and 
Wapatons, $275,00() was to be paid their 



chiefs, and a further sum of .$3(i,U0(» was to 
be expended for their benefit in Indian im- 
provements. By the treaty of Mendota, 
dated August 5, 1851, the Medawakantons 
and Wapakutas were to receive the sum of 
$200,000, to be paid to their chief, and a fur- 
ther sum of $30,000. These sevei'ai sums 
aniountiii"!' in tlie as:"' rebate to !?550.00(), 
these Indians, to whom they wcm'c payable, 
claim they were never paid, iwcept pcrliai)s 
a small poi'tion expended in improvements. 
This led to great dissatisfaction, of which 
the government was fully apprised. Several 
parties wei'c atdifTerent times sentoul by tlia 
Indian department of the government to in- 
vestigate into the causes, but the rascality 
of the aijents and officers who had defrauded 
the Indians had been carefullv covered up, 
and as usual in such cases the guilty ])arties 
were excul]iated. This was one of the lead- 
ing and most important causes which led to 
the massacre of 18(52. 

Another cause of irritation among these 
annuity Sioux arose out of the Spirit Lake 
massacre of 1857 — known as the Inkpadutah 
massacre. Inkpadutah was an outlaw of 
the Wapakuta baiul of Sioux Indians, and 
his acts were entirely disclaimed by the " an- 
nuity Sioux."' He had committtnl murder in 
his own tril)e some twenty yeai'S previous, 
and since had led a wanderingandmarauiling 
life about the headwaters of the Des ^bjines 
River and westward to Dakota. Finally' his 
outrages reached a climax, when early in 1857 
with a few of his followers, he proceeded to 
murder every family in the little settlement 
about Spirit Lake, Iowa, except four women 
whom tiiey bore away captives. From there 
they went to the Springfield settlement (on 
the present site of Jackson, Minn.), where they 
murdered seventeen people, making a total of 
forty seven persons killed. They then re- 
treated westward. Shortly after the mas- 
i^acre at Springfield (now Jackson) a com- 
pany of regular soldiers under Capt. Bee 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



135 



was stationed at that place, and had the 
officer been a zealous or capable one might 
easily have overtaken and punished them. 
As stated the " annuity Sioux " disclaimed the 
acts of this outlaw ; but I'oi' a time the gov- 
ernment refused to pay the annuities until 
they should deliver up the murderers. In a 
shoi't time, however, the government let the 
matter drop, and continued to pay the an- 
nuities as before. Some thought that this 
was a great error and that the Indians mis- 
took it for a sign of weakness. 

However that may be, as time went on 
the Indians became more and more insolent, 
and Little Crow, together witii a few leaders 
among the annufty Sioux, from the time the 
government ceased its efforts to punish Tnk- 
padutah, began to agitate and plan the great 
conspiracy to drive the whites from the State 
of Minnesota. Little Crow was one of the 
" farmer Indians," whose headquarters was 
a shoi't distance above the Lower Agency, 
who is credited with being the leader in the 
outbreak against the whites. 

The antecedent exciting causes of this 
massacre are numerous. The displaced 
agents and traders find the cause in the er- 
roneous action of the government, resulting 
in their removal from office. The statesman 
and the philosopher may unite in tracing the 
cause to improper theories as to the mode of 
acquiring the right to Indian lands. The 
former may locate the evil in our system of 
treaties, and the latter in our theories of gov- 
ernment. The philanthropist may find the 
cause in the absence of justice which we ex- 
hibit in all our intercourse with the Indian 
races. The poet and the lovers of romance 
in human character find the true cause, as 
they believe, in the total absence of all ap- 
preciation of the noble, generous, confiding 
traits peculiar to the native Indian. The 
Christian teacher finds apologies for acts of 
Indian atrocities in the tieficient systems of 
mental and moral culture. Each of these 



different classes are satisfied that the great 
massacre of Au^'ust, lS(i2, had its oris^in in 
some wa}'^ intimatel_y connected with his 
favorite theory. 

Maj. Thomas Galbraith, Sioux agent, 
says, in writing of the causes which led to 
the massacre : " The radical, moving cause 
of the outbreak is, I am satisfied, the in- 
grained and fixed hostility of the savage bar- 
barian to reform and civilization. As in all 
barbarous communities in the history of the 
world the same people have, for the most 
part, resisted the encroachments of civiliza- 
tion upon their ancient customs, so it is in 
the case before us. Nor does it matter ma- 
terially in what shape civilization makes its 
attack. Hostile, opposing forces meet in 
conflict, and a war of social elements is the 
result — civilization is aggressive, and bar- 
barism stubbornly resistant. Sometimes, 
indeed, civilization has achieved a bloodless 
victor}^, but generally it has been otherwise. 
Christianity, itself, the true basis of civiliza- 
tion, has, in most instances, waded to success 
through seas of blood. . . . Having 
stated thus much, I state, as a settled fact 
in my mind, that the encroachments of 
Christianity, and its handmaid, civilization, 
upon the habits and cu.stoms of the Sioux 
Indians, is the cause of the late terrible Sioux 
outbreak. There Avere, it is true, many im- 
mediate inciting causes, which will be allud- 
ed to and stated hereafter, but they are sub- 
sidiary to, and developments of, or incident 
to, the great cause set forth. . . . But 
that the recent Sioux outbi'eak would have 
happened at any rate, as a result, a fair con- 
sequence of the cause here stated, I have no 
doubt. 

" Now as to the existing or immediate 
causes of the outbreak : By my predecessor a 
new and i\adical system was inaugurated ; 
practically, and in its inauguration, he was 
aided by the Christian missionaries and bv 
the government. The treaties of 1858 were 



136 



///SrOA'V OF MINNESOTA. 



ostensibly made to carry this new system 
into effect. Tlie theory, in substance, was 
to break up tlie community system which 
obtained among the Sioux, weaken and de- 
stroy their tribal relations, and iudividnalize 
them, by giving them each a sejiarate home. 
On the 1st day of June, A. D. 
1801, when I entered upon the duties of my 
office, I found tliat tlic system had just been 
inaugurated. Some hundi-ed families of the 
annuity Sioux had liecome novitiates, and 
their relatives and friends seemed to be 
favorably disposed to the new order of 
things. Ijut I also found that, against these 
were ai'rayed over five thousand 'annuity 
Sioux,' l)esides at least three thousand Yank- 
tonais, all iiillamed l)y the most bitter, re- 
lentless and devilish hostility. 

"I saw, to some extent, the difficulty of 
the situation, hut I determined to cor.tinue, 
if ill \\\\ powcf, the civilization system. To 
favor it. to aid and build it up by every fair 
meiins, I advised, encouraged, and assisted 
tiun'arnier nnvitiates; in short I sustained 
the policy inaugui'ated by my pi'edecessor, 
and sustained and I'ecommended b^y tlie gov- 
ernment. I soon discovered that the system 
could not be successful without a sufficient 
force to protect the ' farmer ' from the hos- 
tility of the ' blanket' Indians. 

" During my term, and uj) to the time of 
the outbreak, about 175 had their hair cut 
;md liiid adopted the habits and customs of 
the white men. 

" For a time, indeed, my hopes were strong 
that civilization would soon be in the as- 
cendant. But the increase in the civilization 
party and their evident prosperity, only 
tended to exasperate the Indians of the 'an- 
cient customs,' and to widen the breach. Hut 
while these are to he enumerated, it may be 
permitted me to hope that the radical caus(! 
will not he forgotten or overlooked; and I 
am bold to ex])ress this d<>sire, because, ever 
since the outbreak, the public journals of the 



country, religious and secular, have teemed 
with editorials by and communications from 
'reliable individuals,' politicians, ])liilantin-o- 
[)ists, philosophers and hii'cd ' penny-a-liners,' 
mostly mistaken and sometimes willfully 
and grossly false, giving the cause of the 
Indian raid." 

Maj. Galbraith enumei'ates a vaiiety of 
other exciting causes of the massacre, which 
our limit will not allow us to insert in this 



volume. Amonsj other causes. 



that 



the United States was itself at war, and that 
Washington was taken bv the negroes. . . 
But none of these Avere, in his opini(jn. the 
cause of the outbreak. 

The Major then adds: 

"Grievances such as have been related, 
and numberless othei's akin to them, were 
spoken of, I'ecited, and chanted at their 
councils, dances and feasts, to such an extent 
that, in their excitenicnt. in .lime, 1SG2, a 
secret organization known as the 'Soldiers' 
Lodge' was founded by the young m(>n and 
soldiers of the lower Sioux, with the object, 
as far as I was abh^ to learn through spies 
and informers, of preventing the 'traders' 
from going to the pay-tables, as had been 
their custom. Since the outbreak I have 
become satisfied that the real object of this 
'Lodge' was to adopt measures to 'clean 
out ' all the white people at the end of the 
payment." 

Whatever may have been the cause of the 
fearful and bloody tragedy, it is certain that 
the manner of the execution of the infernal 
deed was a deep-laid conspiracy, long cher- 
ished by Little Crow, taking form under the 
guise of the " Soldiers' Lodge," and matuiril 
in secret Indian councils." In all these secret 
movements Little Crow was tlie moving 
spirit. 

Now the o]iportune moment seemed to 
have come. Only thirty soldiers were sta- 
tioned at Fort Ridgely. Some thirty were 
all that Fort Kipley could muster, and at 



///S7VA')' Of MIXXESOTA. 



137 



Fort Abercrombie, one company under Capt. 
Van Der Ilork was all the whites could 
depend upon to repel any attack in that 
quai'tor. The whole effective force for the 
defense of the entire frontier, fi'oni Pembina 
to the Towa line, did not exceed 200 men. 
Tlie annuity money was daily expected, and 
no troojjs except about one hundred men at 
Yellow Medicine, had been detailed, as usual, 
to attend the anticipated ])a3'mcnt. Here 
was a glittering prize to be paraded before 
the minds of the excited savages. The 
wliites \vere weak ; they were engaged in a 
terrible war among themselves; their atten- 
tion was now directed toward the great 
struggle in the South. At such a time, offer- 
ing so many chances for rapine and plunder, 
it would be easy to unite at least all the 
annuity Indians in one common movement. 
Little Crow knew full well that the Indians 
could easily be made to believe that now 
was a favorable time to make a grand attack 
upon the border settlements. 

A memorable council convened at Little 
Crow's village, near tiie lower agency, on 
Sunday night, August 3, previous to the 
attack on Fort Ridgely, and precisely two 
weeks before the massacres at Acton. Little 
Crow was at this council, and he was not 
wanting in ability to meet the greatness of 
the occasion. The proceedings of this council, 
of course, Avere secret. The council matured 
the details of the conspiracy It appears 
that the next day, August 4, a pai'ty of 
ninety-six Indians in war paint and fully 
armed, rode up to Foi-t Ridgely and re- 
quested permission to hold a dance and feast 
in the fort. The}' were allowed to hold the 
dance outside the fort, but Sero-eant Jones, 
with singular foresight, mounted a howitzer 
charged with shell and canister-shot and 
guarded the entrance, having it pointed 
toward the Indians. After finishing the 
dance the red-skins left without making the 
attack, which liad undoubted!}' been medi 



tated. Only thirty soldiers occupied the 
post at Foi't Ilidgely, and this was deemed 
amply sufficient for tunes of peace. 

On the same day a gi-eat many Indians 
were encamped aliout the Upper Agency. 
They were afi'aid they would not get their 
annuity money, which had not arrived as 
yet. They had been complaining bitterly 
of starvation, and on this day made an 
attack on the wareiiouse, carrying off a 
great deal of flour and other provisions. 
The matter, however, was finally adjusted, 
and the agent issued rations, promising to 
distribute their money as soon as it should 
arrive. None of the Indians, liowever, were 
punished for theii" attack on the supply 
house. 

We now come to the massacre itself, the 
first blow of which fell upon the town of 
Acton, in Meeker County, about thirty-five 
miles northeast of the Lower Sioux Agency. 
On Sunday, August 17, 1802, six Sioux In 
dians bi'utally murdered a man named Jones, 
with his wife and a daughter, and a man 
named "Webster and Howard Baker. 

On the next day, Monday, the massacre 
at the Lower Agency occurred, where many 
were killed and fearfully mutilated. A few 
escaped and made their way to the eastern 
settlements. The Indians declared it to be 
their intention to kill or drive off all the 
whites to the east of the Mississippi Eiver, 
and to spare none. All that day the work 
of plunder Avent on at the lower agency, 
and when the stoi'es and dwellings had been 
emptied, they were fired. So complete was 
the surprise and so sudden and unexpected 
tiie terrible blow that not a single one of the 
host of savages was slain. In thirty min- 
utes from the time the first gun was fired 
not a white person was left alive. All 
were either weltering in their gore or liad 
fied in fear and terror from that place of 
death. It seems that liundreds of the In- 
dians had gathered here and then dispersed 



13S 



HISTORY or- MIXNESOTA. 



through the scattered settlements for their 
murderous work. 

On tlie same morning — of August 18 — 
tlie massacre began on the nortli side of the 
Minnesota Eiver, from Ijii-eii Coolie to 
Beaver Creek and bevond, and the reo-ion 
was strewn with the mutilated bodies of the 
dead and d3nng men, women and children. 
So Ww tci'ril)le warfare continued, inurder- 
ing and burning ; none were allowed to es- 
cape who could possibly be discovered. The 
outbreak extended over a vast scope of coun- 
try, and the Indians numbered well up into 
the tliousands. Tlie entire lengtii of the 
Minnesota and its tributaries, and out into 
Dakota, together with all the western part 
of this State was the scene everywhere of a 
carnival of blood. The counties affected 
have ali-eady been named. 

On the 18th of August the Indians at- 
tacked New Ulm, and after several battles 
and skirmishes were defeated. A few days 
later the whites evacuated the town and 
moved toward Mankato. 

On the ISth of August the battle at Lower 
Agency Ferry was fought. 

On the 20th, seeing they were foiled in 
their attack on New Ulm, they made a 
furious assault on Fort Ridgely. A number 
of whites were killed and wounded, but the 
Indians were defeated. The attack was re- 
newed on the 22d and another severe battle 
occurred, which was ended by night coming 
on. 

Numerous engagements were also fought 
in the northern part of the State. 

Throughout all the Minnesota River coun- 
try many women and children were taken 
prisoners. In the meantime comjmnies had 
been raised and were ever3'where following- 
up the Indiansand guarding the various posts 
at whicli the settlers had gathered. These 
various companies had also picked up a great 
many wounded found on tiie prairies, and also 
buried the dead. On the 1st of Septeiiber, 



Compan3' A, Sixth Regiment Minnesota Vol- 
unteers, under Capt. H. P. Grant, fouglit 
tiie l)attle of Birch Coolie, a most terribh; 
and bloody engagement. The noble little 
band of soldiers were relieved on Septembci- 
3, by an advance movement of Col. Sibley's 
forces at Fort Ridgelv. The signal defeat 
of Little Crow at this battle, in effect, ended 
the efforts of the Indians in subduing the 
whites on the border. After this battle all 
of the Indian forces under Little Crow be- 
^an a retreat up the valley of the Minnesota 
toward Yellow Medicine; and on Se])teni- 
ber l('). Col. Sibley, with his whole Cdiunin. 
moved in pursuit of the fleeing foe, and on 
the 2:>d they came up with the Indians and 
defeated them in the battle of Wood Lake. 
This put an end to the hopes of Little Crow. 
On thesame day as the battle of Wood Lake, 
the Wapeton band of Indians surrentlered 
later and turned over to Col. Sibley all the 
captives — 107 whites and 102 half-bi'eeds. 
This place has since been known as " Camp 
Release." 

After the disaster at Wood Lake, Little 
Crow retreated in the direction of Big Stone 
Lake, with those who remained with him. 
The chief was never captured, but is said to 
have been killed at Scattered Lake in 1803. 
Col. Sibley continued to pursue the deserting 
Indians, and demanded the surrender of all 
bands. By the Sth of October, 1802, ])rison- 
ers had come in and surrendered to the num- 
ber of 2,000. Scouting parties were sent 
over various parts of the West, and, until all 
danger of further depredations was ] ast, 
soldiers were stationed at all of the frontitr 
posts and settlements. 

A military commission was soon after 
inaugurated to try the })arties charged Avith 
murder of white persons. On the 5th of 
November, 1802, 321 Indians and their allies 
were found guilty, and 303 were recom- 
mended for capital punishment, and tlie 
others for imprisonment. They were im- 



niSTOKY OF MIXXESOTA. 



139 



mediate]}' removed under a guard of 1,500 
men to South Bend, on the Minnesota River, 
to await further orders from the govern- 
ment. The final decision of the President 
was rendered on tlie 17th of December, 1802, 
ordering that forty of these be imng on Fri- 
day, Decemljer 2C. One of these died a 
short time before tlie day set, and one other, 
a half breed, had his sentence commuted to 
imprisonment for life just before the fatal 



da^'. As to the other thirty-eiglit tlie sen- 
tence was executed at Manlvatoon the day set. 
On the 16th of February, 1863, the' trea- 
ties before that time existing between the 
United States and tliese "annuity Indians" 
were abrogated and annullcHl, and all lands 
and rights of occupancy, and all annuities 
and claims then existing in favor of said 
Indians, were declared forfeited. Thus ended 
the saddest chapter of Minnesota's history. 




CHAPTER IV. 



TEEPJTORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS. 




TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 



rS HE first governor of the Terri- 
tory of Minnesota was Alexander 
Ilamsey, who served from June 
1, 1S4!», to T\ray 15, 185:1. Willis 
A. Gorman succeeded liim, and 
held the office until April 23) 
1857. Samuel Medary was the 
next territorial governor, and 
held the office until the State 
officers were sworn in. May 24-, 1858. 

The first secretary of the Territory was 
Charles K. Smith, who served from June 1, 
1849, until October 23, 1851, when Alexander 
Wilkin qualified and held the office until 
May 15, 1853. Joseph Travis liosser was 
the next, and served until April 23, 1857. 
Charles L. Chase, the last territorial sec- 
retary, (jualified on the date last named and 
served until succeeded by the newly chosen 
secretary of state. May 24, 1858. 

The oilice tif territorial treasurer was first 
filled by Calvin A. Tuttle, wlio served from 
November 3, 1849, to July 2, 1853. George 
W. Pre-scott came next and retained the 
position until February 24, 1854. Succeed- 
ing him Charles E. Leonard served until 
May 7, 1857, when George W. Armstrong 
was appointed and served until tlie State 
officei's qualified, May 24, 1858. 

J. E. ]\[clvusick was the first territorial 
-auditoi', qualifying November 3, 1849, and 
serving until November 30, 1852. A. Van 
Vorhees succeeded him and held the office 
until the 15th of May, 1853, when Socrates 
Nelson qualified. January 17, 1854, Julius 
Georgii took charge of the office and served 
until succeeded by the State auditor, May 
24, 1858. 



During the existence of the Territory of 
Minnesota, Lorenzo A. Babcock and then 
Lafayette Emmett were the only ones to 
hold the office of attorney general. Tiie 
first named served from June 1, 1849, until 
May 15, 1853, and the latter from 1853 until 
May 24, 1858. 

In territorial times there were no district 
judges, but the justices of the supreme court 
attended to all judicial matters now within 
the jurisdiction of the district bench. The 
first chief justice of the territorial supreme 
court was Aaron Goodrich, who served from 
June 1, 1849, to November 13, 1851, when 
Jerome Fuller was a]ipointed and presided 
until December 16, 1852. Henry Z. Ha\'ner 
was next appointed, but never presided at a 
term of court. William II. Welch was aj)- 
pointed April 7, 1853, and served until ilay 
24, 1858. 

David Cooper and Bradlej^ B. Meeker 
were the first associate justices, and served 
from June 1, 1849, until April 7, 1853. 
Their successors were Andrew G. Chatlield 
and Moses G. Sherburne, who retained the 
positions until April, 1857, and were fol- 
lowed by R. R. Nelson and Charles E. 
Flandrau, who served until the State officers 
qualified. 

The clerks of the territorial supreme court 
were : James K. Humphrey, Andrew J. Whit- 
ney and George AV. Prescott, in the order 
named. The reporters were : William IIol- 
linshead, Isaac Atwater, John B. Brisbin, M. 
E. Ames and Harvey Officer. 

Henry II. Sibley was the first delegate 
from the Territory to Congress, serving from 
January 15, 1849, to March 4, 1853. Henry 



no 



HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. 



141 



M. Tiice was the second, serving- from De- 
cember 5, 1853, to March 4, 1S5T, when he 
was succeeded by W. W. Kingsbury, who 
qualified December 7, 1857, and whose term 
expired May 11, 1S58. 

STATE OFFICEKS. 

The governors of the State of Minnesota, 
in tlieir order have been as follows: Henry 
II. Sibley, from May 2-i, 1858, to January 2, 
ISGO ; Alexander Eamsey, to Jidy 10, 1SC3 ; 
Henry A. Swift, to January 11, 186-1; 
Stephen Miller, during 1864-5; William E. 
Marsliall, during 1866-7-8-9 ; Horace Aus- 
tin, during 1870-1-2-3 ; Cushman K. Davis, 
during 1874-5 ; John S. Pillsbury, during 
1876-7-8-9-80-81 ; Lucius F. Hubbard, dur- 
ing 1882-3-4-5-6, and A. E. McGill, the 
present governor, who assumed the duties of 
the office January 5, 1887. 

The lieutenant governors since the organ- 
ization of the State have been as follows : 
William Ilolcomb, from May 24, 185S, to 
January 2, 1860 ; Ignatius Donnelly, to 
March 3, 1863 ; Henry A. Swift, to July 10, 
1863 ; Charles D. Sherwood, during 1S64-5 ; 
Thomas H. Armstrong, during 1866-7-8-9 ; 
William H. Yale, during 1870-1-2-3; Al- 
phonzo Barto, during 1874-5 ; James B. 
Wakefield, during 1876-7-8-9 ; C. A. Gill- 
man, during 1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, and A. E. 
Eice, who qualified January 4, 1887. 

The office of secretary of State has been 
filled successively by the following gen- 
tlemen : Francis Baasen, from May 24, 1858, 
to January 2, 1860 ; James II. Baker, to 
November 17, 1862; David Blakely, to Janu- 
aiy 8, 1866; Henry C. Eogers, during the 
years 1866-7-8-9 ; Hans Mattson, during 
1870-1 ; S. P. Jennison, during 1872-3-4-5 ; 
John S. Irgens, during 1876-7-8-9; Fred. 
Von Baumbach, during 1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, 
and Hans Mattson, during 1887-8. 

The State ti'easurers have been as follows : 
George W. Armstrong, from May 24, 1858, 



to January 2, 1860; Charles Scheffer, during 
1S60-1-2-3-4-5-6-7 ; Emil Munch, during 
1868-9-70-1 ; William Seeger, from January 
5, 1872. to February 7, 1873 ; Ed win W. Dyke, 
to January 7, 1876 ; AVilliani Pfaender, dur- 
ing 1876-7-8-9 ; Charles Kittelson, during 
1S80-1-2-3-4-5-6, and Joseph Bobleter, the 
present treasurer, who was elected for 
1887-8. 

The auditors of State have been as fol- 
lows : W. F. Dunbar, from May 24, 1858, 
to January 1, 1861 ; Charles Mcllrath to 
January 13, 1873 ; O. P. Whitcomb, to Jan- 
uary 10, 1882, and AV. W. Brauen, who is 
the present incumbent of the office. 

The office of attorne}^ general has been 
filled as follows : Charles II. Berry, served 
from May 24, 1858, to January 2, 1860 ; Gor- 
don E. Cole, served during 18^60-1-2-3-4-5 ; 
William Colville, during 1866-7; F. E. E. 
Cornell, during 1808-9-70-1-2-3 ; George P. 
Wilson, during 1874-5-6-7-8-9 ; Charles M. 
Start, from January 10, 1880, to March 11, 
1881 ; W. J. Hahn, to January 5, 1887, and 
Moses E. Clapp, the present attorney general. 

The present board of railroad commission- 
ers is made up of Horace Austin, John L. 
Gibbs and George L. Becker. Those who 
have composed the board in the past were: 
A. J. Edgerton, W. E. Marshall, J. J. Ean- 
dall, J. H. Baker and S. S. Murdock. 

Edward D. Neill was the first superintend- 
ent of public instruction for Minnesota. He 
was appointed in March, 1860, and on the 
1st of July, 1861, was succeeded by B. F. 
Crary. From 1862 to 1867 the secretary of 
State was ex-qfficio superintendent, but on 
April 1, 1867, M. II. Dunnell was appointed 
superintendent, and served until August, 
1870, when he was succeeded by II. B. Wil- 
son. April 3, 1875, David Burt was ap- 
pointed superintendent, and retained the 
office until succeeded by the present incum- 
bent, D. L. Kiehl, who was appointed Sep- 
tember 1, 1881. 



142 



HISTORY OF MIXNESOTA. 



The office of insurance commissioner has 
been held in turn by Tennock I'usey. A. II. 
McGill and Charles Shandi'ew ; the last 
named gentleman having been appointed 
.laiuuu'v t>, 1887, is the present commissioner. 

The commissioners of statistics have been 
as follows: J. A. Wheelock, Pennock Pusev, 
C. F. Solberg, J. B. Phillips, T. M. Metealf, 
J. P. Jacobson, F. Sneedorff, Oscar Malmros, 
A. F. Nordin, A'ictor Iljortsberg and Her- 
man Stockenstrom. 

The following is a list of the gentlemen 
who iiave lilled the office of adjutant-gen- 
eral : Alex. C. Jones, W. II. Acker, John B. 
Sanborn, Oscar Malmros, John Peller, H. P. 
Van Cleve, M. D. Flower, II. A. Castle, H. 
P. Van Cleve, A. C. Ilawley, C. M. McCar- 
thy and F. "W. Seeley. 

JUDICIAKY. 

The first chief justice of the supreme court 
of the State was Lafayette Emmett, who 
was sworn in ]\[ay 2-t, 18.58, and served until 
January 10, 1805. Thomas Wilson suc- 
ceeded him and served until July 14, ISfiO, 
when he was succeeded bv James Gilfillan. 



Christopher G. Kipley was the next, holding 
the position from January 7, 1870, until 
April 7, lST-4, when he was followed by S. 
J. E. McMillan, who served until March 10, 
1875. At that time James Giltillan Ijecarae 
chief justice, and is the present incumbent. 

The following statements will show the 
associate justices, together with the date of 
qualification of each : Charles E. Flandiau 
antl Isaac Atwater served from May 24, 
1858, to July 6, 1864; S. J. E. McMillan 
from July 6, 1804, to April 7, 1874 ; Thomas 
Wilson from July 0, 1804. to January 10, 
18ti5 ; George B. Young from April 10, 
1874, to January 11, 1875 ; F. K. E. Cornell 
from January 11, 1875, to May 2.3, 1881, and 
Greenleaf Clark from March 14, 1881, to 
January 12, 1882. The present associate 
justices are John M. Berry, who first quali- 
fied January 10, 1865 ; D. A. Dickinson, 
since June 27, 1881 ; William Mitchell, since 
March 14, 1881, and C. E. Van(K'rbui'gh, 
since January 12, 1882. 

As to district courts, the State is now 
divided into thirteen districts. 




CHAPTER V. 



REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, AND THE 

CREATION OF COUNTIES. 




Senators. ThefirstUnitecl States 
Senatoi's from Minnesota were 
James Shields and Henry M. Rice, 
wiio took the oath of office May 
11, 1858. The former was suc- 
ceeded on March 4th, 1800, by 
Morton S. "Wilkinson, who served 
the full term. Daniel S. Norton 
was sworn in to succeed AVilkin- 
son, March 4, 18r)7, and died 
while in office, July 14, 1870. O. 
P. Stearns was appointed, and served out the 
few weeks left of the term. William Win- 
dom came next, and retained the office until 
March 12, 1881, when he was succeeded by 
A. J. Edgerton, who resigned, however, in 
October of the same j^ear, and William Win- 
dom was again chosen, serving until suc- 
ceeded by one of the present Senators, D. M. 
Sabin, March 4, 1883. 

Henry M. Rice, who was mentioned as a 
colleague of James Shields, served as United 
States Senator from May 11, 1858, to j\Iarch 
4, 1863, when Alexander Ramsey succeeded 
him, and retained the position until March 4, 
1875. S. J. R. McMillan became United 
States Senator on the day last named, and 
occupied the position for two full terms — 
twelve years — being succeeded March 4, 
1887, by Cushman K. Davis, one of the 
present Senators. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 

The territorial delegates have already been 



spoken of. When the State of IMinnesota 
Avas organized, it was entitled to two repi'esent- 
atives in the House of Representatives of 
the United States. This state of affairs con- 
tinued until 1871, when a reapportionment 
was made, and the State was allowed three 
members of the House. At that time the 
State was divided into three congressional 
districts — ^No. 1, embracing the southern, 
No. 2 the central, and No. 3 the northern 
portion of the State. In 1881 another ap- 
portionment was made, by which the State 
secured five Representatives. This is the 
present status of the representation. The 
State is divided into five congressional dis- 
tricts, as follows : The first district includes 
Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Steele, 
Dodge, Olmsted, Winona and Wabasha 
counties ; the second district includes Fari- 
bault, Blue Earth, Waseca, Watonwan, Mar- 
tin, Cottonwood, Jackson, Murra\', Nobles, 
Rock, Pipestone, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, 
Brown, Nicollet, Yellow Medicine, Lac qui 
Parle, Sibley and Le Sueur counties ; the 
third district embraces Goodhue, Rice, Swift, 
Dakota, Scott, Carver, McLeod, Meeker, 
Kandij'ohi, Renville and Chippewa counties; 
the fourth district includes Washington, 
Ramsej^ Hennepin, Wright, Pine, Kanabec, 
Anoka, Chisago, Isanti and Sherburne coun- 
ties, and the fifth district includes Mille Lacs, 
Benton, Morrison, Stearns, Pope, Douglas, 
Stevens, Big Stone, Traverse, Grant, Todd, 



jw 



'-11 



HISTORY OF MIXXESOTA. 



Crow Win^, Aitkin, Carlton, Wadena, Otter 
Tail, Wilkin, Cass, Becker, Clay, Polk, Bel- 
trami, Marshall, Hubbard, Kittson, Itasca, 
St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties. ^ 

The follow ing is a list of the various gen- 
tlemen who have represented Minnesota in 
the lower house of Congress, with the years 
during which tliey served. With one or two 
exceptions, the term of office began and 
closed March 4th. 

W. W. riieips, 1858-9 ; J. M. Cavenaugh, 
1858; William Windom, 1860-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8; 
Cyrus Aldrich, lS(iO-l-2; Ignatius Donnelly, 
lSC.4-5tj-T-8; M. S. Wilkinson, 1869-70; E. 
]\I. Wilson, 1869-70 ; John T. Averill, 1871-2- 
3-1; M. H. Dunnell, from 1S71 to 1883; II. 
B. Straight, 187-lr-5-6-7-S ; William S. King, 
1876; J. II. Stewart, 1878; Henry Poehler, 
I87'.i-S(); n. B. Straight, 1881-2-3-1-5-6; W. 
D. Washburn, 1879-80-1-2-3-1; Milo White, 
1883-4-5-6; J. B. Wakefield, 1883-4-5-6; 
Knute Nelson, I SS.3-4-.5-6-7-S ; J. B. GilfiUan, 
18S5-6; TlioiiKis Wilson, 1887-8; John Liud, 
1887-8 ; Jolin L. McDonald, 1887-8 ; Edmund 
Rice, 1887-8. 

CREATION OF COUNTIES. 

In this connection we present a list of the 
counties of Minnesota, together with the 
date on which they were created by the tei'ri- 
torial or State Legislatures, viz.: 
Aitkiu, May 23, 1857, Marshall, February 25, 1879, 



Anoka, May 23, 1857, 
Bicker, March 18, 1858, 
Beltrami, F'bru'ry 28, 1866, 
Benton, October 27, 184'J, 
Big Stone. F'br'ry 20, 1862, 
Blue Earth, March 5, 1853, 
Brown, February 20, 1855, 
Carlton, May 23. 1857, 
Carver, February 20, 1855, 
Cass, September 1, 1851, 
Chippewa, F'br'ry 20, 1S(>2, 
Chisago, Septemberl, 1851, 
Clay, ."March 2, 1862, 
Cook, March !), 1874, 
Cottonwood, May 23, 18.57, 
Crow Wing, May 23, 18.57, 
Dakota, October 27, 1849, 
Dodge, February 20, 1855, 
Douglas, March 8. 1858, 
Faribault, F'br'ry 20, 1855, 
Fillmore, JIarch 5, 1853, 
Freeborn. F'br'ry, 20, 1855, 
Goodhue, JIarch 5, 1853, 
Crant, March 6, 1868, 
HennepiD, JIarch 6, 1852, 
Houston, Feb'ry 23, 1854, 
Hubbard, Fob'y 26, 1883, 
Isanti, February 13, 1857, 
Itasca. October 29, 1849, 
Jackson, May 23, 1857, 
Kanabec, March 13, 1858, 
Kandiyohi, March 20, 18.58, 
Kittson, February 25, 1879, 
Lac qui Parle, Kov. 3, 1871, 
Lake, March 1, 1856, 
Le Sueur, March 5, 1853, 
Lincoln, March 6,1873, 
Lyon, November 2, 1869, 
.UcLeod, March 1, 1856, 



Martin, May 23, 1857, 
Meeker, February 23, 1856, 
Millc Lacs, Jlay 23, 1857, 
Morrison, Febr'ry 25, 1858, 
Mower, February 20, 1855, 
Murray, Jlay 23, 1857, 
Nicollet, March 5, 18.53, 
Nobles, May 23, 1857, 
Norman, Nov'mb'r29, 1881. 
Olmsted, February 20, 1855. 
Otter Tail. March 18, 1858, 
Pine, March 31, 18.56, 
Pipestone, Jlay 23, 1857, 
Polk, .Tuly 20, 1858, 
Pope, February 20, 1863, 
Ramsey, October 27, 1849,- 
Redwood, February 6, 18G2, 
Renville, February 20, 18,55, 
Rice, March 5, 1853, 
Rock, JIarch 23, 1857, 
St. Louis, JIarch 1, 1856, 
Scott, JIarch 5. 1858, 
Sherburne, Feb'y 25, 1856 
Sibley, JIarch 5, 1853, 
Stearns, February 20, 1855, 
Steele, February 20, 1855, 
Stevens, February 20, 1860, 
Swift, JIarch 4, 1870, 
Todd, February 20, 1862, 
Travcrs, February 20, 1862, 
Wabasha, October 27, 1849, 
Wadena, July 11, 18.58, 
Waseca, February 27, 1857, 
Washington, Oct. 27, 1849, 
Watonwan, Nov. 6, 1860, 
Wilkin, JIarch 6, 1868, 
Winona, Febrviary 23, 1849, 
Wright, February 20, 1855, 
Yellow Jledicine, Novem- 
bers, 1871. 



ED -IYER , ,flLLEY 



AND THE 



^flRK Regions 
^ ofMinnesota 






b|E8GRIPTIVE 



j& 





I8T0RICAL 



NTRODUCTORY 



} 



I 



^^^.^y^j^^^. 



^ 



^ 




£rEiHSiiHiiiiliiiai^iHHiiiiiiiij2^^:!f 







^- 



-^^t^ 



'^^^W^~ 







^I^^M%-^^ T IS witli/vondcr und 
K>l*. jk-fH amazement tliat one 
contem])lates the re- 
sults of "Time's" 
wond er-wo rlc i n g 
liand. The rapid set- 
tlement, civilization 
and development of the North- 
west, within the memory of our 
children even, is the marvel of 
the age. This is especially true 
of that teri'itory which comes 
properly within the scope of 
this work, the renowned " Val- 
ley of the Red River of the 
North," and the no less far- 
famed " Park Regions of Min- 
nesota." It is, in one sense, scarcely neces- 
sar}'^ to descrd)e the teri-itory which this 
appellation covers, as it is, to the present 
generation, almost as significant and com- 
pletely descriptive as it would be to name 
a State; but as this work is compiled 
more especially for coming generations, our 
children and children's children, it would 
doubtless be wise to outline, in general, the 
area to which this appellation refers in our 




day.^ It is an established fact that as years 
roll by, and as decades bury former decades, 
the i-eputation of localities and the names 
which they bear ever shift and vary, accord- 
ing to the temperament or occupation of the 
people, the success of their undertakings, 
or as the discovery of new Eldorados bedims 
or lessens the brilliancy of former greatness. 
The writer distinctly remembers the time 
when the Genesee valley of the noble 
'■ Empire State " was the garden spot of the 
world, so far as wheat raising was concerned, 
and was supposed to be the only native 
home of the cereal ; but, through succeeding 
decades this has been entirely changed. The 
center of the wheat belt rapidly moved west- 
ward, stopping for a time in Ohio, then in 
Illinois, and finally to-day rests in the 
famous Valle}- of the Red River of the North 
and^the Park Regions of Minnesota. And 
who shall say where it will next land ? 

The Red River Valley embraces much of 
the finest country on the continent. It ex- 
tends from near the center of the Park 
Regions of Minnesota, west a short distance, 
and then north to the British possessions. 
The Park Regions of Minnesota can best be 



149 



150 



RED KIVEK \ALI.i:y A X D 



described as beginning at tlie Red Iliver and 
extending east and south to the valleys of 
the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The 
surface of the Red River Valley is made up 
almost wholly of rolling prairie land, diversi- 
fied with many groves, which have been set 
out by the thrifty agriculturists who have 
settled here. As you proceed northward the 
surface is more level and less inclined to be 
undulating. As a rule the drainage is excel- 
lent, but in some of the counties on the Min- 
nesota side artificial drainage is necessary to 
attain the highest returns from agricultural 
efforts. Of late years this matter has been 
agitated considerably, and many of the most 
prominent citizens in the valley have taken 
active steps to secure ageneral drainage sys- 
tem throughout the counties of Marshall, 
Polk, Norman, Clay and Wilkin in Minnesota. 
An important convention was held at Crooks- 
ton during the past 3'ear to take steps in 
regard to this matter, and this movement 
will jirove, as time rolls on, one of the most 
im|)ortant "mile posts in the history "of the 
country affected. This matter receives full 
attention in connection with the sketches of 
the prime movers in the woi'k, so it is un- 
necessary to refer to it further here. 
- The soil of the Red River Valley is a rich 
black loam, well adapted to the raising of all 
the cereals. Wheat is the banner crop, 
and the yields of this cereal have excited the 
wonder and admiration of the world. Other 
pi'oducts, however, do remarkably well, and, 
in later years, diversified farming has been 
ra])idly taking the place of exclusive wheat 
raising. Stock-raising, too, both native and 
blooded, is attracting much attention from 
the intelligent class of farmers who have 
found homes here. This is a profitable 
branch of industrj^ all through the West, as 
the pasturage of rich, nutritious native 
grasses is unlimited. 



A 

said 



good 
also 



deal of what has ah-eady been 
applies to the Park Regions of 



Minnesota. There is, however, one material 
difference. The Park Regions are made np 
of interspersed prairie and timber land, and 
are dotted and studded with thousands of 
beautiful lakes, sheets of pure, limpid 
water, bordered by sandy beaches, and 
hemmed in bv magnificent jjroves of native 
timber. These lakes, almost without excep- 
tion, abound with fish, while their shores and 
the adjacent prairie and groves are the re- 
sorts of game of every description. This 
portion of Minnesota is the " home of the 
sportsman and hunter," and each year 
thousands of pleasure seekers from all 
parts of the United States visit the fa- 
mous summer resorts of this region, to fish 
in the clear depths of the beautiful lakes, to 
hunt, or for rest and recreation. The cli- 
mate of the Red River Valley and Park Re- 
gions is excellent. The clear, dry atmos- 
phere and pure, fresh air from off the count- 
less miles of prairie have justly given the 
Northwest the reputation of being among 
the most health\' portions of the globe. 

The very first settlements in the Red River 
Valley were made many years ago. Indeed, 
at a very early day the white man had tra- 
versed this region, hunting and trapping. 
Trading posts for commerce with the Indians 
were maintained, and the famous Hudson 
Bay Fur Company early in the history of 
the Northwest had planted their outposts 
throughout various jiortions of Minnesota 
and North Dakota. These were the fore- 
runners of civilization, but it is impossible 
at this late date to give with any degree of 
accurac}' the names of those who thus 
planted the seeds of settlement in the great 
Northwest. Names and dales have alike 
been lost in the mist of years, the parties 
themselves not knowing how important a 
part they were playing in the history of the 
race. These first pioneers were a hardy set, 
following a wild life of adventure and dan- 
ger far from the haunts of civilization. Trap- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



151 



ping, hunting and trading with the abori- 
gines, they lived nomadic lives; and while 
they accomplished nothing in the way of 
material improvement, they early dissemin- 
ated among the eastern settlements in Can- 
ada itnd the United States descriptions of 
the wondrous beauty, fertility and product- 
iveness of this region. Early in tin; present 
century a colon}' called the Selkirk settle- 
ment was established on the Red River, 
north of the British line, and for a time 
there was some travel and freighting which 
traversed the Park Regions and ^'^alley 
into the United States and to the 
settlements at Fort Snelling and Prairie 
du Chien. And one historian of high reputa- 
tion declares that they ran boats between 
these points via the Minnesota river and 
Red River of the North, getting the boats" 
from one river to the other by means of 
rollers. 

hisThe abundance of game which infested 
this region also drew hunters and trappers 
to its beautiful lakes, prairie and woodlands; 
and as one historian truly writes, "The In- 
dians had for ages made this region a hunt- 
ing and trapping ground; and coukl they 
speak each tree could no doubt tell some 
wild tale of Indian adventure." Wild gan;ie 
of almost every description, buffalo, bear, elk, 
deer, etc., abounded in those early times, and 
many of these animals have only recently be- 
come a thing of the ]mst. Hunting and 
trapping was vei\y profitable. Thus it was 
that for many years before the first actual 
settlement, the Park Regions of Minnesota 
and the Red River Valley, both in Dakota 
and Minnesota, were frequently trod l)y the 
foot of the white man. During the year 
1856 there was a great tide of immigration 
from the East toward the setting sun, and a 
great many whites passed through the Park 
Regions and Red River Valley. A number 
of pioneers had already found homes in the 
Park Regions, and all portions of Minnesota 



were materially benefited, although but few 
found their way into the northwestern part 
of that State. The tide of immigration and 
travel continued until the panic of 1857, 
when the influx of settlei's almost completely 
ceased. Times were very hard all through 
the countr3%but especially was this condition 
of affairs felt in the Northwest. 

Following close upon the financial panic, 
came the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, 
and in August, 1862, was inaugurated the 
terrible Sioux Indi.m outbreak, which 
almost depopulated the whole of the country 
lying northwest of the capital of Minnesota, 
" and crimsoned the fair soil with the blood 
of so many men, women and children. 
Fiendish atrocity, lilood-curdling cruelty 
and red-handed murder ran riot, and the 
growth of the Northwest received a set-back 
from which it took many years to fully 
recover. After the beginning of this ter- 
rible and fiendish warfare, the frontier line 
receded eastward, and the Red River Valley 
and Park Regions were again left in the 
midst of the hostile Indian country, and 
for many months few, if any, white men 
trod this soil. After the settlements in the 
eastern part of Minnesota had partially 
recovered from the first rude shock of the 
outbreak, which fell like a thunderbolt from 
a clear sky, steps were at once taken to 
defend the exposed settlements, to conquer 
the redskins and drive them back. At that 
time the Civil War was in progress, and a 
majority of the able-bodied settlers were in 
the South, fighting for the flag and the 
Union. It therefore required some time to 
muster ti'oops and place them in advanta- 
geous positions to cope with the wily red foe, 
and, in the meantime, the Indians carried 
on their brutal warfare, murdering men, 
women and children, and burning as the}' 
went. 

After considerable delay, the Indians were 
driven back ; soldiers were placed all 



152 



RED RTVER VALLEY AXD 



tlirongli this northwestern country, and the 
|)rairies of a good share of the Park Re- 
gions and Red River Valley were constantly 
pati-olled by the companies of brave sol- 
diers who were detailed for this service. In 
time the redskins were subdued, although 
for a number of years the settlers on the 
extreme frontier lived in a constant state of 
fear and anxiety, not knowing at what time 
the massacre might break out afresh. 
Through these causes soldiers were kept on 
the frontier for some time, and many of the 
present well-to-do and ])rominent citizens 
who are mentioned in this Album selected 
claims while here in the service. When 
peace was again established on the border, 
travel between the settknuents and the 
frontier was again resumed, and the "fron- 
tier line" moved westward very rapidly. 

Immediately after the close of the war, 
all of the Northwest began a very rapid 
development, and all ])ortions of the Tark 
Regions and Red River Yallev received set- 
tlers. Riiilroads began reaching out and in- 
terlocking through the great Northwest, and 
this seems to have been the starting point of 
such an era of rapid development as has 
been the marvel of the times. It has con- 
tinued to the present day. The Northern 
Pacific and the St. Paul & Pacific — now 
the Manitoba system — both reached the 
Red River early in the seventies. After that, 
thousands upon thousands of settlers crowded 
into this favored region, selected farms and 
began improvements. Cities and villages 
have sprung u[) as if by magic, and already, 
before two decades have passed, all kinds of 
material improvement will compare favor- 
ably with any part of the United States. 
Sui)sta,ntial farms were opened all over the 
Noi'thwest ; churches and school-houses soon 
dotted the prairie in all directions, and the 
waving fields of golden grain bespoke the 
wonderful prosperity which prevailed. The 
financial panic of 1S73 caused a slight de- 



pression here, but, as the settlement was 
comparatively recent, and the pioneers an 
excellent class of men, the drawback was 
not a serious one, and the tide of immigra- 
tion continued unabated. The yields of 
crops were enormous, and the prospects in 
every branch of industry or trade were flat- 
tering. 

Nothing has since occurred to seriouslv in- 
terrupt the growth, development and pros- 
perity. Like all new countries, there have 
been years of slight depression, and an oc- 
casional failure of crops, but they are the ex- 
ception to what has been the rule in the his- 
tory of the Northwest. And the native 
energy and enterprise of the inhabitants 
soon overcame such obstacles, and as success 
has always followesi a reverse, the onward 
march of growth, civilization and develop- 
ment has been resumeil with more satisfac- 
torv results tium before. 

Contemplate the changes that have been 
made iiere, and one can not but wonder at 
the marvelous i-esults that have been accom- 
plished within so short a period of time. 
Turn back, as it were, the leaves of Time's 
great book to a period only a quarter of a cen- 
tury ago, and what a contrast. Then ail was 
as nature had formed it. The broad and roll- 
ing prairies were as green then as now; in 
summer a perfect paradise of verdure, with 
its variegated hues of flowers and vegetation; 
in winter a dreary snow mantled desert. 
Selected as a caui])ing and hunting gi'ound 
by the Sioux, with that wonderful apprecia- 
tion of the beautiful which nature has made 
an instinct in the savage, scarcely a sign of 
habitation or civilization existed. It was the 
home of the red man, and the freedom of 
bird and beast reigned supreme. To-day 
what a contrast ! Cities and villages, the 
peer of those which have been centuries 
building, have sprung up as if by magic ; civ- 
ilization and progress are apparent on every 
hand ; comfortable and elegant dwellings are 



PARK REGIONS OF MINXESOTA. 



153 



everywhere visible ; schools and churches 
adorn tlie former bairen prairie ; and the re- 
sult is a prosperous land, filled with an en- 
terpi'ising, intelligent and happy peo])le, and 
the iron horse, swifter than the nimble deer, 
treads the pathway so recenth' the trail of 
the red man. 

The early settlers in this region, as in all 
other localities in pioneer daj's, experienced 
many hardships and disadvantages, but. as a 
rule, they are to-day in comfortable circum- 
stances, and have been well repaid for their 
industry, tenacity and enterprise. The ex- 
cellent class of improvements attest their 
general prosperity. Some of the most 
magnificent farms on the continent are 
found in this region — some devoted to ex- 
clusive grain raising, others to mixed farm- 
ing and stock-raising. No portion of the 
country is better adapted to stock-raising 
and general farming, and the intelligent 
class of farmers who have located here de- 
vote much of their attention to these lines, 
although wheat raising as ^-et is the leading- 
occupation of the husbandmen. 

It has been the endeavor in this volume to 
gather and place in enduring form a history 
of the lives of those Avho have aided in the 
growth and development of the Park Regions 
of Minnesota and the Yallev of the iled 



River of the North; to preserve the lives of 
the old settlers and their recollection of 
pioneer days, together with biographies of 
the pi-ominent 'and representative citizens 
who are to-day or have in the past been 
identified \\ith business interests or the 
growth and develojuuent of the various 
localities. Years roll by so rapidly tiuit 
time is already fast thinning the ranks of 
those who were the forerunners of civiliza- 
tion in the Northwest, and it will be but few 
years until our children and our children's 
children will succeed the present generation, 
and take the places of those who are now 
the leading factors. It is for the purpose of 
gathering the history of the life work of the 
present citizens before it is too late, and 
placing it in an enduring form, that this 
Album has been compiled, as an heirloom 
to posterity ; so that when, in years to come, 
some futui'e historian takes up the pen to 
write of the Northwest and its past, he will 
not have to depend upon the uncertainty of 
tradition, but will have in authentic and 
enduring form a review of the lives of those 
who took part and aided in the early prog- 
ress and development of the Yallev or the 
Red Rivee of the Noeth and the Paek 
Regions of Minnesota. 







^~W^2\ ^^. 








A^ 



^-^^^ri:^^^^-"^^ # "^^. 



rBroGRAPerGAti! 






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BIO G- 1? p rn IC pii «=^^ 











ON. SOLOMON G. COMSTOCK. 
It is doubtful wiietlier, in llie 
'amous Rod Iliver Valley, there is 
a more worthy or distmguishecl subject for 
the pen of tlie biographer than the gentle- 
man whose name heads our ])resent article. 
The present representative in congress from 
the Fifth District, and a man who has for 
years I)een prominent in State affairs, besides 
having, since pioneer days, been closely iden- 
titied with the growth and development 
i)f the Tied River Yalley, his name is 
indissolubly associated with the history of 
that ])ortion of Minnesota of which this vol- 
ume ti'eats. A man who is adverse to detail- 
ing his ]iei'sonal history or the part which 
ho has taken in public affairs, it is but just 
to say that the writer has depended almost 
wholly upon what is pul)lic knowledge and 
record for the facts incor]iorated in the pres- 
ent sketch. 

Mr. Comstock was born in Penobscot 
county, Maine, on the 9th of May, lS-i2, and 
is a son of Hon. James M. and Louisa M. (Gill- 
man) Comstock, who were natives, respect- 
ively of Penobscot and Waldo counties, in 
the same State, and resided in the town of 



Passadunikeag. The father, James M. Com- 
stock, was a prominent man in the locality 
in which he lived ; represented his district in 
the legislature, was chairman of the board 
of selectmen, and otherwise took a leading- 
part in the affairs of his home county. He 
was a man of even temperament, and a 
large man physically. Among his neighbors 
he wielded a large influence, and his advice 
and counsel were widely i'es])ected. He was 
a republican in political matters, from the 
formation of that pai'ty until his death, 
which occurred June 3, 1S85. His widow 
still lives in her native State. James M. 
Comstock and wife became the parents of 
four children, as follows: Solomon G., 
William G., Edgar F. and Ada L., now Mrs. 
J. W. Smart. 

The grandparents of Solomon G. Com- 
stock on his father's side were Solomon 
Comstock, a native of Smithfield, llhode 
Island, and his wife Rebecca (Robinson) 
Comstock, who was born at St. George, 
Maine. To carry the genealogy back one 
de'-i'ce farther, the father of Solomon Com- 
stock was Israel Comstock. who was raised 
in Rhode Island, and who was a federalist 



157 



158 



JiED KIVER VALLEY AND 



aiul an officer during the Revolutionary 
War. 

On tlie maternal side the lineage of ISolo- 
mon Ct. Comstock runs back to the old and 
famous Gillman family of New Hampshire. 
His mother's j)arents were Jficholas and 
Ruth (Coombs) Gillman, who were natives 
of Gillmanton, New Hampshire, and Isles- 
borough, Maine, respectively. 

Solomon G. Comstock, who is our present 
subject, was raised upon the home farm, and 
taught to do his full share of the manual 
labor connected with carrying on the farm, 
and also aided his father in the lumber busi- 
ness. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-one years of age, attending the com- 
mon schools in the meantime. He then 
attended the Wesleyan Seminary and the 
Hampden and Corinth Academies. In 1S68 
he came West, and took a course in the law 
department of the Michigan University at 
Ann Arbor. Previous to this, before leaving 
his native State, he had studied law in the 
office of Judge Humphrey, at Bangor, Maine. 
In 1869 he was admitted to the bar at 
Omaha, Nebraska, and practiced there for a 
short time. He then went to Minneapolis, 
where, for a few months, he studied law in 
the office of D. A. Secombe. About this 
time the settlement of the Red River Yalley 
was beginning to set in, and he joined the 
throng. He arrived in Moorhead in the 
fall of 1871, and that place has since been 
his home. He was jioor, but full of vigor, 
hope and talents. He opened a law office, 
and was shortly appointed by the board 
of countv commissioners county attorney, 
which office he held, and performed its 
exacting duties with great ability, honesty 
and success for six years. He dropped out 
of active practice of law in 1881, his real 
estate business and legislative duties taking 
up his entire time. In 1880 he formed a 
partnership with A. A. White, Esq., to deal 
in real estate and town sites, and the firm has 



met with unqualified success. He also car- 
ries on fanning operations (juite extensively. 

Mr. Comstock's legislative service com- 
menced in 1ST5, he having been returned by 
the people to the lower house of the Minne- 
sota legislature, and he has been elected to 
the liouse or senate at every election since 
except in 1878, when he declined to run. 
He served in the house until 1883, when he 
was promoted to the senate, in which body 
he served three sessions, viz.: 1883, 1885 and 
1887, and had the session of 1889 before 
him when elected to conjiress. He earlv 
took a leading position in the house, and 
was invariablv connected with prominent 
committees, and, as a matter of course, i)i'om- 
inently identified with the most vital legis- 
lative questions and enactments of the day. 
At the session of 1887 he was chairman of 
the judiciary committee of the senate — the 
leading committee. He was also chairman 
of the temperance committee, and was a 
member of the railroad, normal school and 
public school committees. He assisted 
largel}' in forming the railroad bill that wixs 
passed in 1885. In 1882 he was made by 
his friends a candidate for attorney -general, 
and only lacked three votes of nomination. 
In 1884 he was made a candidate for lieuten- 
ant-governoi', but made no active canvass for 
the place; he has frequently been men- 
tioned for governor. In the fall of 1888 he 
was elected member of congress from the 
Fifth District of Minnesota, and at present 
fills that position. His majority in the dis- 
trict was 7,519. 

Mr. Comstock has always taken an active 
and leading part in all public affairs of the 
locality in which he lives, and every move or 
enterprise calculated to benefit his town or 
region has always received his active sup- 
port and cooperation. A warm friend of 
education, it was he who introduced the bill 
locating the normal school at Moorhead and 
securing lai'ge appropriations for carrying 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



159 



on the work, and lie donated six acres of 
valuable city property for the site. In fact, 
everything in the way of developing the re- 
sources of Clay and adjoining counties — 
such projects as building churches, schools, 
or securing factories and railroads — every 
worthy project, has always been aided by 
his enterprise and liberality. 

Mr. Comstock was mai-ried in May, 1874, 
to Miss Sarah Ball, of Minneapolis, and 
they are the parents of three children — Ada 
L., Jessie M. and George M. Mrs. Corn- 
stock is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah 
(Haylet) Ball, of Wright county, Minnesota. 



J^KON. HALVER STEENERSON, one of 
JL''^ the most prominent members of the 
bar of Polk county, Minnesota, <i resident of 
Crookston, has been largely identified with 
the public life of this portion of the State, 
and has been christened by the St. Paul pa- 
pers " the tall Sycamore of the Northwest.'' 
He is a man of State-wide reputation. 

Mr. Steenerson first saw the light in Dane 
county, Wisconsin, June 30, 1852, and is the 
son of Steener and Betse}' (Roholt) Knute- 
son. His fathei', who was a native of Nor- 
way, removed with his family, in 1853, to 
Houston county, Minnesota, where they 
were among the very earliest settlers. Tak- 
ing up a claim there, he made his home 
there until 1875, when he came to Polk 
county, then on the frontier of civilization, 
and took up a claim on section 30, of the 
town of Vineland, brought it into cultiva- 
tion and made it into a fine farm. There he 
made his home until the day of his death, in 
October, ISSl. His widow still resides on 
the homestead. 

The subject of our sketch was reared upon 
his father's farm, and received his early edu- 
cation in the rough log-cabin school-houses 
of the period, in Houston county, and spent 



]iart of the time in assisting his parents in 
the arduous duties devolving upon all who 
" till the soil and turn the unwilling glebe." 
After two years spent in the graded 
schools of Rushford, Mr.Steenerson, at the age 
of seventeen, essayed school teaching in the 
southern part of the State, and followed the 
life of a pedagogue for several years, still as- 
sisting his father on the farm in the interim. 
Being dissatisfied with the limited capabili- 
ties of that profession, and possessing a 
large share of natural energy of character, 
he desired a larger field for action. In 
1875, in company with a gentleman, O. Pe- 
terson, he made a trip to the south shore of 
Lake Superior, where, as partners, they took 
a contract to grade a certain portion of the 
railroads then lieing built in that part of the 
country. On the completion of their labors, 
they found that they had made a good fair 
profit, Init had some difficult}' in obtaining 
their money, that being the time of the 
financial crisis that virtually stojtped all pub- 
lic as well as private improvement. This 
finally being settled, the same year Mr. 
Steenerson entered the office of Greenman & 
Abbey, attorneys and agents of the Conti- 
nental Insurance Company, of Austin, Min- 
nesota, soliciting for them in the sum- 
mer and spending the winter months in 
their ofiice, engaged in the study of law, 
he having a natural bent toward that 
learned profession. He remained with 
that company until the fall of 1877, when, 
going to Chicago, he entered the Union Law 
College, and devoted his entire and unwearied 
attention to the study of the principles and 
practice of that profession with excellent re- 
sults. He remained in that institution until 
June 6, 1878, when he was admitted to the 
bar at a term of the Supreme Court of Illi- 
nois, after which he returned to Minnesota, 
and that fall opened a law ofiice at Lanes- 
boro, Fillmore county. In the autumn of 
1879, in search of a newer locality, he came 



i6o 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



to the Red River Valley, and, after spending 
a week in Crookston, decided to settle there, 
beinfr satisfied with the outlook for the fut- 
ure prosperity of that place. Accordingly, 
early in the spring of 1880, he came to this 
section of the country, leaving Lanesboro on 
the 0th of April. Siiortly after his ai-rival 
Mr. Steenerson opened and established him- 
self in the })ractice, and, by unwearied assi- 
duity and diligence in the interests of his 
numerous clients, has brought himself into 
prominence as a talented anil competent 
member of tlie bar. 

But it is in his public career inthis section 
that Mr. Steenerson is most widely known. 
At the fall election of ISSO lie was chosen 
county attorney on an independent ticket, 
and served one term. In the fall of 18S2, 
being nominated by the republican conven- 
tion for the office of State senator, he was 
elected with a liandsome majority, and 
graced the halls of tiie twenty-third and 
twenty -fourth sessions. During his term of 
office, he was among the most active and in- 
fluential members, and ably rejiresented his 
constituents. His ability and cleai'-headed 
judgment made iiim a favorite among his 
fellow senators. -iuid his usefulness was be- 
yond compare, lie has always been closeh' 
identified with the re])u1)lican party, and 
was chosen one of the delegates from this 
district to the national republican conven- 
tion at Chicago, in 1884, wiiich nominated 
James G. Blaine for the presidency, and at 
the convention of 1888, which placed in nom- 
ination for the highest office in the gift of the 
people the ])i'esent president, Benjamin Ilai*- 
rison. In both of these asseuUjlages Mr. 
Steenerson bore a ])roniinent and admirable 
])art. At the State convention, at St. Paul, 
in September, 1888, he was also present as a 
delegate, and made the speech placing in 
nomination for governor the name of Hon. 
W. R. Merriam, whicli was applauded to 
tlie echo, says the Pioneer Press. 



In the fall of 1887 Mr. Steenerson was 
chosen city attorney by the qualified voters 
of Crookston, who appreciate his probity 
and talents, and in August, 1888, was 
elected a member of the city council. He is, 
aiso, an active and zealous member of the 
city board of education, all of which posi- 
tions he fills, or has filled, to the utmost sat- 
isfaction of all concerned. 

Tlie subject of this personal menujir was 
united in marriage November 18, 1878, with 
Miss Mary Fjaagesund, a native of Norway, 
and daughter of Cliristopher and Mary 
Fjaagesund. By this union their heartli 
has been brightened by the birth of four 
children, only two of whom are living — 
Clara and Benjamin. 

Mr. Steenerson is socially connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
religiously with the Evangelical Lutheran 
chui'ch. 



-f^^-» 



>^f ON. FRED VON BAUMBACH, ex-sec- 
JL'^^IlL retary of state of ]\Iinnesota, is the 
present auditor of Douglas county, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of Ilessen-Cassel, Ger- 
many, and was born August 30, 1838. 
His parents were I-ewis and Minnie 
(Schenck)jY()n Baumbach. and were natives 
of the same ])lace. The father was a very 
prominent man in Germany, l)eing a mem- 
ber of the German parliament in 1848, and 
in the revolution of 1848 was so prominent 
that he was forced to abandon his home for 
the time being. He was one of the wealth}', 
pi'ominent men of Germany. In 1849 he 
came to America, settling in Ohio, where he 
remained five years. Here he turned his 
attention to farming. In 1854 he came to 
Milwaukee, wliere ho held the office of Ger- 
man consul until 188:2. He died in Milwau- 
kee in 1884; tlie mother died in 1870. This 
family numbers six children : Earnest, now 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



i6i 



a capitalist of Milwaulcee, Wisconsin ; Moritz, 
a meniber of the Merchants' Exchange Bank 
of the same city ; William, also a capitalist ; 
Charles, a wholesale druggist of Milwaukee ; 
Fred, and Klotilde, now Mrs. Von Kalten- 
born, of Milwaukee. 

The subject of this sketch spent his 
younger days in school, while his parents 
resided in Ohio. When the family removed 
to Milwaukee he was employed for a time 
as a clerk in a retail house. He then was 
appointed deputy city treasurer, which office 
he held for three years. At the end of this 
period he took a trip to Texas. This Avas in 
1860, and he returned in 1861. On the 
breaking out of the Rebellion he served in 
the Fifth Wisconsin Regiment, Com]mn\' C, 
as a private. He rose to the rank of second 
lieutenant in 1862, and later in the same 
year received acomnnssion as first lieutenant, 
which office he held until 1863, when he was 
commissioned captain of Company K, of 
the Thirty-Fifth Wisconsin Regiment. He 
I'eceived a major's commission in September, 
1865, and in March, 1866, was mustered out 
under that title. Mr. Von Baumbach saw 
much severe service during the Rebellion. 
He was in the following engagements : 
Battle of Yorktown, AVilliamsburg, seven 
day's battle at Richmond, second battle of 
Bull Run, Antietam, the battle of Fi'edericks- 
burg, the siege of Mobile, and in many 
smaller battles and skirmishes. After be- 
ing mustered out of service, he returned to 
Wisconsin and settled in Fond du Lac, 
where he engaged in the drug business. In 
1867 he was burned out, and at this time he 
moved to Douglas county, Minnesota. Hefirst 
settled near Brandon, where he took a home- 
stead of 160 acres. Soon after, he purchased 
160 acres more adjoining his homestead, 
all of which land he improved, living thereon 
until March, 1873, when he was elected 
, county auditor. In 1879 he qualified as 
secretary of state of the State of Minnesota, 



which office he held for seven years. Then, 
on account of the sickness of the county 
auditor of Douglas county, after he returned 
to Douglas county, he took charge of that 
office. In the fall of 1888 he was elected 
county auditor, which ])osition he now holds. 
Mr. Von Baumljacli has held numerous 
important positions in the government of the 
respective towns in which he has lived 
and also in the State. He was town clerk 
at Brandon, and is now a member of the 
board of education of the city of Alexandria, 
Minnesota. In 1875 Mr. Von Baumbach 
purchased a farm adjoining the city of Alex- 
andria, which he has been conducting since 
that date. He is also interested in the drug 
business at Alexandria, under the firm name 
of Von Baumbach A: Morisse. He is a stock- 
holder in the First National Bank, and also 
owns stock in the furniture manufacturine: 
company of Alexandria. 

Mr. Von Baumbach entered the state of 
matrimony in 1863, in which year he was 
married to Miss Sarah Decker, of Oconomo- 
woc, Wisconsin, daughter of Talman Decker. 
Mr. and Mrs. Von Baumbach have two 
adopted children — Minnie and Jacob. 

Mr. Von Baumbach is a stanch repub- 
lican in politics, and while he has resided in 
Minnesota has been thoroughly identified 
with the principles of the republican party, 
and has at all times been one of the leaders 
in its councils. He is a member of the 
Masonic and I. O. 0. F. fraternities, as well 
as the Grand Army of the Republic and the 
Loyal Legion of Ilonoi'. He is one of the 
solid business men of Alexandria, and is 
prominent in all matters that pertain to the 
financial welfare of this city. 



^^DMLIND M. WALSH. Prominent 
Xi^^ among the first pioneers of Crookston, 
Minnesota, and representative citizens of 
Polk county is the present clerk of court, Mr. 



1 62 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



Walsh. In June, 1872, he came to this 
phice, and being favorably impressed by its 
lofution and evident ])roiiiise, embarked in 
business, opening a tinsmith's shop. At 
that ])eriod Crookston was as yet in embryo, 
the business of the place being represented 
by the I'ailroad contractors' store, two saloons 
and a boarding-house, all of which, like those 
of early days in California, were kept in tents. 
Mr. Walsh priicui'ing some lumber at (ii'and 
Forks, hauled it to Crookston with the aid of 
an ox-team. With this material he put up a 
fair edifice, one of the first permanent struct- 
ures in the j)lace, some two or three others 
being erected about the same time. 

Mr. Walsh remained in the tinner's busi- 
ness until the spring of 1873, when, forming 
a copartnership with William Iloss, and 
purchasing the general merchandise stock 
and building of Bruns »fe Finkie, put the two 
store buildings together, and opened up in 
the general merchandise, hardware and tin 
business. Although the track was laid to 
the town during the summer, trains were not 
run much before the frosts of early winter 
came, and when the ice king had bound up 
the river in his frigid chain, and boats could 
no longer ply upon it, business being but 
light, all traffic over the line was susjiended 
for the winter. The merchants of Crookston 
were then com]ieiled to get their freight 
from Glvndon the best way tliey could. 
Early in the winter they fitted up a, Hat car 
witli mast and sail, witii wiiicii tliey ran over 
the road and with which they could curry their 
o-oods from tiie teiiuination of tiie road to 
Crookston. When tiie snow came, sledges 
drawn l>y oxen oi' dogs replaced tiieir car- 
vacht. The merchants of the i)lace laijored 
under these disadvantages every winter un- 
til 1875, when the railioad was operated 
more regularly. 

The subject of our sketch was engaged in 
Inisiness with Mr. lioss until 1880, and then 
purchased the interest of the latter, who re- 



tired, lie carried on the store until 1884r, 
when lie sold out, since which time he has de- 
voted his entire attention to his official duties 
and the management of his ])ersonal estate. 
Mr. Walsh, who is one of the most popular 
men in the community, has l)een trusted for 

j many years by the people in one of the pub- 
lic offices. He was the first ])ostmaster in 

I the village of Crookston, having been ap- 
pointed to that i)osition in 1872, and held it 
for twelve consecutive years. When the 
county then embracing all the territory now 
known as Polk and Xornian counties was 

! organized in the fall of 1872. Mr. Walsh be- 

I came auditor, and filled that responsible ])Ost 

i foi- thi-ee years. In 188G he was elected by 
the people of the county to the office of 
clerk of the district court, and is the re- 
spected incumbent of that office. When 
Crookston was incorporated, in 187S, Mr. 
AValsh was chosen one of the lii'st council, 
and in 1SS5 was elected mayor. 

The subject of this memoir was born in 
Essex count}', New York, March 2, 1851, 
and is the son of Thomas and Eleanor Walsh. 
In 1857, when he was but six years of age, 
his parents removed to Minnesota and located 
at Flenderson, Sibley county. His father 

; remained in that town, quietly pursuing his 
ci'aft, until the breaking out of the Civil War, 
when "the tramp of marching millions 
echoed through the land, '"when, imhuetl with 
a strong s|)irit of patriotism, lie enlisted and 
served some four years. After tlie close of 
hostilities he returned to Henderson and en- 
tei'etl into the mei'cantile trade, and was ap 
pointed postmaster. In thespringof ISTohe 
removed to (Trand Forks, where he j>ut up and 
oi)erated a saw mill andastoi'e, which he sold 
out to tiie Hudson I!ay Company in 1875 
He served as register of deeds of Ci-and 

j Forks county for five years, and still lives 
there, enjoying, in his declinitig years, the 
fruits of a life spent in industry and honor- 
able labor. 



PARK' REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



163 



Edmund M. Walsh grew to manliood in 
Siblev county, enjoying tiie usual facilities 
for education, and remained with his ])arents 
until the date of the latter's removal to 
Grand Forks. lietookchargeofand wounduj) 
liis father's business in Henderson, and then 
started out in life for himself. His only capital 
at the time was about ^30, twenty of which 
he paid for railroad fare to where the track 
was then laid in Grant county, from which 
point he walked to Grand Forks. After a 
week's sojourn there, he went to Winnipeg, 
Manitoba, where he was employed at his 
trade, which was that of a tinsmith, until the 
following spring, •when he came to Crookston, 
as above related. 

Since his advent here Mr. Walsh has been 
noted as one of the most successful business 
men of the place, owing entirely to his dili- 
gence, energy and tact. Starting in life 
there with comparatively nothing, he has, 
by his own exertions, succeeded in accumula- 
ting a comfortable competence. He is the 
owner, at present, of some 1,00( t acres of good, 
arable farm land, 400 of which is under cul- 
tivation, besides real estate in the city to the 
value of !?1U,UOO. He is one of the promi- 
nent members of the Masonic fraternity, be- 
ing in good standing in Crookston lodge, No. 
141, A. F. it A. M.; Pierson Chapter, No. 
40, R. A. M.; and Crookston Commandery, 
No. 20, K. T., in all of which he has office. 

Mr. Walsh was married in November, 
1874, to ]\[iss Emma Barrett, of Crookston, 
and they are the parents of five children, 
namely — William M., George H., Ella M., 
Edward and Clifford. 



-*•- 



«^- 



LOF J. SWENSON, of Plerman, Grant 
count}', Minnesota, is a dealer in gen- 
eral merchandise, and one of the success- 
ful and prominent Inisiness men of the Park 



Regions, and as such well deserves notice 
in this Album. Born in Sweden, he comes 
of that sturdy nationality which has fur- 
nished Minnesota and Dakota with so many 
of its most successful and valuable citizens, a 
nation proverbial for their industry, frugality 
and integrity. He first saw the light on the 
12th of January, 1851, in Vermland, a province 
or county of his native kingdom. Plis parents, 
Nils and Johanna (Olson) Swenson, came 
with their family to the United States in 
1868, and settled in Douglas county, Minne- 
sota, where the mother died. The father 
died in the Black Hills. Nils Swenson and 
wife were the parents of eight children, one 
of whom died when ten years of age. Their 
names were — Olof J., Maria, Johanna, 
Ililnia, Swen, So])hia, Anna and Nils. Olof 
J. Swenson was reared amid the picturesque 
hills and vallevs of his fatherland, imbibing- 
those principles of integrity which charac- 
terize the race from which he springs. Re- 
ceiving a common education up to the time 
he was seventeen, he then, until he was 
twenty-one, assisted his father in carrying 
on the home farm, and came to the United 
States with the family in 1868. After farm- 
ing for several years in Douglas county, Min- 
nesota, he then went to tiie Black Hills. 
Dakota Territory, where he was employed 
at prospecting and various kinds of labor 
for thirteen months. At the expiration of 
that time he returned to Douglas countv, 
Minnesota, and in 1S71> went to Herman, in 
Grant county, where he has since remained. 
For several years he clerked in the store of 
J. K. Van Doren, and then established a 
bilhard'halland fruit and confectionery store, 
which he conducted for about two 3'ears. 
He next embarked in the general mercantile 
trade, in companv with Gustof Rudberg and 
P. F. Nordbv, but two vears later he bou2:ht 
out theinterestof his associates and has since 
conducted the business alone. He carries a 
large and well assorted stock of goods, and 



1 64 



RED RIl-J-.K VALLEY A AD 



his genial and honorable manner of doing 
business iiave earned him a steady and ever 
increasing trade. He has always taken an 
active interest in. all matters of a public 
nature, has held various local offices, and 
every enterprise of a public nature calculated 
to benefit either his town or county always 
receives his active support and coopera- 
tion. 

Mr. Swenson was married in June, 1882, 
to Miss Kose Brown, a native of New York, 
and their union lias been blessed by the 
birth of two children— Cleveland A¥. and 
Eugene W. 

In political matters our subject affiliates 
witii the republican party. 



-^^ 



-«-: 



^3# ILLIAM P. LONG, a i^'oniinont 
IfePaiif and successful merchant of the 
Park Eegions, is a resident of the village of 
Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, where 
he is engaged in the general merchandising 
business, in partnership with II. Flore, the 
linn name being Long & Flore. Mr. Long 
is a native of Illinois, born in Pike county, 
on the 23d day of February, 1842, and is 
the son of William and Mary (Gose) Long, 
natives of the State of Virginia. The\' were 
married in that State and moved to Pike 
county, Illinois, in about 1S3S. The father 
of the present subject was a farmer through 
life, and died in the State of Illinois in 1847. 
The Hujther of our subject was again mar- 
ried, in lS5(t, to Mr. Toner, and they are 
residing on the old homestead in Pike 
county. The mother of jMr. Long was 
blessed with one child, William P., by her 
first husband, and the fruits of her second 
marriatie were the following named chil- 
dren — Joseph, Louisa, Jessie and Ellen. 

Ml". Long, of whom this memoir treats, 
remained in his native State until he was 



twenty-one years old. During that time he 
attended the excellent common schools of 
Pike county, and in the summers assisted 
his father operate the home farm. In 1SG3, 
he removed to Minnesota and settled in 
Stearns county, where he remained two 
years, during which time he was on the 
road considerable, back to his old home, to 
Chicago, Illinois, etc. From Stearns county 
he removed to Devil's Lake, Dakota Terri- 
tory, where he secured a clerkship in the 
general merchandising store of C. A. Ruffee. 
He remained with him for one 3'ear, and 
then paid a visit to his old home, and, after 
remaining there some time, went to Osakis, 
Douglas county, Minnesota. He secured a 
l)osition in D. Stevenson's store. Mr. Long 
remained in that ca))acity for three years, 
and at the expiration of that time was 
offered a position as clerk in the store of 
j J. B. Johnson. He accepted, and remained 
with Mr. Johnson foi' ten years. In 1882 
Mr. Long then entei'ed into the general 
merchandising business in partnership with 
Mr. Lyons, the firm name being L^'ons, 
Long & Co. At the expiration of two years 
the firm sold out, and our subject formed a 
partnership, in the same business, with H. 
Flore. They have since followed the busi- 
ness in the village and are doing a large and 
increasing trade. They carry a full line of 
goods, and are one of the heaviest firms in 
the county. 

Mr. Long was united in nuirriage, Octo- 
ber 30, 1871, to Miss Sarah E. Tannehill, 
and this union has been blessed with the 
following-named cliildron — May, Effie and 
Clyde. Mr. Long is one of the prominent 
business citizens in the village and county, 
and has held various offices, such as presi- 
dent of the village, etc. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and a re|)ublican in 
politics. He is one of Osakis' representa- 
tive men, and an active participant in all 
local matters. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



lbs 



iptUGH THOMPSON, tlie well-known 
rti banker, and the oldest settler in the 
village of Fialier, Polk county, llinnesota, is 
a native of Canada. He was liorn in Ilem- 
mingford, East Canada, on the 4th day of 
July, 1S50, and is the son of John and Mary 
((rraham) Tlionipsoii, natives of Canada. 
The family consisted of the following named 
children — Thomas, James, Adam, Eliza, 
Mary and Diana. 

Mr. Thompson, the suhject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, lived on the home farm, 
attending the common schools of his native 
country until he had attained the age of 
sixteen years. In 1866 he removed to St. 
Croix county, Wisconsin, where he secured 
a position in the general merchandise store 
of Thompson Bros., as clerk, and remained 
in that position for four years. At the ex- 
piration of that time he went to Menomonee, 
Wisconsin, where he clerked for the firm of 
Knapp, Stout ct Com])any, for four years, 
and then removed to Crookston, Minnesota, 
where he went into the employ of A. O. 
Eailey, and took charge of a store for him. 
In 1875 he moved to Fisher, Polk county, 
Minnesota, being the first settler in that 
place. He at once opened a general mer- 
chandise store, and for ten years was en- 
gaged in that business. He then sold his 
store and engaged in the milling and bank- 
ing business, in which he has since been 
occupied. He owns a large steam mill, and 
is doing an extensive milling business in that 
locality. He heats his mill with steam, and 
it is, without doubt, one of the best mills in 
that region. When Mr. Thompson first set- 
tled in Fisher, he experienced very hard 
times. The trains ran on that route only in 
the sununer. and during the winters the 
jirovisions, clothing, etc., had to be brought 
overland from Moorhead, a distance of 
seventy-five miles. There was a trading 
post on the Red Lake Indian reservation 
and Mr. Thompson made a great many 



trips with a dog team over the snow-covered 
jirairies, in his intercourse with the Indians. 
Sometimes during the long, tedious winters 
food became very scarce, and our subject 
relates that he many a time had only a mess 
of fish for breakfast, fully realizing the old 
saying of " Catfish or no breakfast." While 
in Crookston Mr. TlifJinpson participated in 
the first educational movement in that place. 
There wei'e no schools of any kind at that 
time, and in 1874 the citizens decided to 
form a school. Mr. Jocobus and ]\Ir. Porger 
were appointed as a committee to raise the 
necessary funds for a teacher. After con- 
siderable effort he succeeded in raising $75, 
and at once sent to St. Paul, Minnesota, to 
secure a teacher. Accordingly a Miss Luella 
Thompson soon accepted the ]iosition, and at 
once assumed her duties. 

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage on 
the 15th day of December, 1875, to Miss 
Luella Thompson, a native of St. Paul, 
Minnesota, and the daughter of Samuel and 
Phoebe Thompson. The fruit of this union 
has been one child, Luella May. Mrs. 
Thompson passed away on the 10th of 
July, 1888, sincerely mourned by all. She 
was an accomplished lady and a natural 
artist. Many of her paintings have been on 
exhibition in Minneapolis and St. Paul and 
received high ])raise from good critics. 

Mr. Thompson owns the town site, and is 
one of the substantial businessmen of the vil- 
lage. He has held the following offices — 
President of the village council, county com- 
missioner, and surveyor-general of the logs 
and lumber in the Seventh district. He, 
wnth his family, belong to the Presbyterian 
church. He is a member of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, Fisher Lodge, 
No. 87. He was the first jiostmaster in 
Fisher village. He has one of the finest 
residences in the ]ilace. A man of the ut- 
most honor and integrity, his word is as 
good as a bond. Enterprising and i)ublic- 



1 66 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



spirited, every enterprise calculated to betie- 
lit either liis town or counl\' receives his 
active support and encouragement. 



-»-! 



.-^^ 



\ IMON LARSON, of Ashbv, Grant coun- 
ty, Minnesota, is a dealer in general 
merchandise and is one of the successful and 
well-known business men of the Park Reg- 
ions, and as such well deserves notice in this 
Alium. Born in Norway, he comes of that 
sturdy nationality whicii has fui'nished 
Dakota and Minnesota witii so many of 
their most successful and valual)le citizens — 
a nation proverbial for their industry, frugal- 
ity and integrity. Mr. Larson was born 
amid tiu^ ])icturesque hills of his native land 
on the 8tii day of April, ISIJ-i, and was the 
youngest child of Lars and "S\av\ (.Tacobson) 
Hanson, natives of the same kingdom. Up 
to the age of fourteen years, Simon attended 
the common schools of his fathorlatul, early 
imbibing those principles whicli so distinguish 
the nationality from which he springs. The 
family consisted of six children, whose names 
were Hans, Jacob, Carrie and Simon, the 
subject of this article, and Mary and Simon, 
who died. 

From the age of fourteen until he was 
twenty-one, Simon worked at various em- 
ployments, including farming, mining, rail- 
roading, steamboat Avork, etc. In the 
year lS('i3 I\[r. Larson decided to seek a live- 
lihood in a free countiy, and accordingly 
embarked on a sailing vessel lor the United 
States. After a voyage of twelve days he 
landed in Quebec, Canada, going from there 
to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained 
for a few days, viewing the busy life and 
activity of a western city. From St. Paul he 
went to Rice county, Minnesota, where he 
workeil at the stone mason's trade for five 
years. Still desirous of viewing the different 
localities, he went to Northfield, working at 



the stone mason's tiade for five years, then 
removing to Grant county, of the same 
State. In 1873 he homesteaded a farm on 
section 3, Pelican Lake township, and has 
since successfully operated this tract of land. 
In 1882 he opened a dry goods and grocery 
store in Ashby. and has since run the same 
in connection with his farm. His farm com- 
prises 900 acres of well cultivated land, and 
he carries a full line of dry goods and gro- 
ceries in the store. 

Mr. Larson was united in marriage in 1866 
to Miss Carrie Peterson, and this union has 
been blessed with eight children, two of 
whom are deceased, as follows — Peter, Maiy, 
Lena, Julia, Sophia and Clara living. Lewis 
died when but six weeks old, and one named 
j\Iary died when eight months old. !Mr. 
Larson with his family belong to the Lu- 
theran church. He has held the office of 
village treasurer for one year. In ])olitical 
matters he affiliates with the republican 
jiartv and takes an active interest in that 
]>arty's campaigns. 



iB)OBERT BERNON MUMFORD, the 




'^V agent for the Northern Pacific rail 
road lines, and a resident of Glyndon village. 
Clay county, Minnesota, is a native of Con- 
necticut. He was born in New London, Con- 
necticut, in 1S42, and is a son of James and 
Clarissa (Kenyon ) M umfoi-d, natives of Rliotie 
Island, where the father was an extensive 
farmer and stock-raiser. They had a family 
of seven chiklreii, thi-ee of whom are now liv- 
ings — Elizabeth, now l\frs. William Smith, 
of Connecticut; James A., now engaged in 
the real estate business in Minneapolis, Min- 
nesota, and Robert Bernon, the subject of 
this article. The father died in 1870, and 
the mother passed away in 1870, both dying 
in Connecticut. James Mumford, Sr., was. 
the son of Nathaniel ]\[uniford, a native of 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXXESOTA. 



167 



Eliode Island and an extensive land owner 
and fannei'. lie was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War and was of English descent. 
Clarissa (Kenyon I Miunford was the daugh- 
ter of Gi'eeu Ken3'on, a native of Rhode 
Island, and of Irish descent. 

The subject of this article was reared to 
farm life, and received a common school edu- 
cation, remaining at home until he was sixteen 
years of age. lie then secured the position 
of clerk in a- general store in N^orwich, Con- 
necticut, and remained at that occupation 
until 1862. lie then enlisted in Company B, 
Twent\'-sixth Connecticut Infantry, as first 
sergeant. lie enlisted for nine months, but 
served twelve. He participated in a number 
of hard engagements ; was at Port Hudson, 
and was under tire for forty -two days. After 
the war he returned to his home and bought 
200 acres of land about three miles from 
Norwich City, Connecticut, where he re- 
mained three years. In 187<i he settled in 
Duluth, IMinnesota, where he was engaged 
in the grocery business for two years. Mr. 
Mumford then moved to Rochester, Min- 
nesota, at which place he was occupied in 
buying and selling all grades of cattle. After 
three years' sojourn in that jilace, he moved 
to Clay county, j\[innesota, driving 200 cows. 
In partnership with a Mr. Tenny, he started 
a cheese factory in Glyndon. At this time, 
in 1875, they distributed the stock around 
among the farmers, and Mr. Tenny managed 
the factt)ry wiiiie Mr. Mumford watched the 
stock. In 1S7S Mr. Mumford commenced 
his present l)usiness, and did a great deal 
toward the settlement of Richland county, 
Dakota Territory. He now handles land, 
principally in Dakota and has a 160-acre 
farm on section 12, Glyndon township, which 
he took as a soldier's claim in 1877. He is 
engaged extensively in general farming and 
raising of graded cattle, having some stock 
which he brou"'ht here with him that took 
the first premium at the county fair. Be- 



sides the farm, Mr. Mumford owns land in 
Brainerd and Minneapolis. 

Mr. Mumford was married in Connecticut 
to Miss Helen Phillips, a native of that State 
and a daughter of George and Mary (Meech) 
Phillips, who were natives of Connecticut. 
Mary (^Meech) Phillips was the daughter of 
Deacon Charles Meech, a native of Scotland, 
who came to this country with his brother, 
Stephen, on account of religious persecutions 
in the Old World. He was a deacon in the 
Presbyterian church for fifty years, and was 
an extensive farmer in Preston Cit\'. The 
ancestry of the wife of the present subject 
were of English descent, her grandmother on 
the Phillips side bejng Nancy Rose. As far 
as can be traced, they were devoted to agri- 
cultural pursuits. Mr. Mumford and wife 
are the parents of the following children — 
Arthur, Hamilton, Hale, James and Maurice. 
Mary died in September, 1887, aged eight 
months. Mr. Mumford was chairman of the 
board of supervisors in 1875, and is one of 
the leading men in Clay county. He is a 
I'epublican in his political affiliations, and is a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 



/^\LAF DAHLHEIM, theleadinghardware 
^^^ dealer of Evansville, Douglas county, 
Minnesota, is a native of Sweden. He was 
born in Nerike, February 2, 1811, and is the 
son of William Olaf and IgeborgC. Larson, 
natives of that kingdom. The father was a 
farmer, and lived and died in Sweden, as did 
also the mother. They were the parents of 
the following children — Lars, Igeborg, Olaf, 
Per, Johan, Andrew, Carl and August. 

Olaf Dahlheim. the subject of this biograph- 
icalslvctch, spent his school days in Nora and 
Stockholm, Sweden, until reaching the age 
of twenty -one. Leaving the military school 
at Stockholm in 1802, he came to the LTnited 
States in October, landing at New York 
City, ami going, eventually, to Red Wing, 



i68 



KKP KIVER VALLEY AND 



Minnesota. From there he went to Cairo, 

Illinois, where lie enlisted in tiie United 
8tiites nn\_v. He served on the United 
States giini)oat "Ibex" until August G, 
1865, when he was discharged at Mound 
Citv, Illinois. He again returned to Red 
Wing, Minnesota, and leniained at that 
place for a year or two, and then went to 
Doughxs county, Minnesota. He took al60- 
acre liomestead in Evansville township, on 
which he lived for five years, and, in 1873, 
he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, remain- 
ing there eight years, engaged in business 
for Arthur A. Pond in the house furni.siiing 
goods business. Our subject then returned 
to Evansville and engaged in the iiar(hvare_ 
business, at which he lias since been enyag-ed. 
He carries a lull liiu> of heavv ami shelf 
hardware,and eai'rieson a successful business. 
Mr. Ualilheim was united in mai'riage in 
1869 to Miss Charlotte Gustava, a native of 
Sweden, and by whom four children have 
been born — Gustof, died March 18, 1884; 
Robert, died Octobei: 27, 1872 ; Alma, died 
August .5, 1875, and Agnes, who died July 
17, 1878. Mr. Dahlheim is an active and 
representative man of his township, and has 
held the following offices : school director, 
village councilman, and president of that 
body for two terms; constable, assessor, etc. 
He was a director of the Evansville Farm- 
ers' A.ssociation and treasurer of the cream- 
ery of that i)lace. Mr. Dahlheim is a demo- 
crat in his political belief, and has been a 
mend)er of various social organizations, such 
as Swedish Hrothei's' Association and Druids, 
and belonged to the G. A. R. in St. Paid and 
Reynold's Post, No. 51. at Ale.\andi'ia. Minn. 



-«"f^^--^- 



E. KENASTON.a baidcer of iirecken- 
W^ ridge, is one of the leading and most 
prominent citizens in the Red Puver Valley, 
ile is a native of the Province of Quebec, 



where he was born on the 14th of Novem- 
ber, 1853, and is the only son of Joseph P. 
and Jane W. (Eno) Xenaston. 

Joseph Kenaston, the father of our sub- 
ject, with his wife, settled in ( )liio, where 
the wife died in 1854, and two yeai's later, 
in 1856, he came to the then Territory of 
Minnesota, and settled in Etna township, 
Fillmore county, where he was accidentallj' 
killed the same fall while chop]iing wood. 
Josepii Kenaston's parents wei'e Nathaniel 
and Sarah (Snow) Kenaston, the former 
ijeing a native of New Hampshire. At an 
early day they settled in Canada, where 
they remained until their death. 

The maternal grandparents of F. E. 
Kenaston were Almond P. and Charlotte 
(Bowen) Eno, natives of Coniu^cticut and 
New Ham]«hii'e, respectively, and of pure 
New England ancestry. 

The subject of our present article, F. E. 
Kenaston, was taken to Ohio by iiis parents 
when a year old, and two years later was 
brought to Minnesota l)V his father. He 
received an excellent education, finishing his 
course at the Cedar Valley Seminary, at 
Osage, Iowa, in the spring of 1870. After 
this he was employed as a book-kee])er, at 
Osage, for three years, and at the expira- 
tion of that time, went to Northwood, Iowa, 
where he engaged in business on his own 
account, as a dealer in agricultural imple- 
ments, remaining there from 1874 until 
1881. Dui'ing this time he also dealt ex- 
tensively in real estate. In 1881 lie removed 
to ]\finneapolis, and became general agent 
I'oi' I). JI. Osborne & Co., manufacturers of 
farm machinery. In 1885 he went to Breck- 
enridge, and in Septemijer of that year, 
in company with E. G. Valentine, estab- 
ished a private bank, which he has since 
conducted. He is largely interested in 
other banking institutions in that part of the 
State, and is ])resident of the bank at Barnes- 
viUe. He is extensivelv interested in farm- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



I6g 



ing lands in his own and adjdinini,^ conntips, 
as well as in Iowa, and also in villaue pi-op- 
ertv. Mr. Kenaston is a man of tiic liighest 
integritv. and stands liigli in the coninninity 
in Avhich he lives. A cai-et'nl and t'.iordugh 
business man, iiis public s])ii'it and enter- 
])riso have closely identifieil him witii the 
later development and progress of the locality 
in which he resides. 

Mr. Kenaston was married, in 1S74, to 
IVIiss Julia E. Smith, a native of Vermont, 
and they are the parents of one son — Burt. 

In political matters Mr. Kenaston is a 
republican. Socially, he is a member of both 
the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. 

^M^ NDREW HOLES, who is an extensive 
M^^^. real estate dealer, doing business at 
Moorhead, Alexandria and Grand Forks 
is the person forming the subject of this 
sketch. 

He is a native of Tom))kins county, New 
York, and was born near Ithaca, February 
10, 1836. His parents were James and 
Mary (Hibbert) Holes, natives of England, 
where they were engaged at farming. They 
came to America in 1834, and settled in 
Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where they 
purchased land and went to farming. After- 
ward they removed to Tioga county, New 
York, after having first looked over the State 
of Indiana and not finding what they 
wanted. James' father's name was Samuel, 
who was also an English farmer. His wife'.s 
name before marriage was Amy Clay. The 
father was a soldier, having served under 
Wellington, and was at the famous battle of 
Waterloo, where he was wounded in his foot. 
The son James (the father of our subject) 
had a family of six children, four of whom 
are now living. One, a daughter, Sarah, 
died in England at the age of two years. 
Samuel died, aged fifty-one years, at St. 



Cloud. Minnesota. The four now living are 
Georoe. Andrew, William and James. 

Our subject, Andi-ew, was reared on his 
father's farm in PiMinsylvania and New 
York, and gained an education at tlie com- 
mon school and an academy, leaving school 
when he was seventeen years old and going to 
La Porte, Indiana,, in 18.53, where he taught 
school twelve miles fronj the city, during a 
four months' winter term. He s])ent the 
next summer at home, but returned to Indi- 
ana in the fall. Tlie summer following, 
1855, he spent at home, and was in the East 
all the time until 1857, when he again came 
West, stopping at St. Cloud. Minnesota, 
where he engaged in making marl lime, the 
first summer, and in the winter he went to 
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, taking up a 
claim of 160 acres of land, which he im- 
]iroved by building a hewn block-house, 
l)reaking land, etc. He proved up on this 
land, and lived thereon some time. Among 
other experiences in business avlventures he 
had, was the going in witii another gentle- 
man who bought potatoes and tried to ship 
them down Crow River on a fiat boat. The 
whole cargo was made up of ])otatoes, hides 
and tallow. They started from Nest Lake, 
and had gone two-thirds the length of the 
river, when the boat swamped in ;i rap- 
ids, causing a loss of the whole lot of prod- 
uce and its occupants to swim ashore. He 
went to New York in 1859. and s])ent his 
time on a farm, and in the winter of 
1859-00 he took a contract to build one 
mile of stump fence. In the autumn of 
186(1 he went to Michigan, in company with 
his brother, William, and another young 
man named Samuel Shirley. They engaged 
in trapping })ine niiirtin for their fur, and, 
beine; successful, continued the same for 
seven months. They sold in Detroit and re- 
turned to New York. The same company 
spent the following winter at the same busi- 
ness and in the same i)lace as trappers. 



I70 



RED RIVER VALLEY AXD 



After this trapping experience, our subject 
came to Jfinnesota a second time, tool; tlio 
stage from St. Paul to Georgetown, fifteen 
miles north of ]Moorhead. He took passage 
on the first steamer," International," for Fort 
Garry, and, on their way down the river, 
were threatened by the Indians, from whom 
they hourly expected an attack. The In- 
dians claimed they frightened the fish from 
the stream, so a guard of seven men had to 
be kept to protect the boat. This wild and 
romantic exploit was during the month of 
May, 1862. Upon reaching Fort Garry, our 
subject, in company with 170 men, fitted out 
an expedition to start for Carriboo, British 
Columbia, for the purpose of exploring for 
gold. In their journey they had what was 
known as Ked River carts, drawn by oxen 
and horses. They were six months in mak- 
ing their trip to the Pacific slope. In com- 
pany with two others, Mr. Holes bought a 
claim, which proved to be a paying invest- 
ment. They employed sixty to seventy 
men, paying them %1 per day, each receiv- 
ino' his crold on Sunilav morninij;, weig-hed 
out and properly labeled for each miner. 
Our subject returned in December, 1865, via 
Portland, San Francisco and Panama, to 
j^ew York Cit}*. He took the gold dust he 
had cleared to the Philadelphia mint, where 
he had it made into coin. His partner, 
Daniel McAlpine, returned with him, and 
they both exchanged their gold coins in 
New York City for government bonds, get- 
ting twenty-sev^en cents premium. The 
" seven-thirt}'" bonds our sul)ject kept 
several years, drawing his semi-annual gold 
interest, but finally sold for a premium. In 
1S66 he returned to Minnesota a third time, 
stopping at St. Cloud, with two younger 
brothers and his mother. He there engaged 
in the real estate lousiness, spending two 
winters at Bryant ct Stratton's Business 
College at St. Paul, gniduiiting in 1868. 
lie remained at St. Cloud until 1871, then 



moved to Moorhead, where he has since 
lived. At that date the ))lace consisted of 
only an old stage station, then abandoned by 
the stage com])anyand occupied by a settler 
named Job Smith, who came in the spring 
of 1871, and sold to our subject, in t,he sum- 
mer of that year, his place of 173 acres, 
where now stands the city of Moorhead. 
He had taken land in this beautiful and rich 
valley in 1869-70. The place bought from 
Job Smith he sold to the Lake Superior and 
Puget Sound Land Company, which com- 
pany platted the city. Our subject, how- 
ever, retained twent3--four acres, on which 
he erected a fine house and planted an excel- 
lent orchard. He also eno;aged for two 
\'ears in selling fiour by the car load, and 
also built the first ice house in Moorhead. 
He now deals in both farm and city real 
estate, at which he has been very successful. 
He has aided various enterprises in the city, 
ffivinij' .sl,,")00 toward the Moorhead Mills 
and putting s(),700 into the foundry of that 
city. He also aided the Red River Manu- 
facturing Ccjmpany to the extent of si, 000, 
to the Broadway hotel, now Ilojie Academ}^ 
SI, 000, and afterward §100, besides giv- 
ing various smaller amounts to other enter- 
prises. 

He was united in mari'iiige in 1870 to his 
present wife. 

In politics Mr. Holes is a republican, and 
has been a very active citizen in helping to 
develo]i the Xorthwest, especially Moor- 
head and Clay county. He was the first 
county commissioner to be appointed by the 
governor of the State, and has held the 
office of county commissioner, chairman of 
the board of supervisors and school trustee 
at various times since. He is one of the 
solid and always reliable men of the country 
in which he lives and so ably represents, and 
no num has done more to aid in the growth 
and development of the county in whit-h he 
lives than has he. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



i7r 



/^DWARD A. ZIEBARTH, a farmer of 
\^^ Logan township, Grant count}', Min- 
nesota, and a resident of section 14:, is a 
native of the Kingdom of Pmissia. He was 
born in Posen, on the 3d of July, 1840, 
and is the son of William and Rosena 
(Spangler) Ziebarth, natives of that king- 
dom. Tiie parents of the present subject 
were Ijorn in Prussia. In 1855 the}"^ emi- 
grated to the United States, and, after land- 
ing on America's shores, settled in Chicago, 
Illinois. They remained in tluit city during 
the winter, and in the spring of 1856, after 
the father's deatli, the remainder of the fam- 
ily went to Wi'ight county, Minnesota. They 
took a claim of 160 acres, and there lived 
until 1872. The mother died in Wright 
county in April, 1877. The parents were 
faithful members of the Lutheran Evan- 
gelical church. The\^ were blessed with 
nine children, seven of whom are living, 
namely — Matilda, Rosena, Paulena, William, 
Edward, Bertha and Minerva. 

. Mr. Ziebarth spent his younger days in 
his native land, attending the excellent com- 
mon schools of that country, and at the age 
of fourteen years came, with his parents, to 
the American continent. William took 
charge of the home farm m Wright county, 
and still operates it. Edward remained 
with his brother until 1861. He then, on 
the 30th of September, 1861, enlisted in 
the Fourth ]\[innesota Infantry, and served 
until the 15th of March, 1865, when 
he was honorably discharged at St. Paul, 
Minnesota. He served under Captain Ed- 
son, now a resident of Glencoe and now 
judge of that district. Mr. Ziebarth par- 
ticipated in the battle of luka, Septem- 
ber I'J, 1862, in which he was wounded in 
the leg, and was confined in the hospitals 
for three months. He then returned to his 
regiment, and took part in the engagements 
at Holly Spi-ings, Raymond. Jackson, Cham- 
pion Hill and siege of Yicksburg. He 



was taken ))risoner on the 13th of Dec- 
ember, lS(i4, and was held for three 
months and ten days, at Florence, South 
Carolina. He then returned to St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he received his honorable 
discharge. After his discharge he returned 
to AYright county, Minnesota, where he 
remained, engaged in farming, until 1866. 
In 1866 he went to Minneapolis, Minne- 
sota, near which place he rented a farm 
and engaged in farming for a jieriod of 
three years. He then moved to Grant 
county, and took a soldier's homestead, on 
which he lived, engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, for eighteen months. At the expira- 
tion of this time Mr. Ziebarth returned to 
Wright county, and, after a three-years' 
sojourn in that region, returned to Grant 
county. Upon his settling here the second 
time, he occupied the same homestead, on 
section 14, Logan township, where he has 
since lived, devoting his attention, exclu- 
sively, to general farming and stock-i'aising. 
He has 160 acres, well imjjroved and under 
a high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Ziebarth was married on the 22d of 
September, 1866, to Miss Mary Kniible, and 
the fruits of this union have been eleven 
children, named Emma, Ida, August, 
Lydia, Herman, Clara, Mary, Anna, .Her- 
bert, Anna M. and Pearly. Anna and 
Pearly are deceaseil. Mrs. Ziebarth is a 
native of Pennsylvania, born in Sullivan 
county on the 18th of July, 1844. The sub- 
ject of this article has taken a prominent 
part in all moves calculated to lienefit the 
locality in which he lives, and is a highly 
esteemed and exemplary citizen of Grant 
county. He has hcki the office of sheriff of 
the county, member of the board of county 
commissioners, supervisor of the township 
and justice of the peace. He is an active 
member of the Lutheran church, and in 
political nuitters affiliates with the repub- 
lican party. No man has been more prom- 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



inently identified with the official hist<)ry of 
Grant count v. 



«"J^j^-^*- 



WILLIAM E. CHIDESTER is a real 
estate agent in Alexamli'ia, Doug- 
las county. Minnesota, lie lias a host of 
private lands on his lists for sale, is agent for 
lands of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Mani- 
toba Railroad Company, and is also agent 
for Florida lands. His agency is one of the 
most Hourisiiing and liigidy recommended 
in the city ;ind county. L;ind owners will 
do well to list their lands with his agency. 

^[r. Chidester is a native of Massachusetts, 
and was born August 1, lS4fi. lie is the 
son of Dr. Williiun M. and Sylvia (Bancroft) 
Chidester, who were natives, resi)ectivcly, of 
Connecticut and Massachusetts. Dr. William 
Chidester's father was Hezekiah Chidester, 
a native of Williamstown. Massuchusetts. 
The hitter's father was William Chidester, 
a native of Wales He came to America 
about 1750, settling at Williamstown, Massa- 
chusetts. 

Dr. William M. Chidester came to what is 
now the State of Ohio in 1802. His family 
settled first at Canfield, Mahoning county, 
from whence he removed to Lorain county, 
where he lived until his death in 1856. He 
married Sylvia Bancroft, by whom he had 
four children, three of whom are now liv- 
ing — Buel, William E., and Anne. 

The early history of this family and the 
tracings of its genealogical recoi'd are very 
interesting. The hardships to all families in 
the latter part of the last century and early 
years of this jiresent one were severe and 
cruel, but to this family came hardships the 
most cruel. William, the great-grandfather 
of the sul)ject of our sketch, was killed in an 
attem])t to rescue some friends who had 
been captured by the Indians. His son 
served al)out five vears in the Itevolutionarv 



War, and was in the sanguinary battles of 
Brandywine aiul Monuu)uth. He was one 
of the pioneei- settlers of Ohio, and died 
February "2(1, 1818. 

William E. Chidester, whose name appeal's 
at the head of this sketch, passed his early 
life in Ohio attending school at Oberlin. 
On the o|)ening of the Civil War. possessed 
of the spirit of patriotism that had burned 
in the breasts of his fathers, lie was ready to 
serve his c(juntry at the front. In 1862, at 
fifteen years of age, he enlisted as private in 
Company D, Eighty-seventh Regiment 
Ohio A'olunteers, in the three months" serv- 
ice. He saw service soon after his enlist- 
ment at Harper's Ferry, September 14tli, 
where he was captured by the rebels and 
held jirisoner for two days, when he was 
])aroled. In January. 186.3. he re-enlisted in 
Company K, Tenth Regiment Ohio Cavalry, 
rising in a year from the private ranks to 
that of corjioral. While scouting between 
the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, 
North Carolina, on the IStli of March, 1865, 
he was again taken pi-isoner. From that 
time till the 2nd of April he was kept in con- 
finement in that vilest of all vile places,Libby 
])rison, and was among the last of the 
inmates of that ])rison who were liberated. 
His was not a silk-stocking sei-vice by any 
means. His sufferings in prison were in- 
tense, as his shattered constitution and 
impaired health attest. He also saw severe 
service in fighting the enemy, being in the 
battles of Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Kingston, 
siege of Atlanta, battle of Jouesboro, Love- 
joy, Macon, siege of Savannah, and many 
smaller l)attles and skirmishes. At the 
cessation of hostilities he was honorably 
discharged, and returned to Ohio a much 
altered man. He was sun struck in Au- 
gust, 1863, and this, with his sufferings 
in prison and rough life in camp and on 
the field of battle, had broken down his 
health so that he was but a wreck' of what 



PARK K EC IONS OF MINNESOTA. 



173 



he was and promised to be on entering 
tiie service. Indeed, the effects of his 
war experience have never left him, and 
never since his discharge has he been a 
thorougiily well man. He returned to 
Oberlin, Oliio, after his discharge, and com- 
menced a course of study in the college at 
that place. But his poor hoidth forced him 
to give up study, and he went to Wyoming 
Territory, wiiere he was employed as agent 
for the Union Pacific Railroad Company from 
186S till 1871. From thence he came to 
Alexandria, Douglas county, Minnesota, re- 
maining but a short time and going there- 
from to St. Anthony, where for a \'ear and a 
half he was agent for the Northern Pacific 
Railroad Company. Poor health forced him 
out of this employment, and tliinking to find 
some I'elief, he came back to Alexandria, where 
lie has remained ever since. He has held a 
number of positions of trust in the county, 
and in every case has proven his efficiency 
and trustworthiness. He has served as 
de])ut\' count}' treasurer, deputy register of 
deeds and deputy judge of ])robate, and for 
one term held the office of clei'k of tiie dis- 
trict court. For several terms he has been 
town clerk. 

Mr. Chidester was married in 1870 to 
Miss Mary E. Tenney. of Baldwinsville, 
New York. She died in December, 1871. 
Mr. Chidester was married tlie second time 
in 1873, to Miss Elizabeth A. Stoneman, of 
St. Anthony, Minnesota. Five children have 
blessed this union — Orvill T., Ruth S., Bes- 
sie B., Ellen A. and William E. 

In 1882 Mr. Chidester opened up his 
present business, which he has conducted ever 
since. He purchased 200 acres on Lake 
Geneva, about a mile and one-half fi'om 
Alexandria, where he has a beautiful iiome, 
called the Sylvan Home. He has since sold 
140 acres of said land. On tiiis original 
tract is the well known " Hotel Alexandria," 
one of the best known summer resorts in the 



Northwest. Mr. Chidester platted thirty 
acres of his land and has been sellinga num- 
ber of lots. Politically he affiliates with the 
republican party, is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and the G. A. R. He and 
his wife are members of the Congregational 
church, in which society he holds the posi- 
tion of deacon. Mr. Chidester is one of 
Alexandria's most progressive and represen- 
tative citizens, and enjoys the esteem and 
confidence of his fellow townsmen. 



-«" 



^-^^ 



^ ME NDERS B. PEDERSEN. No man in 
Jp*~-JL the famous Park Regions is more 
deservino" of credible mention than the jjen- 
tleman whose name heads tiiis article. He 
is the postmaster, and also the leading mer- 
chant at Rothsay, a thriving village located 
in the northeastern part of Wilkin ccnmty, 
Minnesota. Born in Norway, he comes of 
the same sturdy nationality which has fur- 
nislied Minnesota with so many of its most 
enterprising and tiirifty citizens, and a race 
proverbial for tiieir integrity, frugality and 
industr}'. 

Mr. Pedersen was born at Sigdal, near 
Christiania, the capital of Norwav, on the 
2Sth of October, 1838. His parents were 
Peder and Berthe Erickson, who were farm- 
ers in their native land. 

Anders B. Pedersen auule his home with 
his parents until he was twenty-five years of 
ae:e. During this time he received the same 
training and education that is common to 
the youth of that land, and in addition to 
this he learned tlie tailor's trade, and when 
about eighteen years of age he enlisted in 
the military service, as artillerist, in tlie city 
of Christiania. After coming home from 
there, at the age of twenty-five, he jnirchased 
a farm, which he carried on in connection 
witli his trade. Thus matters continued 
until 1870. when he came to the United 



174 



RED Kni:K I'Al.I.EY AXD 



States, making his way directly to St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he secured work at his 
trade. In November, 1S7!\ he removetl to 
Rothsay, and lias since made that ids liome. 
He was among the very first settlers there, 
and, in fact, was the first man to haul lumber 
to the site of the viilaiie, luiiitjinii- it from 
Manston, ten miles distant, the railroad not 
being compiel(Hl to Rotlisay as yet. He at 
once got in iiis goods antl erected iiis build- 
ing and got it enclo.sed. but not finished, 
wlien winter set in. That iiappened to be 
the coldest winter on recoi'd since tiie State 
was settled, and he had difficult work soiue 
of the time to kee]) from freezing. At one 
time he had to stay in liis store for three 
days and nights withont anything but crack- 
ers to eat, as the storm was so severe 
he could not get to his l)oarding house, 
only a few I'ods distant. Undaunted, how- 
ever by sucii difficulties, he has continued 
in business at this point ever since, and iuis 
built uj) an extensive trade. He is in excel- 
lent circumstances financially, and it is all 
the result of his own industry and persever- 
ance, as he is a self-made man in the fullest 
sense of that term. He owns a fine farm of 
ItJO acres, five miles from Rothsay, and 
eiglity acres adjoining the village, upon 
which he has a good residence and otiier 
vahiiible improvements. 

Mr. Tedersen l-as always taken an active 
interest in all matters of a public nature. 
At the present writing he is president of the 
villiage council and has been a member of 
that body ever since the village was incor- 
porated. He has also been village treasurer 
as well as treasurer of the ci'eamery com- 
])any, and he is recognized as one of the most 
snl)stantial and capable business men in the 
I'ark Regions. An affable and genial gen- 
tleman, he has made many warm friends 
and his honorable methods of doing business 
have made his word as good as a bond. Mr. 
Pedeisen is also the inventor of a patented 



razor sharpener which has a great deal of 
merit and promises to be jirofitable. By it 
a child can sharpen a razor better than nine- 
tenths of the barbers. A com})any called 
the Scandia Razor Sharpener Company has 
lat(>ly been iiu-orporated at Fergus Falls to 
handle the invention. 

Our subject was married in September, 
1872, to Miss .Torgiiu^ Watnoss. and liy this 
marriage thej' became the jiarents of the 
following named children — Reder Georg, 
Rei'the Seline, Oscar Edward. Petra Olivia 
and Ida Alice. The following are deceased — 
PederG., Petra and Oscar — while the remain- 
ing two are still at home with their parents. 
Mrs. Pedersen is a daughter of Ole G. and 
and Sigri Watnoss. 



-^^ 



tVER iVERSON, the principal grain dealer 
3^ at Norcross and manager of the elevator 
at that place, is one of the most capable and 
efficient j'oung businessmen in Grant county, 
lie was born in the city of Christian in, the cap- 
ital of Norway, on the 28th of February, 
ISCd. and is a son of Jorgens Iverson. The 
father was a railway engineer, and was one 
of the first men to run a locomotive in Nor- 
wav, liavino- followed that business since 



1855. Jorgens Iverson and wife were the 
parents of five children — ^ Iver, Samuel, Jen- 
nie, Andrew and Charles. 

Iver Iverson, whose name heads this arti- 
cle, received his education m Norway, the 
land of his birth. He attended school from 
the time he was six until he was fifteen 
ears of age, and then took up a seafaring 
life. After following a sailor's fortunes for 
a year he then was employed for a year in the 
railway shops. At the expiration of that 
time lie '' fired " for his father for two years 
on the railroad. When he had reached the 
age of eighteen — in 1878 — he sailed for 
tiie Uniteil States, and after a vovage of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



175 



twenty -one days, landed in Castle Garden, 
New York. He made his way directly to 
Morris. Minnesota, wiiere he began working 
in an elevator. After two years of this woi-Jc 
he started on an extended trip ^vhich lasted 
six months, and upon his return to Morris 
he resumed his former position. Six months 
later lie was given charge of the elevator 
at Norcross, where he has i-emained ever 
since. 

Mr. Iverson was marrietl in November, 
1884, to Miss Bertha Sherstad, who is also 
a native of Norway. 

In political matters Mi-. Iverson is a re- 
liulilicaii. He lias always taken an active 
and prominent part in all matters of a public 
nature, and is regarded as one of tlie leading 
citizens of the locality in which he lives. 
At various times he has iield local offices, 
.such as school clerk and treasurer, justice of 
the peace, etc., and every enterprise calcu- 
lated to benefit his town or county has 
always received liis support and coopera- 
tion. 



v^^ 



^^MEL LARSEN, one of the most promi- 
Vt^ nent merchants at Brandon, and one 
of the most successful and enterprising busi- 
ness men in Douglas county, Minnesota, 
was born at Edsberg, Smaalenderne, Norway, 
on tiie 16th of November, 18-1:9, and is a son 
of Lars Evenson, wlio also lives in Brandon. 
Our subject was one of a family of eigiit 
ciiildren, as follows — Julian, Sophia, Carl, 
Johanna, Emel, IMartin, Anton and Tea. 
Sophia is still in Norway, while Carl and 
Julian are both farmers in Moe township, 
Douglas county, ^Minnesota. Martin is a 
farmer in Norman county, Minnesota. 

Emel Larsen, whose name heads our pres- 
ent article, received his etiucation near the 
capital of his native land, attending school 



until he was about fourteen years of age, and 
from that time until he was twent\'-one 
he was employed principally in wholesale 
houses. In 1871 he sailed for the United 
States, and after a voyage of about thirteen 
days he landed at Castle Garden, New Yoi-k. 
From there ho went to Chicago, and a shoi't 
time later to Michigan, and then to Wiscon- 
sin, where he worked in saw mills, and also 
in the pineries. In 1872 he came to Douglas 
county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming in 
Moe township. There he took considerable 
interest in public affairs and held various 
local offices. In 1879 he removed to Bran- 
don, where he has since lived. He built and 
ran the first hotel started in the vilhige, and 
afterwaid in company with others engaged 
in the genei'al merchandise business under 
the firm name of Larsen, Peterson & Co. 
He has since continued in this line, and the 
firm now carry the heaviest stock of goods 
in the place, and they are rated as one of the 
most substantial business houses in the 
county. Mr. Larsen has always taken a 
prominent part in all enterprises calculated 
to aid in the growth and development of the 
village or surrounding country. In 1887 he 
aided in organizing a company which erected 
the Brandon flouring mills, and is now one 
of the directors of the corporation. He has 
also taken an active interest in public mat- 
ters, and for a num.ber of years has been 
president of the village council, and liolds 
that office at the present writing. He 
is a republican in political matters, and 
an honored member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. 

Our subject was married, in 1882, to Miss 
Menda Larson, and they are the parents of 
four living children — Lars G., Ovida A., Emil 
A. and Ella S. One child. Ella M., died 
when six months of age. The family are 
exemplary members of the Lutheran church. 
Mrs. Larsen was born in Norway, and came 
to the United States in 1873. 



176 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



JOHN CHRISTENSON, wlio is engaged 
in the general merchandise and drug 
business in Elbow Lake, Grant county, Min- 
nesota, is a native of Sweden, lie was born 
in the southern part of that country, October 
30, 1842, and is a son of Christian and Anna 
(Ciiristenson) Nelson, natives also of the 
kingdom of Sweden. The father and mother 
of the subject of this article were the ])arents 
of five children, as follows — Anna, Geoi'ge, 
Christian, Peter and John. 

John, the subject of our present sketch, 
remained on the home farm in his native 
land and attended school until he was sixteen 
years of age. He then entered as an appren- 
tice to the watch-maker's trade, at which he 
was engaged until he was twent^'-one^'ears of 
age. After learning the trade, he worked at it 
until 1867, when he settled in Germany, 
where he followed his trade for four years. 
Mr. Christenson then started for the United 
States, landing in New York City after a 
passage on tlie ocean of nineteen da^'S. 
From New York he went to Chicago, Illinois, 
where he was engaged in the jewelry business 
for two years. He then went to Cresco, 
Iowa, and after one year's work at his trade 
went to Leroy, Minnesota, I'emaining in that 
place for three yeai's, occupied in the jewelry 
and drug business. On leaving Leroy, Mr. 
Christenson removed to Herman, Grant 
county, Minnesota, settling there in 1878. 
He engageil in the jewelry and drug business, 
and four years later added general merchan- 
dise. In the spring of 1887 he sold his busi- 
ness interests in Herman and moved to 
Elbow Lake, in the same county. On settling 
in Elbow Lake, he opened his present store 
of general merchandise and drugs, and Mr. 
Christenson is now one of the most prom- 
inent and influential business men of Grant 
count}'. 

Mr. Christenson was united in maiTiage 
December 27, 1878, to Miss Belle Yaa, and 
this union has been blessed by two children. 



Albert and Julius. Mrs. Christenson was 
born if. the kingdom of Norway, and was 
brought to the United States when she was 
but one j^ear old, by her parents, who settled 
in Fillmore county, where she was reared 
and educated. Mr. Christenson, with his 
family, belongs to the Lutheran chuich, of 
which organization they are acceptable mem- 
bers. The subject of this article is an adher- 
ent to the principles of the republican 
party, and takes an active interest in any 
enterjirise whereby his town or county may 
be benefited, lie held the oflice of village 
trustee while in Herman, and since his resi- 
dence in Elbow Lake has held the position on 
the school Ijoard and now holds the oflice of 
trustee. 



"]^ NUD D. ERICKSON, the efficient and 
_l^(^ accommodating jiostmaster at the 
village of Aastad, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota, is a thrifty representative of the Nor- 
wegian race, that nationality so distinguished 
for their energy, frugality and economy. 
Mr. Erickson is a native of Norway, born on 
the 15th of June, 18ri.3. and is the son of 
Erick and Ingrid (Hanson) Knutson, natives 
also of Norway. The parents of the present 
subject emigrated to the United States in 
lSGl,and settled in Decorah, Iowa, where 
they remained five years, then removing to 
Winnebago count\', Iowa, and after a six 
years' sojourn in that place, engaged in farm- 
ing, the}^ removed to Otter Tail county, 
jMinnesota. The father homesteaded a tract 
of land on section 34, Aastad township, 
where he hassince lived, engaged in farming. 
In addition to his farm labors, he is engaged 
in the mercantile business in the A'illage of 
Aastad, and is one of the most prominent 
and influential men of the village. The 
father and mother of our subject were the- 
parents of the following children — Knud 



PAJiK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



177 



and Isabella, who died at the age of twenty- 
one years, in 1SS3. 

Mr. Erickson, tlie subject of this article, 
emigrated with iiis parents to the United 
States in 1861, and after a voyage of six 
weeks on a sailing vessel, landed at Quebec, 
Canada. After landing they removed to 
Iowa, settling at Decorah. At the expira- 
tion of five years, they again removed, this 
time settling in Winnebago county, Iowa. 
It was in tiiis county wliere our subject re- 
ceived the greater par't of his schooling, 
securing a practical business education. Six 
yeai's latei' tliey came to Otter Tail count}', 
Minnesota. Here Knud Erickson studied 
under George W. McComber. of Tumeli, 
Otter Tail county, and thus received a 
thorough education. 

Mr. Erickson was married in September, 
1883, to Miss Torena T. Bergseid, a native of 
Norway, who came to the United States 
when in her fourteenth year. Mr. and Mrs. 
Erickson are the parents of one child, 
Edward T. Mr. Erickson with liis family 
belongs to the Lutheran church. He has 
held the following offices in his township — 
postmaster, since April 13, ISSO, chairman 
of the board of supervisors, and justice of 
the peace since 1882. He is a stanch repub- 
lican in ids political belief, and one of the 
active participants in all movements of a 
local nature, in wiiich the town or county 
mav derive benefit. 



Ji^ENRY M. HUNTING, one of the old- 
Jlj^^ est residents of the village of Ada, 
and the present justice of the peace of that 
l)lace, is one of the " brave boys in blue" 
that flew to the defense of their native land 
in the hour of its direst need in the Civil 
War of 18G1-6.J, and a history of his life is 
.possessed of many points of interest. 

Mr. Hunting was i^orn June 21, 1837, at 



Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, 
and is the son of Jabez and Caroline (Kemp) 
Hunting. His earlier boyhood was spent in 
the sciiools of that portion of the " Empire 
State," but in 1851 he was brought bj'his 
parents to Wisconsin. The familj' settled in 
Columbia county, on a farm purchased by 
the father, where our suljject grew to man- 
hood, and there finished his elementary edu- 
cation. 

While the pulse of the nation beat witli 
feverish intensity in the spring of IStU, on 
the receipt of the news of the attack upon 
Fort Sumter, and the subsetpient call to 
ai'uis, with the fires of patriotism glowing 
in, his breast, our subject left the parental 
roof and enrolled iiimself among the brave 
defenders of our country's honor and flag. 
Enlisting in Company A, Second Wisconsin 
Infantry, he was mustered into the United 
States service at Madison, June 11, 1861, 
and with the command was at once for- 
warded to Washington, then threatened by 
the rebels. On the 21st of July, of that 
year, he participated in the first battle of 
Bull Run, that so much misunderstood con- 
test, where our arms suffered their first re- 
pulse. In September, following, the regi- 
ment was taken from the brigade of CTcneral 
Slierman, wiiei'e it had been since joining 
the Army of tlie Potomac, and placed under 
General King, of Milwaukee, who wanted 
Western men. The Second, Sixth and Sev- 
enth Wisconsin and Nineteenth Indiana 
formed his command, afterward so widely 
and jvistly celebrated as the " Iron Brigade." 
They lay in camp, on the Maryland side of 
the river, until November, and then were 
transferred to the south shore, on the 
" sacred soil of Vii-ginia," and were in camp, 
near Arlington Heights, all winter. In the 
spi'ing of 1862 the brigade moved with the 
column under General Irwin iVIcDowell, to 
Cedar Mountain, but did not reach that 
l)oint in time to participate in the battle 



178 



RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



that had been fought there. On their re- 
turn inai'ch, at Gainesvalle, they int't a large 
body of i-ebcls. and, in the encounter tiiat 
ensued, the brit;a(ie suffered a loss of some 
iive hundred men, and the Secoiui Wiscon- 
sin their colonel. ( )n the 2'.tth and 30th of 
August, 1862, ^Ir. Hunting with his regi- 
ment took part in the second battle of Bull 
Run, and on the repulse at that point 
marched for South Mountain, Maryland, 
where he participated in the engagement of 
September 14th, where the brigade won for 
itself immortal renown and the sohrlquet 
that is so widely known. On the 17th of 
the same month, in the hot and devastating 
fire on Antietam's blood}' field, he followed 
the colors of his i-egiment, a day to be re- 
membered, and where twenty-si.\ heroes of 
his com]«inv were killed or wounded. ]\[i'. 
Hunting served as hospital steward at the 
field hospital until that w;is broken up. in 
the spring of lSr>3, after which he icjoined ! 
the regiment, then at Fredericksburg, and 
with it participat(Ml in the carnage at Chan- 
cellorsville. May."., ISOS; the decisive and 
sanguinar}' battle at Gettysburg, July 1.2' 
and 3 ; Mine Run, November 29, of the 
same year; the murderous and extended i 
battle of the Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 1S64 ; i 
Spottsylvania, May 8, and all the othei' bat- I 
ties and skirmishes of the campaign niulcr 
Grant that took place that year. 

In November, 18(!;3, Mr. Hunting returned 
to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in re- i 
cruiting until May 1, 1804, returning just in 
time to pai'ticipate in the spring canipaign. 
He was promoted to the I'ank of third ser- 
geant, after Gettysbui';:-, and served in that 
capacity untd his discharge. JJesides the 
battles enunicnited iibove. ^\v. Hunting took 
a part in tlu^ engagements at Orange court 
house, July, 1862; Beaver Dam, or Gaines I 
Mill, August 5 to 8, 1862; Eappa ban nock 
Staticm, August 2,1862; Sulphur Springs, \ 
August 26, 1862 ; Fit/ Hugh's Crossing, ! 



April 29, 1863; Kelley's Ford, July 9, 
1863 ; and Ilaccoon h'ord, June .'") and 6, 
1864. 

On the 18th of June, 1864, their term of 
service having expired, the company of 
which !Mr. Hunting was a member arrived 
in ]\[adison for discharge, having onlv two 
sergeants, two corjiorals and eighteen pri- 
vates left of the 102 who had left the State 
in its ranks. In February, 1865, our subject 
enlisted in Company C, Ninth Regiment of 
the P'irst Veteran Reserve Corps, under Gen- 
eral W. S. Hancock, and was made first 
sergeant of the company. He remained at 
Washington for a time, whence he was 
sent to Indianapolis to perform guard duty, 
and from thei'c to Davenpoi't, Iowa, toguaiil 
the Sioux Indian prisoners there, and I'e- 
inained in the latter place until February 14, 
1S66, when he was tinally discharged. 

Mr. Hunting returned to his home in Wis- 
consin, where he stayed until April 1, isTt!, 
when he removed to Sauk Center, Minnesota, 
where he rented a farm and entered upon its 
tillage. In the fall of the same year he came 
to the Red River N'alley, and took up a claim 
one mile and a half northeast of where Ada 
now stands, the village then consisting of 
one small, portable house, used as a station, 
one board shanty, and a small building used 
for a warehouse. He returned to Sauk 
Center, where his family were, and s]ient the 
winter. In the sjiring he returned to his 
claim, anti broke some twenty acres of itand 
erected a sod stal)le, l)ut returned to Sauk 
Center for his family, whom he brought here 
in September of that yeai'. He put up a 
house ami cairied on the farm until 1881. 
While there he took an active part in all 
town matters, ami served as chairman of the 
town boaril and as school director, as well 
as in other ollices. In the spring of 1882 he 
I'enioveil into the village of Ada, havinjj 
jireviouslr purchased six lots on Atlantic 
avenue, and in a house erected there, lived 



PARK AEG/CNS OF MINNESOTA. 



179 



for two years and then removed to liis pres- 
ent I'esidence. 

In 1884 Mr. Hunting put in a stoeiv of 
farm machinery, and followed the sale of 
that line of goods for two years. In the 
spring of 18S3 he was elected to the positions 
of botli town and village justice, and has 
been reelected his own successor ever since. 
The same year he was chosen president of the 
village board, and held that office for a year. 

The subject of this memoir was married 
November 28, 1864, to Miss Alice Taylor, 
of Fall Tliver, Columbia county, Wisconsin, 
who died in January, 1865. On tiie 14th of 
December,. 1867, he was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Nancy Hunting, nee Silsbee, the 
widow of his brother, who had died from 
exposure shortly after his discharge fi-om 
the United States service, where he ha<l 
gallantly served. 

Mr. Hunting is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, having been nuide a Mason in 
Norman Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., 
in 1SS;1 He is also a charter member of the 
Knights of Pythias lodge of Atla. He was 
one of the originators of George B. McClellan 
Post, now William Ketchuin Post, No. 62, 
Grand Army of tlie Republic, and has been 
most actively identified with its interests 
and growth. In February, 1887, he organ- 
ized Company I, Third Regiment, Minnesota 
National Guard, and held the office of cap- 
tain until January, 1888, when he resigned. 
Politically he has always been a stanch 
su))|)orter of democratic jirinciples, and has 
labored for the success of that jiarty. 

Ml'. Hunting's family consists of three 
children, one daughter anil two ste])-chil(lren, 
iiaincd .lames G., Francis S. and Alice M. 



•«►- 






M^ RANCIS J. DUFFY, the editor and pro- 
X'" prietorof the East Grand Forks Cou- 
rier, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Water- 
town, on the lltli of February, 1855, and is 



the son of Patrick and Frances CWilliamson) 
I)ulf\', natives of Ireland. 

Mr. Duffy, of \vhom this sketch treats, 
remained at home, attending school, until he 
was twenty years of age. In the summers, 
and while he was out of school, he clerked 
in his father's general merchandise store until 
he was seventeen years of age. He then 
entered a printing office, and for three years 
worked at that trade. At the age of twenty 
years he removetl to the city of New York, 
and secured a position on the New York 
World. He remained in that office, setting 
type, until the spring of 1881. He then 
took a trip to the Old World, and remained 
in Lonilon, England, for about one month, 
and then went to Ireland, where he remaine*^! 
until the following September. In Septem- 
ber, 1881, he returned to the United States, 
and in October, 1882, settled at East Grand 
Forks, Polk county, Minnesota. In the fol- 
lowing August he ]iurchased his present 
paper, and has since been the sole editor and 
pro})rietor of the East Grand Forks Courier. 
He is one of the ablest editors in the Red 
River Valley, and the paper has a large and 
increasing circulation. It is a bi-ight, newsy 
paper, seven columns, and indepentlent in 
politics. 

Mr. Duffy was united in marriage on the 
nth of July, 1888, to Miss Mary McCabe, 
daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Duggin) 
McCabe, natives of Ireland. Mr. Duffy is a 
popular man in his residence city and 
vicinity, and is well and favorably known 
throughout the Red River Valley. He has 
a fine and commodious residence in the 
city. 

Mr. Duffy now holds the office of cit\' 
recorder, and has hekl the offices of town 
clerk and secretary of the chamber of 
commerce. In ])olitical matters he is a 
stanch democrat. Mr. Duffy is also the 
manager of the East Grand Forks Loan 
Agency. 



I So 



KED KIIEK VALLEY AND 



>^tON. DANIEL W. HIXSON, State sena- 
-L"^^ tor anil a citizen of Grant county, 
Mianesota, is a resident of section 23, Dela- 
ware township. He was born in Burlington, 
Iowa, December 23, 1843, and is a son of 
John and Mary (Burnett) Hixson. who were 
natives of Ohio. Daniel W. remained on 
the home farm, attending school, until he 
was seventeen years of age, at which time 
he enlisted in Com])any C, Thirtieth Iowa 
Infantry (Fifteenth Army Corps), on Au- 
gust 4, 1802. He participated in many bat- 
tles, including Yicksbiirg, Champion Hills, 
etc., receiving his discharge for a wound 
received May 22d, at A'icksburg. After his 
discharge he returned to his old home, 
and remained there until March 7, 1805, 
M'hen he was married to Miss Helen Orr, 
daughter of J. W. and Jane (Baines) Orr. 
After his marriage he lived on the fai'm in 
Des Moines county, Iowa, where they re- 
mained until 1883. In 1883 they removed 
to Grant county, Minnesota, and D. W. 
Hixson purchased 480 acres of land in sec- 
tion 23, Delaware township, where they have 
since lived. Mr. Hixson has a residence in 
Herman village, where he with his family 
spend the rigorous winters. Mr. Hixson has 
made a specialty more of stock-raising than 
grain farming, both in Iowa and since com- 
ing to Minnesota. 

Mr. Ilixson has been prominently identi- 
fied with the official histor\' of Grant count}'. 
In the fall of 1886 he was elected to repre- 
sent his district in the State senate, and still 
holds that office. The record he has made 
reflects credit upon himself as well as the 
district, and has given him a State reputation 
as one of the leading members of the " upper 
house," while in Iowa. Mr. Ilixson was 
prominently identified with the Grangeorder, 
being secretary for twenty-seven lodges of 
that order. It was he who introduced the 
freedom of traffic bill in the State senate. 
He was nominated for tliat position by the 



Farmers' Alliance and endorsed by the re- 
publican party. 

By their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hixson 
have become the parents of the following 
children — Edwin S., Elma C. and Capitola. 



-«-f^^-4- 



;iOHN MARTH. Of the many " brave bovs 



in blue" who found iiomes in the famous 
Red River Valley and I'ark Regions, perhaps 
none deserve better mention than the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this biogi-a|)hical 
sketch, a popular and prosperous merchant 
of the village of Barnesville, Claj' county, 
Minnesota. He is a native of Germany, 
born in 183T, and is a son of George and 
Sophia (Hohman) Marth, natives also of the 
kingdom of Germany. 

Mr. Marth, of whom this article treats, 
spent his school days in his native land, 
where he remained until in his nineteenth year. 
In 18.57 he immigrated to the United States, 
and settled in the State of Virginia, where 
he remained for three months. At the expira- 
tion of the time, in October. 1S57, he moved 
to Crow river, Wright county. ]\Iinnesota, 
where the village of Delano now is located. 
He was one of the first settlors iti that sec- 
tion of country, and remaineil there until the 
fall of 1801. In the fall of that year he en- 
listed in the First Miimesota Battery, and 
served three years and nine months. He 
enlisted on the 4th of October, 1861, at 
Fort Snelling, Minnesota. The month of 
Kovember, 1801, was spent at La Crosse, and 
from that place the battery went to St. 
Louis, Missouri ; then on to I'ittsburo- 

O 

Landing, taking ]iart in tliat engagement. 
Our subject was in many important engage- 
ments and sieges, including the following : 
Siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth ; then fol- 
lowed the rebel general. Price, through Ten- 
nessee, and from Memphis moved on to 
Vicksburg, iluring the winter of 1862-63. 



PARK KEGJOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



l8i 



In the spring of 1SG3 the battery moved to 
the rear of Vicksburg, ])articipating in the 
siege and surrender of that place. After the 
surrender, the battery remained there as 
guard, and on Christmas of 1863 Mr. 
Marth's time expii-ed. He re-enlisted, how- 
ever, and obtained a forty-day furlongh, in 
which he returned to Minnesota, and re- 
mained until the furlough expired. He then 
I'eturned to active service. He went to 
Cairo, Illinois, whei-e he met his old battery, 
and they moved up the Tennessee river, 
going to lluntsville, Alabama. They joined 
Sherman's army at Big Shanty, before Kene- 
saw Mountain, and took part in that battle. 
Mr. Marth was with Sherman in his famous 
"march to the sea," and took part in all 
those heavy battles and weary marches. He 
then went to Washington, District of Co- 
lumliia. by way of Petersburg, Richmond and 
Alexandria. He participated in the grand 
review, and then went with his battery to 
Fort Snelling, Minnesota, where he was hon- 
orably discluxrge on the 1st day of June, 
1865. He was in ten separate and distinct 
battles, and received no disabling wound nor 
was made prisoner. 

After his discharge he went to AVabasha, 
Minnesota, where he remainetl until the spring 
of 1866. He then engaged in farming near 
Delano, Wright county, Minnesota, where 
he remained eight vears, engaged in agridult- 
ural jmrsuits. In 187i he removed into the 
village of Delano and erected a building, 
where he engaged in the general mercantile 
business for three years. In October, 1877, 
Mr. Marth removed to Barnesville, Clay 
county, Minnesota, and took a claim about a 
mile from the village. After he secureti his 
claim he returned to Delano, where he re- 
mained until 1878. In the spring of that 
year he returned to Barnesville and built a 
store, in which he ])laced a full line of gen- 
eral merchandise. He has since been en- 
gaged in the liusiness; has a stock worth 



iB30,000, and is one of the most successful 
business men of that region. In 1885, when 
the town was organized, he removed liis 
store to the new town, and lias since cai'ried 
on business there. In addition to his busi- 
ness interests, he owns a fine farm of 960 
acres, 800 acres beingundercuitivation, and it 
is under liis own supervision. He is a promi- 
nent man of his village, and has held the 
offices of scliool director and chairman of the 
town board. He is a member of the E. M. 
Ken Held Post, No. 145, Grand Army of the 
Tiepublic. lie is a member of the German 
Luthei'an churcii. A man of the strictest 
integrity, he stands high in the community 
in which lielives, both as a business man and 
an exemplary citizen. 

Mr. jNIarth was married June 21-, 1867, to 
Miss WiJliamina Ivlement, and they are the 
pai-ents of six children namely — Matilda, 
Sophia, Amanda, John, Rosa and Alvina. 
Mrs. Marth's father was a soldier in the Fourth 
Missouri Cavalry. He was taken prisoner 
and died in Libby prison. 

In political affairs Mr. Marth is a repub- 
lican. 



^.^►^ 



\OH. BERNHARD SAMPSON, one of 
the enterprising and influential 
citizens of Crookston. is one of the earliest 
settlers in the Red River Valley, taking his 
claim here on the 12th of June, 1872, since 
which time he has been largely identified 
with the growth and develojnnent of this 
portion of the State of Minnesota. 

Mr. Sam{)son was born in the kingdom of 
Sweden, October 26, 1840, and is the son of 
Bernhard and Olena Sampson. In Ids native 
land he received his education, and amid 
familiar surroundings grew to manliood. 
Perceiving the improbability, if not iinjios- 
sibilitv, of a man raising himself, in the land 



l82 



RED RIVER VALLEY AX D 



ol his birth, above the condition in which he ] 
was born, in 1867 he crossetl the ocean to 
the free shores of the Great Republic in 
search of a competency and a home. For 
two years after liis arrival in the United 
States he was emj)Ioyed on I'ailroads in Ohio 
and Michigan, but in 1869 he came west to 
Minnesota. Finding employment on the 
construction of the Northern Pacific railroad, 
he woi'kod west from Eraincrd to tlie Chey- 
enne river, Dakota, and in 1870 took up a 
claim on the banks of tiiat stream, witii tlie 
intention of making a farm, tlie grand ambi- 
tion of his life, lie put up a log cabin, and 
sowed some eighty acres of land he bad 
brolcen with wheat, and made his home upon 
it, sometimes working there and sometimes 
on the railroad for eighteen months, but, the 
grassho])pers devouring every part of his 
crop, in the spring of 1872 he left that i)art 
of the country and returned to Minnesota. 
Here, in company with some other parties, 
he took several contracts for grading on the 
Manitoba railroad, then in process of con- 
struction, north of Glyndoii. The first time 
ho came to Red Lake river was in May, 1872, 
when he brought up, with his team, several 
surveyors to the point where the i-oad was 
supposed to cross the stream, about two 
miles east of the present site of Crookston. 
His next trip was on the same errand, shortly 
after, and lie found that nearly all the land 
in that vicinity was taken possession of by 
settlers, and, it being heavy and wet, he came 
down the river a couple of miles and took up 
ii claim where he now lives. This was the 
12th of June, 1872. A few days later the 
survey of the road was changed to its pres- 
ent location, and made his place the most 
eligible of the neighborhood. He erected a 
log cabin on his claim, which was one of the 
first, if not the first, in this part of the val- 
ley, and, after the gi-ading contracts were 
finished, located on his claim. Here, for 
years, he devoteil his energies to its im- 



provement and cultivation. His original 
])iece of ground contained some 149 acres, 
to wliicii he added forty acres i)ought of 
the State, being school land, and seventy- 
three of the railroad, making in all 262 
acres, all of wiiich is excellent arable land. 
In 1882 Mr. Sampson ])latted some eighty- 
four acres of his place under the name of 
Sampson's addition to (h-ookston, and the 
same year South CrooUston was laid out on 
his original claim. In addition to this 
property he has a fine farm of 16".' acres of 
land (me mile southwest of the city, and 160 
acres of excellent hay land in the town of 
Russia, giving him superior advantages in 
stock-raising, in which he takes the greatest 
pride. He devotes considerable attention 
to the rearing of horses, and has sold off of 
his farm, in the spring of 1888, a matched 
span of colts for $600 to a St. Paul 
])arty. 

But it is in his public life that Mr. Samp- 
son is most widely known. His first public 
office of any moment was that of clei'k of the 
district court of Polk county, to which he 
was elected in 1878. At the explication of 
his term of service, in 1880, he was elected 
a member of the State legislature, and rep- 
resented this district in the twenty-second 
session of the house of I'epresentatives. 
The district then embraced the twelve 
counties of Clay, I'ecker, Wadena. Todd, 
Otter Tail, AVilkin, Beltrami, Norman, Mar- 
shall, Kittson, Hubbard and Polk, in all of 
which Mr. Sampson received handsome 
majorities, except in Todd. 

On the organization of tlu^ (Jrookston 
Improvement Company, the subject of this 
sketch was chosen its first president, in recog- 
nition of his services in behalf of the com- 
munity. The following year, in conijiany 
with F. J. Wilcken and Julius Bjornstad, of 
St. Paul, he put up the Crookston roller Hour- 
ing mill, at an expense of $.50,000, his share 
of which exceeded S13,000. The mill, which 



PARK KF.GIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



1S3 



was one of the best in tlie valley, had a daily 
capacity of '^50 barrels of Hour, and used both 
steam and water ])ower. It was operated 
until June 4, ISST when it was destroyed by 
lire. Mr. Sampson, however, had disjjosed 
of his interest ))revious to its tlestruction. 
In the fall of 188(1 the gentleman of whom 
we write was elected by a handsome majority 
to represent this district in the State senate, 
the position which he so admirably fills at 
jiresent. He has ever been one Y)f the most 
active and public-spirited men in the com- 
munity; and takes great interest in the 
growth and improvement of both Crookston 
and the country in general. He was a mem- 
ber of the l)oard of education of the city 
when the present tine school buililing was 
erected, and takes great interest in all educa- 
tional matters. 

Mr. Sam])son was nnited in marriage 
June 17, 1871, with Miss Petra Bjornstad, 
who has become the mother of eight chil- 
dren — Lena, who was born September 1-i, 
1872, is, as far as now known, the first white 
child born in this part of the lied River 
Valley ; Selma, Ivickard, Olga, Gustave 
(deceased), Ilulda, Bernhard and Hagabart. 

Mr. Sampson, who saw a great deal of 
frontier life here in early days, says it was 
no uncommon thing while teaming through 
here, |)iMor to the erection of bridges, to 
unhitch his oxen from the wagon, drive them 
to the edge of the water, jump on one of 
them and swim them across the stream, 
holding in one hand the end of a I'ope, with 
which he was always provided, which was 
attached to his wagon, and after getting the 
animals on the other side, he would fasten 
the line to the yoke of the cattle and haul 
the wagon over, lie hauled the first load 
of flour into Moorhead, bringing it from 
Alexandria to that village in the fall of 
1870, for the firm of Eruns & Finkle. 
With him at the time was one Ole Strand- 
void. 



>^HRlSTOPHER C. SHEDD, a retired 
^y agriculturist of Douglas county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of the village of 
Osakis, where he is an employe in a general 
merchandise store, with his son. lie is a 
native of New Hampshire, born in Sullivan 
county, on the 20th of February, 1827, and 
is the son of Nathaniel and Cyntlia (An- 
drews) Shedd, natives of Massachusetts. 
They were married in New Hampshire in 
1826, and settled in that State, remaining 
there until their death. They were farmers 
in Sullivan county, where the father died in 
February, 1878. The mother died in 1848, 
when our subject was twenty-one years old. 
They were devoted members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and respected citizens in 
the locality in which they lived. After the 
mother's death the father married a Miss 
Sallv Winter, who is now living in New 
Hampshire. The father and mother of oiir 
subject were the parents of the following 
named children — Christopher C, Betsie A., 
Cyntha J., AVilliam W. and John G. All 
the children are deceased except Christopher 
C. and Betsie A. 

Mr. Shedd, the subject of the present 
article, received his education in his native 
State, and finished his schooling in Kimball 
Union Academy, in Meriden, New Hamp- 
shire. He received a good, practical busi- 
ness education, and, after leaving the acad- 
emy, worked during the summers on his 
father's farm. In the winters he taught 
school, and for a number of years he fol- 
lowed that profession. He then farmed foi' 
several years, and in ISO-t engaged in the 
milling business. After eighteen months 
he was burned out, and then engaged in the 
tanning industry. After the short period of 
six months he was again burned out, but 
rebuilt and continued in the tanner's busi- 
ness for six years. Mr. Shedd then sold out 
and emigrated into the great West, crossing 
the Mississippi river on the morning of his 



i84 



RED laVER VALLEY AND 



forty-sixth birthday. In 1873 he settled in 
Sibley county, Minnesota, where lie remained 
for one year, and then went to Rice onuiity. 
Minnesota, whei'e he engaged in the milling 
business. At the ex[)iration of four years 
]\Ir. Shedd moved to Osakis, Douglas county, 
Minnesota, and purchased a fine farm on sec- 
tions 2.5 and 26. lie has one of the most de- 
sirable pieces of property in the county, and 
was one of the substantial members of the 
farming- community in that locality. For 
five years he remained upon tlu; farm, but 
then finding old age approaching, i-endeiing 
him unable to perfoi-m hard lalioi', he moved 
into the village, and was em])l()yed by his 
son, as above stated. The son had in 1883 
openeil a store, and continues to ojierate the 
same. 

^[r. Shedd, the subject of this sketch, was 
united in marriage on the 2(Uh of March, 
1851, to Miss Melita Met calf, a luUive of 
New Hampshire, and the daughter of Hora- 
tio and Phebe i^Haven) Metcalf, natives of 
New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Shedd's 
union has been blessed with one child — 
Herbert A., who married Miss Emma Wood- 
worth, Januar}^ 10, 1878. They have a 
family of three children — Harry, Frank 
and Mabel. 



.■^^ 



v^^^ 



BR. WILLIAM R. HAND, who is engaged 
in the practice of medicine in the village 
of Herman, Grant county, IMinnesota, is a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, l)orn inAYayne county, 
on the 14th of September, 1854. He is the son 
of Nathan G., and Leah C. (Crone) Hand, both 
natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in 
1863 in the hospital at Philadelphia from a 
disease contracted in the army. He enlisted 
in the Pennsylvania Ileserve Infantrv, One 
Hundred and Forty-third Regiment, and after 
a few months of service, was taken sick with 
chronic diarrhoea, which caused his death. 



He was a lumberman through life and spent 
the active part of his life in Wayne county, 
Pennsylvania. The father and mother of 
our subject were the parents of the follow- 
ing named children — Anna M., Lydia C, 
William It. and Susie, deceased. The latter 
passed away at the age of four years, of scar- 
let fever. The two girls are now living in 
Pennsylvania; one is a school teacher and 
the other is a milliner. The mother of our 
subject is now living in Ilawley, Pennsylva- 
nia. 

Mr. Hand, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, spent his boyhooil days in attending 
school in Ilawley, Pennsylvania, also at- 
tended the Soldier's Or])han Home School at 
Montrose, Pennsylvania, from which he 
graduated in 187(1. !!(> then entered a ma- 
chine shoji and iron factoiy, and engageil in 
general iron work for five years. At the 
expiration of that time he entered the office 
of a Dr. G. B. Curtiss, of Ilawley, Wayne 
county. Pennsylvania, antl remained with 
him six months, at which time his health 
gave out, and he was forced to abandon work 
for a period of five months. He then en- 
gaged in the study of medicine with Dr. 
Stephen Maxon, of Cuba, Allegany coun- 
ty, New York. At that time this doctor 
was one of the most prominent and noted 
men, and his decision and judgment as in- 
fluential as any in the East. Dr. Hand re- 
mained with this noted man for two years, 
and at the expiration of that time entered 
the Ohio ^Medical College at Cincinnati, and 
graduated from the full college course with 
high honors in 1877. No sooner had he fin- 
ished college than he at once entered into his 
life's work, opening an olHce at Scrubgrass, 
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and after 
remaining there one year, removed to Brad- 
ford, Mclvean county, Pennsylvania, where 
he was engaged in his profession for a period 
of three \'ears. The doctor then removed to 
Scranton, where he remained for two years, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



185 



and from this place again removed, settling 
at Herman, Grant county, Minnesota. In 
January, 1883, he opened an office in Herman, 
and at once began liis professional life in this 
Western town. He has since been entraged 
in his medical work, ami now commands a 
large and increasing practice. He is rec 
ognized as one of the leading medical prac- 
titioners in that I'egion of the State, and is 
a man of cai'eful judgment and honest 
decision. 

Dr. Hand was united in marriage on the 
30th of March, 1885, to Miss Jennie Hugunin, 
a native of Minnesota, and now the mother 
of one clnld, Lillia May. Mrs. Hand is a 
graduate of the excellent high school at 
Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota, and 
prior to her marriage was a school teacher by 
profession. Dr. Hand is one of the promi- 
nent citizens of Grant county, and takes an 
active interest in all local and ]uiblic affairs. 
He is a republican in his political belief and 
has held the offices of recorder, deputy 
coroner, health officer, etc. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity and one of the 
leading and influential men of Herman vil- 
lage. 



MORMAN A. BASSETT, a prominent 
and })rosperous farmer of section 
35, Moland township. Clay county, Minne- 
sota, is a native of Pennsylvania. He 
was born in Bradford county, ilairh 10, 
1820, and is a son of John and Clar- 
issa (Kellogg) Bassett. natives of Khode 
Islantl and Vermont, respective! \'. The 
father was a farmer, tanner and boot and 
shoe manufacturer. He settled in Penn- 
sylvania in an early day and was married 
there. His death occurred June 27, 18-12, 
and his wife died in 1881 at the advanced 
age of ninety -si.x years. There were nine 
ciiildren in the family — John W., Charles 
E., Orville P., Saraii A. (now Mrs. Aldrich), 



Chauncy, Susan (the wife of IMr. Todd), 
Norman A. (our suljject), antl Julia ('. (mar- 
I'ied to Mr. Cogshell). Two of the family are 
deceased. 

Norman, the subject of this memoir, spent 
his early cliildhood on a farm. When he 
was eight years of age the family removed 
to East Smithfield, Pennsylvania, where he 
attended the common school until he was 
sixteen years of age. He then entered his 
brother's wagon shop, and after remaining 
as an apprentice to that trade for some 
eighteen months, he entei'ed in the milling 
business with his father. He was engaged 
in this until 1813, when he moved into 
nortiiei-n Hlinois, and from there went to 
Lee county, Iowa, remaining with his 
l)rother, Samuel, during the winter. He 
then returiu'd to Illinois, settling in Carthage, 
Hancocic county, where he remained six 
months. He next settled in Boone county? 
Illinois, where he followed his trade until 
1851. While in Carthage, Illinois, Mr. 
Bassett was a witness to the death of Joseph 
Smith, the Mormon, and at that time he (Mr. 
Bassett) was a member of the Carthage 
Guards, and doubtless he is the only person 
now living who witnessed the killing of that 
notorious personage. In 1851 Mr. Bassett 
removed to Independence, Iowa, and pur- 
chased ninety acres of land near that place. 
He then eno-aged in general farming, and 
also worked at his trade, until he moved to 
Chatluun, Iowa, where he remained ;ibout 
five years. He next removed to Clay county, 
]\Iinnesota, and settled on the land which 
composes his present residence, and where 
he has lived ever since. He was one of the 
earliest settlers in his townshi|i, and has done 
a great deal to promote all public and educa- 
tional interests. 

Mr. Bassett was united in marriage, in 
ISiO, to Miss Keziah Hale, who was born in 
East Sinithtiekl, Pennsylvania, and is a 
daughter of Mason and Almira (King) Hale. 



1 86 



KED KIVEH VALLEY AXD 



They came west in 1S42, and settled near 
Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, Avhere the 
father was engaged in farniin"; for a number 
of years. They next removed to Waterloo, 
Iowa, where the mother died in 1870, and 
the father in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett 
are the parents of the following children — 
Ilorence 11. (now Mr.s. Spragg;, Clara O., N. 
Arthur, John M., Franklin II., Charles A., 
C. Howard, Bertha M. (tlie wife of Mr. 
William Osborn), and Julia M. Franklin is 
teaching in Japan, imd Florence, Clara and 
Bertiia were all school teacliers. 

Mr. Bassett formei-ly sup|)orted the repub- 
lican party, and was one of the delegates to 
the first I'cpubJican convention held in the 
State of Iowa. At present he is an advocate 
of the principles of the prohibition part};, and 
it was Mr. Bassett who cast the first and 
oidy vote for St. John for president in Mo- 
land township. Clay county. He has held 
various offices in the different localities in 
which he has resided, and was the firet town 
clerk in three tliiferent townships, in three 
different States. He holds the office of 
justice of the peace in his resident township, 
and has lielped organize tlirec townships, one 
ill Illinois, one in Iowa, and one in Minnesota. 
J\Ir. and Mrs. Bassett are members of the 
Methodist church, of which organization he 
is recording secretary. 



^■^^ 



«»- 



/^ DWIN C. SCHOW, the efficient post- 
Vi^ master at Ashby, Grant county, Min- 
nesota, is also engaged in the jewelr}' busi- 
ness in that j>lace. He is a native of Nor- 
way, born in \'aral, on the ith day of Sep- 
tember, 1837, and is a son of E. C. and 
Guline (Johnson) Scliow, natives of that 
.same kingdom. The father of our subject 
immigrated to the United States in 1855 and 
settled in Waupnn, Wisconsin, where he 
died in LSSf). He was a farmer throiigli life. 



The mother came to this country in 1857 
and died in 1861. They were the parents 
of thirteen children, four of whom are now 
living. Andrew and Christian were killed 
in the late Civil War. The names of the 
remainder are — Gilbert, ]\[rs. Olson, ilrs. 
Baulson and our subject. 

Mr. Schow, the sul)ject of this biograj)h- 
ical review, spent his school days in Christ- 
iania, iiaving gone there when he was four- 
teen yeais of age. While there he learned 
the w.itcliinakeFs trade. He then followed 
his trade for six years and in 1857 came to 
the United States, and after a vovage of ten 
weeks landed in Quebec, Canada. He then 
went to AVaupim, Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained until the time of his enlistment. In 
August, 1861, he enlisted in the Fifteenth 
Wisconsin Infantry and served until the time 
of his honorable discharge in October, 18()2. 
He entered as a private and was discharged 
as orderly sergeant. Mr. Schow served in the 
following battles — Island Number 10 and 
Union City, Tennessee. He was in many 
minor engagements and skirmishes, and was 
confined to the field hospital at Camp Ran- 
dall, Wisconsin, for some time with measles. 
After his discharge, he returned to Waupun, 
AVisconsin, where he remained a sliort time, 
and then went to Bochester, Alinnesota. In 
the year 1882 he closed out his business 
and removed to Grant county, Minnesota, 
settling at Ashby, wliere he has since re- 
mained. As soon as he settled there he 
opened a grocery and jewelry store, and lias 
since carrieil on those lines of trade. 

Mr. Schow was married in 1863, to Miss 
Mattie Olson, and this union has been blessed 
with the following named children — Charles 
E., Manton, Emma, AUred, Amanda and 
Nora. Charles is married and lives in Fer- 
gus Falls, Minnesota, engaged in the cloth- 
ing business. Our subject is a democrat in 
his political affiliations, and takes an active 
interest in all public matters. He, with his 



PARK REGIOXS OF .MINNESOTA. 



1S7 



family-, are devoted members of the Lutlieran 
chiu'cli. lie has held various offices in the 
township and village, including the follow- 
ing — councilman, ]iresident of the village 
council, village treasurer and postmaster of 
the village since Julv, 1888. 



►^- 



John H. ALSTEAD, a iirominent busi- 
^ ness man of Evansville, Douglas county, 
Minnesota, engaged in the real estate antl 
insurance business in tiiat place, is a native 
of Norway. He was born inKoraasin 1849, 
and is the son of Tver and Ingeborg (Ode- 
gaard) Alstead, natives of that kingdom. 
The father came to the United States in 
1S5G, and is now living in Douglas county, 
Minnesota. 

John IT. Alstead remained in his native 
land until about nineteen years of age, when 
he came to the United States. Up to the 
age of fourteen years he attended school, 
and then secured a position as clerk, which 
he held until he left his native land. In 
1869 he embarked in a steamer bound for 
the United States, and after a voyage of 
eleven days landed in Quebec, Canada. 
From there he went to Detroit, Michigan, 
then to Prairie du Chien. Wisconsin, and 
from there to lied Wing, Minnesota, by the 
Mississippi river. During the ne.xt fall he 
hired out to a farmer, and in the winter 
attended school, also clerking a few months 
for a Mr. Men son. Mr. Alstead then went 
to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he hired out 
as clerk to a manufacturing company'. 
Eeinaining in their employ until 1877, he 
went to Douglas county, Minnesota, and 
located at Evansville, and for six months 
was on a farm with his fathei'. He then 
established himself- in the j)unip business in 
Evansville, afterward adding fiour, farm 
ini|)lements, buggies, cutters, etc. In 1879 
he opened the lirst real estate and insurance 



office in that place, in which business he 
has since been engaged. 

Mr. Alstead was united in marriage, in 
1873, toMiss Anna C.Johnson, a native of 
Sweden. By this union two children have 
been born — Henry E. and Victor H. Mr. 
Alstead, with his family, belongs to the 
Lutheran church. lie is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is 
an adherent to the principles of the demo- 
ci'atic party. He is a man highly honored 
and esteemed bv all who know him, and has 
held the offices of justice of the peace for six 
years and township clerk for four years. 
He is also notary public. 



/^HARLES C. KNAPPEN is the enter- 
vSV prising editor and proprietor of The 
Bulletin, of Fisher. He is the son of James 
G. and Elizabeth (Hulburt) Knappen, natives 
of New York. He was born in Columbia 
county, Wisconsin, February 15, ISfil, where 
he remained with his parents until he was 
seven years old, at which time they moved 
to Iowa, where they remained one year and a 
half, and then removed to Minnesota and 
settled in Albert Lea. Here Charles remained 
with his ]iarents about six years, when he com- 
menced learning the trade of printer with 
Woodard & Foss, editors of the Wells Ad- 
vocate. After remaining one year with them 
he went to Albert Lea for a short time, and 
then to Clear Lake, where he was engaged in 
the office of the Clear Lake. il//r;"o/". While 
in Albert Lea he, with Frank Pierce, issued 
his first paper, called The Will '0 the Wisp. 
After remaining in the Clear Lake Mirror 
office one year under instruction, he went to 
Lake Mills and ran a paper there for a period 
of six months, then returned to Albert Lea 
and ran the North Star a shoit time, after 
which he was engaged for six months in 
Minneapolis, with Johnson, Smith tV- Ilarri- 



1 88 



RKD RIVER VALLEY AND 



son, book publishers. He then went to Em- 
erson, Manitoba, and worked in the office of 
the DaUij International for some time, and 
in 18S1 went to the Rocky mountains as a 
correspondent for different papers. He was 
thus engaged for one year, and then, after 
visiting different j)laces for six months, he 
went to Fergus Fulls, working in the office 
of the Daily Telegraph six months ; from 
there he went to Chippewa Falls. Wisconsin, 
and was tliere and at Eau Claire engaged in 
newspaper work for one year and a lialf ; 
from there he went to Superior and i-an the 
Inter-Occan one and a half years, at wliicli 
time he came to Fisher, where he is now en- 
gaged in the same Imsiness. He has nuide 
the Bulletin a grand success, its circulation 
being now about 70U, which speaks well 
for the business (pialities of its enterprising 
and popular editor and proprietor. 

Mr. Knappen was married at Chippewa 
Falls, Wisconsin, September 2d, 1880, to 
Miss Etta G. Butler, the daughter of Aaron 
and Adrien (Edwards) Butler, natives of 
Maine. 

The subject of this sketch affiliates with 
the republican party. 



^^^ 



-.^^ 



I^ZRA G. VALENTINE, a leading and 
'"^"^ prominent attorney at law in Breck- 
eni'idge, Wilkin county, Minnesota, is a 
native of tiie State of New York. He was 
born on a farm near Attica, Wvomino- 
county, New York, on the 9th da\' of 
August, 1847, and is the son of Solomon and 
Maria (Goodell) A'alentine, natives of Wash- 
ington aiul Erie counties. New York, respect- 
ivel}'. The grandparents of our subject on 
his mother's side were John and Kuth Good- 
ell, natives of Erie county. New York, and 
were engaged in the pursuit of farming. 
They were excellent people, and devoted 
members of the Baptist church. The other 



grandparents of Mr. Valentine were Solo- 
mon and Mary Valentine, natives of Wash- 
ington county. New York. The father of 
the subject of this article was a practical 
mechanic by trade, and carried on tliis indus- 
ti'v in Ripon, Wisconsin, to whicli place he 
had removed in 18.57. He was engaged at 
I flie wagon makers and blacksmith's trades in 
that place, and remained there until his 
death, which occuritHl in September. 1870. 
The moti)er of Mr. Valentine is still living at 
i Ripon, Wisconsin. They had a family of 
i the following named children — Cliancy B., 
I attorney at law in Pai'ker, Dakota Territory ; 
j Professor William H. II.. of Chicago, Illi- 
nois, in Bryant A: Stratton's college; Annie, 
now Mrs. L. B. Everdell, her husband a law- 
yer of Brecken ridge, Minnesota; Josephine 
S., the wife of Mr. J. M. Beach, the State 
agent of W^isconsin for tlie Wheeler tt Wil- 
son Sewing Machine Company ; E/ra G., the 
subject of this memoir, and Ella M., who 
married Mr. King, a conductor on the I'ail- 
road, and a resident of Oshkosh, AVisconsin. 
The entire family consisted of fourteen chil- 
dren, five of whom died in infancy, and one 
at the age of five years. A seventh one died 
at the age of twelve yeai's. The rest grew 
to num and wonumliood, ar.d the above 
named are those now living. 

Mr. Valentine, of whom this sketch treats, 
was ])laced in tiie school-room at the early 
age of four 3'ears. He first attendetl the 
schools at Varysburg, near Attica, New 
York, and at the age of ten years removed 
witii his parents to Ripon, Wisconsin, where 
he attended the graded schools, and later 
entered Ripon College. He then attended 
Beloit College, in Wisconsin, and, after taking 
a tiioroiigh classical course, was graduated 
in 1869. After his graduation he was em- 
])loyed in the State School of Wisconsin for 
the Deaf and Dumb, as teacher, for four 
years, and a portion of this time was in 
charo-e of the institution. Later he was 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



I89 



engaged as instructor in tiie Indiana School 
for tiae Deaf and Dumb, located at Indian- 
apolis, and was connected with that school 
for three years. During the seven years he 
was employed in the two institutions he 
studied law, and the last year of teaching 
read under General Harrison, President of 
the United States. Leaving Indiiinaj)olis, 
lie removed to Chicago, Illinois, and entered 
the law office of Bonfield, Swezey & Smith, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1877. Dur- 
ing the same j'^ear he opened an office on his 
own account in Chicago, and remained tliere 
until December, 18S2, when he removed to 
Breckenridge, Minnesota, and entered into 
partnership with L. B. Everdell. This firm 
continued until May 1, 1884, when the 
partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Val- 
entine opened an office on his own ac- 
count. 

On the 1st of September, 1885, he, with 
F. E. Kenaston and J. A. Nelson, started a 
■bank in Breckenridge, under the name of 
Wilkin County Bank. In June, 1888, he and 
others established the Barnesville State Bank, 
•of which institution he is now one of the direct- 
ors. Mr. Kenaston has charge of the Wil- 
kin County Bank, and J. A. Nelson is cashier 
of the Barnesville bank. Both of these gen- 
tlemen are noticed at length elsewhere in 
this Album. Mr. Valentine is the attorney 
for both of these banks, and has a large and 
increasing practice. He is an able and suc- 
cessful lawyer and a careful business man. 
He owns a good deal of landed pi-operty in 
Wilkin county, Minnesota, and also in Da- 
kota, and is vice-president of the Wah])eton 
Telephone Company, of which he isalsocor- 
jioration attorney. He also attends to a 
great deal of legal business for a number of 
corjiorations. He is the chairman of the 
permanent committee of fifteen, who were 
chosen at a convention held at Crookston, 
Minnesota, to devise a system of drainage for 
.the Red River Valley counties in Minnesota, 



including the counties of Marshall, Polk, 
Norman, Clay and Wilkin 

Our .subject was married on the 4th of 
June, 1879, at Chicago, Illinois, to Miss Ber- 
tha M. Alden, and their union has been 
blessed by the advent of three children — 
James Alden and Blanche M., both now 
living, and JMaude Jose])liine Valentine, who 
died in infancy. Mrs. Valentine was born 
at Wilmington, Illinois, and is a daughter of 
James F. Alden, formerly a merchant of 
Boston, Massachusetts, and afterward mana- 
ger of the credit dei)artment for A. T. Stew- 
art, the dry goods king of Chicago and 
New York City. 

In conclusion, it is but just to say that Mr. 
Valentine is one of the most prominent and 
substantial citizens of Breckenridge. He is 
the president of the village council, has also 
held the office of school clerk for a number 
of years and filled various other local posi- 
tions. Every enterprise calculated to benefit 
his town or county has always received his 
heiirty support and cooperation, and no 
man has been more pr(jminently identified 
with the growth and (levelopment of Breck- 
enridge than has he. 



-— <^- 



-«►► 



>HtON. IRA B. MILLS, judge of the 
J!?t!L Fourteenth judicial district, embrac- 
ing Becker, Clay, Norman, Polk, Marshall, 
Kittson and Beltrami counties, is a native 
of Orange county, New York, born January 
14, 1851. His parents were William and Julia 
(Houston) Mills, who were natives of Scotch- 
town, Orange county, New York. William's 
father was Samuel, who married Esther 
Still, and they were both born in Orange 
county. Julia Houston's father was John 
G., and her mother Susan fBronson) Hous- 
ton, of the same county in New York above 
named. The father was a thrifty farmer, 
and he served in the War of 1812. These 



I go 



RED Kn'KR VALLEY AND 



families wei'e all possessed of good fortunes, 
and stood among tiie best of New York 
families. 

William Jlills had a lainily of tiiree cliil- 
dren, two of whom arc now living — Judge 
Ira 13. and his sister, Susan E. Tiie father 
and his wife went to retersburgii, Virginia, 
and settled, living retired until his death. 

Our subject, Ira B., was reared on his 
parents' farm, until he was fourteen years of 
aire. He was a graduate of Walikill Acad- 
emy, Orange county, New York, in 1867. 
After leaving the school-room he clerked in 
a large grocery and feed store for a jieriod 
of one year, after which he studied law with 
A. V. is'. Powelson. Later on he attended 
the Albany law school, and was admitted to 
the bar in May, 1872. He practiced in Port 
Jarvis, Orange county. New York, until 
1881, when lie saw broader and more promis- 
ing fields in tiie gnjwing AVest, and came to 
Minneapolis. ^Minnesota, where he lived six 
months, ami in ISSi' removed to Moorhead. 
Here he practiced law with much success 
until ISSC, when the ])eople of his district 
elected him to the office of district judge, 
wiiich place he still holds to the greatest 
satisfaction of all. Previous to his election 
he was a law i>artner of the firm of liurn- 
ham, Mills cfe Tillotson. In the East he had 
served as city attorney for two years, and 
otiierwise taken a prominent part in ])ublic 
affairs. 

He was married September 17, 1874, to 
Miss Isadore I>ackus, of Ashford, Connecti- 
cut, the daughter of S. S. Backus. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mills have one son — Ernest B. 

Politicall}', our worthy subject is a repub- 
lican, yet it may lie said tliat lie lias made 
law his tlieme, more than jiolities, hence his 
success in his ciiosen ]m)fession. He belongs 
to tlie order of Odd Fellows and also tiie 
Knights (if Pytliias. In the legal jirofession 
no man in all the great Northwest stands 
higher than Judge Mills. 



JOHN PETERSON LEE, one of tlie prom- 
inent and respected members of the 
farming community of Grant county, Min- 
nesota, is the subject of this biogi-ai)liical 
sketch, a resident of section 7, Sanford . 
townshi]). wiiere he is engaged in a general 
farming and stock-raising business. He is a 
native of Norway, born in the year 1836, 
and is a son of Peter Ilermanson and Sarah 
(Leej Ilermanson, natives also of Norway'. 
The parents emigrated to the United States 
at an early day and settled in Dane county, 
Wisconsin. They were farmers and tlie 
parents of the following named cliildren — 
Herman, Nels, Isabelleand John. 

John Petei'son Lee, the subject of this 
sketcli. spent hisscliool days in Dane county,' 
Wisconsin, where he had settled in infaTicy. 
He left scliool at the age of eighteen years. 
After leaving school he worked at general 
fai-ming in Wisconsin mid ^linm-sota until 
he enlisted. Special mention should here be 
matle of tlie war record of the jiresent sul)- 
ject. He enlisted at Goodhue county. ^lin- 
nesota, in IStW, in tlie Tenth Minnesota In- 
fantry, Company D, under Captain Phelps, 
and was with General Sibley's expedition, 
which started out from Fort Snelling. going 
up the Minnesota river, then to Devil's Lake 
along tlie Missouri river and i)ack to St. 
Paul. He then went to New York City, and 
in 1863 enlisted in the navy and served one 
year. After his ilischarge he returned to 
Wisconsin, and remained there about one 
3'ear. He next went to Goodhue county, 
Minnesota, where he spent another yeai'. 
Then he came to Stillwater, where lie was 
employed for two years in rafting on the 
Mississippi river. He then went to Minneap- 
olis, Minnesota, where hi' remained one year, 
working in a lumber yartl. He then I'e- 
iiioved to Alexandria, Douglas county, 
Minnesota, where he was married and re- 
mained one year. Then he settled on his 
present farm in Sanford townsliip. Grant. 



PARK REGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



igl 



count3', Minnesota. He was the first set- 
tler of his township, and did the first break- 
ing- of the prairie soil. 

For si.x niontlis he was teaming between 
St. Cloud and Ft. Abercrorabie, and then 
settled at farming, at which he has been en- 
gaged ever since. He is one of the jiromi- 
nent farmers of the town and connty, highly 
esteemed by all who bear his acquaintance. 

Mr. Lee was united in marriage in Octo- 
ber, 1S6S, to Miss Bergitha M. Holnig, a na- 
tive of Norwa\' and now the mother of one 
child — Sophia. 

Mr. Lee, with his family, belongs to the 
Lutheran chui'ch, and is one of the most 
favorably known families in the township. 
Mr. Peterson Lee is a republican in his polit- 
ical affiliations, and takes an active j)art in 
all |)ul)lic and local affairs. 



v-^^ 



-«« 



WILLIAM S. MOLES is a leading real 
estate dealer in Alexandria, Doug- 
las county, Minnesota. His careful, honor- 
able and energetic business qualities have 
earned for him an excellent reputation in the 
place where he resides. 

He was born in Cumberland, in the north 
of Englard, in the year LS34r, and his ]iai'ents 
were John and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Moles, 
his father being a native of Dumfries, Scot- 
hmd, and his mother being born in Cumber- 
land, Englantl. His father was an expert 
machinist, and was foreman of a large manu- 
factor}' in England for a number of \'ears. 
Li the year 1837 the family left old England 
to seek homes in the United States. After 
a very tempestuous voyage of thirteen weeks 
on the Atlantic, they reached Mobile, Ala- 
l)ama, where they resided for one year. 
They then removed to the State of Hlinois, 
locating in Peoria count}', some twenty-five 
miles west of Peoria city, where the father 
built the first grist mill that was erected in 



that part of the country. After carrying on 
the milling business and farming for some 
four years the father sold out and removed 
to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whence he 
returned to Peoria, Illinois, in 1845. He 
died at the latter place in 1847. The mother 
died in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1872. 
They had a family of six children, three of 
whom died in infancy ; those living are 
William S.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Herder, of 
Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Samuel T. 
Moles, of Duluth, Minnesota. 

The subject of our sketch was raised on a 
farm, receiving but a, limited school educa- 
tion, lie has, however, su|)plemented that 
by careful and systematic study in later 
years, and is well read on all general sui)jects. 
At the age of sixteen years he liecame a 
clerk in what is kin)wn as a general store, 
where he remained till he was twenty-two 
years old. after whicli he opened a mercan- 
tile business for himself in Marshall county, 
Illinois, continuing the business until 1860. 
He sold out and engaged in the real estate 
ami insurance business, wherein he was very 
successful until 1870, at which time he sold 
out the business and good-will thereof. 

In 1872 he removetl to Alexandria, Doug- 
las county, Minnesota, where he took the 
position of book-keeper and general business 
manager forthe Hon. William E. Hicks, now 
deceased, who was the owner of a laro-e 
amount of real estate, including the Alexan- 
dria town site, Alexandria steam mills and 
other valuable business jn-opertv. 

In 1856 Mr. Moles was married to Miss 
Margaret J. Kunnells, who was born in Dear- 
born county, Indiana. They have three 
children living — John K., Samuel D. and 
William H., the first two named being at 
present engaged in the mercantile business 
in Alexandria, under the firm name of Moles 
Bros. In 1871 the mother died. In 1873 
Mr. Moles was again married, to Miss Martha 
Snetting, of Alexandria, the issue of this 



192 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



marriage being two chiUli-en, living — Martha 
E. and Edward S., tlie latter being now at 
the age of ten years. 

Mr. Moles has always taken an active 
l)art and keen interest in the upbuilding of 
the town and count}' in which he lives, and 
to his untiring energy and well directed 
efforts, in connection with otlier intelligent 
men of the same class, Alexandria and 
Douglas count}" is taking the front rank as 
one of the most desirable and justly favored 
spots for I'esidence in all i[innesota's Park 
Region. Mr. J\[oles controls a large amount 
of choice property in Alexandria and vicin- 
ity. He and Mrs. Hicks (^widow of the late 
Hon. AV. E. Hicks) ai-e owners of a large 
amount of very choice timber farming lands, 
choice lakeside i)roj>erty and town lots in 
Alexandria and vicinity, which they offer at 
such prices anil on such terms to purchasers 
and home seekers as can not fail to attract 
universal attention of all who ilesire to 
chano'e their residence or make handsome 
returns on safe investments. 



•«--fS^"» 



JTOHN S. KOTSCHEVAR, of the firm of 
^ M. Kotsclievar ct Son. general mer- 
chants in Brandon, is one of the leading busi- 
ness men of tiie ])lace, being also engaged 
in the agricultui'al implement business and 
in buying wheat for O. N. Ostrom. of Min- 
neapolis. Mr. Kotsclievar was born in Aus- 
tria, on the lUth of January, lSfi2, and is a 
son of Matliias Kotschevar. John S. came 
to the United States with his mother and 
one brother in 1869. After lauding at Cas- 
tle Garden. New York, they came to Stearns 
county. Minnesota, aiid lived for one year at 
St. Martin. They then settled at Elizabeth- 
town, in Otter Tail count}', where they re- 
mained for two years. iEillerville, in Doug- 
las county, was their next place of residence. 
John S. Kotschevar received his education 



principally in Douglas county, but finished 
his schooling with a course at St. John's Col- 
lege, in Stearns county, leaving that institu- 
tion in 1886. On the 2d of Kovember, 
1887, he, wit!) his father, established their 
general store at Brandon, and John S. has 
since made that place his home. M. Kotsch- 
evar also has a general store at Millerville, 
and also deals extensively in stock. The 
firm carries on a heavy business, and are 
rated among the most substantial business 
iirms in Douglas county. 

John S. Kotschevar was married on the 
ISth of October, 1887, to Miss Anna Movern. 
She wasl)()rn at Cold Springs, Stearns county, 
Minnesota, but was reareil and educated at 
Milleiwille, Douglas county. 

Our subject is independent of party lines 
in his political action. He has always taken 
an active and prominent part in public and 
political affairs, and in 1886 was the candi- 
date for sheriff of Douglas county on the 
people's ticket, but was defeated by a small 
majority, as the county is overwhelmingly 
republican. He is the present village re- 
coi'der of Brandon, and is one of the leading 
citizens of the place. The family are exem- 
plary members of the Catliolic church. 



-.^^-- 



^'"■^^HRISTIAN P. STAVE, a prominent and 
respected citizen of Otter Tail county. 
Minnesota, is engaged in the general mer- 
chandising business in the village of Aastad. 
He is a native of Norway, born on the .".rd 
day of March, 18-18, and is the son of Paul 
and Gurena C. (Vigvskoen) Stave, natives 
also of the kingdom of Norway. The 
mother died when the subject of this sketch 
was three years of age, and the father passed 
away in 1883. He was a farmer through 
life, and died at his home in Norway. They 
are the parents of the following named 
children — Torkel, Andreas, Pauleua, Serena, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



193 



Cliristian and John. John, Paulena and our 
subject are the only cliildren who are in 
America. 

Christian P. Stave, of whom tliis article 
treats, received iiis earlier education in tlie 
land of ills birth, but also attended school 
considerable after coming to the United 
States. At the age of fifteen years he left 
sciiool and remained at home, helping on the 
home farm. At the age of twenty -two years 
he emigrated to the United States, and in 
the 3'ear 1870 landed at Quebec, Canada. 
From the port of landing he removed to 
within about twentj' miles of LaCrosse, Wis- 
consin, where he remained for one month. At 
the expiration of that time he moved to 
Goodhue county, Minnesota, and after a six 
years' sojourn in that locality went to Ot- 
ter Tail county, Minnesota. While in Good- 
hue county he was engaged extensively in 
a general farming and stock business. After 
coming to Otter Tail county, he settled on 
section 12, Aastad townshij), where he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits until 1882. His 
Ijeautiful farm comjirised 120 acres of well 
im])roved land, and was one of the most de- 
sirable tracts in the township. In 1882 Mr. 
Stave opened a general store in Parkdale, 
Otter Tail count}', and continued in the busi- 
ness for two years. In ISSi he removed 
from Parkdale and settled at Aastad, where 
he opened a general merchandise store, and 
has since been enoaged in that business. He 
carries a full line of goods and is one of the 
most prominent and successful citizens in 
the cuunty. 

Mr. Stave was mari'ied in 1884 to Miss 
Carrie Knutson, a native of Norway, who 
emigrated to the United States in 1867. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stave are the parents of the 
following children — Gurena, Clara P., Ida 
C, Carete M., Ingebor, deceased, and Pasvig, 
who died at the age of four months. While 
our subject was in Parkdale he was post- 
master. He has always taken a i)i'orainent 



part in jjublic affairs and has held a great 
niany local offices, such as justice of the 
peace, chairman of the board of supervisoi's, 
school clerk, etc. He is one of the repre- 
sentative men of his town and county, highly 
esteemed and respected by all. He is a man 
of the utmost honor and integrity', and his 
word is recognized as being as good as a 
bond. 



-.«" 



««►► 



lNDREW l.UND, a prominent and suc- 
cessful merchant of the village of 
Norcross, Grant county, Minnesota, is a na- 
tive of Norway. He was born in Bergen 
Stiff, on the 1st of January, 185-4, and is the 
son of Andrew and Anna (Olson) Taralact, 
natives also of the kingdom of Norway. 
The father and mother of our subject are 
still residing in their native land, and are en- 
ffaffed in the vocation of farmino'. Thev ai'e 
the parents of the following named chil- 
dren — Gunilda, Anna, Ole, Peter, Breta, 
Andrew, Martin, Lena and Pagnilde. 

Andrew Lund attended the excellent com- 
mon schools of his native land from eight 
years of age until he was sixteen, at which 
period in life he began an apprenticeship to 
the carpenter's trade. After learning his 
trade he followed the same in the Old World 
until 1874. In 1874 he emigrated to the 
United States, and, after landing, went to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota. He followed his 
trade in that city for seven years, and, at the 
expiration of that time, removed to Nor- 
cross, Grant county, Minnesota. In ISSl he 
opened up his present business of general 
merchandising, and has continued to operate 
the same with increasing success. In addi- 
tion to his store, he holds a quarter interest 
in a general store in the village of Wheaton, 
Traverse county, Minnesota, and owns a fine 
farm in Logan township. Grant county, Min- 
nesota. In 1884 Mr. Lund was elected to 



194 



RED RIVER VALLE V AND 



the office of postmaster, and he has since 
held the position witli credit to iiiniself and 
tlie parties who selected iiini. 

Mr. I.nnd was united in marriage on the 
16tii day (.1' Ain-il, 1882, to Miss Malena 
Everson. wlio was born in Norway on the 
2 2d of February, ISCO. Tiieir marriage lias 
1)een blessed witli tiie following children — 
Anna, Alfred, Iver and Ellen. The family 
are exemplary members of the Norwegian 
Lutheran church. Mr. Lund is a representa- 
tive man of his town and county, always 
taking an active interest in all public and 
educational matters. He has held the offices 
of school treasurer of district No. 31, town 
treasurer, etc. He is a i-epublican in his 
political affiliations, and is a man of the best 
business qualifications. He is highly esteemed 
bv all wiio know him as a man of the 
strictest honor and integrity, and his word 
is recognized as being as good as a bonil. 



-^- 



-^^ 



^^t^ C. LIGHTBOURN, theeditor and pro- 
prietor of the Norman Couufy Jnde.c, 
the leading journal of the county, and an 
important factor in the growth aiul develoji- 
ment of the village of Ada, Minnesota, was 
born in 8t. Paul, Minnesota, January 30, 
1858, and is the son of Edward S. and Susan 
H. (Murray) Lightbourn. His father is a 
native of the Bermuda Islands, and of 
English ancestry, while his mother is a 
descendant of the Norman family, who 
settled in Carolina at an early day. The 
maternal grandfather of our subject, U. C. 
Murray, settled at St. Paul in its infancy, 
being one of its pioneer citizens. 

The father and mother of the subject <;if 
this memoir were married in New Orleans, 
and settled in St. Paul in 1857, where he was 
born. Receiving his education in the schools 
of that city, Mr. Lightbourn, at the age of 
eleven vears, having a natural bent toward 



the newspaper business, commenced work in 
the office of the St. Paul Pioneer, working 
mornings and evenings, going to school in 
the interval. He was advanced from one 
post in the office to another, and at the age 
of seventeen began in earnest his apprentice 
ship to the "art jn'eservativeof all arts," and 
finished his trade in that office. Four suc- 
ceeding years he spent as journeyman printei' 
in the employ of the daily papers of St. Paul, 
but in 1881 removeil to Winnipeg, Manitoba, 
and there remainetl for ai)out eighteen 
months, following his trade. From there he 
went to Grand Forks, where he was 
the genei'al manager of the daily J'hu'n- 
dealer for about si.\ months. Having a 
natural desire to have a paper of his 
own, he looked around for a suitable 
locality, and in the spring of 1883, in 
company with C. AV. Foote, came to Ada 
and pui'cluised the Alert, a paper established 
by Fi'ed Puhler, in 1880, and ciianging its 
name to that of the Norman Counti/ ImJew, 
entered upon its management. Three years 
later, in 1880, Mr. Lightbourn puicliased the 
interest of his co-partner, and since that time 
has had sole control of the business. He has 
made the journal over which he presides the 
most active and prominent supporter of repub- 
lican principles in this section of country, 
and is himself an energetic worker in the 
interests of that Jiarty, both with pen and 
tongue. He wields a trenchant jien, which, 
while shar]) ami keen, is \'et temj)ered witiia 
courtesy that never fails to win the admira- 
tion of even his opponents. His writings 
are sharp and clear, and show him to be a 
man of keen conceptions, and a stanch an«l 
strong friend or foe. The jjaper thus ably 
edited is highly popular and is the largest 
and best circulated in the northwestei'n part 
of the State, and has a record of which ]\fr. 
Lightbourn can well feel proud. 

In his }K)litical views, as has been said. Mr. 
Lightbourn affiliates with the republican 



PARK REGiONS OF MINNESOTA. 



195 



])arty, and lias lieen an active and ])rnininont 
member of many of thecounty and State con- 
ventions of that organization, and his voice 
and vote have always been in supjiort of the 
purest measures and tlie best men. Tlie 
interests of tiie principles crystallized in the 
platforms of his party are his creed, and of 
tiie.se lie is a most ardent advocate, both 
fi'om the editorial tripod and the rostrum. 
In iiis ]irivate life he is a most social and 
"genial companion, and enjoys in tiie highest 
(lejjiee the esteem and reg-ard of tiie wliole 
community. 

Mr. Lightbourn was united in marriasie 
September 27, 1SS7, with Miss Emily Gins- 
])erg, of Ada, but formerly of Mantorville, 
Dodge county, this State. 



-«--S^^-4- 



/pCHARLES H. SHALER was born in 
\^=S^ Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Sep- 
temlier 15, 1840, a son of Thomas and 
Adelia (Burdeck) Shaler, natives of Con- 
necticut and New York, respectively. The 
father was born March 20, 181-1, the mother 
March 20, 1822; went with their parents to 
IMiciiigan, where they were married. The 
father engaged in farming until the spring 
of 1850, when he went overland to Cali- 
fornia, and engaged in farming just below 
Sacramento City, on the banks of the 
Sacramento. He sent for his family, wliom 
lie iiad left behind in Michigan in IS.")!*. Tlie 
iiKJtlier died in Sacramento City, tiie father 
still lives there. Their children W(!re iMary 
T., deceased, Almeda, and Charles 11. , sub- 
ject of this sketch. The father took an 
active interest in jniblic affairs, was formerly 
a whig, and voted for "William Henry 
Harrison in 18'10; has been a stanch repub- 
lican since its organization, and voted for 
iJenjamin Harrison in 1888. Our subject 
went with tlie family to California, besides 
iiclpingon the farm; sjient one suiiiiiicr, 1860, 



in the mines of Nevada, then Utah Terri- 
tory. He enlisted in Company M, First 
California Cavalry, March 14, 1863, at 
Sacramento City; went with his company 
to Arizona Territory and New Mexico, where 
.they were engaged in scouting dut^-; par- 
ticipated in an engagement against the 
Kiawas and Camoncha Indians on the 
Canadian river, Indian Territory, November 
24, 1864, Kit Carson commanding. He 
received an honorable discharge Mai'ch 15, 
1866, at Fort Selden, New Mexico; went to 
Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and in the 
spring of 1868 settled in Blue Earth county, 
Minnesota. He came to Todd county in the 
fall of 1888. His home is in section 24, 
Stone Prairie township. He is a republican 
in ]^olitics, a membei- of Mankato Lodge, 
No. 15, 1. O. O. F., and of Alexander Wilken 
Post, G. A. P., at Mankato, Minnesota. 

Our subject was married December 8, 
1868, to Julia J. French, born in Columbia 
county, Wisconsin, July 30, 1848. Their 
children are Myila F., born September 10, 
1869; Bertha F.', born August 2, 1871; Charles 
L., born August 12, 1874, died September 
21, 1878; Koy H., born February 17, 1877; 
Willie IL, born July 5, 1879, died 
Mai-ch, 1880; Gaylord T., born June 23, 
1885, and Bernice A., born June 3. 1888. 

PETER E. THOMPSON. The subject of 
this biographical memoir is one of 
the prominent and esteemed menibers of the 
business fraternity of Clay county, Minne- 
sota, being engaged in carrying on a general 
merchandising business in the village of 
Barnesville. He is a native of Wisconsin, 
born in Dane county, on the 16th day of 
November, 1852, and is tiie son of Ingrebret 
and Mary (Ilaugen) Thompson, natives of 
Norway. 

Mr. Thompson, the subject of this article. 



Ig6 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



spent liis early cliildliood in liis native State, 
ilis lather (lied in Dane county, "Wisconsin. 
In 1864 he removed witli tlie family to (Tood- 
hue county, ifinnesola, and remained there 
five years, attending school. At the expira- 
tion of that time he commenced in life for 
himself and removed to Northfieid, Minne- 
sota, where he secured a clerkship in a store. 
He remained in that place engaged in clerk- 
ing for two years and a half. He then 
moved, with his mother and brothers, to 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota. They made 
the journe\' overland, and after a long, 
tedious trip, they arrived at their destina- 
tion — Pelican Kapids. They were among 
the very first who settled in that locality, 
and they took a tract of land about two 
miles from the village. Times were hard 
and circimistances seemed coupled togetiier 
to oppress them. Their nearest market was 
at Alexandria, seventy-live miles distant, and 
the trip had to lie made overland. The sulj- 
ject of this sketch remained there two years, 
and then removed into the village of Pelican 
Rapids, where he secured a clerkship in the 
store of Mr. Plyberg, and i-emained with him 
about two years. He rented the farm and 
in 1875 went into the employ of G. S. 
Barnes (after whom Barnesville is named), 
and remained with him until the fall of 1S80, 
at Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota. In 
the fall of 1877, when the branch known as 
the '"cut-off" was built between Barnesville 
and Moorhead, Mr. Thompson located at 
Barnesville, as nianager for G. S. Barnes, and 
later built a store and engaged in the general 
merchandising ijusiness for himself, which 
ho has since followed. At the time Mr. 
Thomjjson pui-chased the stock of goods from 
Ml'. Keene, the new town was organized and 
Mr. Thompson removed his store building 
and stock to the latter place. In 1884, he 
again removed to the last incorporated 
Barnesville, where he has since i-esided. In 
1878 he filed on two Government lots, com- 



prising seventy-two acres, and the new town 
site includes his land, which is now platted 
into city lots. 

ilr. Thompson was mari-ied in 1879 to 
Miss II. C Olson, of Evansville, Grant county, 
and they are the parents of three children — 
George E., Alma M. and Julian S. Mr. 
Thompson is an active and prominent busi- 
ness man of liis county, and one who bears 
the respect of all. He has held the office of 
justice of the peace and postmaster foi' eight 
years, and is a I'cpresentative man of the 
Red River Valley. He was elected county 
commissioner in 1886, and re-elected in 1888 
He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., 
and an adherent to the principles of the' 
repuiilican party. 



/^HRISTIAN MADSON. The subject of 
^^y this biographical memoir is aresidentof 
East (irrand Forks, Polk county, j\[innesota, 
where he is engaged in the genei-al mei-chaii- 

DO O 

dising business. He is a nativeof Denmark, 
born in Orenholt on the 11th day of October, 
1841), and is the son of Mads and Anna Elsie 
Maria Jensen, also natives of Denmark. 

Mr. ]\radson. of whom this sketch treats, 
remained in the excellent common schools of 
his native land until he was fifteen years of 
age. He then engaged in the weaver's trade, 
and followed that industry in Denmark un- 
til h(^ was fifteen years old. He then operated 
a store on his own account and continued in 
the merchant's business for tlii'ee or four 
years. At the age of twenty, in 1870, he 
emigrated to the United States and at once 
went to, and settled at St. Paul, IVlinnesota. 
He secured work with a gardener who lived 
near St. Paul, and remained with him until 
the following July. He then secured work 
in the harvest field, and worked that season 
at harvesting and stacking, and in the fall 
found Work' on a gravel train and continued 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



197 



in tliat work until tlie following' spring. He 
then went to L)\v;i, where lie worked at rail- 
I'oading until harvest. Again he went into 
the lield and worked for various farmers un- 
til winter set in. During that winter he 
drove a carriage for Judge Underwood,' of 
St. Paul, Minnesota. In the spring he re- 
turned to railroading and in the fall worked 
in the harvest field and the next winter re- 
sumed his place with the judge. In the 
spring of 1874 he went to Minneapolis, Min- 
nesota, and worked in the woolen mills for 
one year. At the expiration of that time, 
he secured a position with Tom King similar 
to theone he held with tlie judge. In Sep- 
tember, ISTt), he went into the grocery busi- 
ness, in pai'tnersliip with P. II. Johnson. 
The firm name stood Madson & Johnson, and 
for the first year they rented rooms, but in 
ISTT erected a substantial buililing. They 
also erected another building, now used as a 
drug store. In August, 18S1, Mr. Madson 
sold his stock of groceries to ^Ir. Hink and 
until the following spring led a retired life. 
Ill the spring of 1S82 he settled at East Grand 
Forks, Minnesota, where he built the first busi- 
ness building in the city, and engaged in the 
grocery trade. He has since remainetl there, 
engaged in the same business. He carries a 
complete and first-class line of goods and is 
doing a successful business. On the 1st day 
of May, 1888, Mr. Madson took as a jiartner 
in the lousiness. P. A. Ilotvedt, and they have 
since continued the business in ])artnersliip. 
Mr. Madson was married April IT, 18T8, 
to ^[iss Lottie Johnson, daughtei- of Swan 
Johnson, a resident of Minneapolis. Mr. 
and Mrs. Madson are the parents of the 
following named children — Albert C, Mails 
E., Henry C, Anna E. and Lotta M. Mr. 
l[adson is one of the prominent citizens 
of East Grand Forks and has held the otHces 
of townshi]i treasurer for four years, and city 
treasurer ever since its organization. While 
in Minneapolis he was one of the organizers 



of the Danie Societ}', a Danish benefit organ- 
ization. They have one of the finest halls 
in the city of Minneajiolis and the order is 
very popular among the Danish people. 



«^- 



•HARLES S. SPENDLEY, city justice of 
Crookston, and a leading citizen of that 
place, is one of the pioneers of Minnesota, 
having come to the North Star State in 
1856. He is a native of Binghamton, 
Broome county, JSTew York, and the son of 
AVilliam and Susan (Anderson) Spendley. 
While still a small boy he was bereft by 
death of his father, and his wid(jwed mother 
gave him the advantages of an excellent edu- 
cation at what was then known as John J. 
Millan's academy, a private educational in- 
stitution of that pai-t of the Empire State. 
After attending at that establishment some 
three years, the subject of this sketch, at the 
age of sixteen years, engaged in the hotel 
business with two elder brothers, and 
remained with them some nine years. This 
was followed by a few years of farming in 
that locality, but in 1856, having about made 
up his mind to seek a new home in the West, 
one day came across a paper published at 
St. Paul, Minnesota, wherein were set forth 
in glowing colors all the advantages accruing 
to settlers in the neighboi'hood of that incip- 
ient city, and determined to proceed thither. 
On the -Ith of Se])tember he left his home 
and started on his long journey. On arriv- 
ing at Buffalo, New York, he found a captain 
of one of the lake craft, who agreed to land 
him and several others in Chicago, Illinois, 
in four days, for eight dollars each. Board- 
ing the vessel, after a rough and stormy pas- 
sage, in nine days' time he was enabled to step 
ashore at his point of destination. From 
that city he procectled by rail to Dunlieth, 
now East Dul)uque, which was as far as the 
iron horse tlicn went, and crossing the mighty 



1 98 



RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



Mississippi to Duljiiqiie. tlierotookpassapoon 
theohi steaiucr, '• (ialeiia,"" iiftci'ward liiiineil 
at Red Wing. While oti tiie voyago up the 
pictm-es(pie river he becainoacniuainted with 
a gentleman from Red Wing, who spoke to 
him about the superior advantages that tiie 
country back of tluit village offered to new- 
comers. Deciding to see for himself, he left 
the boat at Red Wing and went to thenortii 
branch of the Zumbro river and took up a 
claim about a mile from the present site of 
the village of Zumbrota. Engaging in agri- 
cultural pursuits, he made his home there 
until 1864. When tlie Civil War broke out 
in 1861, Mr. Spendley offered his services in 
the defense of his native land, but was rejected 
at tiie time. In 1864, he, however, enlisted 
in Compau}^ E, P^irst Minnesota Heavy Ar- 
tillery, in which regiment he served until 
October, 1865, when he received his dis- 
charge and returned to his home. The fol- 
lowing year he went back to the Empire 
State, where he remained some four years, at 
the end of which he returned to this State. 
May 1, 1872, tiie subject of tiiis memoii- 
started bv train for Mooriiead, from St. 
Paul. At that time the road was new and 
in l)Ut indifferent condition, so much 
.so that trains could not be run at niglit. 
The first day's journey ended at Minnesota 
Junction, it snowing almost all day. The 
next day they found much snow on the 
track between that place and Ri-ainerd, 
which they reached at nightfall. On the 
morning of tiie 3rd the train left the latter 
place, and on the way passengers often were 
comjielled to get out of the coaclies and 
hold them up, so that they iiiiglit not 
tip over. Airiving within si.\ miles of 
Mooriiead, while waiting until the track was 
made ready for the train, ^NIi'. Spendley 
observed that there was no snow, and that 
the ])rairies were clothed in emerald 
green and dotted over with early tlowers. 
Beiii": informed bv a brother-in-law of 



Governor Austin that tiie Manitoba railroad 
would be built that year, and that a town 
would be laid out at the ci'ossing of the 
river, he started the ne.xt day by way of 
Grand Forks, to find where the survey 
striulc Ued Lake river, and mi reaching 
that point found several settlers who had 
staked out claims — an examjile which he fol- 
lowed. Thecountry had been surveyed into 
towns, hut the section lines had not been 
run, so that he soon found that his claim 
was one of the odd numbered sections 
belonyino; to the railroad companv. and two 
years later removed to within two and a 
half miles of the jiresent site of Crookston, 
where he took another claim and owns the 
farm which he made out of it. 

On the organization of the county, which 
then embraced, besides its present territory, 
all of Norman and the south tier of town- 
ships of Marsliall county, Wv. Spendley 
was chosen judge of the probate court and 
one of the judges of the first election. 
Only 117 votes were cast at that time in the 
county, and every one was for our subject 
for the office mentioned. This office 
he retained some two years. During the 
hard times of 1874 he went to Becker 
county, and was em])loyed on the large 
farm of the Minnesota Land Company for 
two months, and went from there to Grand 
Forks. In the latter place and on the river 
he was em])loyed until fall. While there 
he was induced by his friends to run as an 
independent candidate for register of deeds, 
and, although absent from the county dur- 
ing the entire canvass, was elected witli a 
large majority. .lanuary 1, 1S7.">, he took 
charge of the office and filled it most satis- 
factoi'ilv for ten consecutive vears. Durin"; 
the same time he was deputy clerk of court 
one year, and town clerk the same length of 
time. His health ])eiiig somewhat impaired 
by close application to business, from Janu- 
ary, 1885. to the spring of 1887, he was not 



PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



'99 



ongagecl in any active eiii]iloynient, except 
su])ervising the work of his farm. At the 
date hist mentioned, lie was elected to tiie 
office of city justice, a position \\liich he 
graces at tlje present time (ISSSj. By his 
energy, tact, industry and economy, Mr. 
S])endley has succeeded in accumulating a 
fair share of this world's yooils, huvin"', be- 
sides his beautiful farm, a handsome resi- 
dence in Crookston, and several hundred 
acres of other land. He is a j^rominent 
member of Cobham Post, No. 90, G. A. E. ; 
of Crookston Lodge, jS^o. 191, A. F. & A.M. ; 
and of Pierson Chapter, No. 4, K. A. M. 

Mr. Spendley was united in marriage, 
February 17, 1883, with Miss Elsie H. JNew- 
ton. Thev have one daughter, Marv Rnth. 



-«- 



^vjLLlVER WILLIAMS, a prominent and 
successful farmer antl stock-raiser, 
who resides on section 22, Pomme de Terre 
township, is one of the most higiily respected 
old settlers in Grant county, Minnesota. 
His ])arents, who were Jacob and Lydia 
(Grinnell) Williams, were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, where they were among the early 
settlers. The father died there in about 
1850, while the mother died aijout ten 
years later. They were the parents of nine 
children — Olliver. Sarah, Laura, Olive, 
Harriet, Lydia, Agnes, Joseph and Victoria. 
Olliver Williams, who is the subject of this 
article, was born in Mercer county, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the 12th of Februai-y, 1830. Owing 
to the adverse circumstances of his parents, 
he was favored with but little in the way of 
educational advantages, so that all the educa- 
tion he secured was through his own exertions, 
and at odd times. When he was about fif- 
teen years okl he began working out, and 
(luring the first winter he worked in the 
pineries. The next was i)ut in at work on a 
farm in Ohio. He then shifted about a jrood 



deal, and engaged in coal mining, which he 
followed in Pennsj'lvania and Illinois for 
about thirty years. He was one of the earli- 
est settlers in Pock Island. Illinois, havino- 
located there in 1818. He continued to fol- 
low the business of a coal miner until 18C9, 
when he came to Grant county, Minnesota, 
where he has since lived. He took a home- 
stead on sections 22 and 23, Pomme de Teri'e 
township, which he impi'oved, and now 
has a well cultivated and valuable farm. 
The country was very new at that time and 
they were among the earliest settlers in the 
northern part of Grant county. 

j\[r. AVilliains has been twice married. 
His first wife was Miss Isabelle Towner, who 
was a native of Kentucky. This mai'riage 
was blessed with seven children, onl}^ two of 
whom are now living — Olliver and Celena. 
\\\ 1869 Mr. Williams was again married, 
his present wife being formerly Miss Mary 
Butler. 

Mrs. Williams was born in Pennsylvania. 
When she was only three days old her mother 
died, and owing to the hard times and cir- 
cumstances of her people she was early 
thrown upon her own resources and industry. 
She went to Pittsburgh when eighteen years 
of age and lived there for ten years, then 
went to Ohio. A year later she went to 
Ileniw county, Illinois, where she met and 
married Mr. Williams. 

Mr. Williams is a gentleman of sterling 
worth and integrity, and both he and his 
wife are held in the highest esteem by all 
who know them. 



--*•- 



^^> 



ALPHEUS WELLS, of the firm of 
Wells Brothers, engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise business, in Herman, Grant 
county, Minnesota, is a native of Canada. 
He was born in Upper (Canada, at L'Orig- 
nal, on the 12th of August, 1839, and is the 



KED KIVER VALLEY AND 



son of Abel and Hannah fCassl "Wells, na- 
tives of New Voile and Canada, respect- 
ively. The father of our subject died in 
1870. at Jordan. Minnesota, wiiere he had 
resided tliree years. lie was engaged in 
farming, and in his eai'liei' life was devoted 
to tlie mercantile business. The inotiier of 
the present subject is living in ]\lorris, Ste- 
vens couutv, Minnesota, at the advanced age 
of eighty years. They are the parents of the 
following named children — Josejiii P., Polly, 
Ann, Rufns, A. W., Azelia, A. ar.d II. II. 
Joseph was killed at the battle of Yicks- 
biirg, and was in the Fourteenth Wisconsin 
Infantry, Company C. Azelia died at Mor- 
ris, May 10, 1873, and was the wife of Mr. 
Wolff, who was engaged in the general mer- 
chandise business. She was a sympathizer 
with the Methodist church, and an excellent 
lady, highly estemeed by all who knew her. 

Mr. Wells, the subject of this article, spent 
his younger days in Canada and attended the 
public schools of tliat land until he had 
readied the age of sixteen years. Until he 
had reached the age of twenty years, he was 
engaged in farming in Canada, and at the 
age of twenty j'earshe removed to Minnesota, 
settling at Jordan, where he remained eight 
years, engaged in the milling business with 
his brother Itufus. At the ex])ii"ation of 
the time mentioned he removed to Grant 
county, ]\Iinnesota, by way of Morris, Min- 
nesota, where he stopped one month. He 
settled in Herman in 1878, and bought out 
Mr. Stone, who was engaged in the mercan- 
tile business. He was assistant cashier in 
the bank in Herman for two years. He is 
now one of the stockholders of the bank, and 
holds an interest in the Stevens County Bank 
at Morris; also in a store at AVheaton, Min- 
nesota. 

He was married in April, ISSO, to Miss 
Lotta Davidson, the daughter of John David- 
son, and they are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Edith, Arthur aiul Stella. He is are- 



publican in politics and takes an active inter- 
est in all local affairs. lie has been the presi- 
dent of the village council, and is one of the 
most prominent and highly esteemed citizens 
of (Trant county. He has been chairman of 
the village board, and held various local 
offices. He is a memljer of the ]\Iasonic fra- 
ternitv, and is a man of the strictest honor 



and integrity. 



^^.^ 



EORGE L. FRY is a resident of the 
^>2^ vdlage of Osakis. Douglas county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise trade, handling all kinds of 
boots, shoes, dry goods, groceries, etc. He is 
a native of Indiana, born in Bartholomew 
county, on the 14th of Xovendjer, 1851, and 
is the son of Peter and Alartha (Snow) Fry, 
natives of North Carolina. The father and 
mother of our subject were united in mar- 
riage in Indiana, and. after marriage, settled 
down in that State, which they made their 
home for the most part of the remainder of 
their lives. The father died in Arkansas. 
He was a miller by trade, but, during the 
latter part of his life, he followed the mer- 
chant's business and farming. They u^ere the 
parents of the following named children — 
Pleates, Emma, Tina, Lenora, George, Her- 
man and Charles. 

George L. Fry, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, received his education in 
the village of Hope, Indiana, and at the age 
of seventeen years left the school-room and 
removed to Minnesota. He settled at the 
village of Osakis, Douglas county, where he 
engaged in the carpenter's trade, at which 
he worked until 1883. In 1877 he went to 
the Black Hills, Dakota Territory, whei-e he 
remained some time, directing the erection 
of some government buildings in that region. 
He is one of the eai'liest settlers in Douglas 
countv, having located there in 1868. At 



PARK REGIONS OF MINXESOTA. 



that time tliere were only six or seven set- 
tlers in the county, among whom were 
Messrs. Johnson, Adley and Stone. In 1883 
Mr. Fry engaged in his ])resent business, 
general merchandising, which he has since 
followed. He carries one of the heaviest 
stocks in the village, and is doing a success- 
ful and increasing business. 
. Mr. Fry was united in marriage on the 
25tli of January, 1875, to Miss Innie McAlip, 
a native of Bartholomew county, Indiana. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fry have been blessed with 
the following named children ^ Claud, Le- 
verne, Myrthe, Ray, Cole and Violet. Mr. 
Fry is a republican in politics, and is a highly 
respected citizen of Osakis village. He has 
held the office of school clerk since ISSG, and 
is actively interested in all local matters. 
Liberal and enterprising, every enterprise 
calculated to aid in the growth and develop- 
ment of his locality receives his hearty aid 
and encouragement. He was interested 
lai'gely in the firm which negotiated the 
establishment of a creamer}' at Osakis. The 
creamery has a capacity of from three 
to four thousand pounds of butter })er daj', 
and is one of the most beneficial and impor- 
tant industries in Douiilas countv. 



^-^^ 



— ^.§.- 



m^ RANK HAMILTON. Prominent among 
vJ^ the business men of Folk county, 
Minnesota, is the subject of this article, a 
successful hardware dealer' in the village of 
Fisher. He is a native of Canada, born in 
Ontario, on the 14th of April, 1858, and is 
the son of Frank and Christena (Mclnnis) 
Hamilton, also a native of that dominion. 
The father and mother of our subject wei'e 
the parents of the following named children 
— Donald, William, George, Robert, Kate, 
Jennie, Flora, Christena and Frank. 

P^rank Hamilton, the subject of this article, 
remained at home, attending the excellent 



common schools of his native county until he 
had attained the age of fourteen years. At 
that period in life, he entered an apprentice- 
ship to the wagon maker's trade at Cromarty, 
Canada. He followed his trade for two 
years in that place, and then removed to 
Listowell, Canada, where he worked at his 
trade for one year and then returned to 
Cromarty, where he engaged at wagon mak- 
ino-. After one year's work, Mr. Hamilton 
went to Stratford, where he remained twelve 
months and then moved to Minnesota. He 
settled in Fisher, Polk county, where he 
worked at the carpenter's trade for four 
years. At the expiration of that time, he 
opened a furniture store, and after two years 
put in a full line of heavy and shelf hard- 
ware. He still oj)erates the two stores, and 
is doing a heavy business. His store is on the 
cornerof Third street and Thomiison avenue, 
and is well stocked with all kinds of hardware 
and furniture. He carries a stock that would 
do justice to a much larger place, and has a 
large and increasing business. He is a genial 
and affable gentleman, and stands high in 
the community in which he lives. 

Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage in 
Stratford, Canada, on the 14th day of July, 
1886, to Miss Cressie Rankin, the daughter 
of James and Margery (McNaughton) Ran- 
kin, natives of Ireland and Scotland, re- 
spectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have 
been blessed with one child — Errol Clifford. 
In political matters Mr. Hamilton is an adher- 
ent to the pi'inciples of the republican party. 



►ETER LIER. Among the prominent 
and influential juerchants of the Park 
Res'ions is the jrentleman whose name heads 
this article, a hardware and furniture dealer 
of the village of Ashby, Grant county, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of Norway, born on the 
20th day of November, 1853, and is the son of 



RED KIIKK VALLEY AND 



ErickandMaren (Knutson) Peterson, natives, 
also of Norway. The jiarents of our suliject, 
who were farmers, came to the United States 
in 1877, and settled in Dakota, where they 
have since lived; The}^ are engaged in 
farming on a tract of land about twelve 
miles from Fargo. ^Dakota Territory. Tiiey 
<ire the parents of the following named chil- 
dren — Lena, Maren. Karen, Matea, Peter, 
Emil, Ingebor. Olaf. Olinc Knute. Talinc 
and Carrie. 

Mr. Lier, the subject of this biographical 
article, spent his school days in the land of 
his birth, attending the common sclioo! in 
Frederick Hald, Norway, until lie had 
reached the age of twenty years. He then 
assumed the proprietorship of a general mer- 
chandise store, which position he held for a 
period of five years. In is79 he emigrated 
to the United States and went to Dakota, 
where he visited his parents. After spend- 
ing some time at the home of his parents, lie 
went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he 
remained for about five months attending 
school. Mr. Lier then removed to Brandon, 
Minnesota, where he clerked in a store for 
three year's and a half, lie then started in 
the condiined business of hardware, harness 
and a lunch counter in lirandon, and after 
remaining at this occupation for two years, 
moved to Ashby, Grant county, Minnesota. 
In the month of February, 1SS.5, he opened 
U|i his present liardware business in jiartner- 
sliip with a Mr. Olson, and on January 1, 
1889, they dissolved ])artnersliip. He now 
has one of the most fully equipped hardware 
establishments in the village of Ashby. In 
addition to his hardware business, he carries 
a full line of furniture, paints, oils, sporting- 
goods, etc. 

Mr. Lier was married in January, 1882, to 
Miss Alma Holmgren, and this union has 
been blessed with the following nauied chil- 
dren — Emil, Hjalmar and Edorf Menton. 
Mrs. Lier is a native of Sweden and emi- 



grated to the United States with her parents 
when in her fourth year. Mr. Lier is one 
of the prominent business men of the village 
and takes an active interest in all public and 
local atfairs. He, with his family, are mem- 
bere of the Lutheran churcii. He is an ad- 
herent to the principles of the republican 
party, and is a man of the strictest honor 
and integritv, hijjhlv esteemed b\- all who 
bear his acquaintance. 



AMES SHEA, a prosperous merchanl of 
Glyndon, Minnesota, is a native of Ire- 
land, born in the year 1S44. and is a son of 
John and Ellen (Monahan) Shea, also natives 
of the "Emerald Isle.'' The father, who 
was a farmer by trade, came to the United 
States in 18.52 and located in Massachusetts, 
where the mother died in 1860. In 1876 
he came to Minnesota, where he remained 
until his death in 1878. The family con- 
sisted of eight children, four of whom are 
now living — Eliza, now Mrs. Daly; Michael, 
John and James, our subject. James was 
reared in the village of Chicopee, Massachu- 
setts, where he attended the district schools 
until he was tliii'teen years of age. He then 
commenced in life for himself by working 
on the railroad. After thirteen years' em- 
ployment in that occupatu)n, in 1870, he came 
to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained 
some three years in the employment of the 
railroad company. In 1873 Mi". Shea re- 
moved to Clay county, Minnesota, and settled 
in Glj'ndon, where he remained until the fol- 
lowingspring. In the spring of 187-4 he moved 
to Moland townshij). Clay count}', and pur- 
chased land : also took a pre-emption claim, 
as well as a tree claim. He at once began 
to make extensive inqirovements, but owing 
to the fact of his being the foreman of the 
Glyndon section of the Manitoba railroad his 
lime was taken up to a great extent by the 



J' ARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



203 



latter ocrupation. In ISSl he moved into 
the vilUi<;e of Ghnidon and pui-chased tlie 
hotel he now o})eratcs. In addition to his 
hotel business, Mr. Sliea has since opened a 
general inercliandise store, in 1886, and 'in 
1882 he engaged in the liquor business, these 
tiiree malcing him the most extensive and 
A'ersatiie l)usiness man in his village. Mr. 
Shea is also tlie owner of a 500-hundred acre 
farm located near his residence village. 

Mr. Shea was joined in marriage to Miss 
Margaret liowler in 1861, and by this union 
the folhnving children have been iiorn — 
John E., William J., Ellen, James H.. Albert 
and Mary A. The subject of tliis memoir is 
an adherent to the ]M'inciples of the republi- 
can party, and ever takes an active interest 
in that party's campaigns. lie is a man 
highly esteemed, both in business and social 
life, and is f)ne of the solitl and representa- 
tive men of Gl^'ndott village. 



^^^ 



I^ILTON J PAINE. Among the effi- 
i&^iAr^ cient and respected office-holders 
of the different counties in the famous Eed 
River and Park Regions, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this article, the present 
incumbent of the county treasurer's office in 
Wilkin county, Minnesota. He is a resident 
of Breckenridge, where he carries on his 
official duties. Mr. Paine is a native [of 
Maine, born in Bangor m 1833, and is a son 
of Joshua and Catharine (Jaques) Paine, 
natives also of the State of Maine. The 
father was a ship and house carpenter, and 
in 1852 removed to Stillwater, Minnesota, 
and bought a farm, but lived a retired life. 
From Stillwater he moved to Maiden Rock, 
Pierce county, Wisconsin, and from there 
to Ellsworth, of the same county. ^He died 
in that place in thej year 1873, and [was 
eighty-four years of age. ^ The mother of 
our subject passed away]in 1869, at Maiden 



Rock. The father of Mr. Paine, the subject 
of this biographical revieAv, was a captain 
in the War of 1812, and served witii distinc- 
tion for over two 3'ears. He, with his wife, 
were exemplaiy members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He was a member of the 
old Whig party, and afterward joined in 
the republican ranks. They were the par- 
ents of seven chiklren, two of whom are 
now living, Daniel L. and Milton J. 

Milton J. Paine, of whom this article 
treats, received his education in the State of 
Maine, where he remainetl, attending school, 
until he was nineteen years old. During 
this time he learned the carpenter's trade 
from his father, and in 1852 he removed to 
Minnesota, settling at Stillwater, where he 
worked at his trade for about live years. In 
1857 Mr. Paine removed to Maiden Rock, 
AVisconsin, and remained there for a period 
of four years. In 1861 he enlisted in the 
Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, Company A, 
for a term of three \'ears. He was in many 
battles and skirmishes, and was wounded in 
the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. This 
disabled him, and on account of it he was 
honorably discharged. After his discharge 
he returned to Maiden Rock, AVisconsin, and 
worked at the building of steamboats until 
1870. He then was elected county treas- 
urer of Pierce county, Wisconsin, and 
retained the position for eight years. In 
1880 Mr. Paine went to AVilkin county, Min- 
nesota, and settled at Cam])bell, where he 
opened a general merchandise store, and 
continueil to successfully operate the same 
for eight years. At the expiration of that 
time he was elected to the office of county 
treasurer, and has since filled the office with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to those b\' 
whom he was chosen. In the month of 
Auorust, 1887, Mr. Paine removed to Breck- 
enrido-e, where he erected a neat aiid 
commodious residence on Seventh and Men- 
denhall streets. 



204 



KI:D KIVF.R lALI.KV AXD 



Mr. Paine was united in marriage in 1859 
to Miss Lucy Marsh, the daughter of Charles 
Marsli, of Wisconsin. Tiiey iiave been 
blessed with two children, Walter and Ella. 
Mrs. Paine died in 1871, at Ellsworth,. Wis- 
consin, and Mr. Paine was married the 
second time to Miss Clara Crain, of Mantor- 
ville, Minnesota, in 1875. While Mi-. Paine 
resided in Campbell, he held the office of 
postmaster for six years, and was town clerk 
for si.\ years. Tie is a re]inblican in his j)oliti- 
cal affiliations, and evinces an active interest 
in all local and educational nuitters. lie is a 
member of the ^fiisonic fraternity, and is one 
of the most highly respected citizens of the 
count V. 



^^. — 



p^,^ EORGE PARTRIDGE, a resident of 
^^pr section 3, Evansville township, Doug- 
las county, Minnesota, is extensively en- 
gaged in the brick business in Evansville. 
He is a native of Canada, born in Ontario, 
May 8, 1885, and is a son of John and 
Hannah (Gunn) Partridge, natives of Eng- 
land and Nova Scotia, respectively. Thev 
were married in Canada, and came to the 
United States in 1869, settling in IMinnesota. 
The father, who was a farmer through life, 
died in 1884. aged ninety-four years. The 
mother died in 1878. They were members 
of the Episco|)al church, and the parents of 
twelve children, ten of whom are liviii"-, as 
follows — Betsie, Jane, Thomas, Pemala, 
George, Francis, I'liillip, Eliza, .lames and 
Richard. 

Mr. I'artridge, the sLd)ject of this article, 
spent his school days in Fingal, Ontario, and 
from the age of fifteen to twenty was with 
his father, farming. In 1S5(! he came to 
Minnesota, settling at Hastings, where he 
remained until the outbreak of the Civil War. 
During his stay in Hastin<rs he was entrao'ed 
in the brick business, and August 7, 18(52, he 



enlisted in the Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, 
and was mustered out in October, 1865. He 
was in no battles, but was skii'mishing 
throucyh Kentucky. After his discharfje he 
])aid a yisit to the Eastern States, anil again 
returned to Hastings, Minnesota, where he 
remained one year in the brick business, and 
in 1867 moved to Douglas county, Minne- 
sota. He located in Evansville township, 
and homesteaded 160 acres of land on sec- 
tion 8. He has since continued his farming- 
industries, but in 1876 engaged also in brick 
numufacturing, which he lias since con- 
tinued. He was one of the lirst settlers of 
tlu! township, and assisted in the oi'gani/.a- 
tion of the same in 186S. 

Mr. Partridge was nuirried to ^liss Xancy 
McLellan, in October, 1866. and they were 
blessed with two children, as follows — .H)hn 
H. and George M. Mrs. Partridge ilied in 
1875 at River Falls, Wisconsin. Mr. Part- 
ridge was again united in marriage in 1S77, 
to Miss Harriette Burch, by whom one child 
was born, Mary E. Mrs. Harriette (Burch) 
Partridge was a, native of AVisconsin. and 
died in December, 1880. The subject of this 
memoir was joined in mai-riage, the third 
time, to Miss Lucy Williams, in 1883, and 
they have hatl two children. Eliza M. and flat- 
tie J., who tlied December 5, 1887. Mr. I'art- 
ridge is a republican in his political belief, 
atul is an active member of the Grand Army 
of the Re|)ublic. The family are members 
of the Presbyterian tliiiirh. 



«^^^ 



RANK J. BURNHAM, president of the 
First National Bank of Moorhead. 
Minnesota, and attorne\^ at law, came to Clay 
county in April, 1872, settling at Glyndon, 
where he renuiined three years, practicing at 
his profession. In 1875 he came to Moor- 
head. In 1882 he was elected president of 
the bank, being one of the organizers of that 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



205 



institution in 1881. Mr. Burnham is anative 
of- Norwicli, Windsor county, Vermont, horn 
Deconil)er 31, 1842, and a son of James 
Burnham. The fatiier was a native of Hun- 
over, New Hampshire, and a farmer. After 
his marriage to Miss Amelia Whitman, of 
Pomfret, Vermont, he moved to tliat State. 
Siie was the daughter of William Whitman. 
Our subject's grand fatiier's name was James 
Ijurnham, a native of Essex, Massachusetts, 
but spent most of his life in New Hampshire, 
bemg also a farmer; and tradition says they 
are from English stoclc. coming to America 
in the early settlement of Massachusetts. 
The Whitmans are of English descent. Wdl- 
iam was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
and for a time a prisonei' on board a shi]) in 
New York harbor. 

F. J. Burnham, our subject, is a graduate 
of Dartmouth ('ollege, in the class of 18<'i9. 
He graduated at the law school in Chicago 
in 1871, after which he opened an office. He 
was burned out in the great fire of that year, 
after which he was in the employ of the aid 
society until the next spring. Mr. Burnham 
is a man of large experience, and has always 
taken an active interest in matters that per- 
tain to the city and count}'. He was county 
attorney from 1876 to ISSO, also the first 
county school snpei'intendent of Clay county, 
being elected in 1873, serving three years ; 
was also a member of the city council, a 
member of the city school board, and has 
held various other offices. 

^Ir. Burnham enlisted in the Ninth New 
riam])shire Infantry, August 8, 18t!2, and 
was in the army three years, and held vari- 
ous positions, up to that of first lieutenant. 
He was slightly wounded three times. He 
was in the following battles — South Mount- 
ain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, and the 
l)rincipal engagements of the Virginia cam- 
paign of 1864 and 186.5, under General Grant, 
■commencino- with the Wilderness and ending 



at Appomattox. He is the president of the 
Moorhead ct Southeastern railroad, and has 
heli>ed to organize the INfoorhead & Noi'th- 
ern, Moorhead cV: Barnsville and Afoorhead 
& Southeastern railroads. 

Mr. Burnham was married January 17, 
1873, to Miss Harriett F. Laughton. This 
union has been blessed with three children — 
Bessie A., James H. and Frank H. 

In politics Mr. Burnham is a republican, 
ever taking an active part in everything con- 
cerning local and State politics. He belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity, and is also a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
Notwithstanding our subject is deeplv 
wrapped up in the business affairs of life, yet 
he is a firm believer and professor of the 
Christian religion, ami is a member of the 
First Presb3'terian chui-ch of Moorhead. 



-«" 



^.^- 



f^SPER N. SANFORD, a prosperous and 
highly esteemed member of the farm- 
ing communitv in the famous Red River and 
Park Regions of Minnesota, is a resident of 
section 2-4, Elbow Lake township. Grant 
county. He is a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in Crawford county, on the 14th day of 
Jul\', 1854, and is the son of Ebenezer and 
Lorena (Beardsley) Sanford, natives of New 
York State. The father and mother of our 
subject were married in Pennsylvania on the 
3rd of April, 1844, and the father of our sub- 
ject died at an early day in Illinois. He 
was engaged in the stoneware and queens- 
ware business, and in the latter part of his 
life followed farming. They were the par- 
ents of the following nametl children — . 
Francisco, Newman, Sylvia, Senath, Susan- 
nah, Jasper N. and James. James, Newma n 
and Susannah are deceased. 

Jasper Sanford received his education in 
Pennsylvania and at the age of sixteen re- 
moved with his parents to Michigan, where 



206 



KED KHEK lALLEY A XD 



he remained until 1871. At tiie time men- 
tioned. Jasper removed witii his motlicr :iiul 
one sister to Minnesota, settling in Grant 
county. The motiier homesteaded a tract 
of land in Elbow Lake townshij), on section 
1\, wliere tlie_y have since remained. The 
sul)ject of this memoir, at tiie time of set- 
tiino; in Grant county, took charge of the 
new home farm, and lias since continued to 
operate the same. 

Mr. Sanford was married Xov('mi)er l.">, 
1888, to Miss Melva Delamater, and this 
union has been blessed with the following- 
named children — Paul and Newman. Mrs. 
Sanford is a native of Lorain county, ()iii(j, 
born in March, 1858. She is the daughtei- 
of Thonuis anil Amy (Peasley) Uelamater, 
natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respect- 
ively. The father was a Presbyterian min- 
istei-. The father and motiier of Mrs. San- 
ford wei-e the parents of the following named 
children — JVIelva, Floi'ena, Herman, Martha 
and Eruce. 

Mr. Sanford is a prohibitionist in political 
matters, and with his family belongs to the 
Presbyterian church. He has held the offi- 
ces of supervisor, school treasurer and school 
clerk. He is a representative man of his 
township, and takes an active interest in all 
local matters. 

-^— «^;^^- < »• • - 

ILLIAM MOSES is a member of 
tlie firm of Moses & Wylie, deal- 
ers in diy goods, groceries and boots and 
shoes at Alexandria, Douglas county. Min- 
nesota. This firm is one of the most sub- 
stantial, Hnancially, anil handles the lai'gest 
trade of any iinii in Douglas county. 15oth 
meml)ei"s of the linn are well and favoi-ably 
known, far and near, as men of unimpeach- 
able character and lousiness integrity. 

Mr. Moses is a native of eastern Canada, 
and was born in 18i2. His parents were 



William and Euphenia (Barr) Moses, who 
were natives of Canada and Scotland. His 
grandparents were James and Dorothy 
(Kowell) Moses, who were natives of New 
York State. James Moses was by occupa- 
tion a farmer, and followed that business in 
New York and in Canaila, wlience he went 
from the States. In 1830 he moved to Ohio. 
He died at Elmira, in that State, leaving a 
large family that grew to man and woman- 
hood. He served in the home guards dur- 
ing the War of 1812. 

The father of the subject of our sketch, 
William Moses, was a iilacksmith by trade, 
and followed tliat business throughout his 
life, beccMiiing an expert in ailits liranclies, 
especiallv in edgeil tools. In connection 
with this business he also ran a farm. In the 
father's family there are now live grown-up 
children — Ellen, now ifrs. Mooney, James; 
Amanda, now Mrs. Roble ; William, of whom 
we write, and Sarah, now Mrs. Jones. The 
mother of this family was Euphenia (IJarr) 
Moses, whose father was James Earr, a native 
of Paisley, Scotland. He was a farmer by 
occupaticm. In 1821 he came to Canada and 
settled in Granby, where he lived until his 
death. He was the father of a large family 
of wliich si.x members grew to man and 
womanhood. 

William Moses spent his younger days on 
the farm and in the blacksmith shop, attend- 
ing school in the district in which lie lived at 
times when he could be spared from work at 
home. At the age of nineteen he engaged 
in teaching and for several years followed 
that profession in Canada. At twenty-one 
he took cliarge of the home fai'ui (his father 
having died a short time beforej, and con- 
tinued its management until 1868. He then 
came West, leaving his mother in Canada, 
where she still lives on the old iiome farm. 
Mr. Moses came to Minnesota, settling in 
Owatonna, where he with two other gentle- 
men built a windmill and mill. This busi- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



207 



ness was continued for eighteen months. At 
this time ]\Ir. Moses went to Chippewa 
Falls, Pope county, Minnesota, where he 
built a water powei- mill on the east brancli 
of the t'hippewa river. He continued in 
control of this property for a number of 
3'ears. It is now owned i)y Moses tt 
Petei'son, the latter having;' charge of the 
business. 

Mr. Moses moved to Alexandria, Douglas 
county, in ISS;]. although for five years pre- 
viously he had been connected with his pres- 
ent business under the same partnership. 
This firm also owns a store at Drayton, Da- 
kota,where they are doing a remai'kably large 
business. 

Mr. Moses was first nuu'ried in 1805, to 
iliss Martha Ralston, who died in the spring 
of 1872. Ilis second marriage was to Miss 
Mary Morrison, by whom he has liad three 
ciiildren — William, Charles and Clara. 

Mr. Moses is identified in many business 
interests at Alexandria and in other places. 
He is a stockholder and director in the Doug- 
las County Bank and is also vice-president of 
that institution. He is also a stockholder in 
the First National Bank of Drayton, Dakota. 
In politics Mr. ]Moses is a prohibitionist. In 
business and social circles he stands above 
reproach, and is esteemed and respected by 
all his fellow-townsmen. ]\Ir. Moses is one 
of the most lil)eral men in the commonwealth. 
He never turns a good cause away empty- 
handed, but is always ready to encourage, 
by words and money, that which to him 
seems to aim toward doing good. He is a 
loyal nu'inber of the Methodist Episcopal 
church of Alexandria, of which foi" years he 
has been the main suppoi'ter and a leading 
member. He lias given hundreds of dollars 
to encoui'age the work of his church. In the 
recent building of a new church edifice he 
has been a ruling spirit, giving $700 toward 
its construction. He has been honored with 
nearly, if not quite, all of the offices in the 



church to which he belongs. He is at pres- 
ent a steward and suj^erintendent of the 
Sunday school. In every way he has proven 
a warm-hearted friend and a liberal supporter 
of churches and schools. He is one of tiie 
solid financial men of Alexandria, is clear- 
headed and cautious, and is a trustworthy 
adviser in a business way. He has held 
numerous civil offices, and while at Chippewa 
Falls was jjostmaster. 



-«•- 



J^RANK TORSTEIN, one of the best 
j^ known and one of the most prominent 
citizens of Grant county, Minnesota, is 
engaged in farming and stock-raising on 
section 4, Gorton township. 

Mr. Torstein was born in the centi'al part 
of Sweden, on the Sth of Februarv, 1828, 
anil is a son of Nils and Maria (Troberg) 
Torstein. His father was a merchant and 
hotel keeper in his native land and a man of 
prominence. The parents had a family of 
five childi-en — (iustof, Frederick, Oscar. 
Frank, ami one that died in infancy. The 
parents both died in Swetlen. 

Fi'ank Torstein, who is the pi'inci|)al sub- 
ject of this article, spent his school days in 
the land of his birth, attending school until 
he was fifteen years of age. After this he 
clerked in an iron factory until he was 
twenty -one years old, and then engaged in 
farming and buying wheat. This he con- 
tinued until 1858, when he came to the 
United States. After landing at Boston he 
came dii'ect to Miiuu'sota and took a farm in 
Carver county. He carried on his agricidt- 
ural laboi's there until after the Civil War 
broke out, when, in July, 1861, he enlisted 
in the Second Minnesota Infantry and was 
mustered into the service. After the expira- 
tion of his original term of service he veter- 
ani/.tul — re-enlisting in the same comjiany in 
December, 1863, at Chattanooga, Tennessee. 



208 



RED RIVER VALLE V AND 



He saw severe duty, and spent some time in 
the hospital at Corinth, ^Mississipjti. He was 
finally honorably clischari;e(l at J.ouisville, 
Kentucky, in July, 1865. After being mus- 
tered out he went South, but soon afterward 
went back to New York State, where he 
remained for about ten years, lie then 
returned to Minnesota and for a short time 
was eni^aged in farming in Douglas county. 
In IST'.i he came to (4 rant county and took a 
homestead (jn section 4. (iorton township. 
where he now lives 

Mr. Torstein has always taken an active 
and pi'ominent part in all matters of a public 
nature. He was register of deeds of Grant 
county for five years, closing with ISStJ, and 
m&de one of the best officials the county has 
ever liad. In addition to this he has held 
a great many local offices, such as school 
clerk, township clerk, assessor, justice of the 
peace, etc. He is a mnn of the highest char- 
acter, and is esteemed by all as a valuetl 
neio-hbor and an exemplarv citizen. 

In 1852 our suliject was married to Miss 
Matilda Erebin, who died in 1874, leaving 
one child named Francisco, who is now living 
in Sweden. In October, 1885, Mr. Torstein 
w IS married to his present wife, who was 
lornierly Miss Gina Retling. This mar- 
rias^e has been blessed with two children, 
nauietlJoseph E. and Frank A. 



«^^ 



'OHN M. MARTIN, a leading attorney 
of the village of Ada, is a native of 
Ocean Springs. Jacksctn county, ^lississippi, 
and is the son of Warrick anti liachel ( Ilai'- 
bough) Martin. The date of his birth was 
August 25, 1S51. 

The father of the subject of this sketch was 
a native of Chester, Delaware county, Penn- 
sylvania, and of English Quaker ancestry; 
his mother was a native of Columbiana 
county, Ohio, and the descendant of Carl 



Springer, one of the original Swedish settlers 
in Delaware, who located tiiere in ir.58. 

Mr. Martin lived in the South with his 
parents until the brealdng out of the late 
Civil War, at wiiich time the family re- 
moved to Beloit, Wisconsin. His father, 
who was engaged in the banking business in 
the South, had previous to this located a 
tract of land in Wisconsin, to which he came 
on leaving the sunny South. After living at 
Eeloit a few years the family removed to Wau- 
kegan, Illinois, where the\' resided three 
years. His father established national banks 
at Beloit and Kenosha, Wisconsin, and was 
intimately connected in business with Frank 
Davis, the brother of Senator (.'. K. Davis. 
In 1867 he went to Washington, and there 
practiced law. and was the author of several 
authoritative works on linancial matters, 
among others the widely known " Monev of 
Nations " and " Coins and Coinage f)f the 
United States," the former of which was 
written while on a visit to London, England, 
in 1879. This man of mark died in Wash- 
ington, in December, 1883. His admirei's 
induced the celebrated sculptor, Clark Mills, 
to make a bronze bust of him, full life size, 
which was forwarded to his son. John M. 
Martin, who has it in his possession. 

The subject of this memoir received the 
elements of an excellent rudimentary educa- 
tion, previous to 1865, in various schools, but 
in the latter year entered Douglas Universitj^ 
at Chicago, 111., where he remained some 
two years. In 1S67, his father having failed 
in business, after leaving his alma mater he 
went to Crown Point, Indiana, where he en- 
gaged in farm labor, at S2i> per month ior a 
season, and after that in rowing boats on the 
lakes at $3 per day. While engaged in this 
latter business he was, for two weeks, in the 
employ of Joseph Jefferson, the actor, who 
has won such celebrity as the delineator of 
Hip Van Winkle. 

He next, in December, 1867, went to 



PARK JiEGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



209 



Omaha, Nebraska, and was emploved in tlie 
ottice of J. II. Congdon, tlie general master 
mechanic of the Union Pacific railroad, with 
whom lie remained about a year, and in ISfiO 
he commenced to learn the machinist's trade 
in the shops of that road, and while there, in 
October, 1871, went to Chicago, at the time 
of the great fire, with John Galligan, the 
present chief of the Omaha fii'e department, 
and while there did excellent service as a fire- 
man. In 1872 he left that city and went to 
California, and founti employment at his 
trade at Sacramento antl other points. 
While there he formed the acquaintance of 
William C. lialston, the multi-millionaire and 
l)anker of San Francisco, who furnished him 
with money, and was sent to the silver mines 
iu'lonjiinji' to that gentleman and Senator 
Sharon, in the mountains to put in some 
machinery necessary to the reduction of the 
ore. Mr. Martin spent some four years on 
the Pacific slope, mostly engaged in the ma- 
chinist's trade, or connected with the mining 
interests. In 1876 he met with an accident 
which laid him up in a hospital for a consid- 
erable time, and in the summer of 1877 he 
turned his face once more eastward, going 
to Washington, District of Columbia, where 
he matriculated in the law department of 
('oluml)ian University and devoted his whole 
attention to the study of law, and to so much 
purpose as to be graduated with honors in 
the class of " '80," and was admitted to 
the l)ai' before the Supreme Court of the 
Disti'ict of Columbia, in the sin-iug of ISSl. 
lie immediately started for the West, and 
locating in the rising village of Ada, opened 
a law office, where he has remained in prac- 
tice ever since. 

The first year of his residence here, Mr. 
Martin took an active part in the division of- 
the county and the organization of the 
county of Xorman, and served as the first 
judge of the jirobate court from the fall of 
1881 until January, 1883. His efforts for the 



advancement of the communit}'^ have been un- 
ceasing and have borne a welcome fruition. 
He was the representative of Ada at the Red 
River Valley Drainage Convention, held at 
Crookston in December, 1886. An energetic 
and active member of the democratic party, 
he has been chosen chairman of most of the 
local committees of that organization, and 
has invariably taken a livel}' interest in 
all political campaigns. He has, by his ex- 
cellent judgment, well based law studies and 
fine forensic eloquence, built up for himself 
one of the finest criminal practices in the 
Valley, and has acquired considerable real 
estate as the reward of his efforts. Besides 
his property in the city, he is the owner of a 
fine farm of 240 acres of land, of excel- 
lent quality. II is law librarj', which is valued 
at $],5n0, is one of the finest in this part of 
the State, and ^vhen he can look upon his 
present pleasant competence and think that 
when he came to Ada he had a cash capital 
of $1.50, it must prove highly gratifying to 
him. His success, according to his fellow- 
citizens, has onh'^ been commensurate with 
his merits and abilities. 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage in 1880 
with Miss Fannie Greer, a native of Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia, and daughter of 
Cornelius Greer, of AVashington, District of 
Columbia, and by this union there has been 
one son, Dennis. Our subject is a member 
of the A. O. U. W., the K. P. and K. of H. 
fraternities, and is active in all good work. 

/^^LE L. LUNDBERG, a prominent hard- 
>^/ ware mei'chant of Elbow Lake, Grant 
county, Minnesota, is a native of Sweden. 
He was born in the northern part of that 
" Land of the Midnight Sun " April 6, 1855, 
and is the son of Ole and Carrie (Xelson) 
Jonson. The father was a farmer, and died 
in his native land in May, 1868. The father 



RED RIVER VALLEY AXD 



and mother were the parents of three chil- 
dren, as follows — John, Kels and Ole. 

Ole Lnndberg remained in the land of his 
birth until he was thirteen years old. He 
attended the common schools in his native 
land until lie, with iiis mother and two 
brothers, emigrated to the United States. 
After a voyage of eleven days the lamily 
landed in Quebec, Canada, and went dii'cct 
to yiierbunie county, Minnesota. Tiie 
mother horaesteaded eighty acres of land in 
that county, where she lived for four or live 
years. Our subject, after remaining in that 
county for some time, located in Isanti 
county, Minnesota, wiiere he was engaged in 
agricultural jnirsuits for two j-ears. In 1879 
he moved to Grant county, Minnesota, home- 
steading eighty acres of land in Delaware 
township, where he lived for five years, 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
Leaving the occupation of farming, Mr. 
Lundberg removed to Ashby, in Grant 
county, and engaged in the lumber business 
in that place. In 1887, or four years after 
his settlement in Asliby, he opened his pres- 
ent business in Elbow Lake, Grant county, 
lie is extensively engaged in the iiardware, 
furniture and lumber Inisiness, and is one of 
the enterprising business men of the village 
of Elbow Lake. 

Mr. Lundberg was married, December 3, 
1875, to Miss Betsie llelsine, and this union 
has been blessed with the following children 
— Alma, Lilley, Alben, Iva, Nancy, Laura 
and Arthur. Mrs. Lundberg was born in 
Sweden, and emigrated to the United States 
in 1869, settling in Isanti county, Minnesota. 
She was married in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

The subject of this memoir is an active 
republican in politics, and has held various 
local offices. He aided in the organization 
of Delaware township, and was the first town 
clerk. Wliile there he was chairman of the 
board of supervisors, and while in Ashby 
l)resident of the village council. 



fDHN O. SCHJAASTAD, one of the lead- 
iuiT business men at Ijrandon, Doufrlas 
county, Minnesota, was born at Throndhjem, 
Xorwaj', on the 9th of ilav, 1843, and is a 
son of OttoandOlava(Schevlaas) Schjaastad. 
The father was a farmer, and died in his 
native land about ISSo. The mother still 
lives in Norway. The parents had a family 
of four children — Ever, Guriiia, John ( )., and 
Bena. 

John O. Schjaastad, the subject of this 
articl(% spent his boyhood days and received 
his education in the land of his birth, attend- 
ing school until he was fifteen years of age. 
From that time he helped his father in the 
labors attendant u]ion carrying on the home 
farm' until he had attained tlieageof twentj' 
years. At that time, in 1803, he decided to 
come to the New World in search of the 
competency which seemed .so hard to acquire 
in Norway, and accoi-dingh'^ set sail, and, 
after a voyage of some seven weeks, landed 
at Quebec, Canada. lie then came to Good- 
hue county, Minnesota, where he worked at 
various occupations. Three years later, he 
removetl to Jackson county, Minnesota, took 
a homestead of eighty acres in Christiana 
townshii), and there enoaoed in fainiini"'. 
While living there he took a ])romiii('nt part 
in ])ui)lic affairsand held various local offices, 
such as township assessor, supei'visor, school 
clerk, etc. After living in .lackson county 
for fourteen or fifteen years, in 1882 he 
came to Douglas count}', Minnesota, and in 
company with another party bought 100 
acres of land in Brandon townshij). He 
lived there for six months, when he sold out 
and moved into the village of Brandon, 
where he has since lived. He carries on a 
lucrative business, running a meat market, 
and also dealing mail Icintls of furniture and 
tlour and feed. 

Mr. Schjaastad was married in Jackson 
county, Minnesota, in 1879, to Miss Betsie 
jMonson. and they are the parents of four 



PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



children — Ole, Seinaii, Lena and Bena. 
Tlie family are exeniphuy membei's of tlie 
Lutheran church. Li political affairs our 
suljject is a repul)lican. 



■•v' *\ 




ful druggist and grocery dealer in 
the city of East Grand Forks, Polk county, 
Minnesota, is a native of the State of Mar^^- 
land. lie was born in the city of Baltimore, 
Maryland, on the 6th -of January, 1S64, and 
is a son of Theophilusand Theresa (Zilmore) 
Geisert, natives of Am(>rica. The father 
was a druggist through life, and resided in 
Baltimore, to where he had moved at an 
early day. The father and mother of our 
subject were the parents of the following 
named children — Cynthia, .losephene, Vir- 
ginia, Estella and Theophilus, our subject. 

Mr. Geisert, the subject of this memoir, 
remained at the city of his birth until he 
was twenty years of age. During that time 
he attended the excellent schools of Balti- 
more, and clerked in his father's drug store. 
At the age of twenty years, in 1884. he 
removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he 
secured a position as clerk in a drug store of 
that city, and remained thereabout one year. 
At the expiration of that time he went to 
Coal Creek, Fremont county, Colorado, and 
clerked in a drug store for one year. In 
1S8.5 he returned to the city of Chicago, 
Illinois, and entered the College of Pharmacj'^ 
in that city. He I'emained in school for one 
year, and in 188*! graduated with high 
honors. Soon after graduating, Mr. Geisert 
settled at East Grand Forks, Polk county, 
Minnesota, where he established a drug store, 
lie has since remained in East Grand Foi'ks, 
and in July, 1888, he added his present stock 
of groceries. Mr. Geisert has a full line of 
drugs, and is ])repared to do anything in the 
prescription line. He also carries a com- 



plete stock of groceries, and is doing a success- 
ful business both in drugs and groceries. He 
is one of the active businessmen of the city, 
and is actively intereste<l in all movements 
where the interests of the town are concerned. 
"When he first settled in East Grand Forks 
he was appointed postmaster, and held the 
position until October, 1888, when he re- 
signed. In political matters he affiliates 
with the democratic party. 



-<^'— 



fJDGE LOUIS O. FOSS. Among the 
prominent members of the farming 
community of the famous V\.qi\ River and 
Park Regions is the gentlemen whose name 
heads this biographical memoir, a resident of 
section 14, Stoney Brook township. Grant 
county, Minnesota, and judge of ])robate of 
that count}'. He is a native of Wisconsin, 
born in Jefferson county, December 13, 1854, 
and is the son of Ole and Joran (Torgerson) 
Foss, natives of Norway. The father and 
mother of oursubject immigrated to the United 
States in 1851, and, after landing, removed to 
Milwaukee^ Wisconsin, where the}' remained 
a short time. They then settled in Jefferson 
count}', Wisconsin, where they remained 
three years. At the expiration of the three 
years they went to Portage county, Wiscon- 
sin, and are still residing there, eno-ao'ed in 
farming. Theyaretheparents of the following 
children — Mary, Jane, Anna and Louis O. 
The. subject of this sketch received his 
education in Portage county. Wisconsin, 
wliere he had removed in early childhood. 
He attended school until he reached the asre 
of fourteen years, and from that age until he 
was twenty-one he remained at home, assist- 
ing on the home farm. During this time he 
worked in the pineries in the winters, and con- 
tinued in the same occupation until he had 
reached the age of twenty-four years. In 
1878 he settled in Grant county, Minnesota, 



RED KIVEK ]'ALI.Ey AXD 



and homesteaded a tract of land in section 8, 
Poiiiinc (\o Terre touiiship, wiun-e lie re- 
mainetl seven years, ent^aged in farming. In 
1885 lie located in Stoney JJrook township, 
on section 14, where he lias since remained, 
engaged extensively in general fanning and 
stock-raising. His farm now comjiiises 213 
acres, and is all well improved and nnder a 
high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Foss was united in marriage on the 
14th of December, 1882, to Miss Nikoiine 
Bratlien,and this union hasl)een blessed with 
the following named ciiildren — Oluf and 
Gustav. ilrs. Foss is a native of Norway, 
and immigrated to the United States at the 
age of one year. Mr. Foss is one of the rep- 
resentative men of Grant county, and lias 
been ))rominently identified witii tlie official 
history. He has held a great nian\' local 
offices, such as justice of tiie peace, townsliip 
clerk, etc., and since 1886 has been judge of 
probateof Grant county. He. witii liis family, 
belongs to the Lutheran ciiurch. In [lolitics 
he afHliatcs with the repuljlican |i;irty. and 
takes an active interest in all puhhc affairs. 



-^^^ 



■RANK MACKENROTH. the village jus- 
W^ tice of the town of Jjarnesviile, Cla}' 
county, Minnesota, is one of the prominent 
and influential citizens of the lied River 
Valley and Park llegions. He is a native of 
Saxony, Germany, born on the 17th day of 
June, 1833, and is the son of Ciiaries and 
Agnes Mackenrotli, natives also of the 
kingdom of Germany. Tlie father was a 
school teacher for over forty years at one 
place, and was a iiighly esteemed citizen of 
the locality in which he livetl. 

The sul)jeet of tills l)i()grapliical slu'tch 
spent his sciiool days in his native land, and, 
after finishing his education, engaged as a 
school teacher in his I'esidence locality. In 
1865 he emigrated to the United States, and, 



after landing at New York City, removed to 
Carver county, Minnesota, where his sister 
lived. After remaining a short time in that 
county, lie went to St. Paul, Minnesota, 
where he taught school for a time and then 
I'etiirned to Carver county, lie secured a 
position as a school teacher in Carvei' county 
after returning from St. Paul, and lor the 
next two winters was engaged in that occu- 
pation. At the expiration of that time he 
went to Hastings, Dakota county, Minnesota, 
where he opened a |)rivate school, teaching 
botii English and (German. He operated 
that school for two years, and during that- 
time organized a choir in the Catholic church, 
lie was then hired by the bishop of St. 
Paul, Minnesota, to ])lay the organ in a Cath- 
olic cathedial, and was employed as such for 
two years. During that time he taught 
piano lessons, and, after leaving St. Paul, 
settled at Delano. Wright county, wiiere he 
remained a few years, holding the office of 
justice of the peace and notary public while 
there. 

He then moved to Clay county, ilinnesota, 
and settled at Parnesviile, where he has 
since resided. In 1S77 he took a tract of 
land, comprising 160 acres, eighty acres of 
which are now in the limits of Barnesville. 
In the spring of 1878 he put up a small 
house on the old town site. In that early 
day there were scarcely any settlers in that 
region, and those who hail the pel-severance 
and energy to " stick " to tlie old farm and 
homesteail now see success crowning their 
exertions. When the town was organized, 
Vly. Mackenrotli was ajipointed justice of the 
peace and town clerk. He lived upon his 
farm until 1884, when the new town was or- 
ganized. He then removed to the village,. 
and has since i-esided there. When the new 
village was started, he was elected justice of 
the peace, and has since held the office. 

Mr. IMackenroth was united in niariiageon 
the 14th of December, 1868, to Miss Ter- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



213 



race Smitliberger, and this union has been 
l)lesse(i witli the following named children — 
Frank H., Artiiur. Alice, Euiil, Charles, Sel- 
ina, William, Matilda. ( )r\ville, George and 
Ida. The suljject of this sketch is one of 
the representative men of T^ai-nesville, and 
has held various offices, such as town clerk. 
justice of the peace, school director and 
school clerk. He isa member of the Masonic 
fraternity, Pierce Lodge, No. 1()9, A. F. 
ct A. M. He is a repuijlican in politics, and 
takes an active interest in all local affairs. 



ATHAN M. PRESCOTT, one of the 
enterprising and thrifty agriculturists 
of Grant county, Minnesota, is a resident of 
section 20, Delaware township. He was 
ijorn in Franklin. Merrimack county, New 
llanipshii'e, March -i, 1825. and is a son of 
Jonathan W. and Phebe (Mori-ison) Prescott, 
also natives of New Hampshire. Nathan 
was apprenticed, at the age of si.xteen yeai-s, 
to a molder, witii whom he remained for 
three years. At the age of nineteen he com- 
menced the struggle of life for himself, and 
for the next few years worked at the trade. 
He then went to Lowell, Massachusetts, 
where he followed his trade for a period of 
nine years. At the expiration of that time 
he moved to Minnesota, locating at St. An- 
thony Falls, in 1856. He continued to re- 
side there, engaged in a i/laning mill, until 
18(>;t. when he removed to Dakota county, 
JliiHicsota, settling in Waterford, a small 
village; near Xorthtield. For the next eleven 
years his attention was taken up with fai'm- 
ing and the dairy business. In ISSO he sold 
out his business interests, and soon after- 
ward took u[)liis i-esidence in Grant county, 
Minnesota. lie filed on a homestead of IfiO 
acres on section 20, Delaware township. He 
has since added 160 acres as a tree claim. 



It was Mr. Prescott who first introduced 
full-blooded Jersey cattle into the State. 

Mr. Prescott was married January 12, 
1847, to Miss Rozilla M. Haley, the daughter 
of Daniel N. and Nancy (Morrison) Hale}'. 
By this union ]\Ir. and Mrs. Prescott have 
been blessed with the following children — 
Nancy, now Mrs. C. W. Lynde, n^siding in 
Dakota ; Faustina, the wife of P. II. Clague, 
a druffirist of Herman villat;e; Herbert, 
married to Miss Lizzie Shellenl)arger, and 
residing on section 20, Delawai-e township; 
John ; David, married to Miss Betzworth, of 
Iowa, now living in Spokane Falls, Wash- 
ington Territorv ; Fred, married to Miss 
Lottie Quilliam, aTid a resident of S]>okane 
F'alls, Washington Territory ; Frank (de- 
ceased), and Nathan C. The family are 
devoted members of the Methodist church. 
Mr. Prescott is a prohibitionist, both in 
precept and jiractice, and has held various 
offices of his township, including township 
treasurer, assessor, and member of school 
board while in St. Anthony Falls. He is a 
member of Prescott Lodge, No. 162, A. F. 
& A. M., at Herman. 



-^^ 



^^l.LERY C.DAVIS. AVhile the current 
^^^ of some men's lives runs peacefully 
along in shady nooks and quiet reaches of 
the river of life, others are full of the riffles 
and rapids and seem born t(j action in wider 
spheres. Of this latter class is that of Mr. 
Davis, the subject of our present memoir, 
who has always filled a prominent pai't in 
the history of the country. 

Ellery C. Davis, now a leading man of the 
city of Crookston, Minnesota, ex-mayor of 
that place and foruiei'ly an extensive railroad 
contractor, was born in Washington, Sullivan 
county, New Hampshire, January 24, 
1832, and is the son of 'David L. and Olive 



214 



j:ei> kivkr valley and 



(Shackley) Davis. "When but a few months 
of ago liis parents moved from the " ( )l(l 
Granite State'' to IIy<le I'aik. ^lassacliii- 
setts, wliei'e oui- snliject received tiie ele- 
ments of a o-ood education and grew to man's 
estate. After hiving- the founthition of 
knouleilge in the district sciioois of that 
h)cahty lie stuched civil engineering, and 
when nineteen years old was a|)))ointed as- 
sistant engineer f)f what is now Icnown as 
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad system, and 
for six 3'ears followed that profession m the 
States of Ohio, Indiana and Ilhnois. He was 
employed on the first railroad that crossed 
the State of Illinois, the Terre Haute, Alton 
& St. Louis, but in 1850, after his marriage, 
purchased a farm near Terre Haute, Indiana, 
and engaged in the indejiendent and quiet 
life of a farmer. 

In August, 1802, during the course of the 
Kebellion, when the land was covered with 
the ]iall of death, "and the tori-ent grew 
dark with the blood of the slain," he received 
authority from Governor Morton, the noted 
war governor of Indiana, to raise a com- 
pany or battery of light artillery; but when 
tiie men were enlisted and ready to be mus- 
tei'ed into the service it was changed to an 
infantry organization, and became Companv 
G, of the Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, of 
Avhich Mr. Davis was commissioned as cap- 
tain. AVith his command he served under 
General Gordon Granger, in Kentucky, until 
after Chickamauga's bloody day, when the 
command to which hebelonj'ed was assigned 
to tiie Twentieth Corps, under Major-General 
Joseph Hooker. He pai'ticipatetl in the 
"Battle Among the Clouds,'" at the storming 
of Lookout Mountain and in all the subse- 
quent engagements until after the battle of 
Peach Tree Creek, when, on account of 
physical disability, he was compelled to resign 
his commission and return home. A month 
later he was ai)poinled by the governor of 
the State, in recognition of his valuable serv- 



ices, as military agent of Indiana, and re- 
turned to the front, where "'deeds of eternal 
fame wei-e done." There he remained until 
the winter of 18f)-l-()5, when his disai)ility 
growing gi'eater, he once more returned to 
Indiana and sought rest and the i-estoration 
of his health on his farm. In the following 
spring he sold his place and engaged in the 
sale of agricultural implements, but followed 
that line of trade for only one year, at the 
ex])iration of which he removed with his 
familv to Chicago, Illinois. For a time he 
was there engao-ed in contracts for street 
paving, and then followed contracting on the 
Illinois and Michigan canal. When the latter 
was finished in 1871, Mr. Davis took a large 
contract on the consti'uction of the Northern 
Pacific railroad, grading the same from 
Detroit to Moorhead. He then took a simi- 
lar contract on the St. Paul it Pacific railroad, 
now the St. Paul. Minneapolis vt i\lanitiil)a, 
from Crookston noitli. which he finished in a 
satisfactory manner. He shipped a lai'ge 
amount of goods to Breckenridge l)y rail, and 
theie building tw(j large flat boats on the 
river, shijipeil them to Grand Forks. At the 
same time he loaded some twenty-five teams 
with goods, intending to cross the ])rairie 
with them. He found the ground so soft 
that he could make no headway, and was 
com})elled to lighten the loads, and leave 
goods by the wayside to return for them 
when the weather would permit. The teams 
crossed the Bed River at Georgetown and 
came up on the Dakota side of the I'ivei', or 
thev would never have <rot through. He 
himself came round by Grand Foi'ks, with a 
team and li<ilit buo-g-y and drivino- to where 
the survey crossed the river, then one and a 
half miles from where ("rookston now stands, 
])laced two logs togethei-, on which hejxit the 
body of his l)Uggy, with the wheels inside, 
and crossed the river. Hitching uj) on the 
other side, he drove to Glyndon. On i-eturn- 
in"- to Crookston he sent his teams to Grand 



PARIC REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



215 



Foi'ks. The boats which were built in Breck- 
enridge were pulled to pieces in Grand Forks. 
From this place these teams hauled the lum- 
ber to Crookston, wliere it was used in the 
construction of the Krst frame building in the 
village, an edifice which stood until 1886 ere 
it was torn down. 

Mr. Davis uKule Crookston his head(iuar- 
ters. having his store in a tent until the erec- 
tion of his building for the time he was en- 
gaged in the contract. Besides the railroad 
supplies he was engaged in the general mer- 
chandise trade at that ]ioint for some time. 
When he first came here, on the 11th of 
June, he took a claim, upon which his pres- 
ent residence now stands, and all of which 
is now within the city limits, sixty acres of 
it being cut into blocks and lots. 

Mrs. Davis came to Crookston in August, 
1872, and remained here until the arrival of 
the train, a week or two later, when she 
left, being the first lady to leave the town 
on the train. In October following she I'e- 
turned, and she and her husband took up 
their residence in four of the offices built 
for the construction of the railroad, which 
being placed together formed a. house about 
sixty-five feet long and ten feet wide. In this 
domicile they made their home for six years. 

"When the county of Polk was oi'ganized 
in 1872, jNIr. Davis, in recognition of his 
ability as a business man, was chosen the 
first chairman of the board of county com- 
missioners, and in 1878 was re-elected to the 
same office. In the latter year the city of 
Crookston was incorporated, and our subject 
was elected the first mayor and held that 
office for three consecutive years. In 1881 
he look a contract to grade w. [loi'tion of the 
Winnipeg A: Duluth railroad, and remained 
on that work until the following spring, 
when, for want of financial means, the work 
was stoj)|)e(l. In the sjjring of 188(5 ^Ir. 
Davis was employed in making the prelimi- 
naiv siirvev for the Erainerd, Crookston ife 



Grand Forks railroad, and the same year 
was again elected to fill the office of mayor 
of Crookston. 

Mr. Davis' father, David L. Davis, started 
in 1832 as superintendent of construction 
and re]iairs on the Boston it Providence rail- 
road, and has been with that road ever since 
in that capacit\', being one of the oldest 
I'ailroad men in the United States. On the 
fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the 
road the officers tendered handsome recog- 
nition to Mr. Davis of his services. 

The subject of this sketch is living in the 
first brick house erected in the whole lied 
liiver Valley, the brick of which werematle 
on the homestead of the owner in 1879. In 
addition to his real estate in the town, Mr. 
Davis owns a fine farm of some three hun- 
dred acres within five miles of Crookston. 

Mr. Davis was united in marriage, Novem- 
ber 15, 1854, with Miss Rachel M. Appleton, 
a native of Xorthfield, Summit county, Ohio, 
and daughter of Thomas and Hannah 
(Myers) Appleton. By this union they have 
had two children — Francis E. and Jesse L. 



"^^ 



JTOH 
Jl the 



OHN E. RINEHART, who is engaged in 
le furniture business in the village of 
Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Pennsylvania. He was born at 
Gettysburg, Adams county, Penns^dvania, 
on tiic 13th of August, 1828, and is the son 
of John and Catharine (Plank) Rinehart, 
natives also of Pennsylvania. They were 
nuirrietl in that State, and both remained 
there until their death. The mother died 
when our subject was but one year old, and 
the father ])assed away in 1805. They were 
the parents of two children — Rebecca and 
John. The former is now deceased. She 
was the wife of a Mr. Stallsmith, of Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania. They were the parents 



KED A'fVER V.ILLE Y AA'D 



of four children — Mary, William, Rebecca 
and John. The father of our subject was 
married, tiie second time, to ^fiss Polly Stall- 
smith, and tiiis union was blessed with the 
following chiklren — Soforo, Levi and Alfred. 
John E. Kinehart, of whom this sketph 
treats, spent his school days in his native 
State, and attended the common schools at 
and near Gettysburg until he had reached the 
age of twenty years. lie received a pi'ac- 
tical education, calculated to benefit one for 
life's work. After leaving the school-room, 
he remained at home, assisting his father on 
the home farm until he was twenty-four 
years of age. At that period he commenced 
in life on his own account, and until 1852 
was engaged in carpentering aTid joining. 
He then removed to Ohio, where lie re- 
mained some time and then removed to 
Indiana, where he remained until 1855. On 
the 5th of May, 1855, he removed to St. 
Paul, Minnesota, where he stayed some time, 
anil then went to Fai'mington, Dakota 
county, Minnesota, and took a homestead of 
KM) acres of land, and resided tliei-e eleven 
years, engaged in farming. He was one of the 
earliest settlers in that county, and, in addi- 
tion to his farming interests, followed car- 
pentering to some extent. In 1866 he went 
to Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, and 
on the 1st of September bought land in 
Osakis township, and for live years followed 
farming exclusively. He still retains his 
farm, and has now 1,000 acres. He owned 
at one time 1,500 acres, and was one of the 
most extensive and prominent farmers in 
the county. After leaving the farm, lie 
removed to the village of Osaicis, where he 
o|)ened a furniture store, and has since carried 
on the business. He cai'i-ies a full stock of 
goods, and is one of the most successful 
business men in the village. In addition to 
his furniture business, he is engaged in 
tilt; poultry, hay and wood business, and is 
doing a large trade in the village and vicin- 



ity. He owns twelve lots in block 8, 
Stevens' addition to Osakis, on wiiich his 
store and dwelling are located. 

Wv. Jiinehart was married on tiie 1st of 
January, 1801, to Miss Philenia Gibbs, and 
this union has been blessed witii the follow- 
ing named ciiildren — Ambrose, Emma and 
Etina. The two daughtei-s are at home, and 
the son is in Nebraska. Mr. Kinehart is a 
republican in ])olitics, and is an active par- 
ticipant in all matters of a local nature. 



►^. 



HARLES O. WINGER. In examining 
the biograpiiies of many of the ])rom- 
inent business men of the villages of Minne- 
sota, it will be noticed that the Norwegian 
race furnishes many of the liest, most frugal, 
energetic and thrifty citizens in these i>laces. 
Tlie subject of this biographical sketch is a 
native of Norway, born near Christiania on 
the 21rth day of June, 185-1:, and is a son of 
Ole and Annie (Olementson) Winger, also 
natives of Norway. 

]\Ir. Winger the subject of this article, 
spent his younger days in attending school 
at the city of Christiania, and in 1872 emi- 
grated to the United States. Aftei- landing 
at Castle Garden, New York, he went to 
Graiiii Uapids, Wisconsin, where he remained 
two vears attending the high school at that 
place. One year he had charge of a hotel 
at Grand liajiids, and after leaving there, 
engaged on the river and in tiie ])iiierii's. 
After traveling through Iowa, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, he settled in (^rant county, 
Minnesota, where he homesteaded 16(1 acres 
in Delaware townslii|), on section 4, where 
he liv«5d, engaged in a general farming 
and stock-raising business until 1881, when 
he removed to Herman village, where he 
secured a clerkshi}) with Wells- Brothers, 
and after working six months for that firm, 
went to Jloi'ris, Minnesota. He there was 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



2l^ 



ciiiploved as a c](!fk for four months, and at 
the expii'ation of that time lie returned to 
Herman, where he took charge of a general 
mercliandising store for John Cl.ristenson, 
foi- ulioiu tlie subject of tliis article worked 
until the spring of 1887. Mr. Winger then 
engaged in i)nsiness for himself, opening a 
general merchantlise store, and has been en- 
gaged in the same since that time. He cai'- 
ries a full line of goods, and is one of tlie most 
prominent merchants of Herman village. 

Mr. "Winger was unitetl in marriage in 
Fergus Falls on the loth day of September, 
1883, to Miss Amelia Anrland. a, native of 
Xorway. 

]\Ir. "Winger is now secretary of the board 
of education. He is. a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and is secretary of that 
l>ody. He is a man of the strictest honoi' 
and integrity, highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 

In political matters Mr. Winger is a pro- 
hibitionist, and his wife is the county jiresi- 
dent of the W. C. T. U., and both are prom- 
inent workers in the temperance cause. 



frS£i\ARTlN JOHNSON, who is engaged 
E^At'^ in the tlry goods business in Glyn- 
don village, is a native of Norway, born in 
1844, and is a son of John and Jennie (Lar- 
son) Johnsim, also natives of that kingdom. 
There were three children in the famih' — 
Martin (our subject), Louis and Joiianna. 
Martin received iiis education from the com- 
mon schools, and remained at home until he 
was ten years of age, when he commenced 
life for himself by learning the boot and shoe 
trade. After working some five years, he 
set up a shop for himself, and was thus 
engaged until he emigrated to the United 
States. In 18t>u he} came to tliis country and 
settled in Lansing, Iowa, where he worked 
at his ti'ade for ten years. He next moved 



to Red Wing, IMinnesota, where he worked 
at the boot and shoe trade for twelve months, 
when he removed to Clay county, Minnesota. 
He located fii'stat (ilyndon, where he erected 
a building and engaged in his old occupation, 
employing a number of workmen, and carry- 
ing a full line of stock. In about three j'ears 
and a half he engaged in the mercantile 
business, still retaining the former establish- 
ment. In 1879 he took a tree claim in 
Morken township, but soon sold out and ]5ur- 
chased the building in which the ])resent 
business of the firm of Johnson & Hanson 
is carried on. During the same year Mr. 
Johnson built his present residence on Pleas- 
ant street. Mr. Johnson is an active and 
representative business man of his village, 
and at pi-esent holds the office of town and 
village treasurer. 

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage, in 
1872, to Miss Mar}' Hanson, the daughter of 
Hans and Catharine Hanson. By this union 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been blessed 
with the following children — Joseph, Oscar, 
Herman and Edith. The family are exem- 
plary members of the Methodist church. 
Mr. Johnson is a prohibitionist, both in ])re- 
cept and ])ractice. 



-«" 



^^~ 



»!M^ENRY B. HERRICK, the postmaster 
1/jL of the village of Fisher, Polk ccmnty, 
Minnesota, isa nativeof the " Empire State." 
He was born in the town of Jerusalem, 
Tates county, New York, September 23, 
1827, and is the son of Jacob and Uoxa 
(Bradley) Herrick, also natives of the State 
of New York. The mother died when our 
subject was thirteen years old, and the father 
removed to Lake Grove, Wisconsin, and took 
government land, upon which he has since 
lived. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject were the parents of the following named 
children — Gilbert, Polly, Julia A., Adalme, 



2lS 



KKD A'irE/C fALLEV JXD 



Jason A.. ITenrv B.. Phehe M., Uarriette 
and Miles N.. four of whoni are deceased. 
The father of tin- present subject was mar- 
ried, the second time, in 1848, to Miss Sarah 
Rouse. 

II. P). Ilerrick. the subject of this biograph- 
ical memoir, i-eniaincd at his fatiier's liome in 
"Wisconsin until he had attained tiie aye of 
twenty-eight years. At tliat period in life 
he went to Viro(|na, Vernon county, Wis- 
consin, where lie remained two .md one-lialf 
years. The first year and a half he was 
enjracred in the hotel business, and tbe last 
year he was employed as a stage agent. He 
then went to Winona, Minnesota, where he 
remained eight years, engaged in the stage 
business. At the expiration of that time 
Mr. Ilerrick engag(!d in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and soon afterward went to Eyota, 
]\rinnesota, and was engaged in the wheat 
business for seven or eight years. In Octo- 
ber. 1879. he removed to Polk County, Min- 
nesota, and settled in the village of Fisher, 
where he took charge of an elevator, which 
he still runs. He is also postmaster, having 
been appointed in 188.5. He owns a fine 
residence in the village, and is a respected and 
prominent citizen. 

Mr. Ilerrick was united in marriage on the 
29th day of Januaiy, 1852, to Miss Eveline 
Armstrong, the daughter of Samuel and 
Carrie (Van Allen) Armstrong. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ilerrick have been blessed with the fol- 
lowing named children — Fred, deceased; 
Eva, deceased ; Harry, who married Miss 
Lillie Lake, and is now the efficient station 
agent at Owatonna, Steele county, Minne- 
sota ; Hellen ^laiid. the wife of Mr. Bain, a 
])rosperous farmer of Polk county, Minne- 
sota; and Edith, who is now living with her 
pai'ents and is deputy postmaster. Mr. Her- 
rick, the suliject of this article, is an adher- 
ent to the principles of the democratic party, 
and always evinces an active interest in that 
party's campaigns. 



MORACE G. URIE. the efficient editor 
of the Evansville . A'nterprhe, in 
Evansville, Dcniglas county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Wisconsin. He was born at 
[ Stoughton, Wisconsin, xv'ovember 29, 1859, 
I and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Iverson) 
Urie, natives of Tennessee and Norway, re- 
spectively. There were three children in the 
family — Joseph, Horace and Cora. 

Horace Urie spent his school days in 

Stoujihton. and at the age of seventeen 

finished his education in Milton College. 

After leaving school he was employed as a 

clerk in Edgerton, Wisconsin, which position 

he held for two years. He then ojiened a 

])iinting office in Oregon, Wisconsin, and. 

after successfully operating the same for one 

year, he s(jld out and moved to Douglas 

county, Minnesota. In the fall of 1SS2 he 

opened liis present olfice, which he has since 

I continued to run. In addition to his editorial 

I occupation he handles organs and scnving 

\ machines. 

Mr. Urie was joined in marriage on the 
IGth day of November, 1885, to Miss Betty 
!' M. Matliisen, and this union has been blessed 
with two children, twins, Horace and Joseph. 
Mrs. (Matliisen) Urie was born, reared and 
educated in Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Urie 
is one of the substantial men of his county, 
highly esteemed and honored by all who 
know him. In political matters he is an 
adherent to the principles of the repulilican 
])arty, and always takes an active interest in 
that party's campaigns. 



^^^ 



I 



IfeOUlS GEWALT, a prominent hardware 



^ merchant of Breekenridge, "Wilkin 
county, Minnesota, is a native of (■lerman3\ 
He was born in the State of Sachsen-Coburg- 
Gotha, Germany, on the 20th of March, 1857, 
and is the son of Henry and Wilhelmine 
(Herzog) Gewalt, natives also of that duke- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



7.\<i 



doiii. 'I'lie father of the pi-esent subject 
was an extensive and snccessfiil farmer in 
Ills native hind, and (h?alt in cattle to a con- 
siderable extent. He died in 1S7?>. and was 
one of the leading- men in tiie locality in 
which he lived. He with his family belonged 
to the Lutheran church, and he was trustee 
of that organization for a great many years 
through life. They were the parents of the 
following named children —■ Herman, Ed- 
mund, Caroline, Rudolph, Louis, Natalie and 
Huldreich. 

Louis Gewalt, the person of whom this 
sketch treats, received his etkication in his 
native land, and attended the excellent com- 
mon schools of that country until he had 
reached the age of fourteen years. On the 
1st of May, 1S71, he entered an apprentice- 
ship to the tinner's trade, anil completed his 
trath' on the first da}' of Ma}', 1874. He 
remained at the same place for one year as 
a journeyman, and then traveled through 
the different States of Germany, France and 
Switzerland, in order that he might reach 
greater proficienc\' in that line. In 1882 
Mr. Gewalt emigrated to the United States, 
and on the 21st of August, 1882, landed at 
Hoboken. He at once went to Breckenridge, 
Minnesota, and worked for a time with 
a tinsmith, O. P. Todd, and in April, 
188-1, purchased his stock of hardware 
and has since carried on the business alone. 
In 1887 he built his present Imilding on Fifth 
street, and he carries a large and conijilete 
stock of heavy and shelf hardwan;, also 
handling stoves, tinware, cutler}', etc. In 
addition to his hardware store, he owns a 
fine, well cultivatetl farm of 152 acres in 
Sargent county, Dakota Territory. He is 
one of the prominent and representative 
citizens of Breckenridge, and has held the 
offices of township treasurer for three years, 
and village treasurer for two years. He is 
a democrat in political affiliations, and takes 
an active interest in all local nuitters. extend- 



ing hearty encouragement to every enter- 
prise calculated to and in the growth and 
development of the town or county. 



4« 



-.^>-^ 



PATRICK H. LAMB, mayor of Moor- 
head, and one of the firm of Lamb Ri'os., 
is a native of tiie County Tyrone, Ireland ; 
born March 17, 1847, ho was the son of Owen 
and Elizabeth Lamb, also natives of Ireland, 
By trade the father was a butcher, which he 
followed in his native land. He came to 
America with liis family in 1819, settling in 
New Hampshire, where he remained three 
years, engageil in farming; from there he 
went to Connecticut, engaging in the same 
occui)ation ; thence he went to Missouri, 
where he again went to farming, raising^ 
ii-rain and stock, remaining until 1880. He 
then moved five miles north of Moorhead, 
Clay county, Minnesota, where he jjurchased 
a farm and where he died two mouths after 
his settlement. He had a family of eight 
children, seven now living — John. Patrick, 
Michael, William, Owen, Peter Jind Mary. 

Our subject was educated in the common 
schools of Connecticut, and when a young 
man he first worked in a cotton factory at 
Baltic, that State. He then again engaged 
in farming and brick-making for seven years, 
in ilissouri, and in 1872 lie came to Moor- 
head, Minnesota, where he first engaged in 
railroading and helped consti'uct the North- 
ern Pacific to Bismark, in Dakota, after 
which he engaged in freighting from Moor- 
head to AVinnipeg and Afanitoba, in which 
he continued two years, having a number of 
teams there with him : then, with his brother, 
they started a feed and sah- stable in 'Moor- 
head, which they still continue; also carried 
on the manufacturing of brick since 1874, in 
which they employ a number of hands, and 
still are engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ins. He has 400 heatl of native and blooded 



RED KtVEK VALLEY AND 



stock.includinoa finelotof Polled Aiifrns cat- 
tle, ile farms in all l..")!)!) acres in ^rimiesota. 
He is also engaged in tlii^ fuel Ixisincss, wood 
and coal, having liis business house i>n the 
corner of Fifth and Main streets, Moorhcad. 
The La ml I iJlock he rents for stores and 
offices. 

Mr. Lamb was mai'ried in 18S2 to Miss 
Catharine Ilerrick, the daughter of Michael 
Ilerrick, of Moorhead. 

In politics Mr. Lamb is a democrat, and 
has held many offices of trust, and has al- 
ways taken an active part in Imilding up 
the city and surrounding county. He has 
held the office of trustee, also alderman 
of the Second Ward, and been mayoi- of 
the city since 1886. He has built the Lamb 
Block and otiier business houses, and in many 
other wavs has done his full shaiv in aiding: 
in the growth and development of the local- 
ity in which he lives. Liberal and enter- 
prising, W) man stands liigher in the esteem 
of those who know iiim, and his uniform 
integrity in business matters lias made his 
■wdrd as good as a bond. 



-«-; 



John L. OLSON, a highly respected and 
esteemed husbandman of Grant county, 
Minnesota, resides on section 8, Sanford 
townsiiii), where he is enoased in farmino: — 
tilling the soil, raising grain and cattle, and 
performing all tasks i-e(]uisite to successful 
agriculture. He is a native of Norway, 
born on the 14th day of October, 1849, and 
is a son of Ole ami Mary Anderson, natives, 
also, of the "Land of the Midnight Sun." 
They were farmers in the Old World, and 
were the parents of the following named chil- 
dren — Martlia, Maria and John. 

John Olson, the person of wiiom this article 
treats, spent the first fifteen years of his life 
in Ills native land attending the common 
schools in that counti'v. In 1804 he emi- 



grated to tiie ['nited States, and after a voy- 
age of four weeks, landed at Quebec, Canada. 
He went from this ])lace to Dane county, 
AVisconsin, where lie remained a few years, 
working at various occujiations. He next 
removed to Michigan, where he remained 
five years, chop])ing cord-wood. At the 
expiration of that time, in 1S(!9, he removed 
to Minnesota, and after looking the country 
over, retui'ued to Wisconsin. After spending 
the winter there, he returned in the follow 
ing spring, settled in Grant county, Minne- 
sota, and took a 160-acre homestead on section 
8, Sanford township, where he has since 
lived, devotino- his time to fai'min<r and 
stock-raising. Ih^ now owns 180 acres of 
well impi'oved land, with a good number of 
trees and substantial building improvements. 
Mr. Olson, II. F. Sanford, John Peterson 
and Ole Fletcher wei-e the first settlei's in 
the townshi]), and effecteil the organiza- 
tion of the township, ilr. ( )lson has held 
the various school offices, anil is one of the 
repi-esentative men of the township, taking 
an active interest in all local affairs. He is 
a single man, a republican in ])olitical 
matters and evinces a great deal of interest 
in that party's cam])aigns. He is a member 
of the Lutheran church, and is trustee of 
that organization. 

OAH P. WARD is engaged in the 
grocery and jirovision trade in Alex- 
andria, Douglas county, Minnesota. He is 
a native of McIIenry county, Illinois, where 
he was born on the 8th day of November,. 
1855. He is the son of (Tcorge and Betsy 
(Bennett) Ward, both of whom were natives 
of New York State. 

Mr. AVard's father was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and on coming to Illinois in an early 
day settled on a homestead, which he thor- 
outililv improved. He was a man of I'are 






PAKK A'EGWXS OF MINNESOTA. 



general business capacities. "Whatever he 
engaged at or invested in seemed to turn to 
liis advantage. In tlie early settlement of 
Alexaiulria he came here and invested in 
lands and also in the Bank of Alexandria. 
His family consisted of six children — Mary 
(now Mrs. Spi-inger). Gershnn B.. Noah P., 
Sally (now Mrs. York), Ina (now Mrs. 
Crocken), and Mary B. 

Xoah P. spent his early days on a farm, 
but had advantages for schooling, so that he 
received a thorough education. He came to 
Alexandria, Minnesota, in the spring of 
1875, remaining one year attending to his 
fathers financial interests. At the end of 
this time he returned to Illinois and entered 
the University at Evanston, where he 
attended school for two and one-half 
years. 

In 1878 Mr. Ward again came to Alexan- 
dria, where for one year he had charge of 
the Merchants' elevator, buving and sellins: 
wheat. The next spring he tui-ned his 
attention to buving and selliii"- horses. lie 
went to Iowa, where he bought most of his 
stock, shipping to Alexandria, where he 
found rcadv sale, horses being; in jjood 
demand among the farmers of that vicinity. 
In the spring of 1880 he engaged in the 
grocer\' trade, in which he is still doing a 
thriving: business, and cari-ving one of the 
newest and best stocks in the city of Alex- 
andria. Together with his ]iartner, Mr. 
Walker, he ])urchased the original court 
house, which they used for business purposes. 
This ])ai'tnership with Mr. AValker was con- 
tinuetl until 1SS(!, when Jlr. Ward became 
sole owner and ])ro|)ri('tor of the stock of 
goods and the busiiu'ss Ijuilding on Main 
street, Alexandria. He employs two clerks, 
runs a delivery wagon, and does a large and 
increasing' business. 

Iti 1881 Mr. Ward was married to Miss 
Sally Busey, daughter of C. W. Busey, of 
Alexandi-ia, Minnesota. Four children have 



blessed this union — May, Bessie, Frances B. 
and an infant, Ethel. 

Mr. Ward has been a meml)er of the city 
council for four years, and held the ]iosition 
of chief of the fire department of the city 
for one year. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and in politics affiliates 
with the republican party. In all his busi- 
ness ventures Mr. Wai-d has been very suc- 
cessful. He owns a farm in Dong-las 
county, which he has I'ented out. In 1883 
he built a commodious and tasty residence 
on Seventh avenue, where he now lives. He 
is a stockholder in the First National Bank 
of Alexandria, and is one of the most sub- 
stantial and jirominent business men of the 
citv and county. 



— «"S^J^"»' 



/^^LE O. CANESTORP. rrominent 
\^^ among the citizens of the famous 
Park Pegions is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article, a farmer and also county 
treasurer of Grant county, Minnesota. He 
was born in Sweden, just on the boundary 
line between Sweden and Norway, Ma}' 21, 
1847. His father's farm was known as 
Djekneliden. The parents, Ole and Martha 
(Johnson) Olson Hjekneliden, were blessed 
with four children, two of whom are now 
living, Ole O. and John. 

Ole O. Canestorp spent his school davs m 
his native land, and in lst;2 came with his 
mother to the United States, landing in 
Quebec, Canada, after a voyage of seven 
weeks. Removing IVom Quebec, they settled 
in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where thev 
were engaged in farming for three vears. 
At the expiration of that time they moved 
to Ti'emjiealeau county, in the same State, 
and after six vears' sojourn there, working: 
at farming and various occupations, they 
decided to settle in Minnesota. Accordingly, 
in 1871, they settled in Grant count\% 



RED KTVEK VALI.RY AND 



Minnesota, taking a homestead of 160 acres 
in Elbow Lake townsiiip, where cm- sul)- 
ject has since been actively engaged in 
general fai'ining and stock-raising. He now 
has an extensive and well cultivated farm of 
350 acres, with tiic best of l)uilding improve- 
ments. 

Mr. Canestorp was married to Miss Jennie 
ilangen, July 8,1874. Mrs. Canestor]) was 
born in iS'orway and emigrated to the United 
States in the year 18(!8. Tliey are accc]it- 
able members of the Lutheran cliurcli. Tiie 
subject of tills hiographical sketch was 
•elected to the office of justice of the peace 
of his townshl]) In 1 874. which ]iositi()n lie 
still holds. He has held the office of town- 
ship clerk for six years, judge of probate of 
Grant county for four years, and was elected 
to the office of county treasurer in 1881, 
which position he still continues to fill with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to all. He 
is one of the first settlers of his township. 
In ])olitical matters he affiliates with the 
republican party. A man of the strictest 
integrity, his word is recognized as being as 
good as a bond, and he is held in- high esteem, 
botii as a neighljor, an official and an exem- 
j)lary citizen. 



WIGO WERNER, the subject of our 
))resent article, is postmaster at 
Brandon village, Douglas county, Minnesota, 
and is one of the most efficient and capable 
business men in the Park Regions. He was 
born in Osterdalen, Norway, on the 4th of 
May, 1850, and is a son of Werner Mathison, 
a farmer. The fatter came to the United 
States and settled on the Eed River, in 
Dakota, where he remained until the time of 
his death, in July, 1885. The motiier is still 
living on tlie old homestead. The parents 
bad a family of seven chikli'en, as follows — 



Johanna. Carrie, Olof, Martha, Wigo, Martin 
and llansten. 

Wigo Wei-ner spent his younger days in 
his native land. When he was twenty- 
one, or in 1877, he came to the United States, 
landing in Castle Garden, Xew York, and 
proceeding at once to Fargo, Dakota Terri- 
tory, arriving in the latter place twenty 
days after leaving Xorway. He remained 
thei'e with his peo])le for one year, and then 
went to Decorah. Iowa, to attend school. 
He received a good education, finishing with 
a course at the Decorah business college, 
from wliich institution he gi-adiiatcd. He 
then went to Brandon, Douglas county, 
Minnesota, and engaiietl in clei'kin"- in aaen- 
eral merchandise store for Lawrence John- 
son. This he followed for three years and a 
half, and then established a grocery store, 
which he has since conducted, carrying a 
full line of groceries and notions. In public 
matters he is one of the leading citizens of 
the town, and has been village treasurer for 
two years, assessor for three terms, and co- 
operates with evei'v enterprise calculated to 
benefit either the villaji'e or sui-i-oundiu}'- 
country. 

Mr. Werner was married on the 2nd of 
February, 1886, to Miss Anna K. Foslien, 
and they are the parents of two children, 
named Alice M. and Cora Y. 

^ERVEY H. PHELPS, the present coun- 
ty attorney of Noi'man county, IVIin- 
nesota, and one of the recognized leaders of 
the bar of Ada, has been a resident of this 
locality since June, 1883. 

Mr. Phelps was born in Dodge county, 
Wisconsin, October 10, 1854, and is the stm 
of lioswell II. and I\Iary Ann (Bark) Phelps. 
His parents were both natives of Onondaga 
county. New York, and had, on their mar- 
riage, come west and settled in that part of 



nAKK A'liCIONS OF MnVNF.SOTA. 



223 



the Badger State, among the earliest set- 
tlers. Wiiile our subject was yet a child the 
family removed to Rock county, in the same 
State, and there settled on a farm. There 
the subject of this memoir was reared, as- 
sisting iiis father in the labors attendant on 
cari'ving on the farm, and laying the fonn- 
<lation of an excellent echication in tiie rougii 
log cabin school houses of his day, rugged 
cradles of knowledge, that are looked back 
to witli fond recollections of the halcyon 
days of youtii ijy so many of the eminent 
men. At tiie age of sixteen years lie started 
out to battle for himself, since which time he 
lias liepended entirely upon iiis own resour- 
ces. His first lousiness vc^nture was raising 
tobacco on a farm and ])urcliasing the crops 
of others, and on curing and marketing it, 
found lie had a fair profit in tlie transaction, 
wliicii gave iiim a start in life. In 1S73 
he, in pursuit of llie education tiiat he was 
bound to have, entered Albion Academy, in 
Dane county, Wisconsin, from wliich he was 
graduated in 1878, teaching school at the 
same time to pay for his tuition and board, 
and for two years occupied the chair of 
mathematics in that institution, carrying on 
his own studies at the same time. After 
graduation he taught a school near Stough- 
ton, in tiie same State, during the winter of 
1878-9, but in the following spring entered 
the office of Cassidy A: Carpenter, at Janes- 
ville, the county seat of flock county, Wis- 
consin. Tiiis was one of the most celebrated 
law tii'iiis in the West, Mr. Cassidy now be- 
ing one of the judges of the Supreme Court 
of the State. He diligently applied himself 
to the study of law and soon mastered the 
])rinciples upon which it is founded, anil con- 
tinued with the above-mentioned firm until 
May, 1881, when at a term of the circuit 
court, held in Hock county, lie was admitted 
to the bar, and in June of the same year 
was admitted to practice before the Supreme 
Court of that State. 



Immediately after the latter event Mr. 
Phelps came to the Red River Valley and 
I opened a law office in the village of Glyn- 
don, Minnesota, and commenced practice. 
In March, 1883, iiis office and his library, 
valued at !e;1,200, were destroyed by fire, 
only a part of it being insured, and he re- 
moved to Moorhead, but after a short stay 
there came to Ada, and here has built up a 
large and lucrative practice, and has been 
uncommonly successful, both in his forensic 
efforts and in a pecuniary sense, and is now 
ranked among the wealthy and solid men of 
the community. 

In the fall of ISSl Mr. Phelps was lumii- 
nateil on the republican ticket for the office 
of county attorney of Norman county, and 
elected with a handsome majority; was re- 
elected his own successor in 1 88<i and in 1888. 
In village matters he has always been highly 
interested, and has served several terms 
as recorder. On the 1st of January. 1887, 
he formed a copartnership with W. AV. 
Calkins, under the firm name of Phelps & 
Calkins, who do a large legal and collection 
business. They are the agents of the R. G. 
Dun mercantile agency for this locality, 
in addition to their other Inisiness. 

Mr. Phelps is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, having been made a Mason in 
Norman Lodge, No. 154, of Ada, and is one 
of the officers of the lodge. lie was mar- 
ried, February 18, 1884, to Miss Jennie Ives, 
a native of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and 
the daugliter of Gideon and Mary Ann 
Ives, and by this union is the parent of two 
children — Souana and Bernice. 

Mr. Phelps ranks very high in his profes- 
sion, and is justly considered the peer of any 
attorney in the Valley. His library of some 
three iiundred volumes is valued at $1,500, 
and besides his office and its furniture he 
owns a beautiful residence in the city, and 
has a considei-able amount of money loaned 
on real estate security. 



224 



RED KIVEIi VALLE Y AND 



M SLE E. DYBDAL, member of the 
J^^^ board of county commissioners of 
Grant county, and a successCui farmer and 
stock-raiser, resides on section 38, Stonev 
Brook township. I'orn in Noi'way, he 
comes of a race whicii lias I'urnislied so many 
of the most sul)stantial and enterprising citi- 
zens of the Park Regions, and a nationality 
wiiich has Iwcome i)rovei'l)ial for frugality, 
thrift and industry. The father of our sub- 
ject, Allen Dy bdal, came to the United 
States wit!) Iiis family in ] 867, and settled 
in Winneslieik county, Iowa, where he died 
in 1875. Allen Dybdal and wife were the 
parents of eight living children, — Sarah, 
Asle E., Tora, Ellen, Knute, Tosten, Bennie 
and Helena. 

Asle E. Dybdal, whose name heads this 
article, was born on the 27th of Decendier, 
1853, and came to the United Stat(!s with his 
father in 1S(;7. He received his education in 
Winnesheik county, Iowa, attending school 
until he was al)out sixteen years of age. In 
1878 he came to (irant county, ilmnesota, 
arriving there in June, and for two years 
worked out for various ])ai'ties. At the ex- 
piration of that time he purchased a fai'm on 
section 33, Stoney Brook township, where he 
still lives. lie has comfortable improve- 
ments, and owns 120 acres of land, a good 
share of which is under a high state of culti- 
vation. 

Mr. D\'bdal was married on the 7th of 
December, 1876, to .Miss Martha Eilingson, 
who was born in Norway in 1858. Their 
union iuis been blessed with six children, as 
follows — Ellen, Bertha, Emma, Theodore, 
Mary and Albert. The family are exem- 
plary meml)ers of the Luthei-an church. 

In political matters our subject is a repub- 
lican, and he has always taken a great inter- 
est in all local and public affairs. In May, 
1887, lie was appointed a meml)er of the 
board of county commissioners, and ^vas 
elected to that office in 1888, so that he is 



at present a member of the board. He has 
held various township offices, was supervisor 
for one year, and is tlie present assessor of 
the township in wliicii he lives. He is held 
in high esteem i)y all who kiU)W him as an 
exem]ilary citizen. 

WILLIAM NASH, one of the |>romi- 
nent and inthiential citizens of the 
Red Iliver Valley, is a resident of section 1, 
East Grand Forks township, Polk county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in a general 
farming and stock-raising busines.s. He is a 
native of Pennsylvania, born in New Castle, 
on the 1st day of June. 1833, and is the son of 
Ephraim and Louisa (Warnei'j Nash, natives 
of New York State. 

William Nash spent his younger days in 
the common schools of his native State and 
Michigan, where he attended school for 
three years. After completing his common- 
school education, he decich'd to pui-sue the 
study of medicine, and was planningto attend 
the medical (le|)artment at Ann Ari)or, 
Michigan. His eyes caused him so much 
troul)le that he was obliged to give up his 
intendetl course in medicine. He then re- 
moved to Kentucky, where he remained a 
few years, engaged in the mei'cantile busi- 
ness, and in 1862 removed to St. Paul. Min- 
nesota. He remained in the capital of Min- 
nesota for one year, heing there foi' his 
health. In 1863 he went to Pembina, Da- 
kota Territory, and from there to what was 
Fort Gary, now Winnipeg, Manitoba, and 
remained some time, recuperating. The fol- 
lowing summer he spent in Milwaukee, AVis- 
consin, anil Chicago, Illinois, and in the 
sjiringof 186-4 went to Fort Abercrombie, 
where he was einjdoyed as sutler and (tov- 
ernment contractor. He remained there 
five or six years, and during that time had 
the contract to furnish wood and hav for 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



225 



tlie fort. lie also hekl the contract to snj)- 
])ly tlie brick to build Fort Pembina and 
also the contract to carry tiie mail between 
Fort Abercrombie and "Winnipeg. There 
was a trackless stretch of country to pass 
through and the Indians in that region were 
a source of constant danger, and it was next 
to impossible to secure a driver. l\Ir. Nash 
uu\ile the trip with dog teams, and many 
were the dangers which he encountered dur- 
ing those early daj^s. At one time when 
there were but two making the trip they 
were attacked by Indians, and barely escapetl 
with their lives. After that Mr. Nash could 
secure no one to make the journey with him, 
exce])t a young stranger, and they made the 
trip in safety. Indians were not the only 
cause of danger. Many times the drivers 
would be so badly frozen that Mr. Nash 
would have to make the trip himself. He 
remained in this ca]iacity until 1809, when 
he removed to what is now East Grand 
Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, and located 
on section 1, East Grand Forks township, 
where he has since remained. Through his 
iuHuence with Senator Ramsey, the post- 
office of Nashville was establi'shed and also 
the appointment of the postmaster. He also 
was the means of the postal route being es- 
tablished between Crookston and East Grand 
Forks. When the village of East Grand 
Foi'ks had attained a moderate size, through 
]\Ir. Nash's influence the name was changed 
to East Gi'and Forks, and principally through 
him it receiveil its city charter. He is oneof 
till? substantial and well-to-do farmers of the 
county, and without doubt one of the most 
influential agriculturists in Polk county, 
lie is extensively engaged in general farm- 
ing operations and has a well cultivated 
farm of 700 acres, lying upon the banks of 
the lied Lake I'iver. One hundred acres of 
his beautiful farm is timber land, and he has 
a line and commodious residence just in the 
suburbs of the citv. 



Mr. Nash was united in marriage in St. 
Peter, Minnesota, on the 19th day of Janu- 
ary, 1869, to Miss Ida V. Slaugter, the 
daughter of Robert and Mary (Clark) 
Slaugter, natives of Virginia and Ohio, re- 
spectively. The grandfather of Mrs. Nash 
studied law with Henry Clay, and was an 
influential citizen in the locality in which he 
lived. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are the parents 
of the following named children — Lois, 
Mary I., Nellie K., William C, Jr., Dudley 
L., Robert F. and Harold S. Mr. Nash has 
held all of the school offices in his district, 
including school director, treasurer, etc. 
He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., of 
the Grand Forks lodge and chapter. In 
])olitical matters he affiliates with the dem- 
ocratic party, and is a man of more than 
ordinary education and ability. He is 
actively interested in all movements calcu- 
lated to benefit either town or county, and 
is highly esteemed and respected by all who 
know him. 

JT PETERSON, JR., joint proprietor of 
^ Peterson's book and fruit store, Barnes- 
ville, Clay county, Minnesota, is one of the 
earliest settlers in that section, having made 
Moorhead his home in 1872. He was born 
in the province of Wermeland, Sweden, on 
the 7th day of April, 1855, and when 
but a child emigrated with his parents 
to the United States, living in different lo- 
calities, mostly in Minnes(jta, and in 1869 
removed to Meeker county, Minnesota, 
where his father, who had considerable means, 
bought improved land. Two years later 
young Peterson was allowed to go with 
some friends to Minneapolis. Once there he 
did not mean to return home quite so soon 
as had been expected, but sought and found 
such emjiloyment as he could get, and was 
always bus\-, asserting that he "did not have 



•2 26 



RED KIVER VALLEY A.\'D 



time to go hack liome to be laughed atby 
liis ste])iii<)tlier." At this time, while work- 
ing in a shingle mill (Crocker Bros, iz Lam- 
ereaux), lie came within an incli of having his 
young life cut short hy an accident. One 
cold evening in the fall he fell through a 
sluice hole in the great platfonn by the mills 
into tiie pitch dark ice and water twenty 
feet l)elow. The strong curi-ent and lie- 
nunibing cold, together with the complete 
darkness, seenu3(l about to finish the work 
the tall had failed to accomplish, when, at 
the critical moment, there appeared a glim- 
mer of light from some one's lantern at the 
lower mill door, which enabled him to see 
and grasp tlie last post at the end of the 
shingle track, crawl up on the track and 
make for the mill. There tiiey were dumb- 
founded by this sudden apparition, while 
" Joiinny," however, never stopped moving 
his legs till he reached his boarding place 
(Cataract House), when the icy stiffness of 
his sleeves prevented his knocking or open- 
ing the door. lie could still kick (and can 
yet) and was let in, <|uickly put to bed and 
given a warm drink by good "Mother 
Lamereaux," and the next morning was at 
his post again, nothing the worse for the cold 
bath. This was not his first lesson in swim- 
ming. While living with his parents at 
Stillwater, Minnesota, he jumped from a 
raft which had Ijeen detached about 100 feet 
from low water. When his head popped up 
above the surface, another urchin who had 
come up yelled out, " Keep up your head, 
Johnny!" He did and padtUed to shore, 
having often since had occasion to remem- 
ber and act upon the simple but safe advice 
of his young friend. 

One year later he struck out for the West, 
antl experienced considerable hardship, 
working in the pineries, etc., and finally 
i)rought up at Detroit, Minnesota, where he 
worked and attended school. In the fall of 
1ST;> he removed to Moorhead, Minnesota, 



where he found employment as carpenter, 
clerk, maciiine agent, etc., for a couple of 
3'ears. and in the winter time attended 
school. Then times wei-e flush, and Mr. 
Peterson relates that lie often nuide as 
high as §5 ])er i\\\\ lathing, other wages 
being coi'respondingly high. In the next 
early spring he worke<l on a snow train 
botind for Bismarck, fi-om which place he in- 
tended to go to the lilack Hills, the newly 
discovered western Eldorado, but was per- 
suaded by his frontier friends to desist, they 
declaring that " it is too rough thei'e for the 
kid." He went back to iloorhead, and again 
attended school. 

In the fall of 1S76 Mr. Peterson was asked 
to teach school during the winter. lie ac- 
cepted the offer, and went in company with 
Ole ('. Lniul to Tansem township. Though 
young, he was apparently fitted for his new 
work, as he certainly was well qualified, 
holding it first-grade certificate, and suc- 
ceeded so well that he kept right on teach- 
ing in Clay, Otter Tail and Wilkin counties; 
among other ])laees at Norwegian Grove, 
Elizabeth, ]\IcCauleyville, and in 1882 re- 
moved to Barnesville, Clay county, where lie 
was ])rincipal of the village school that year. 
He then entered the employ of John Marth, 
general merchant, as book-keeper, and in the 
succeeding year opened up a small book and 
confectionery store of his own. He was 
fortunate in this undertaking, and in Eeb- 
ruary, 1885, was the fii'st to remove his busi- 
ness to the new town site, aliout half a mile 
farther south, whei-e the St. P., M. iV: M. II. 
R. Co. had erected new shoiis and a large 
depot building the previous fall, itnd removed 
the division headquarters from Fergus Falls. 
Here he did so well that in the summer of 
that year he built a large two story store, 
but had not occupied the same more than 
three months when he was burned out, with 
a Loss of over $3,000, but partly covered by 
insurance. This was a serious set-back. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA, 



227 



and, altlioiigli able to resume business on a 
small scale, brouglit on, together with con- 
tinued sickness in iiis family, financial em- 
barrassment two yeai's later. His friends 
came to the rescue, however, and he has 
ali'oad\^ in part, and will, untloubtedly, soon 
fully recover all iiis lost ground, as he is 
(loiiig a good and ]iaying business at present, 
carrying a stock oi ai)out s2,i>(i(». 

Mr. Peterson has always taken an active 
and important part in ])olitical and local 
affairs, having been meinlier of the repub- 
lican town committee, of which he is now 
chaii'Hian, all the time since moving to 
Ijarnesville; has held the office of justice of 
the peace almost continuously since he was 
old enough to vote, and has also been mem- 
ber of the village council of Earnesville and 
village recorder. He is correspondent for the 
St. Paul Pioneer Press and other ])apers, 
and is, all in all, an old timer, though yet 
young and full of further and more striking 
])ossibilities. 

Mr. Peterson was married, in 1882, to 
Miss Pertha M. Ishong, who was born in 
Minnesota, her parents being of Norwegian 
nationality. Out of four, children born to 
them — Johan Ferdinand, -lames Garnet, 
Miranda Emelia and Julian Maurice, one, 
their little gii'l, Emelia, died at the age of two 
years, which sad fact is the only thing to 
cloud the brightness of t heir otherwise happy 
home. 



|[>^AGE JOHNSON, a prominent merchant 
iS^ and the efficient postmaster at Pomme 
de Terre village. Grant county, Minnesota, 
is a native of Norway, and springs from a 
race distinguished for their thrift, industry 
and integrit\\ He was bi>rn on the 1st day 
of Januar\% 1831, and is the son of John P. 
Johnson, a native of the same kingdom. The; 
father of our subject was a tarmei' in the 



Old World, and is now deceased. The father 
and mother of our subject were the parents 
of the following named children — Ei-ick, 
Peter, Andrew, Lage, John and Ole. 

Lage Johnson, the subject of this bio- 
graphical review, jiassed the first twenty-one 
years of his life in the land of his birth, 
instilling into his mind the principles of 
right, honest}' and economy. After he left 
the school-room he entered an apprenticeship 
to the shoemaker's trade, and he followed 
that occupation until 1852. In 1852 he emi- 
grated to the United States, and, after a voy- 
age of seven weeks, landed at Quebec, Can- 
ada. After landing, he went to Iowa coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, where he remained about four 
years, engaged in farming. At the expira- 
tion of that time he removed to Fillmore 
countj% Minnesota, and pre-empted a tract of 
land on which he lived for lyneteen years. 
In 1875 he moved to Grant county, Minne- 
sota, and located in Pomme de Terre town- 
ship on section 21. Soon after locating in 
Grant county, he built a store in Pomme de 
Terre village, and has since Ijeen engaged in 
the general merchandising business in con- 
nection with his farming interests. He car- 
ries a full line of goods, and is doing a large 
and increasing business. He owns a large, 
well cultivated tract of land, com]irising 240 
acres, and with neat and comfortable build- 
ing improvements. He was appointed ]iost- 
master in 1877, and has held the same ever 
since with the exception of three years. 

Mr. Johnson was married on the 16th day 
of August, 1851, to Miss Pettronele Estensen, 
a native of Norway, and now the mother of 
the following named children — Anna M., 
(jea, Emilia, .Iose])heni, Olena, Henry (>., 
Peter L., Tilla ()., William N., Julia I), and 
Evelena S. Mr. Johnson has held the offices 
of postmaster, school treasurer, etc. He, with 
his family, behMigs to the Lutheran church. 
In political matters he affiliates with the re- 
publican party, and lakes an active interest in 



228 



KliD KJVKJi VALLEY AXD 



all public and eclucational matters. He is a 
representalive man of liis township and resi- 
dence village, and is a citizen of the strictest 
honor and integrity, liiglily esteemed by all 
who icnow him. 



'«<-; 



«^- 



_ ARK D. JUDKINS. Of the many 
^^^Xi^ "brave boys in bUu!" wlio found 
homes in tlie famous ParicEegionsof Minne- 
sota, none better deserve mention than the 
irentleman whose name heads tliis article, 
who is engaged in the foundrv and macliine 
business in the village of Osakis, Douglas 
county, Minnesota. He is a native of Maine, 
born in Fayette, March 13, 1837, and is the 
son of David and Emeline (Swift) Judkins, 
also natives of ]\Iaine. The fiither of our 
subject passed away from the scenes of 
earth on the 24th of September, 1S87, and 
the mother is still living at the advanced age 
of seventy-four years. They were the 
parents of six children, three boys and tliree 
girls, named as follows — Mark I).. Mariali, 
Melisse, IJaley I)., Jessie and Tolly. 

Mark D. Judkins, the subject of this 
biographical sketch, received a ))ractical 
business education in his native State, and 
when nineteen years old he left the school- 
room and removed to Pennsylvania, with his 
parents. He remained in Pennsylvania from 
1857 until 1861, during which time he was 
ene-aji'ed in the lumbering- business. On tiie 
20th of October, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany II, Fifty-Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, 
and served thirteen months. He then re- 
enlisted ill I'.attery D, Fourth United States 
Artillery, and served until February 18, 
18<!1-. Mr. Judkins again re-enlisted the 
18tli of February, 1SG4, for tiiree years more 
in the same battery, and was discharged 
Fe'lu'iiary IS, 1867, at Fort Washington, 
Maryland, and during the last tliree years 
was ])romoted to sergeant major. Mr. Jud- 



kins was in a great many skirmishes and 
battles and was undei' lii'e for 6!>0 days dur- 
ing the war. The following is a list of tlie 
engagements he jiarticipated in — Franklin, 
\'irginia, Deserteil House. January 30,1868; 
siege of Sulb)lk, s])ring of 1863, lasting 
twenty-two days; with Butlei' in the Army 
of the James, dui-ing the s))i'ing of 1S63; 
AValtliall Juncti(.)n, s])ring of 1864; Fort 
Darling, May 11, 1861; Druries Pluff, May 
12, 1864; in the siege of Petersburg from 
June 16 to August 29,1864; then made Hank 
movement on Tlichmond, A'irginia, on the 
29th of August, 1S64, and cai)tured seven 
lines of breastworks; battle of Oak Hill, 
September 7, 1864, and siege of liichmond, 
from August 29, ls64. to A])ril 3. 1865. Mr. 
Judkins then made a trip to Texas, and 
from there went to AVashington. District of 
Cohuui)ia, where he remained dui'ing the 
spring of 1866, and received an honorable 
discharge Febniaiy 18, 1867. 

After he was mustered out, he I'eturned to 
Pennsylvania, where he remained five oi' six 
months and then went to Adams county, 
AVisconsin. There he engaged in the hop 
business, and after some little time moved 
to Minnesota. He settled in Pojie county. 
^Minnesota, in Decemliei', lS(i9, and engaj:ed 
in farming and remained until 1S7.".. Mr. 
Judkins then went to Osakis and engaged 
in the patent right business, and has since 
devoted a great deal of ids tinu> to it. He 
is now engaged extensivelv in the foimdiv 
and inachinerjf business, and is doing a heavy 
trade. Special mention shouhl be nuule of 
Mr. Judkins' inventive powers, being a 
natural born mechanic. He was the lirst 
inventor of tlie three-wheeh'd riding plow, 
having |)atented the same in 1873. As tliis 
impkuuent of husbandry is in general use, 
its merits and character need not be dis- 
cussed, it being sufficicMit to add that it is 
made by all the large manul'actoi-ies in the 
I'nited States. He is also the inveiitoi- of 



PARK KF.GIOXS OF MIX.VF.SOTA 



229 



tlie selfsackint;' and o-rain scparatoi', on 
which lie made SS,(iflti in tlii'eo niouUis. He 
is also the patentee of sevei-al different riding- 
])lo\vs, and it will be seen at a o-lance that he 
is a i)enefactor to the coniinunity at lai'ge. 

Mr. .ludkins was married on the 18th of 
Octolx'r, 1870, to jNIiss Tlarriettc JlcCollum 
and this union has been blessed with two 
children. U. S. Grant and Mary, both of 
wiiom are now at home. Mrs. Judkins is a 
native of Indiana and received lier education 
in Minnesota. JMr. Judkins is a republican 
in politics and one of the active businessmen 
of the village. lie is a member of the 
National Lodge, No. 12, Ancient, Free and 
Accepted Masons, Washington, District of 
Columbia, and John Kennedy Post, No. 141, 
de[)artmcnt of IMinnesota, Grand Arnw of 
the Republic. 

j\Ir. Judkins is also the patentee of the best 
double-acting force pum]) in the country, and 
patentee of the adjustable fireback for cook- 
ing stoves. He manufactures artesian well 
rigs and tools, well auger rigs and tools, 
sells all kinds of pumps, pipes and fittings, 
windmills, feed mills ; all kinds of castings 
and horse powers, heating stoves, etc., and, 
in fact, he can sell you almost anything you 
want. 



-«— 



JUDGE ROBERT J. MONTAGUE, alead- 
ing attorney of Ci'ookston, and one of 
its most po[)ulai' ami influential citizens, was 
born in Boston, ]\fassacliusetts. ]\Iarcli 3, 18411, 
and is the son of Robert and Ellen ^[ontague, 
who were natives of the Emerald Isle. In 
18.")(ithe family came to ]VIinnesota aiul set- 
tled in Olmsted county, where the father 
took up a claim and foundeil a farm, where 
still live the parents, a sister and a brother 
of oar subject. Their home is on the south- 
east quarter of section 2, in the town of 
Salem, Olmsted countv. 



In his early years. Judge Montague endured 
all the hardships aiul jirivations common to 
all of Minnesota's early settlers, and, there 
ijeing a gi'eat lack of educational facilities in 
that locality at that date, ami those that 
there were being of but inferior graile, under 
his mother's direction young Montague 
obtained the most of his |(rimary education 
at home. He was reared upon the home- 
stead, and early inui'ed to hai'd woi'k. Years 
spent in the rough toil upon the farm has 
won for him the reputation in that almost 
native county as a hard-working farmer. Pie 
remained beneath the parental roof until 
1875, teaching school during the winter 
months the last ten years, and heli)ing carry 
on the farm in summers. After his mai'riage, 
in 1875, he, like so many other farmers' boys, 
had higher aims, and burned to take a more 
prominent ])art in the world than was com- 
])atible with his agricultural labors, and he 
turned to the study of law. Having to 
depend upon his own exertions for the main- 
tenance of himself antl wife, he had no time 
to enter the office of some legal himiiiai'V, 
but, still cari-ymg on his hard and laborious 
work, found time, at odd moments, to master 
the principles and practice of the profession 
he had chosen. This earnest scholar, who 
thus toiled on unaided, with untiring effort, 
with unfaltering fidelity to his task, suc- 
ceeded at last in passing the ordeal of an 
examination most triumphantly, and was 
admitted to practice at the bai-, at Rochester, 
Minnesota, December 11, 1880. The reward 
for his labors and self-denial was yet to 
come. In the newer settlements of the 
great West he felt there was a bettei' Held 
for his efforts, so in May, 1881, he came to 
the city of ("rookston, and there opened his 
present office, ami engaged in the ])ractice of 
law. The peo])le soon appreciated the 
merits of the new attorney, whose ability 
and success were of a high character, and he 
soon possessed a fair numl)(M' of clients. In 



23° 



KKD A'/ r /■:/,' VALLEY A.VD 



1882 he was chosen judge of tlie probate 
court of Polk county, and filled that office 
successfully and satisfactorily for four years. 

Since taking uj) his home in Crookston he 
has devoted a liberal share of his time and 
talent to the welfare of the place, which has 
borne recognition by his fellow-townsmen, 
they electing him to the mayoralty in Api-il, 
1885, which position he held for one year. 

As a lawyer Mr. Montague I'anks very 
high, while his unimpeachable integrity, 
kind and affable manners, and excellent com- 
mon siiiisc, have I'endei'ed him both popular 
and respected. As an orator he is able and 
fervid, iind is rapidly taking a prominent 
place anicjug the popular leaders of the day 
in this section. 

Mr. Montague was united in marriage in 
1874, with ]\riss Elizabeth Finnigan, a, native 
of New York. Tliev have six children. • 



.«« 



4^ UFUS P. WELLS, one of the most 
JSlV I'l'oininent and best known citizens 
and business men of Grant county. Min- 
nesota, is engaged in a general banking 
business in the village of Herman. He is 
a native of Canaila, born at L'Orignal on 
the 27th day of A|)ril, ISS-i, and is a son of 
Abel and Hannah (Cass) Wells, natives, also, 
of Canada. 

liufus, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, spent his younger days in attending 
school at L'Orignal, Canada. At the age of 
twenty-one years he left the school-room and 
engaged for sometime in the lumbering busi- 
ness at that place. He, at the expiration of 
a few vears, removed to Omro, Winneliago 
county, AVisconsin, where he remained two 
years, engaged in lumbering and farming. 
He then removed to Belle Plaine, Scott 
county, Minnesota, where he was eiigaged 
in milling and carpentering for a period of 
two vears. On the 2nd dav of October. 



1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota 
Infantry, Company A. He was under Cap- 
tain Baxter until he was ])romoted to the 
rank of major, and then thecimipany passed 
under the hands of (.aptaiii Young. During 
the service the captaincy changed twice 
more, first to Captain liussel and next to 
Ca])tain Douglass. Our subject entered as 
a private and was discharged as captain. 
He was honorably discharged July lit, 1S05, 
at Louisville. Kentucky. He ]iartici|)ated in 
the battles of luka, Corinth, Raymond, Jack- 
son. Champion Hill, Yicksburg and many 
skirmishes, lie was promoted to the ranks 
of cor|>()ral. first sergeant, first lieutenant and 
finally to the rank of acajjtain of Company 
C. Aftei" his discharge he returned to Jor- 
dan, where he remained until he removed to 
(irant county in IS.'^o. In the fall of that 
vear he settled at Hei'man and eno-ao-ed in 
the banking business under the incoi'])orated 
name of Grant County Bank, organized as a 
State bank. He has since enoaged in this 
occupation, and is one of the most successful 
and prominent business men of Grant county. 

Mr. \Yells was united in marriage on the 
4th of March, ISf.'.i, to Miss Mary Cass- 
well, and they are the parents of the follow- 
ing children — Mai'ion, George W., A. "Waters, 
Josepii B., Azelia E., Betsie L., and James 
P., all of whom ai-e single and at home, 
except the two oldest, who arc attending the 
high school at Minneapolis, ^Minnesota. AIis. 
Wells is a native of ]S^ew York State, born 
January 15. 1847, ;>ud the daughter of G. 
W. Casswell, afainierof the Empire State. 
She is one of two children — Charles Jl. and 
]\rary E. 

The subject of this article is one of the rep- 
resentative men of his residence village, and 
has held the offices of member of the village 
school board and ])resident of the same for a 
number of years. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and also of the Ancient Order 
of United AVorkmen. He is a republican in 



PAA'h- A-K(;/0.y.S OF MliVNESOTA. 



231 



l]is))olitical;ilfiliati()ns, and takes a ]irominent 
pai't ill all local affairs. Mr. Wells is a 
stockholder of the Stevens County Bank, 
located at >[orris, and is also engaged in tlie 
merchandising business at that place. In 
addition to his hanking interests in Herman, 
he cai'ries on a general merchandising busi- 
ness and deals to some extent in real estate. 
He is one of the most enterprising and 
capable businessmen in the village. A man 
of the utmost honor and integrity, he is 
highl}' esteemed by all who know him. 



..i^ 



ILLIAM WIDENHOEFER, the 
efficient and accommodating hotel 
proprietor of the Fisher Hotel, Polk county, 
Minnesota, is a native of Germany. He was 
born in Wurtemberg, on the l-tth ilay of 
September, 1S54-, and is the son of Jacob 
and Katharine Widenhoefer, also natives of 
Germany. The father and mother of our 
subject were the ])arents of the following 
named children — Carl, Ciiristian, Jacob, Bar- 
bara, Mary, Minnie and William. 

William Widenhoefer, the subject of this bi- 
ographical memoir, remained at homeattend- 
ingthe common schools of his native land un- 
til he had reached the age of fourteen years. 
He then commenced in life for himself by 
entering an apprenticeship to the potter's 
trade. After leai'ning his trade he followed 
the same for over five years for one lirm. 
In Noveml)ei', 1873. he emigi'ated to the 
United States, and, after a voyage of seven- 
teen days, landed in New York. He at 
once went to lieavei' Bay, Minnesota, wliere 
he secured employment in a saw mill and in 
a lumber cam]). After working at this oc- 
cupation for about two yeai's, he went to 
Michigan. There he secured employment in 
the copper mines of Superior, and, for about 
i'oui'teen months, tended bar for his uncle. 



He then worked foi' seven months in the 
Quincy copper mines, and then secured em- 
plo\'ment of Adolph Ithul, in the saloon busi- 
ness, for whom he worketl two years and 
nine months. On the 5th day of May, ISSO, 
Mr. Widenhoefer removed to Minnesota, and 
located in Polk county. During tliat sum- 
mer he worked on a farm, and, in the fall,, 
moved to the village of P'isher, Polk countv, 
Minnesota, where he purchased the hotel he 
now oijcrates. He has since been engaced 
in the hotel business, and is highly esteemed 
by the traveling public. 

Mr. Widenhoefer was united in marriage, 
on September 3, 1883, to Miss Amelia 
Jantz, the daughter of John and Augusta 
Jantz. The subject of this sketch is a dem- 
ocrat in politics, and one of the jn-ominent 
business men of the village. He is a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, Lodge No. 87, of Fisher. 



||l^R. CHARLES F. FALLEY, physician, 
attorney and counselor at law, and 
also judge of probate of Wilkin county, Min- 
nesota, is a resident of Breckeni'idge, where 
he is extensively engaged at his profession. 
He is a native of Ohio, born at Granville, 
Licking county, on the -ith of April, 1815, 
and is the son of Samuel and Ruth (Root) 
Falley, natives of New Hampshire and Mas- 
sachusetts, respectively. The father was, in 
early life, engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and in 1814 engaged in farming at 
Granville, Ohio, and previous to this was a 
merchant in Franklin, Ohio, from 1802 to 
1811. At that date he returned to New 
Hampshire, where he remained until 1814. 
AVhen he returned to Ohio it was with the 
(iranville colony, and he remained there the 
rest of his life. He held the position of cap- 
tain in the State militia, and in early days 



232 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



was a Jeffersonian. Later he became a 
whig, then an abolitionist, and at last a repub- 
lican. He died at the m<;'<' of ninetv-tiiree 
years, and the motlier died when she was 
seventy-two years old. They were the par- 
ents of the following- named children — Ma- 
tilda, Clarissa. Richard, Dr. Charles F., Lewis 
A., Francis C, Edmund R., Ruth M., Eunice 
(now Mrs. Segar), Linus A. and Charlotte C. 
Richard liveil to be ahout sixty eight years 
old, and his son is Charles F., the present 
jiroprietor and editor (with George Fritz) of 
the Dalioia Glohe, published at Wahpcton, 
Dakota Territory. 

The subject of this biographical sketch 
was raised on the home farm, at Cranville, 
Ohio, anil attended the i)al)lic schools in that 
locality. He attended the college at Gam- 
bier, Ohio, for two years, and then returned 
to Gran vi lie and studied medicine with Dr. 
William AV. Banci'ol't for four years. Dur- 
ing this time he attended four courses of 
lectures, one at Worthington, Ohio, and the 
other three at AVilloughby Ilniversitj^ in 
Ohio, from which he graduated in 1838. 
"While attending Kenyon College, at Gam- 
bier, he read law, and was admitted to the 
bar in LS3(!. The following spring, after his 
graduation from the medical college, he 
engaged in the practice of medicine in York, 
Clark county, Illinois, where he remained 
three years. At the expiration of that time 
he removed to Ewington, Effingham count}', 
Illinois, and practiced medicine until 1860. 
In ISGo he went to Olney, Richland count}', 
Illinois, and for the next two yeai's was 
engaged in clinical work at that place. He 
then entered the army as hospital steward, 
and served as assistant to the l)rigade sur- 
geon for two years, and after his tlischarge 
went to Bloomington, Grant co\inty, "Wis- 
consin. There he engaged in pnjfessional 
woi'k U>¥ two years, and at the expiration of 
that time moved to Mt. IIo]H', in the same 
count}', and remained there for two years, 



occupied with clinical work. At the end of 
the two years Dr. Falley again moved, this 
time settling in Lancaster, the county seat of 
Grant county, "Wisconsin. After twelve 
years devoted to. the sick and suffering in 
that locality, the doctor removed to Afinne- 
sota, and in IST'.t located in IJreckenridge, 
"Wilkin county, where he has since been en- 
ffa^ed in medical work. In ISS-f he was 
elected to the oiKce of judge of probate of 
"W^ilkin county, and has since creditably dis- 
chai'ii'ed the official duties devolving:- on that 
office. 

Judge Falley was united in niai'riage, in 
1843, to Miss Annie C. Brackett, a native of 
Lancaster, New IIarn|)sliii(', and now the 
— mother of the following lunned children 
Charles B., an attorney-at-law, who ilied in 
ISSO; he was a graduate of the law department 
at Ann Arbor, Michigan ; he s(>rved in the 
Civil AVar, having enlisted when he was six- 
teen years old, and was in the service three 
years; he was hospital steward for two 
years, and was discharged in 1865 ; he was 
cotmty auditoi' of "Wilkin comity at the time 
of his death, aiul had held the office for six 
years. Lou A., now Mrs. F. J. Howard, 
her husband being a member of the firm of 
Hon-ard, AA^alters ife Co., of Breckenridge ; 
she is a graduate of the normal school at 
Platt\'ille, AVisconsin. Dr. Richard L. is a jun- 
ior of Beloit College, AVisconsin, a graduate 
of the St. Paul Medical College, and a success- 
ful practitionei' of Twin \'alley, Jlinncsota. 
The remaining children died in infancy. 
Dr. Falley, with his family, belongs to the 
Episcopal church. He is a republican in 
politics, and takes an active interest in all 
local matters. He belong:s to the social orjran- 
izations. Odd Fellows and Masonic frater- 
nities. He is also a mend:;er of Sumner 
Post, Grand Army of the Re|)ul(lic, at 
AVahpeton, Dakota Territory. In addition 
to his medical i)i"ictice the doctor deals 
extensively in I'eal estate, furnishes abstracts, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



233 



investigates titles, makes collections, paj's 
taxes for non-resident parties, and devotes 
special attention to all matters connected 
witii ])ublic lands, lie is one of tlie repre- 
sentative business men of AVilicin county 
and vicinit}', and commands a lai'ge and 
increasing practice, both in law and medi- 
cine, wiiicli extends thi-ougliout Western 
Minnesota and Eastei'n Dakota. 



ELS H. HANSON, a member of the 
firm of Johnson Ar Hanson, dry 
got)ds merciiants in Glyndon village, Clay 
county, Minnesota, is a native of Norway. 
He was born September 7, 1854, and is a son 
of Hans and Catharena (Johnson) Hanson, 
who wei'e natives of that kingdom. The 
father, who was a tailor and farmer by 
trade, came to tlie Unitetl States in 1865, 
and settled in Allamakee covinty, Iowa. He 
remained there engaged in tailoring and 
farming until 1870, when he came to Clay 
county, Minnesota, and settled in Glyndon, 
where he died in February, 1880. Mrs. 
Catharena Hanson, who is still living in 
Glyndon, is the mother of nine children, 
four of whom are living — Maiy (now Mrs. 
Johns(m), Anna (the wife of E. A. Erick- 
son), Hertlia (married to Joseph Hansman), 
and Nels H., the subject of this article. The 
parents were members of the IMethodist 
church, and the father was one of the prom- 
inent business men in the locality in which 
lie lived. Nels' early life was spent on the 
home farm, where he received a common- 
school education. At the age of twenty- 
one he left the old home, and started out in 
life for himself, by working for farnu^rs. 
After working a year for a farmer in Iowa 
lie went to Lansing, Iowa, where he learned 
the trade of a cooper. As soon as that was 
<accomi)lisheil he moved to Red "Wing, Min- 
nesota, where he followed his trade for some 



eighteen months. Moving from Red Wing, 
he settled in Chippewa county, Minnesota, 
where he took a l(>0-acre homestead, and at 
once began to make improvements, building 
a substantial house and barn and cultivating 
over a hundred acres of land. Mr. Hanson 
remained on his t:irni for six years, at 
the expiration of which time he sold out and 
moved to Chiy county, Minnesota, settling 
in Glyndon. April 4, 1885. He at once 
entered into partnership with Johnson «& 
Erickson, ami after continuing in business 
until January, 1887, the firm name was 
changed from Johnson, Erickson & Co. to 
Johnson & Hanson, by the purchase of Mr. 
Erickson's interest by Messrs. Johnson and 
Hanson. Mr. Hanson is one of the substan- 
tial and esteemed business men of Glyndon 
village. He is a member of the village 
board, and, while in Chippewa county, held 
the office of constal)le. In political matters 
he is a republican. 

Mr. Hanson was married, in 1877, to Miss 
IMary Bertleson, the daughter of Bertie 
Anderson, a native of Norway. He came 
to the United States and settled in Lansing, 
Iowa, where he was engaged in the cooper's 
trade until the time of his death. Mrs. 
Hanson is one of a family of seven children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are the parents of 
the following children — Louise, Amanda, 
Nellie (deceased), Minnie and Ada. 



•H^; 



^^^ 



JpEoRACE DE CAMP, who held the 
M^ office of register of deeds for Clay 
county, Minnesota, from 1876 to 1889, is a 
highly respected citizen of Moorhead, and 
justlv merits a place in this connection. 

He was born at Sing Sing, New York, 
May 10, 1827, and is a son of Ralph and 
]\[a'ry (Lee) De Camp, natives of New Jersey. 
The father was a master mason and a fine 
mechanic. It was he who built the prison 



234 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



at Aiihiirn, Now York, in ISlfi. and tlie one 
at lSiii<;' Sin"' in 182*!, also erected the line 
county buildin<;s at Anhuin, and other 
splendid struetni-es in the Eastern States, 
inchiding city halls, chnreh edifices, etc. 
lie followed this caliino- for forty-live years 
of his life, employing at one time over 50(t 
men. He lived a retired life at Aureliiis, 
New York, until ninety-three years of age. 
His wife died at the age of seventv-seven. 
They had a family of nine children, only 
two of whom are now living — William, of 
Cresco, Iowa, and our subject, Horace. 

Horace was educated at Auburn, New 
York, and received an academic course, leav- 
ing school when seventeen years oki. He 
then clerked for two years. He engaged to do 
office work for a railroad, with whom he was 
employed for eight years, after whicli time 
he went to Texas. This was in 18-Ht, and 
he clerked on a steamboat l)etween Galves- 
ton and Houston for a year and a half. 
From the boat clei'kship lie went to selling 
goods at Galveston, continuing for three 
years, but on account of ill health he came 
North and settled in "Wyoming county. New 
York, on a farm ; but, possessed by an 
ambition which saw better openings West, 
be came to Wisconsin, settling five miles 
from Milwaukee, where he again entered 
farm life, continuing for five years. In 1S71 
he came to Clay county, Minnesota, and in 
the spring of 1872 moved his family to 
Moorheatl, where he has since remained. It 
was he who built the first frame house 
erected in that city. In it lieke]>t hotel, the 
same being styled " Tlie AVestern Hotel." 
Around this pioneer building much of earl}'- 
day history centers. Here the first Protest- 
ant chui'ch services were held, and that, 
too, before the building was fairly enclosed. 
The Ilev. O. II. Elmer, a Presbyterian min- 
ister, who was holding meetings in tents, 
was the one who conducted this meetins'. 

Politicall}', Mr. De Camp is a I'epublican, 



and has been honored, as well as burdened, 
with various local offices, includini;- rejiistcr 
of deeds and justice of the peace, etc. He 
was elected in 187fi to the former office, and 
still fills the ])lace, acceptably to all con- 
cerned, at this writing (188S). 

He was maii'ied to ^fiss E. C. Pierson, of 
Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1886. He was, Ikjw- 
evei', nuirried before, and by that union has 
a son named Ralph E., now an artist in 
Montana Territory. 

Our subject has been a great traveler in 
his day. He passed all through ifexico, as 
early as 1855 and 1856, and has seen much 
of every State in the Union. He is a well 
posted and highly intelligent man, who 
well represents the culture found in the 
famous lied River Valley. 

"^^NUD O. LAASTUEN, one of the 
J^i^uX^ prominent and respected membei's of 
the farming community of the Red River and 
Park Regions, is a resident of section 9, San- 
ford township, Grant county, Minnesota, 
where he is extensivelv engaged in agricult- 
ural 2)ursuits. 

He is a native of Norway, l)orn on the 
17th of July, 1843, and is a son of Ole Laas- 
tuen, a native also of that kingdom. The 
father of the present subject emigrated to the 
United States in 1861, and settled in Fill- 
more county, ^Minnesota, where he is still liv- 
ing at the advanced age of ninety years. The 
mother of Knud died in 1882. They were 
the parents of the following named children 
— Halvor, Ole, Carrie and Knud. 

Knud Laastuen spent eigiiteen years of his 
life in the laiul of his birth. Uj) to the age 
of fifteen he attended the common schools, 
and frf)ni that ])eriod in life until he was 
eighteen he reniaineil at home and took care 
of his parents. At the age of eighteen he 
came to the T'nited States with his parents, 



PARK KRGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



235 



aiul, iiftei- a voyage of twelve weeks, landed 
at Quebec. Canada. PVom tliis port of land- 
ing the party removed to Fillmore county, 
Minnesota, wiiere tlie parents have since re- 
sided. Mr. Laastn(Mi remained in Filimoi-e 
county until 1872, when he went to Gi'ant 
county, Minnesota, and liought a ti'act of 
land, comprising loo acres, on sections 8 and 
9, Sanl'oi'd towiisiiip. Heat once began im- 
provements, and lie now lias one of the best 
and most highly cultivated farms in the 
county. He owns 500 acres lying on sections 
8, y and 16, and is engaged extensively in 
general farming and stock-raising. 

He was one of the first settlers in the 
county, and took an active part in the organ- 
ization of his township. When he settled 
liere the town of Elbow Lake was an Indian 
camp, containing about four thousand 
Indians. They gradually retreated as the 
advancing line of civilization jiressed onward 
and westward. 

Mr. L.aastuen was united in marriage .Jan- 
uary 28, 1804-, to Miss IVIary Knudson, anil 
thev have been blessed with the f(>llowin<r 
children — Betsie A., Ole, Gusty T., Eniil, 
Carlis, Knud M., Oscar A., Anton, Ida M., 
Elmer C, and the following, who are de- 
ceased — Emma C, Martin, Amin and Mar- 
tin C. 

Mrs. Laastuen is a nativi? of Norway, 
and came to the United States when but 
twenty montiis old. She went with her 
])arents to Wisconsin, where they remained 
ten years. At the expiration of that time 
tiiey removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, 
and there remained until 1ST2. She received 
her education in Wisconsin and ^linnesota, 
and was married in Fillmore county. Mr. 
Laastuen was the lii'st jjerson to engiige in 
the hotel inisiness in Elbow Lake, and lor 
many years I'an the l^llxiw Lake House, car- 
rying on farming at the same time. He 
owns the greater part of the village site. 
His land lies on the dividiny ridge between 



the Mississi]i])i and the Red Kiver of the 
North, and is one of the most picturesque 
places in the northern ])art of the State. He 
has lield the offices of constable, trustee, 
etc. He is a stanch democrat, and is ])res- 
itlent of the democratic club of the Fifth 
congressional district. He is a man of the 
sti'ictest honor arid integrity, highly esteemed 
by all who i)ear his acquaintance. 

The land belonging to Mr. Laastuen is 
historic. The court house for Grant county 
was located on the place in 1872, and in 1886 
the Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie & Pacific 
I'aih'oad located their depot on his land. 



•«"f^^"^- 



p\AVID V. FREDENBURG is the pro- 
i ^ J jirietoroT the Crown Roller Mill, and 
is also a manufacturer of bob-sleds, in Alex- 
andria, Douglas county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of New Jersey, born December 1-t, 
1840. He is the son of Absolom and Han- 
nah (Kelsey) Fi-edenbnrg, both natives of 
New Jersey. 

Mr. Fredenljurg's father was a farmer by 
occu]>ation, and, in ls.5r), thinking to better 
his condition in the West, came to the State 
of Iowa, and two years later to Minnesota. 
He located on some school land near North- 
field, this State, where he remained until his 
death. He was the father of ten children, 
seven of whom are now living — William, 
Aaron, Ann, Sarah, Joseph, David V. (the 
subject of our sketch) and Mary (now the 
wife of B. F. Nelson). 

Mr. Fredenburg spent his boyhood days 
on the farm, remaining until his fifteenth 
3^ear. He ilid not take kindly to education, 
and often received a whipping for playing 
truant. After leaving home, he went into a 
saw mill at Floyd Centre, Floyd county, 
Iowa, where he remained one year. He 
then went to Kansas, where he worked for 
three years, thence coming to JSIinnesota. 



236 



RED niVEK WILLEY AND 



On coming to this State, he turned his atten- 
tion to farming, settling on eighty acres of 
school land near Xorthlicld. On this land 
he built a farm house 14x20 feet, and made 
other valuable ini|)rovements. In IStlT Mr. 
Fredenburg thought he could do better, 
financially, in some other locality, so he sold 
his farm near XortliKeld, and came to Alex- 
andria. Douglas county, this State. Here 
he started the first livci-y stable, aiul built one 
of the first dwelling houses in tlie place. 
This latter property he trailed for a farm 
in Lake ]\Iary township, which lie kept for 
ten years. During tiiis time Mr. Fredenburg 
was on the road a great deal, traveling at 
least 10,000 miles to and from Alexandria. 
Mr. Fredenburg was not intended for a farmer, 
however, and did not make a success in that 
business, so, finally, he sold his farm and 
came back to Alexandria, where he engaged 
in the manufacture of bob-sleds. He built 
a shop for this work near the site of his pres- 
ent mill, and, though he employed six men 
constantly, could not sup])ly the demand. 
In 188-i he |)urchased a feed mill in Batavia, 
Illinois, and sliipped it to Alexandria, think- 
ing that there milling would be a ]irofitable 
business. This he ran in connection with 
his factory until iss.S, when lie built the 
Crown Holler ilill, wiiich has a capacity of 
sixt}'- barrels of wheat flour and forty barrels 
of buckwheat flour ])er day. In this mill he 
keei)s three men employed at the heavy 
work, attending to the general management 
personally. He is doing an extensive and 
flourisliing business. 

In 1873 Mr. Fredenburg was married to 
Miss Mary M. Ti'uax, of Lake Mary, daughter 
of Absolom Truax. This union has been 
blessed with four children — Van, Ida, "Walter 
and George. 

In politics J[r. Fredenbui'g is an independ- 
ent. In all public matters he is api'ominent 
factor. He is actively interested in and lib- 
erally disposed toward all things thai per- 



tain to the financial and business welfare of 
the city. Mr. Fredenburg is known to be a 
leading and representative citizen of Alex- 
andria 



-«" 



^.^►. 



PROSPER SEIDLINGER, dealer in 
harness, saddlery and leather goods, is 
one of the leading business men at Brandon, 
Douglas county, Minnesota. He was liorn 
in Loraine, now a province of Germany, but 
in former years a portion of France, on the 
2d da}' of May, 1860, and is a son of George 
and Kate (Sherman) Seidlinger. The father 
was a farmer, and renuiined in his native 
land until 1869, when he came to tiie United 
States and settled in Wisconsin, where he 
still lives. 

Prosper Seidlinger, whose name heads our 
article, was the ninth in a family of ten chil- 
dren. He was only nine years of age when 
he came with his father to the United States. 
He received his education in Dodge county, 
Wisconsin, attending school until he was 
eighteen vears of age. From that time until 
he \vas twenty, he aided his fatiier on the 
farm. lie then learned the iiai-ness-maker's 
trade at Columbus, Wisconsin, and has fol- 
lowed that business ever since. In 1886 he 
came to Douglas county, ilinnesota, and 
opened a harness sho]) at Brandon village, 
which he still conducts. He is a successful 
business num, an excellent workman, and his 
straightforward dealing has won him a lucra- 
five trade. He is a democrat in politics. He 
has taken an active interest in all matters of 
a ])ublic nature, and is now a member of the 
village council of Brandon. 

Mr. Seidlinger was married on the 17th of 
February. 1884, to Miss Fannie Good.sell, and 
tiiey are the parents of twochildren — Emily 
and George. The family attend the Catho- 
lic church. 



PARK A-ECIOXS OF MI.WVESOTA. 



237 



[OHN A. MUNDIGEL, one of the pro- 
|)i'ietorsot'the East Grand Forks Brewing 
Company, is a- resident of East Grand Forks, 
Folk county, Minnesota, wliere he is engaged 
in the itnsiness indicated. He is a native of 
Germany, born in Ilessen-Darmstadt, on 
the 2lst of Novemi>er, 1S54, and is the son 
of Joim A. and Anna M. (Lammer) Mundigel, 
natives also of the kingdom of Germany. 

J[r. ]\[undigel was thrown ii]ion his own 
resources when he was at the earlv age of 
nine years, and from that period in life until 
he was fourteen years old he attended the 
excellent common schools in his native land. 
At the age of fonrteen years he emigrated 
to the United States and after landing- 
settled in Menomonee, Wisconsin, where he 
remained nine years, clerking in a store. At 
the expiration of the nine years Mr. Mundigel 
removed to Grand Forks, Dakota, where he 
eniiaged in a hrewiny factorv as clerk. He 
remained with that establishment until tlie 
spring of ISSJ, when he went to East Grand 
Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, where he 
entered the brewing business with Messrs. 
Zengel and IToffman. The firm name 
stanils, JMundigel, Zengel A: (^^ompaiiy, and 
the brewery has a capacit}' of 10,000 barrels 
])er year. They are doing an extensive busi- 
ness and have $10,000 worth of stock on hand, 
and are one of the heaviest firms in the 
I'ted River Valley. 

Mr. Mundigel was united in marriage in 
Grand Forks, Dakota, to Miss Mary "Wingen 
(the daughtei' of Peter and Catharina Win- 
gen), on the 30th of December, 1881. Mrs. 
Wingen died in 1882. 

Mr. Mundigel was married the second 
time on the 21st of .January, 1885. to Miss 
Anna Ri|)pel, the daughter of Paul and 
Anna IJi|)pel. This marriage has been 
lilessed witli the folhjwing cliildren — George 
W. (deceased), AVilliam A. and Mamie L. 

Mr. Mundigel is one (jf the active citizens 
of the city, and is a stanch denidcrat in |iol- 



itics. Liberal and enterprising, every move- 
ment calculated to benefit his city or county 
receives his active support and encourage- 
ment, and he has been prominently identified 
with the growth and develojiment of the 
western portion of Polk county in late years. 



»-^^ 



/M.UGUST P. GEORGE. In all coun- 
tries, and especially in this rejiublic, 
with its free institutions, tiie man who has 
bestowed upon him the gift of jniblic office 
is, indeed, a representative citizen of the 
community who have thus elevated him. 
Mr. George, the deservedly popular auditor 
of Norman county, Minnesota, is one of these, 
and is counted one of Ada's most thorough- 
going, energetic business men. lie was born 
in Hanover, Germany, January 31, 1857, and 
is the son of August anil Christiane (Ilolzap- 
fel) George. Receiving, in his native land, 
the elements of an excellent education, he 
remained beneath the ])arental roof until he 
had attained his sixteenth year, when, with 
a laudable ambition of carving out a better 
fortune for liimself than was possible among 
the vine clad hills of his fatherland, he left 
his home and friends and started for the 
New AVorld. 

Landing in New Yoi'k City in the winter of 
1873-71, thefriendless boy found employment 
in the metropolis, in a grocerv store, and by 
close attention to business and the prudential 
economy so characteristic of his race, ac- 
ci;mulated some little capital. lie remained 
in that city until 1879, when, his heart yearti- 
ing for his relatives and friends in the land 
of his birth, he recrossed the wide Atlantic 
on a visit to the scenes of his youth. In 
February. 1880, he came back to the United 
States, and. on the vessel in which he made 
the voyage, received from a gentleman from 
Minneapolis, who was also a passenger, a very 
favorable idea of the gi'cat and growing 



238 



RED KIVER ]■ ALLEY AND 



Northwest, and formed a determination of 
visitinj;- that [lortion of the counlrv at some 
future (lav. On his I'cturn to New Vork he 
hoimlit a small business stand, hut the idea 
of going West having gained possession of 
him, in a few months, having found a pur- 
chaser, he sold out and came directly to 
Ada, then an cuiln yo village. Tiiis was in 
July, 18S0. lie was favorably impressed, anil 
determined to cast in his lot with the peo])le 
of tiiatphice, and purchased a lot on which he 
erected the second two-story building in the 
village. In the following autumn he j)ut in 
a stock of furniture and gents' furnishing 
ffoods. and lemained in that Hue of trade 
until the fall of 1885, when he closed out to 
assume the duties of auditor of the ccmnty. 

Mr. (reoi'ge has more or less been associ- 
ated with the public life of Norman count}'^ 
ever since his arrival here. In the fall of 
1881 he took an active part in the organiza- 
tion of the county, and was the lirsl treas- 
urer thereof, being appointed to that office 
in the spring of 1882. This office he held 
until Januai'v, 18S,S, but without neglecting 
his mercantile ])ursuits; but when, in the fall 
of 1885, he was a])pointed to the office of 
county auditor, he sold out his business to 
devote his entire attention to the ])osition 
■committed to his charge. In the fall of 
188fi he Avas elected to lill the same office, 
and in 1888 reelected his own successor. He 
has also served as treasurer of both town 
and village, and is looked upon as a model 
officer. Orderly and methodical, he has at- 
tended to the l)usiness of the county in a 
most efficacious manner, infusing his own 
energy and activity into the administration 
of its affairs as far as called upon to do by 
his olli(-e, and has won for himself hosts of 
friends and warm suppoi'ters thi'oUi^hout the 
country. 

In his tinancial affairs Mr. George has been 
emiueutly successful, owning a magnificent 
farm of 800 acres of most e-xcellent arable 



land, which he is rapidly improving and 
bringing uiuler a high state 'of tilth. His 
satisfaction with the Red Kiver Valley and 
its pre-eminent ailvanta<;es for the po(jr man 
is e.xpi'essed by him in the jilainost manner. 
Mr. Geoige was united in marriage Au- 
gust 19. 1881. with Miss Hilda :\Ioeckel, of 
Ci'ookston, .Minnesota, and daughter of 
Ernest and liertha (Meyer) Moeckel, of 
Crookston. They have one child, Irma, aged 
si.x veai's. 



.-^- 



OLE JOHNSON, a thrifty representa- 
tive of the sturdy Norwegian race, 
distinguished above all other nationalities for 
their economy, energy and industiw, is a 
resident of section 3, Pomme de Terre town- 
ship, Grant county. Minnesota, lie is a. 
native of Noi'way, boi'n on the loth day ol' 
April. 18-18, and is the son of .loliannes and 
Hattie (Olson) Johnson, natives also of 
tiie kingdom of Xoi-\vay. The ])arents of 
our subject, with their family, emigi'ated 
to the United States, July -1, 18^53, and after 
a voyage of seven weeks and four days 
landed at New York City, New Yoi'k. From 
their port of landing they removed to AVis- 
consin, settling in Winnebago county, where 
the parents are still living. 

The subject of this biographical memoir 
received his education in his native land, and 
at the age of fifteen years emigrated to the 
United States with his parents, as above 
state<l. After landing on Aniei-ican soil, he 
went with his parents to Winnebagocounty, 
Wisconsin, and from there he removed to 
Shawiino county, Wisconsin, wiiere he I'e- 
mained until 1867, engaged in tlie pineries 
and on a log drive. In 1807 he moved from 
this place back to his old home in Winne- 
bago county, where he bought a fai'ui an<l 
engaged in farming there until May I. 1S(;',(. 
At that time he sokl out and went to Free- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



239 



born county, Minnesota, and after remaining 
there about five months, seeking hind, went 
to Grant county, Minnesota, settling in 
Tomme de Terre township. He liome- 
steachnl 100 acrts of land on section 3, and 
has since lived there, engaged in general 
fai'ining and stock-raising. lie now owns 
a IxNuitiful farm of well-cultivated land, 
comprising 240 acres, and his place compares 
favorably with any in the county. 

Mr. Johnson was united in mari-iage on 
the 2Tth day of August, 1867, to Miss Anna 
Sauby, a native of Norway. She emi- 
grated to the United States in 1850 with her 
parents. She was educated in Wisconsin, 
and they were married in Oshkosh, Wis- 
consin. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the par- 
ents of nine children, named as follows — 
Ilattie, Betsie O., Julia M., John ()., Charlie, 
Maggie, Oscar, Tobias and Mabel. Ilattie 
married a Mr. Johnson, a farmer of Pomme 
de Terre township. All the rest of the 
children are at home, anil J'etsie and Julia 
are school teachers. 

Mr. Johnson is one of the I'epresentative 
men of his townshi]), and has held the fol- 
lowing oHices — justice of the peace, treas- 
urer, county commissioner and school clerk. 
He, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran 
church, of which (organization he is secretary. 
In his politics he affiliates with the repub- 
lican party, and takes an active intei-est in 
all local alfairs. He is a man of the strictest 
honor and integrity, and is highh' esteemed 
hv all who know him. 



'■*►- 



«^. 



rOHN K. LEE. Among the efficient 
county officers of Grant county, Minne- 
sota, is the gentleman whose name heads 
this memoir, the present incumbent of the 
office of register of deeds. He is a native 
of Norway, horn in Waldres, May 17, 185J-, 



and is the son of Knute and Berith (Lom- 
men) Lee, who were natives of that kingdom. 

In the year 1857 the family emigi'ated to 
the United States, settling in S])ring Grove, 
Houston county, Minnesota, where they 
lived for twelve years. The father died 
there in 18ii!t. The mother remained in that 
county for one year after her husband's 
death and then settled in Gi'ant county, Min- 
nesota, where she is still living. 

John K. Lee. the subject of this article, 
s])ent his school days principally in Minne- 
sota, finishing at Northfield in 1880. He 
was in attendance at St. Olaf's Collesre for 
foui' months, and then settled on his farm in 
Lein township, Grant county, Minnesota, 
where he had homesteaded kind in 1883. In 
January, 1887, he settled in the village of 
Elbow Lake, Grant county, Minnesota, where 
he has since continued to reside. 

Mr. Lee was united in mari-iage to Miss 
Jorgene Thune, March 5, 1888. Mrs. Lee 
is a native of Norway, and emigrated to the 
United States in 1881. Mr. Lee has held 
various offices in his townshij), including 
constable, assessor, township clerk, school 
clerk, etc. In 1887 he was elected to the 
office of register of deeds of Grant county. 
In political matters Mr. Lee is a republican. 
He has always taken an active interest in all 
])ublic and official matters, and every enter- 
prise calculated to benefit his town or coun- 
ty receives his su^oport and encouragement. 



.«« 



^^. — 



J^TyON. JAMES G. McGREW, editor 
JL''^ and proprietor of that widely known 
journal, the Crookston Wi'elhj Chronicle, 
is a native of the State of Indiana, havino- 
been boi'u neai' Iiulianapolis, December 23, 
1833, and is the son of Samuel T. and Mary 
(Stebbins) ilcGrew. At the age of five 
yeai's he was taken to Logans]iort, in the 
same State, by his parents, where he re- 



240 



nED KIVEK VALLEY AXD 



ceived liis education and grew to man's 
estate. Appreciating tlie ailvice ol' that 
prince of journalists, Horace Greek'}-, in the 
spring of 1S55 Mr. McGrew came to Minne- 
sota, and settled in Fillmore county. 

But he, like many others throughout this 
broad Nortliland, was awakened by the rude 
tocsin of war, when "within tlie furnace 
blast." 

'■ Not painlessly did God recast 
And mould anew the nation." 

Eecreant traitors dared menace the flag 
and government, endeared to ])ati'iots by a 
thousand ties, and at the call of our presi- 
dent thousands were springing to the rescue. 
Among those " whose faith and trust rang 
true metal," was the subject of this sketch, 
who, with the fires of patriotism bni'iiing 
brisihtly in Ids bosom, enrolled himself 
amono' the brave defenders of our common 
country, in Company B, Fifth Minnesota 
Infantry. His com]iany w;is stationed at 
Fort Ilidgely, Minnesota, during the summer 
of 1862, and participated in the battle at 
Kedwood, and in the defense of Fort 
Ridgely against the Sioux Indians, in which 
en^'ao'ements twentv-five of its members 
were killed, and are now buried near where 
the fort stood. The State has erected a 
monument to their menutry. In the fall of 
1S62 he joined the regiment at Oxford, 
Missouri, and ])articipated in many of the 
engagements, marches and har(lshii)s that 
nuike up its glorious record. At the siege 
of Corinth, in the second battle at that 
place, the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of 
Jackson, ]\Iechanicsburg, Fort De Kussey, 
Clarksviile, Bayou Kol)erts, Tupelo, Nash- 
ville. Spanish Fort, and many others, he 
was with that heroic command wiien they 
carried their flags to a cons])icuous place in 
the " red tide of battle." Having veteran- 
ized, Mr. McGrew I'emained in the service 
until the close of hostilities, having risen 
from the rank of private to that of cajitain 



and was mustered out aild discharged at 
Demopolis. Alal)anui. Septembei" fi, IStu). 
lieturning to Minnesota, he locatetl in Fill- 
more county, where he entered upon the 
study of law. In 1868 a discriminatuig con- 
stituencv elected him to the State le<ris- 
lature, and he served the jieople of that 
district in the tenth session of the hou.se of 
representatives. 

In the year 1871 the sul)ject of this sketch 
removed to Becker county, Minnesota, and, 
while a resident there, was admitted to the 
bar at a session of the couit held at Brain- 
erd. Crow Wing county, in 1872. For two 
terms he occupied the office of county at- 
torney of Becker county, to the satisfaction 
of the people. In 1879 he removed to 
Crookston, and. in company with John 
Croml), instituted the liank of Crookston, 
the first one in I'olk county. In the man- 
agement of that establishnu^'nt and in the 
practice of his ])rofession Mr. McGrew con- 
tinued until July, 188-1, when he purchased 
the matei'ial and outfit of the Crookston 
Weekly C/ironi.cle, and has been its editor 
and proprietor ever since. As a man and a 
citizen lie receives a merited commendation 
as one of the foremost men of the com- 
munitv, and enjoys the respect and esteem 
of all."^ 

Mr. McGrew was married, in 1868, to 
Mary A. Ide, at Rochester, Minnesota, and 
has a fauiih' of four children. 



-«-. 



P^'cOTTRELL J. CAHALEY, attorney at 
Nto^ law, and a prominent real estate and 
insurance agent in the village of Barnesville, 
Chu' county, Mmnesota, is a native of New 
York State. He was born in New York 
City, January 22, 1856, and is the son of 
George W. and Ella M. (Lane) Cahaley, na- 
tives of New Jersey and Canada, respectively. 
Mr. Cahaley spent the greater part of his 



PARK XEGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



241 



life in the city of Brooklyn, and his younger 
days wei'e spent there in obtaining an excel- 
lent education, attending the unrivaled 
schools of that city and Cornell Univei'sity. 
In 1S7<> he entered the Columbia Law Col- 
lege, and in ISTl was graduated from that 
institution with high honors. After the day 
of his graduation, heengag'^din jirofessional 
life in Brooklyn and for seven years devoted 
the energies of body and mind upor. his life's 
work. In 1SS4 he decided to seek new fields 
for his labors and wider scope for his taleni, 
and accordingly made a visit to the compara- 
tively new Xortlnvest. Sto]iping at the 
beautiful and i)us_y village of Barnesville, 
Mr. Caiialey was particularly ])leased with 
the business pi-ospects ami pleasant surround- 
ings of this western town, and decidetl to 
make it his future home. In that same year 
and shortly after his visit, he opened an office 
for the practice of his profession and has 
since been actively engaged in a general law 
business, paying also special attention to 
real estate matters and insuiance. He is a 
prominent man of the village and county. 
In political matters he is a democrat, and he 
was chairman of the county committee, a 
delegate to both the county and state con- 
ventions in 1888, and always takes an active 
interest in the party's campaigns. He is a 
thorough business man and his name is 
pi'oniinently associated with all movements 
calculated to benefit either the village or 
county. He is highly esteemed ami honored 
by all who know him. lie possesses one of 
the most complete ami valuable law libraries 
in the county, comprising 400 volumes. 



James K. van DOREN. Prominent 
among the successful business men of 
tiie famous Park Regions is the gentleman 
whose name heads this article, a merchant of 
Herman, (4rant county, Minnesota. 



Mr. Van Doren was born in Steuben 
county, New York, September 8, 18-44, and 
is a son of Isaac O. and Sarah Maria (Bush) 
Van Doren. The parents were both na- 
tives of New York State. They settled in 
Wisconsin in 1854, where the mother died 
in 1873, and there the father is still livinij. 
The parents had a family of nine children, 
five bovs and four girls, all of whom grew 
to man and womanhood — Adelaide, J. K., 
J. H., Alfreda, Ella, Wheeler O., Frank L., 
Charles L. and May. 

The sub'ect of our present sketch, J. K. 
Van Doren, as above indicated, spent his 
eai-]y boyhood days in his native State, and 
when al)out ten years of age. removed with 
his j)arents to Wisconsin, where he grew to 
manliood. He received a thorough practical 
education, and then took a commercial 
course at Milwaukee, finishing bis education 
and graduating when twenty-two years of 
age. He then went into the hotel business 
at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for two years, with 
his father, and at the expii-ation of that 
time secured a position as book-keeper for a 
lumber firm at Butte des Morts, Wisconsin, 
remaining with them for four years. Clos- 
ing his engagement with them, in 1872 he 
embarked in the mercantile business at Win- 
neconne, Wisconsin, in ])artnersliip with 
George Lefaver, but, five months later, 
bought out the interest of his associate, and 
continued the business alone until 1879, 
when he came to Grant county, Minnesota, 
and engaged in the mercantile business at 
Herman, opening a complete stock of dry 
goods and general merchandise. He has 
since carried on the business at that point, 
and his upright business methods and strict 
integrity have won him an extensive trade, 
and placed him among the most prominent 
and reliable business men of the county in 
which he lives. He has extensive pro]ierty 
interests in his region, owning several farms 
in Grant and adjoining counties. Liberal 



242 



KED KIl'EK VALLEY AXD 



and enterprising, he lias been prominently 
identified with tiie growth and tlevelopment 
of the locality in which he lives. 

]\[r. Tan Doren is an ex-Union soldier. He 
enlisted in September. 1861, in the First 
Wisconsin Cavaliy, and sei'ved until Febru- 
ai'v, ISfi."), when he was honoralily discharged 
at Madison, Wisc-oiisin. He saw ver\' active 
and severe service, and lew veterans have a 
mf)re creditable " war record." Pie partici- 
))ated in a number of important engage- 
ments, besides many skirmishes, and spent 
over eight months in the famous Anderson- 
viUe and other rebel prison pens of the 
South. 

Our subject was married in 1877 to Miss 
Eessie I. Simmons, and they are the parents 
of five living children — Edward M., Earl J., 
Le Roy, Ward Keynolds, and Jennie M. 
Two are dead, Miles W., who died in 1879, 
aged one year, and J. K., who died in 188-1, 
at the age of seven months. Mrs. "\'an 
Doren is a native of Bangor, Maine, and a 
(iauohter of James Simmons, a lumberman 
of tiie Pine Tree State. 

Mr. Van Doren is an honored member of 
the Ui'and Army of the Republic. He has 
always taken an active interest in public af- 
fairs, and has held various local ]iositions in 
the conuiumitv in which he resides. 



-»-!^^"^- 



HARLES RIDLEY, the editor and pro- 
prietor of the Osakis Ohserver, in 
Douglas county, Minnesota, is a native of 
Minnesota, lie was born in Wright county, 
on the 29th of April, 18C8, and is the son of 
Alvali and IMary Elizabeth (Dayj Ridley, 
natives of Maine iind New York, respect- 
ively. After their marriage, the ])arents of 
our subject settled in Wi-iglit county, Minne- 
sota, wliert' tlicy have since lived. They 
arc llie parents of the following named 



I 
children — Charlie, Elfie, Willie. Georgia, 

Bertie, Vernon, Nellie, Ehie and Gracie. 

Charles Ridley, the subject of this article, 
received his education in his native State, 
and, when fifteen years of age, entered the 
excellent schools in Clearwater, Wright 
county, Minnesota. He com))leted his edu- 
cation from that school in 1888. During 

! his school attendance in Clearwatei- he 
leariu'd the ju'inter's trade in the vacations 
and odd hours of his school-days. Onthe;Jlst 
of October, 1888, Mr. Ridley removed to the 
village of Osakis, Douglas county, Minne- 
sota, and leased the C)sakis Ohserver, from 
H. Cossairt. Mr. Ridley has since operated 
the paper, and has materially improved it, 
l)oth in appearance and contents. It is a 

' bi'ight, newsy ]ieriodical, a six-column paper, 
and is non-partisan. It has a large circula- 
tion, and is a representative newspajioi' of 
thecDunty. Mr. Ridley is a pi'(iliil)itionist in 
his ])olitical affiliations, and takes an active in- 
tei'est in all local affairs. Although a late set- 
tler in the county, he is rapidly growing into 
])r<)miiu'nce, both as an editor and an exem- 
jilarv citizen. He is highly esteemed by 
those who know him, and is one of the ris- 
ing voung men of the count v. 



— ■^- 



M. WEBSTER, the projH-i- 
etor of tiie livery, feetl and sale 
stable in the village of Fisher, Polk county, 
Minnesota, is a native of Illinois. He was 
born in Rock Island, Illinois, on the 21st day 
of May, 18()3, and is the son of Calno and 
Mary (Carothers) Webster, natives of Mas- 
sachusetts and Pennsylvania, respective!}'. 
As a sketch of the parents of the present sub- 
ject will be found in another tlepaitnu'iit of 
this Album, their history need not be spoken 
of in this connection. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



243 



Harvey M. AVebster, tlie subject of this 
biography, remained in his native State until 
18t>5, when he removed to Wisconsin, and 
settled on Jfaxvelle Prairie. He remained 
at that phice until 1875, wiien he went to 
Hudson Prairie, Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained two years, and then journeyed west- 
ward. He landed at St. Paul, Minnesota, 
■A\\<X in the following spring, on the 4th day of 
April, ISTS, removed to Polk county, Minne- 
sota, where he has since remained. He re- 
sided on the farm with his parents until he 
wasaljout twenty-one years of age, and then 
commenced in life for himself and removed 
to the village of Fisher, where he estab- 
lished his present livery, feed and sale stable. 
When he first settled in Polk county, he 
operated a steam thresher for three years, 
and bought ;i farm of 160 acres of railroad 
land, which he still owns. His farm lies 
about two miles from the village, and is un- 
der good cultivation, and has the best of 
building im]irovements. He is one of the 
substantial and prominent business men of 
the village, and is highh' esteemed b}' all 
who know him. 

Mr. AVebster was united in marriage on 
the 18th day of May, 1887, to Miss Jennette 
Ih'ownlee. the daugiiter of James and J^llen 
(Richardson) P>rownlee. Mr. Webster is a 
republican in his political affiliations, and 
evinces an active interest in all matters cal- 
culated to Ijenefit either town or county. 






^^EORGE N. LAMPHERE, editor and 
^^y pro])rietor of the Moorhead News, is 
one of the most ])rominent newspaper men 
in the lied River A'alley. He was born at 
Mystic, New London count\', Connecticut, 
on August 23, 1815; father's name, David; 
moth(>r's, Mary Ann, oldest daughter of Dr. 
John B. Houche : father descended from 
the Scotch, mother from the French. The 



subject of this sketch received his education 
fi'om the common schools. He resideil on a 
farm until his sixteenth year, when he en- 
tered the office of the Hartford (Connec- 
ticut) Post, which was published by ids uncle, 
James M. Scofield, but before completing 
his trade, he enlisted for the war, joining 
the Sixteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volun- 
teers, he being at the date of his enlistment 
one montii short of seventeen years of age. 
He shared the fortunes of that regiment in its 
every march, siege and battle, losing Ti(,t 
a day's service or a dutj^ until April 20, 
18()-±, when he was wounded at Plymouth, 
North Cai'olina, and taken prisoner. His left 
arm was amputated while in the hands of the 
enemy. May 22, 1864. He remained a pris- 
oner of war six months, having been con- 
fined in Raleigh (North Carolina), in hospi- 
tal, Libbv]irison, Salisbury (North Carolina), 
and Columbia (South Carolina). He sur- 
vived the loss of his arm and all the priva- 
tions of prison life, and was exchanged, 
somewhat broken in health, in November, 
1864. In the following February he was hon- 
orably dischai'ged fi-om the military service 
at Paltimore, Maryland. After his discharge 
he went to Washington, and was at once 
appointed a shipping clerk in the office of 
Captain E. S. Allen, assistant quartermaster 
at the wharves, foot of Sixth and Seventh 
streets, with a compensation of $75 per 
month. He was afterward transferred and 
promoted a clerk of Class 1, with compen- 
sation at the rate of $1,200 per annum, in the 
office of the quartermaster-general of the 
army, where he remained for several years 
and then resigned. He was a clerk also in the 
United States census office 1871-72. In June, 
1872, he participated in the first competitive 
examination held under the celebrated civil 
service rules, and was one of four of a class 
of forty who received a])pointments as clerks 
of Class 1. in the treasury department, 
July 1, of that year, he being assigned to 



244 



RED RIVEK \-ALIJ-:y AXD 



duty In the appointment division of the 
office oT tlie secretary of tiie treasury 
In less than one year tiiereafter he was pro- 
moted from Class 1 to Class 3, at si, 600 
a 3^ear, on a competitive examination, and to 
Class 4, at §1,800 a year, in January. 1875. 
In August, 1875, lie was promoted to the 
position of assistant chief of the appoint- 
ment division, with a compensation of 82,400 
a year. lie served faithfully in this capacity 
until April, 1879, when he was elevated to 
the position of chief, wherein he served until 
January, 1882, when he resigned; a change 
of adnunistration, by the death of the great 
and good Garfield, the retirement of lion. 
AVilliam Windomas secretary of the treas- 
ury, and the accession of Hon. Charles S. 
Folger ill ills placi', making it agreeable for 
Mr. Laiiiplu'i'i; to vacate his position. 

Ml'. Lamphere has read law, and has foi' 
many years been a contributor of articles for 
the press. lie is the author of a book entitleil 
"The United States Government," which 
was liighly commended by distinguished au- 
thority as the most complete and valuable 
book of its kinil wliich had ever been issued 
at the time it was published, in 1880. Three 
editions were sold, and it is now out of press. 

In IMarcli, 1882, Mr. Lamphere removed 
with his fainily from "Washington to Moor- 
head, Minnesota, where he has since resided. 
His first liusiness after reaching the West 
was real estate and lire insurance, in which 
he gained moderate success. 

In A]iril, 1SS3, at the solicitation of lead- 
ing liusiness men, he purchased the daily and 
weekly XetcK, of Moorhead, the daily edition 
having been just previously suspended, and 
took charge thereof as publisher and editor, 
reviving the daily and publishing both daily 
and weekly editions. He has continued in 
tliat employment ever since. 

In April, 1868, George N. Lamphere was 
united in marriage to ]\fiss Sarah C. Jones, 
of riiiladel|)hia. They have had born to 



them eleven children, nine of whom survive, 
namely — Charles S., aged nineteen; George 
X., Jr., aged sixteen ; Nellie R., aged fifteen ; 
Gertrude C, aged thirteen ; Ralph Leo, aged 
ten; Joseph Sherman, aged nine; Eugenie 
^L, agetl seven; Addie, aged five; and 
Allie, aged three. Charles, the oldest, is now 
foreman of the job department of the office 
of the Daily Chronicle, Spokane Falls, "Wash- 
ington Territory. All the others are at 
home. 



WILLIE N. BRONSON, a member 
of the firm of Bronson ife Dalil, 
dry goods merchants in Evaiisville, Douglas 
county. Minnesota, is a native of Iowa. He 
was born in "Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, 
August 26, 185!», and is the son of Saiiiuel 
M.and Anna (Nicholson) Bronson, who were 
natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, 
respectively. The father, wlio was a Con- 
gregational minister, receivetl his education 
in New York State at Fayette University, 
where he was employed as a minister aiul 
teacher. He came to Douglas county, Min- 
nesota, in 1878, locating at .Mcxandiia, 
where he was employed as a local preacher 
for two years. He then removed to Evans- 
ville, Minnesota, where he remained for some 
time, and then settled in Dassel, Minnesota. 
In the spring of 1887 he returned to Evans- 
ville, where he died Januaiy 27, 1888. Mrs. 
Anna (Nicholson) Bronson is still living, and 
is the mother of six children, as follows — 
"Willie (our subject), Nellie, Stella, Gertrude, 
Clement II. and Oscar. 

Mr. Bronson, the sul)ject of this article, 
spent his school-days in Floyd, Iowa, and at 
the a<;'e of eiiihteen vears 'iradiiated from 
the high school at that place. After teach- 
ing school for one year he moved to Alexan- 
dria, Minnesota, and for the next seven or 
eight years was emploN'ed as a school-teacher 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



245 



in various localities. In May, 1886, he en- 
gatj^eil in bis present business in the village 
of Evansviile in partnership with Mi". Dahl. 
The firm is one of the strongest and best 
known in the village, and cari'v a full stock 
of drj' goods and general merchandise. Mr. 
Bronson has held the office of village recorder 
since 1887, and is one of the enterprising 
and esteemed citizens of Evansviile. In 
political matters he affiliates with the repub- 
lican party. Enterprising and public spirited, 
he takes an active part in every move calcu- 
lated to aid in the growth and development 
of the locality in which he liv^es, and his 
business capaiiilities, as well as his character 
and integrity, are unquestioned. 



«^- 



J 



^fOHN WYVELL. Among the promi- 
nent and successful lousiness men of the 
famous Eed River and Park Regions is the 
gentleman of wliom this memoir treats, a 
furnitui'e dealer in Breckenridge, Wilkin 
county, Minnesota. He is a native of Eng- 
gland, born on the 14th of October, 1838, and 
is the son of John and Rebecca (Mathews) 
Wyvell, natives also of tl)at kingdom. The 
father, in his j^ounger days, was a soldier in 
the Royal ]\Iarines, of England, and in later 
days followed the business of contracting, 
lie died in 1859, and the mother of our 
subject passed away in 1868. They were 
the parents of the following named children 
— Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Ann, John and 
Thomas. The family consisted of foui'teen 
children, the above named being those who 
are now living. 

Mr. Wyvell, the subjfect of this article, at- 
tended school in his native land up to the 
age of ten years.- At that period in life he 
entered a lead, copper and silver mine, and 
was employed there until 1859, when he 
emigrated to the United States, and settled 
at Portage Lake, Houghton county, Michi- 



igan. He engaged at mining, and remained 
eighteen months. At the expiration of that 
time he removed to Eagle Harbor and Eagle 
River, where he located and devoted his time 
to mining, clerking and contracting. In 
1870 he removed to Duluth, Minnesota, and 
engaged at the stone mason's trade, employ- 
ing fourteen men anil furnishing stone on 
contracts. He had charge of the R. G. 
Coburn warehouse in Sujierior City, and 
remained in that place two years and a 
half. He then went to Wadena, Minne- 
sota, and followed carpentering. He helped 
build the first residence which was erected 
in that place, and did a great deal of 
work for the Northern Pacific Railroad 
Company, building the station house at 
that place. A few mouths after settling 
there he homesteaded 120 acres, two miles 
west of Wadena, in Otter Tail county, and 
also purchased forty acres of the railroad 
company. He built a house, barn, granary 
and other out-buildings, and made general 
improvements on the place. He continued 
to reside there for nine years, engaged exten- 
sively' and successfully in general farming 
and stock-raising. In 1880 Mr. Wyvell re- 
moved to the village of Battle Lake, built a 
store and house, and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business, following it for six years. On 
the 5th day of February, 1884, his house and 
stoi'B were totally destro\'ed by fire, causing 
a loss of §2,000. Not to- be discouraged by 
misfortune, he rebuilt and engaged in the 
same business for two years. In March, 
1886, he sold out, and removed bis goods to 
Breckenridge, AVilkin county, IMinnesota; 
purchased two lots on Fifth avenue, and 
erected a substantial store, 44x50 feet in size, 
two stories in height, and in which he has 
since continued to do business. He carries 
a full stock of furniture, and a complete line 
of sewing machines, pianos, organs, etc. 

Mr. Wyvell was married in 1859 to Miss 
Jane Peardon, a native of England, and the 



246 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



(laiiglitcr of William and Jane Peardon. l^Cr. 
and Mrs. Wy veil are the parents of the fol- 
lowing named children — John, who married 
Miss Bertha Torgerson ; James, married to 
Miss Belle Cammeron ; Mary J., Henry G., Al- 
bert E., liiciiard C. and Gilbert F. The sub- 
ject of thissketcn, with his family, belongs to 
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he 
is recording secretary. He is the Sunday- 
school superintendent, and one of the first 
members of the church. He is a representa- 
tive man of his town and county, highly 
esteemed by all who know him. He has 
held the office of clerk of tlie school district, 
and is a man of the strictest honor and 
integrity. Mr. Wyvell was formerly a 
republican in jiolitics. but has left that jiarty 
and enlisted in the ranks of the prohibition 
party, being a sincere temperance advocate 
l)otli in practice and precept. 



ILLIAM H. BARROWS, a prominent 
and highly esteemed farmer of 
Grant county Minnesota, is a resident of 
section 36, Logan township, where he is ex- 
tensively engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He is a native of Maine, born 
on the 12th of March, 1857, and is the son of 
William and A'ancy (P\irnell) Barrows, na- 
tives also of the Pine Tree State. The 
father and mother of our subject were mar- 
ried in Maine, and shortly after their mar- 
riage moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
where thev have continued to resiile. The 
father is a member of the lumbering firm of 
Merriam & Barrows Brothers, of Minne- 
apolis. The father and mother are symjja- 
thizers of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and are the parents of the following children 
—William H., Melvin P., Jessie, Lydia F. 
and Eddie. 

William H. Barrows, the subject of this 
biography, spent his school-days in Minne- 



apolis, and at the age of eighteen he left 
school and was employed by his father in 
surveying timber lands. After three years 
in this employment he was engaged as fore- 
man of the shipment and receiving ofiice of 
the same firm with which his father was con- 
nected, and served in that capacity for three 
years. He then removed to Grant county, 
and in the spring of 1881 settled on section 31, 
Maxwell township, where he lived four j'ears. 
At the expiration of the time mentioned, he 
located on his present place in Logan town- 
ship, section 36, where he has since been en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-i-aising. 
He owns an extensive fai'm of -foO acres, and 
the imi)rovements make it f)ne of the most 
desirable tracts of land in the township or 
county. He has two large barns, 44xl0n feet 
in size, granary, two-story house, anil a 132- 
foot tubular well of the purest and best of 
water. 

Mr. Barrows was united in niai-riage <.n 
the 3d of iVcember, 1877, to ]\Iiss Christena 
Dolberg, a native of Sweden, and this union 
has been blessed with three children — !Melvin 
P., A'"era F. and Ever. The subject of this 
article is a republican in his ])olitical affilia- 
tions, and takes a deep interest in all that 
party's campaigns. He is one of the repre- 
sentative men of his township, and while in 
Maxwell township held the otlice of chair- 
man of the board of supervisoi's. He is a 
man of the strictest honor and integrity, and 
is highly esteemed by ail wlio know him. 



l|uARS J. HAUGE, the efficient clerk of 
llM^v court of (rirant county, ^finnesota, is a 
native of Norway, born in Bergen, July 20, 
1859. The parents, Jens and Ingeborg 
(Raae) Hauge, are natives of Xorway, where 
they are now living, engaged in agriculture. 
They were the parents of twelve children, as 
follows — Anders, Lars, Anders, Olnv, Carrie, 



PARA- A'/-:G/0XS Of MIXXESGTA. 



247 



Anna. Jens, Tver, David, Hans, Ilagnhild 
anil Tlionias. 

Mr. Lars Hauge spent his early life in tlie 
scliool-rooms of his native land, and after 
completing his education at the age of twenty 
years, he engaged in the profession of school 
teaching, which he followed for two yeai's. 
In 18S1 he emigrated to tiie United States, 
and after landing at New York City went 
to Herman, Grant county, Minnesota. Dur- 
ing tile summer of 1S81 he worked out on a 
farm, and the following winter attended 
scliool. During the next few years Mr. 
Hauge alternately worked at farm labor and 
attended school in the summers and winters. 
He then taught school for a 3'ear or two, 
after which he secured work on a farm and 
soon after returned to the vocation of a 
teacher. This occupation he followed until 
he was elected to his present office, clerk of j 
court, in ISSO, taking charge of the office in 
the winter of 1887. 

In political matters the subject of this 
article is an adherent to the principles of the 
prohibition party. In the discharge of his 
official duties Mr. Hauge has not only cred- 
itably acquitted himself, but has given sat- 
isfaction to all, and he is recognized as one 
of the most honorable citizens of the local- 
ity in which he lives. A man of the strict- 
est integrity, he is highl}" esteemed by all 
who bear Ins iic(piaintance. 



-«« 



^ REDBRICK PUHLER, the present pop- 
L^ ular postmaster of Ada-, Minnesota, is 
among the oldest, as well as one of its most 
enterprising citizens, having been closely 
..lentitied with it and its interests since 
December, 1879. 

Born in the beautiful land of Hesse-Darm- 
stadt. Germany. March 8, 1855, and the son 
of Gabriel and Elizabeth (Knobe) Puhler, 
our subject was not reared amid the vine- 



clad hills of his native country, beside the 
placiil waters of the classic river Rhine, but 
was brought to the United States when he 
was scarcely two years old. The family 
settled in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, 
where the parents still reside. When our 
subject was some ten years of age, with the 
natural independence which is so character- 
istic of him still, he left home and went to 
work on his own account in northeastern 
Iowa. While engaged in farm labor and 
going to school, for he was determined to 
procure an education, he experienced religion, 
and was converted to the religion of Christ 
at a camp-meeting, and was shortly after- 
ward taken up by the Methodists of Cedar 
Falls, and sent to Northwestern Biblical 
Institute at Evanston, Illinois, to be educated 
for the ministry. After some two months' 
experience in that college, he came to the 
conclusion that he had missed his calling, 
and that he was not htted by nature or in- 
clination for the pulpit, and lieing now a 
young man, left tiiere and went to Chicago. 
He entered the employ of the Chicago Trib- 
une as marine reporter, and remained with 
that o-reat journal for nearlv two vears. 
His talents and readiness gaining him friends, 
he was presented by the manager of that 
paper with a scholarship in Clavorack Col- 
lege, near Albany, New York, on the Hudson 
river. Entering that institution, he there 
devoted some four years to untiring study, 
and, on graduation, took the special course of 
journalism at Cornell College, which called 
for thi'ee years more of toil in the pursuit of 
knowledge. Knowing that there is no royal 
road to that which Solomon declares to be 
" more precious than rubies," he strove man- 
fully to attain his ends, supporting himself 
during all that time by his pen. Original 
sketches, stories or tales, translations from 
the German, and other work of a like char- 
acter, supplied liim, sparingly, with means, 
and at last he found his reward, being grad- 



248 



KEP Jx'/r /■:/,• lAi.i.EV Axn 



uated from the last mentioned institution 
in the spring of 1875. 

From there the youn^ man went to New 
York City, and iiis talents were soon 
employed on the ^un, tlie great democratic 
sheet of the country, witli whicli iiei'(>maincd 
about a year, Going to tiie 'World in the 
spring of 1876, in the fall of that year he 
was sent by that great metropolitan journal 
to Louisiana with the congressional commit- 
tee who were investigating the election 
returns. He acted in tiie caj)acity of re- 
porter for tiie ])a])er until the spring of 1877, 
when, taking thol'lack Kills fever, he took a 
trip to that wonderland, and in Deadwood 
started a daily paper in company with 
Charles Collins, to whicii they gave the 
luime of the Champion. He presided over 
tliat sheet until September following, wIhmi 
he sold out the business and made a trip 
with a government surveying party through 
Idaho, as far as Walla Walla, Washington 
Territory. From the latter phice he went 
to San Francisco, and IVcim there back to 
Bismarck, making the most of the trip on 
horseback. 

Going to Minneapolis,Mr. Puhlcr found em- 
ployment with the Pioneer Press, in tlie fall 
of 1877, and remained in that city, on that 
journal and the Tribune until December, 
1879, when he paid a visit to Ada. Liking 
the outlook of the place, he returned here, 
permanently to settle, in February. iSSiJ, and 
established a weekly paper, to which he gave 
the name of The Norman Counttj Alert, the 
first issue being dated April 5. The ques- 
tion of the division of Polk county, and the 
organization of the southern half as a new 
county was commenced that season by Mr. 
Puhler, although both of the representatives 
from the disti'ict in the Icgislatui'e were op- 
posed to the movement. In the winter of 
1880-81 Mr. Puhler ami J. Y. Campbell 
were sent to St. Paul as a committee to press 
the matter through the legislature, and, after 



eight weeks' hard work in the lobby, suc- 
ceeded in having an act j)assed submitting 
the question to tlie qualilied electors of the 
county. Throwing himself into the contest 
with his usual vigor, and supported Ijy the 
leading citizens of the lower half of the 
county, after a hard and bitter fight he at- 
tained the end he aimed for, and the divis- 
ion carried. A convention was held in the 
fall of 1881 to nominate for appointment by 
the governor the men to form the board of 
commissioners to organize the county, but 
the choice of that convention not meeting 
the views of those who had been instrumental 
in the division of the county, Mr. Puhler was 
sent to St. Paul to interview the governor on 
the part of these infiiiential citizens, and suc- 
ceeded in having others ai)])ointed to those 
offices. At the election of^the fall of ISSl 
oui' suliject was chosen clerk of the court, and 
filled that office for one year. During nearh' 
all that time, until the spring of 1SS3, he con- 
tinued his paper, which he finally sold to 
Lightbourn & Foote. In the fall of 1880 he 
drew up the articles of incorporation for the 
village of Ada, which were j)assed by the 
legislature at the same time as the act of 
division of the count v, and on the organiza- 
tion of the same was appointed its first 
recorder, an oifice Avhich he occujiied for 
three years. In the fall of 1882, at the time 
of the contest between Kindred and Nelson 
in their political campaign. .Mr. Puhler 
espoused the cause of the formei-, and l>y his 
activity and success gained from his oppon- 
ents the title of the " Notorious I'uhler." 

In the spi'ingof 1883 our subject went to 
Ih'ainei'd and purchased the J)!spi(ich. but 
eight months later sold that journal and 
established a democratic paper in Duluth. 
which he ran for about a vear. At the ex- 
piration of that time he returned to Ada, and 
there instituted the Journal, a democratic 
newspaper, and occupied the editorial chair 
until June, 1887. This was the first paper 



PARK KECIOXS OF sMlNXF.SOTA'. 



249 



of tlie deinocratio persuasion in tliis pai't of 
tlie State, that political ])arty being niiicli in 
the minority, hut soon had a good circulation 
and advertising list. In June, 1SS7, Mr. 
Puhler disposed of the good-will of the 
Journal to the Index, and removed the ma- 
terial to Fertile, where he now publishes a 
paper of the same political complexion. 

Mr. Puhler was appointed postmaster at 
Ada in Xovemlier, ISSG, and now fills that 
important jiosition, and is highly popular and 
efficient in the discharge of his tluties. 

Mr. Puhler was married April 15, 1878, at 
Minneapolis, to Miss Emma J. Brown, and 
thev have one daughter, Grace, aged seven 
years. 



"4—— 



-*«: 



^S OPHUS N. MILLER is one of the repre- 
'^^' sentative citizens of Alexandria, Doug- 
las county, Minnesota, and has an extensive 
business in real estate, loans and insurance. 

Mr. Miller is a native of Norway, born in 
1843, and a son of Prosper P. and Sophia 
(Bent) Miller. His parents were natives of 
Germany, but while yet in early life they re- 
moved to Norway, where the father worked 
at the coo]ier's trade. In 1855 he came to 
America, but remained only a shoi't time, re- 
turning to Norway, where he remained until 
his death, which occurred in 1860; the moth- 
er died in 1854. They had a familv of five 
children, four of whom are now living — 
Fredericli, Dinah, Torval and Sophus N., 
whose name appears at the head of this 
sketch. 

The educational advantages in the part of 
Norway where the subject of our sketch 
spent his early years were of such excellent 
character that he received a fine schooling. 
At fourteen years of age a restless disposi- 
tion seized him, and he took ship and went on 
the ocean as a sailor, continuino- at this dui'- 



ing the larger part of one year. He then 
returned to terra finna^ixwA engaged as clerk 
in a hardware store, in which line he con- 
tinued for four years. In 1 8(53 lie migrated 
to America, settling in Cami)ridge,Wisconsin, 
where he followed railroading for some five 
months, after which he engaged in steam- 
boating on the Mississippi river for a short 
time. Next he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, 
Avhere for about four years he was clerk 
in a drug store; thence he went to North- 
lield, Minnesota. In 1808 he settled in 
Alexandria, Douglas county, this State, and 
engaged in the mercantile business, which 
he conducted until in 1870, when he sold out 
and opened his present prosperous agency. 
On coming to this county he took a home- 
stead in Urness township. He has ])urchased 
other lands until he has a fine farm of 300 
acres under good cultivation and with ex- 
cellent improvements. 

Ml'. Miller was married in 186() to Julia 
E. Thompson, a native of Norway. This 
union has been blessed with three children — 
Minnie E., Carrie S. and Charles E. In 1877 
death invaded the sacred ]irecincts of the 
family and carried awaj' the beloved wife 
and mother. She died at her home in Alex- 
andria. She was a member of the Lutheran 
church. 

Mr. Millers business and social relations 
in Alexandria are of the highest character. 
He has always been interested in the growth 
and prosperity of the city and county, and 
has held many positions of trust. In 1875 
he was a]ipointed ]iostniaster of the city, 
which position he held for nine years. He 
has been clerk of the school ijoard for nine 
years. In politics he is a sujiporter of the 
republican party ; is a member of the Ma- 
sonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and is 
also a member of the Lutheran church. lie 
built the first good dwelling in the city, and 
now lives in a fine residence just outside the 
citv limits, on the banks of Lake Winona. 



250 



RED RIVER VALLEY A.VD 



Mr. Miller is the local representative of 
companies of gigantic capital, and by his 
careful and judicious uianageuicnt has 
built up for them and for himself a 
business of large proportions. He is agent 
for the following companies: The Amer- 
ican Freehold Land and Mortgage Company, 
of London, England, capital, Sii.OOO.OOO ; 
the Scottish American Mortgage Company, 
of Edinburgh, Scotland ; and the Land, 
Mortgage and Investment Agency Com- 
pany, of America, headquarters at London, 
England, capital, !?5.000.00rt. For these 
companies he is the sole agent for what is 
poiMilarly known its the Park Regions of 
^linnesota. For the })ast fifteen years he 
has been agent for the('orl)in Banking Com- 
pany of Xew York City, and during this 
time has done for them a business of si. .500,- 
000. So careful and conservative lias he 
been in the management of this company's 
business that they do not own one foot of 
land taken tiirough his agency. 



-«- 



JTOHN HANSON, wheat buyer and also a 
jbJ Miember of the firm of Larsen, Peterson 
& Co., the heaviest dealers in general mer- 
chandise at Brandon, Douglas county, Min- 
nesota, is a good representative of the best 
class of business men in the Park Kegions. 
He was born in Norway, and therefore 
comes of the same nationality which forms 
such a heavy })roportion of Minnesota's citi- 
zens, and a race proverljial for their thrift, 
enterjirise and economy. John Hanson was 
born in "Wardal, ChristianiaStift, Norway, on 
the IStli of November, 1835. and is a son of 
Hans and Maria Peterson. The father was 
a farmer. He lived and died in his native 
land. The parents had a family of four 
children — Peter, John, Anna and Petro. 

John Hanson spent his boyhood days and 
received his education in the place of his 
birth, attending school until he was sixteen 



years of age. Then for two years he helped 
his father on the farm, and at the expiration 
of that time was emjiloyed by a clergyman 
to care for his horses, etc., and retained this 
position for three years. He then decided to 
come to the New World, and accordingly, on 
April 20, 18.t7, he sailed from Christiania for 
the United States, arriving on the 2i)th of 
the following May. He made his way to La 
Crosse, and for six or seven years worked 
upon a farm during the summer months and 
in the pineries during the winters. At the 
expiration of that time he rented a farm, 
which he carried on for a few years. In 
1866 he came to Douglas county, Minnesota, 
and bought a homestead right on land in 
Moe township, and there resumed his farm- 
ing operations. He secured 280 acres, where 
he devoted liis time to general farminir for 

o fry 

about seventeen }'ears. In ISSl. while still 
on the farm, he bought an interest in the 
general merchandise business, which is still 
carried on under the tirm name of Larsen, 
Peterson ic Co., and he still owns a one- 
third interest in the business. In 1887 he 
commenced buying Avheat for the Minneap- 
olis ik Northern Elevator Company at Bran- 
don, and still continues in that line. He has 
also taken a ])roininont ]iart in various jmblic 
enterj)rises. He holds an interest in the mill 
company, and lor one year was treasurer of 
the corporation. He was also treasurer of 
Brandon village for one year. 

Mr. Hanson was married in 1862 to Miss 
Matilda Peterson. The family are active 
and exemplary members of the Lutheran 
church. 



jl^jiOUiS FONTAINE, the senior member 
¥^^ of the firm of Fontaine «k Angine, 
general dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, 
shoes, hats, caps, ready-made clothing, car- 
pets, etc., in the city of Crookston, Minne- 
sota, is one of the oldest, as well as one of the 



PAH/ir REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



251 



most prominent and influential mercliants in 
the city, having established liimself there in 
the summer of 1878. His excellent business 
abilities, his energy of character and the 
sterling integrity of his personal character 
have won him his high place in the regard of 
the people of the communitv, and he is 
looked upon b\^ ail as one of the truly repre- 
sentative men of the place. 

Mr. Fontaine was born at St. Hyacinthe, 
in the province of Quebec, Canada, January 
11, 1840, and is the son of Louis and Juistine 
(Martei) Fontaine. At the age of fourteen 
he left home and came to the United States to 
commence tiie l)attle of life on his own ac- 
count, and settled near St. Paul, Minnesota, 
lie labored on a farm in that vinicity until 
1858, wlien lie removed to McLeod county, 
then just being settled, where he took up a 
claim and commenced agricultural pursuits 
for himself. He remained there until No- 
vember, 1801, when, the hand of ruthless 
traitors daring to assail the flag and govern- 
ment of his adopted country, and the tocsin 
of war pealing over the land, he enlisted in 
Company E, Fourth Minnesota Infantry. 
He was mustered in at Ft. Snelling, 
and with the regiment forwarded to the 
front, " where deetls of eternal fame were 
done," and gallantly ])erformed his jiart in 
all the " stricken lields '" where the '' Fourth" 
carried the victorious banner. At lukn, 
September 19, 1862; Corinth, October .3 and 
4, 186.^; Jackson, June. 18C3; Fort Pember- 
ton, March, 1863; Champion Hill, May 1.5, 
1863 ; in the charge on Duval's Bluff, the 
siege of Vicksburg, in 1863; Mission Kidge, 
November 2.5, 1863; Altoona, October 5, 
1864, and throughout the grand march to 
the sea, under that matchless leader, AV. T. 
Sherman, he followed his colors undauntedly. 
On the expiration of his term of service he 
re-enlisted, oi', as it was termed, veteranized, 
and continued in the ranks until the close of 
hostilities, and participated in the grand re- 



view at "Washington, which terminated the 
services of the gallant armies of the Union. 

Discharged in Jul}', 1865, Mr. Fontaine 
returned to ]\rinnesota, arriving in St. 
Paul one morning at nine o'clock, and be- 
fore noon he had purchased the stock, fix- 
tures and good-will of a restaurant and 
saloon, and before nightfall had commenced 
business. He remained in that line of trade 
for three years with excellent financial re- 
sults, but at the end of that time sold out 
and entered into the general merchandise 
trade in that city, in whicli he continued 
some ten years. In the meantime he went 
to Mapleton, Cass county, Dakota, and there 
took up his soldier's homestead, which one 
year later he sold. In 1874, while on one of 
his trips to that place, he came to Crookston, 
by way of Grand Forks, and, from there 
over the country. 

Having been favorably impressed with the 
location and evident future prosperity of the 
village, Mr. Fontaine, in the summer of 1878 
in company with William Angine, came to 
this point and purchased the stock and busi- 
ness of W. D. Bailey, a dealer in general 
merchandise. Leaving his ])ai'tner in charge, 
Mr. Fontaine hurried back to St. Paul to 
close u]) his business there, and returned to 
Crookston in the following September, since 
which time he has been closely connected 
with the interests of the city. 

The store which they at first occupied 
was a rough log one, but it was on a par 
with the two others, there being only three 
in the place. Not a street was cut out of 
the timber that then covered the site of the 
town, nor any improvements, to speak of, 
made. For two years business was carried 
on in their primitive store, at the enil of 
which tiiey erected the brick building now 
occupied as their grocery department. Since 
then they have added two more rooms to 
their establishment, thus having three fronts. 
Each of their departments is filled with a 



252 



/■/;/) KIl-KR VALLEY A XV 



varied and full stock of goods in their par- 
ticular lino, the wliole stock invoicing in the 
neighboriiood of §i75,000, and the firm, such 
is their business, are compelled to have the 
assistance of ten clerks to attend to their 
numerous customers. In 1882 the firm put 
in a large stock of farm machinery, hut the 
extent of their otlier business being too 
great to give it tlie attention necessary, that 
branch was aljandoned. Tiiey have, how- 
ever, a lialf interest in a general merchan- 
dise store at Argyle, Marshall county, which 
is doing an extensive trade. 

Mr. Fontaine is a consistent Christian gen- 
tleman, a member of the church and presi- 
dent of St. John's Baptist society, and no 
one is more highly spoken of either in busi- 
ness or social circles. He was united in mar- 
riage, September 12, 1865, with Miss Rosie 
Troml)ley, a native of Kankakee, Illinois, 
and daughter of Mitciieile Troinbley. By 
this union their home has been gladdened by 
the birth of six children, of which the fol- 
lowing are the names — George, Armen, Yic- 
toi'. Alijert, Blanche and Aimer. 



fDHN A. NELSON, tlie cashier of the 
Barnesviile State Bank, is a native of 
Sweden, and springs from a race proverbial 
foi' tiieir thi'ift, industry and economy. lie 
was boin in 1850, and remained in. his native 
land, attending the schools of that country 
until in ills sixteenth year, wlien, in 187:2, he 
emigrated to tlie United States, and after 
landing settled near Litchfield, Minnesota, 
wliere he worked in a general store and at- 
tended school. After four years, or in 1876, 
he commenced to learn telegraphy, and 
shortly thereafter went into the employ of 
the D. M. Oslforne Machine Com])any, and 
remained with them for eleven years, work- 
ing his way up from telegraph operator to 
assistant general numagcr. Durinu- live 



years of that period Mr. Nelson had his 
headtpiarters in Chicago, Illinois, and the 
remaining six in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 
During his employment with this comjiany, 
Mr. Nelson had Ijecn investing his money in 
the Northwest, in mortgages, loans, etc.. and 
in the summer of 1885 he. in company with 
Messrs. F. E. Kenaston and E. (i. A'alentinc, 
established the Wilkin County Bank, in 
Breckenridge, Wilkin county. IMinnesota, and 
in May, 1888, removed to Barnesviile and 
opened up the Barnesviile State Bank, with 
a capital of $25,000. The officers of the 
bank are F. E. Kenaston, of Breckenridge, 
Minnesota, president; Howard De Mott, of 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, vice-president, and 
Mr. Nelson, the subject of this article, 
cashier. Mr. Nelson holds a good share of 
the stock in the Wilkin County Bank, as well 
as in the bank at Barnesviile, besides mort- 
gages and real estate at different places in 
Dakota. The Barnesviile State Bank is in- 
coi'])orated under the State laws, and trans- 
acts a general banking business. They buy 
and sell school and municipal bonds, domes- 
tic and foreign exchange and commercial 
paper. They pay special attention in nego- 
tiating first mortgage farm loans, and act as 
agents for non-residents in buying, selling or 
renting lands. The directors of the bank 
are Messrs. Kenaston, Nelson, De Mott, Modi- 
sette and A'alentine. ]\Ii'. Nelson is a re])ub- 
lican in political matters, a member of 
the Knights of Pythias, and an active par- 
ticipant in iill movements of a local nature. 

i^ARL THRONSEN, a prominent and 
^^y thrifty agriculturist of the famous 
Red River and Park Regions, resides on his 
beautiful farm home on section 13. Erdahl 
township, Grant county, Minnesota, lie is 
a native bf Norway, boiMi on the 17th of 
June, 18-12, aiul is the son (jf Tliron and In- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



253 



ger (Halverson) Thronsen, n.atives of Nor- 
way. Tlie\' were farmers in tlie Old World, 
and both died in their native land. They 
were tiie i>arents of tlie following named 
children — Peter, Ilalvor, Thron and Carl. 

Carl Thronsen. of whom this biography 
treats, received his education in his native 
land and attended scliool until he had reached 
the age of fourteen years. At that period 
in life he entered an apjirenticeshi]) to the 
shoemaker's trade, and, after learning his 
trade, followed that occupation until he 
emigrated to the United States. In 1S6S he 
started tor the United States, and after a voy- 
age of seven weeks, landed at Quebec, Canada. 

From this point he went to Hudson, St. 
Croix county, Wisconsin, where lie remained 
one year, engaged in fanning. He then re- 
moved to Douglas county, Minnesota, where 
he spent the winter, and in the following 
year went to Grant county, Minnesota. As 
soon as he entered the county, he home- 
steaded 1<''0 acres of land in Erdahl town- 
ship, on section 13, where he has since re- 
mained, engaged in a general farming ami 
stock business. He now owns over ;3()t> acres 
of well im])i'oved land, and has one of the 
most desirable farms in that section of the 
country. 

Mr. Thronsen was married ifay S, 1S67, 
to Miss Anna Thorsen, and this union lias 
been blesseil with the followinij named chil- 
dren — Thron, Inguil, Chrislian, Otto, Emil, 
Alma, Thora, Hans, Cari'ie and Anna (twins) 
and Hjalmar. i^Irs. Thronsen is a native 
of Norway, born on the 23d of August, 
18il. Mr. Thronsen and family belong to 
the Lutheran church, of which he has been 
trustee. He has held the following offices 
in the townshij) : assessor, supervisor, school 
treasurer, also school clerk. He is a repre- 
sentative man of the county, and is highly 
esteemed by all who l^ear his acquaintance. 
He is a republican in ])olitics, and takes an 
active part in all pul)lic movements. 



^M UGUST SVANSON, a prominent car- 
^i'SlL riage manufacturer and blacksmith of 
tlie village of Herman, Grant county, Minne- 
sota, is a native of Sweden, l)orn June 1, 
1848. He is a son of Israel and Anna (Ilak- 
ason) Svanson,also natives of that kingdom. 
The father of our subject, who was a farmer, 
died in 1886, and the mother is still living. 
They are the parents of the following named 
children — John. August. Peter, Otto, Tilda, 
Helena and Edith. The parents were de- 
voted members of the Luthei'an church. 
John died in Wisconsin. Pie emigrated to 
the United States in 1863, and lirst settled 
in lied Wing, Minnesota, and from there 
went to Wisconsin. 

Mr. Svanson, the subject of this article, 
spent his school-days in the land of his birth, 
leaving the school-room at the age of twelve 
years. At the age of fifteen he entered an 
apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and 
completed his trade at the age of twenty. 
He then commenced the wagon-maker's trade, 
and followed the same for one year. At the 
expiration of that time, in 1871, he emi- 
grated to the United States, and in July, 
after a voyage of twelve days, landed at New 
York (^ity. He then went to IJed Wing, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in wagon- 
making for seven years. Mr. Svanson then 
went to Pierce county, Wisconsin, where he 
remained a vear or two engaged in farmino: 
and stock-raising. He then sold his faim 
and moved to Grant county, Minnesota, and 
engaged in cai-]ientering. Soon afterward 
he homesteaded 16(i acres in the township of 
Monson, where lie lived five years, engaged 
in farming. He then rented his farm and 
removed to Herman village, where he en- 
gaged in the carriage-making trade and 
blacksniithing, which he has since followed. 
He is one of the best carriage makers in the 
county, and his handiwork compares favor- 
ably with any in the State. His is the only 
establishment in the village, and he is doing 



254 



RED RIVER VALLEY AKD 



a big business. He is a republican in his 
political aHiliations. and tako.s an active in- 
terest in all local matters. He is a represen- 
tative man of liis i-esidence village, and one 
of the most enterprising business men. He 
is a man of jionor and integrity, and is 
highly esteemed ijy all who know him. He 
is a sympathizer with the doctrines of the 
Lutheran oliiii'cii. 



••*^?^fe""*-- 



John M. WESTBERG, of the firm of 
f^ Lisher ct Westi)erg, proprietors of the 
meat market in East Grand Forks, Polk 
countv, Minnesota, is a native of Sweden. 
He was born in Malen on the 16th dav of 
September, 1863, and is the son of Martin 
and Ellen (Paulson) Westberg, natives also 
of the kingdom of Sweden. 

Mr. Westberg, the subject of this sketch, 
remained at the home fai'inand attended the 
common schools of his native land until he 
lia<l attained the age of twelve years. He 
was then obliged to commence in life for 
himself, and in 1883 or ISSi he immiurated 
to the United States. After a vovaee of 
tiiree weeks lie landed in Portland, Maine, 
and at once proceeded to Sauk Center, Min- 
nesota, where he remained about two years, 
enffaged in thel)utcher's trade. He then re- 
moved to Ada, Mmnesota, where he remained 
six months, but did no work. Mr. West- 
berg went from Ada to Fulda, Murray 
county, Minnesota, where he worked on a 
farm for a short time, and then went to 
Orand Forks, Dakota Territor^^, where he 
worked at the butcher's trade until the 7th 
of ,liine, 1888. He then settled in East 
Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, and 
opened a butcher shop in pai'tnershij) with a 
Mr. Swenson. On the 8th of September, 
1888, Mr. Westberg jnirchased the interest 
of his partner, and jVfr. Lisher went into 
partnership witii Mr. Westbtjrg, and has 



since continued under the firm name of 
Lisher ct Westberg. They are the ]iopular 
meat market firm in the city, ami give the 
best of satisfaction in all tiieir dealings. 

Mr. Westberg was united in mari-iage in 
Hillsljerg, Dakota Territory, in August, 
1888, to Miss Maiy Peterson, a native of 
Norway, and the (Uiughtcr of Paul and 
Bertha Peterson, natives of Xorway. 

ilr, and Mrs. Westberg are attendants of 
the Methodist church. He is one of the 
active business men of the city, and highly 
esteemed by all who know iiim. In ])olitical 
matters he affiliates with llit: republican 
party. 



J|Vl-EXANDER ANDERSON, who is 



t-''^'\i_ engaged in the general mercantile 
business in the viIlao:e of Osakis, Douglas 
county, Minnesota, is a native of Norway. 
He was born in Thorndhjem, on the 2i'd of 
April, 1856, and is the son of Michael and 
Sarah (Lai'son) Anderson, nativesof N'm-way. 
The father of our subject immigrated to the 
United States in 1867, and settled in Todd 
county, ilinnesota, where he i-emained until 
his death. He died in 1872, and was devoted 
to the farming industry through life. The 
mother of our subject is still living in Todd 
county, Minnesota, at an advanced age. 
They were the parents of the following 
named children — Mary, Lewis and Alexan- 
der. 

Alexander Anderson, the subject of this 
article, spent his younger days in his native 
land and immigrated to the United States in 
1867, with his parents. His education was 
obtained princijially in Todd county, and 
at the age of fifteen years he left the scIhjoI- 
room and engao'ed in farmiiii;-. I'ntil he 
was twenty-one he followed larmiiig. and at 
that jHM'iod in life he removed to (Osakis, 
Douglas county, Minnesota, wlieie he en- 



PARK RKGIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



255 



faged in the mercantile business, in partner- 
ship with John Mahlen. After one year 
Mr. Anderson purchased the interest of Mr. 
Mahlen, and then entered into partnership 
with Lewis Johnson, with whom he remained 
two years. At the expiration of that time 
they dissolved partnership, and our subject 
entered into business with J. B. Johnson, 
and thev have since continued in business 
togetner. They handle a full line of goods, 
and give the best of satisfaction in all their 
dealings. In addition to his business inter- 
ests Mr. Anderson owns a fine farm of 160 
acres in Todd county. Minnesota, and is one 
of the most solid and substantial citizens of 
Osakis. 

Mr. Anderson was united in marriage on 
the 17th of July, 1S77, to Miss Olena Mahlen, 
a native of Norway, and the daugliter of 
Martinus Mahlen. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson 
have been blessed with the following named 
children — Elmer, Sophia, Mary, Alfred, 
Oliiver, Carl andMinnie. Mr. Anderson, with 
his family, belongs to the Lutheran church, 
of wliich organization he is trustee. lie is a 
republican in his political affiliations, and is 
an active participant in all movements of a 
local nature calculated to benefit eitlier the 
villajre or the countv. Mr. Anderson is one 
of the village couneilmen, and is one of the 
representative citizens 01 the county. 



-^- 



i^ALNO U. WEBSTER, the efficient 
'^y justice of the peace and town clerk of 
the village of Fisher, Polk county, Minne- 
sota, and also engaged in farming near the 
village, is a native of the State of Massachu- 
setts, lie was born in Bernardston, on 
the 25th day of May, 1834, and is the son of 
Artemus and Lorana (Patterson) Webster, 
natives of the State of Massachusetts. In 
1840 the parents of the present sul)ject re- 



moved to the State of Pennsylvania, where 
the father died in 1843. In 1843 the mother 
of Calno went to Eock Island county, Illi- 
nois, where she lived until 1856, when she 
removed to Wisconsin, wliere she lived until 
her death. The father and mother of our 
subject were the parents of tiie following 
named children — Sylvester, Monroe, Ezekel, 
Sylvia and Calno. 

Calno Webster, the subject of this bio- 
graphical review, remained in his native 
State until he was six years old, when here- 
moved with his parents to Pennsylvania. 
He lived in that State until he was nine 
years old, then, the father dying, the re- 
mainder of the family removed to Illinois. 
Mr. Webster here learned the carpenter's 
trade, and in 1858 removed to Buffalo 
county, Wisconsin, where he remained seven- 
teen years. He was among tiie earliest set- 
tlers in that region, and times wei-e hard and 
money scarce. Their market was sixteen 
miles distant and there were but few white 
men. In 1878 he borrowed $50, and after 
paying the freight on the goods had but 
$1.50 left. With this and his family he 
started for Minnesota, and located in Polk 
county. In those early days he worked at 
his trade, and all tiie family were forced to 
«-o out ami work for themselves. On locat- 
ing in Fisher, Mr. Webster took a homestead 
of eighty acres, and also a tract of railroad 
land. He now holds tiie offices of justice of 
the peace and town clerk, and he devotes 
the greater part of his time to his official 
duties. 

Mr. Webster was marrieil on tiie 4tii day 
of June, lS5y, to Miss Maiy Carothers, and 
this union has been blessed witli the follow- 
ing named children — Elmira, R. T., Elsie, 
Harvey, Eiizebeth, Calno, Olive, Charles and 
Andrew. Charles is deceased. While in 
Wisconsin, Mr. Webster held the office of 
justice of tlie jieace, town and village offices, 
etc. lie is one of the prominent men of 



256 



KEI) RIVEK \-ALLEY AXD 



the villaj^eof Fisher, and is highly esteemed 
bv all wlio know liiiii. Iti [lolitical iiiattoi's" 
lie iittiliates witJi the re])iii)lican ]iarty. He. 
with his family, lielongs to tlie ^[ethodist 

cluircli. 

- • •♦ > ■ •S^f^-'»— 

11^ EINERT AANENSON, a successful and 
Jj-OV' enlei'prisiug- farmer of the town of 
Evansville, Douglas county, Minnesota, is a 
resident of section 3. He is a native of 
Korway, born October 7, 1827, and is a son 
of Aanenson Jestsen, a native of that king- 
dom. The father and motiier, who are still 
living, are the parents of twelve children. 

The suliject of this article received his 
education in his native land, and came to 
this country in ISoo, landing in (Quebec. Can- 
ada, alter a voyage of seven weeks. From 
Quebec he wcjit to Manitowoc, "Wisconsin, 
remaining there on a farm tor two years, 
lie then sold the farm which he had pur- 
chased when he first settled there, and mctvcd 
to Ivansas. Mr. Aanenson was there en- 
ijaged in the real estate business for two 
years. He tluMi went to California, via 
Pike's Peak. For the next eight years he 
was engaged in mining in that State, and at 
the exjiiration of that time paid a visit to 
his native land, Norway, remaining there 
for five years. On ins return to the United 
States he stayed in Chicago for one month, 
and, after traveling through Iowa and Min- 
nesota, settled in Douglas county, Minne- 
sota, on his present place of residence. At 
the time of his settlement, in 18<1'.». he paid 
$1,200 for a homestead right, and has since 
improvetl and cultivated the ])lace. 

Mr. Aanenson was united in marriage in 
18f)9, to Miss Amanda Tolexson, who died 
in 18(1'.'. Mr. Aanenson was marri(>d to his 
second wife, Miss Synneve,in 1871. and they 
have been blessed with four cliildren — 
Amanda, Otto, Theodore and Fridthjuf. 



Our subject and his family are members of 
the Lutheran church, of which organization 
he is a ti'ustee. ifr. Aanenson has held the 
following offices in his town : Supervisor, 
three years; school director, three years; 
roadniaster', etc. lie is '.ne of the solid and 
substantial farmers of Douglas county, a 
representative man of his township, and 
takes an active interest in all ]iulilicand etlu- 
cational matters. W^i is an adherent to the 
principles of the democratic party. 



JOSEPH GUNN. Prominent among the 
^ editors and publishers in the famous 
lied Iliver and Park Ilegions is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this article, the pro- 
prietor of the Wilkbi County GazeiU. pub- 
lished at Preckenridge, AVilkin county. Min- 
nesota. Mr. (Tiiiin is also engaged in the 
drug business and fanning, and has I'esided 
at that place since 18s,". He is a native of 
Canada, hoin on the 14th day of August, 
1857, at Ernestown. in the county of Len- 
nox and Addington, Province of Ontario, and 
is the son of Samuel E. and Lucinda (Rea) 
(■iunn, natives, also, of Canada. The father 
of the present subject was engaged in agri- 
cultural ])ursuits in his native country, and 
passed away in 1881. The mother is now 
living in Chicago, Illinois, to where she re- 
moved in 1882. They were the parents of 
the following named children — Samuel A., 
Rhoda, now Mrs. Frank Fitch ; Anna, the 
wife of W. II. Collins; Elizabeth, who is 
married to ^fi'. J. E. Donahue; Joseph, and 
Emma, who was united in marriage to C.N. 
Smith. The parents were devoted members 
of the Episcopal church, and highly esteemed 
in the locality in which they lived. 

Joseph (iunn, of whom this articl(> treats, 
spent his younger days in his nati\(' land, at- 
tending the common schocjls and assisting on 
the home farm dunny the summers. He re- 



PA A' A- A'EG/O.VS OF MhVNESOTA. 



257 



ceived a practical high school education, and, 
at tiie age of sixteen years, left the school- 
room, and engaged in the telegraphy busi- 
ness, and continued in tiiat vocation until 
1884-. During tliis time lie was employed in 
the Dominion and in tiie States, and, at the 
time mentioned, opened uji his present busi- 
ness, in partnersiiip with George F. Cook, 
now connected witli the Ereckenridge Echo. 
They continued in business for two years, 
and, at the expiration of that time, our sub- 
ject purchased Mr. Cook's interest, and has 
since operated the paper. In 1887 he opened 
liis ilrug store, with Dr. W. E. Truax, whose 
sketcli will be found in another part of this 
Album. On the 1st day of September, 1888, 
Ml', (xunn bought out the interest of Dr. 
Truax, and has since conducted the business 
alone. He carries a full line of goods, and 
is doing a successful business. He controls 
considerai)le real estate in the way of farm 
lanils and town lots, is one of the most prom- 
inent linsiness men in the place, and conducts 
one of the ablest and best edited jmpers in 
that section of tlie State. 

Mr. Gunn was married on the 4th day of 
August, 1888, to Miss Mamie Aunian, the 
daughter of W. H, Auman, of Eeading, 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Gunn is one of the rep- 
resentative citizens of AVilkin county, and 
takes an active interest in all matters per- 
taining to the growth and advancement of 
the county or State. In jiolitical matters he 
is a stanch republican, and took an active part 
in the general election of 1888. The Red 
liiver Vallev would be ji'reatlv benetited if it 
had a larger number of citizens like Mr. Gunn. 



-«— 



t^\ VEN JORGENSON. Among the prom- 
\1^ inent and influential members of the 
tinning community of the Red River and 
Park Regions of Minnesota, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this article, a resident of 
section 0, Sanford township. Grant county. 



He is a native of Norway and springs from 
a race proverbial for their industry, thrift, 
and frugality. He was born on the 17th of 
November, 1841, and is a son of Jorgen 
and Aaste (Joi-genson) Olson, natives of 
Norway. The parents sjient their entire 
lives in the land of their birth and were en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. They were 
the parents of eight children, six bo3's and 
two girls, all of whom grew to manhood and 
womanhood. 

Mr. Jorgenson, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, spent his sciiooldays in the 
land of his birth and attended the ' excellent 
common schools of his native land until he 
had reached the age of fifteen years. He 
then helped his father operate the home 
farm until he had reached the age of twenty- 
one years. In the month of May, 1865, he 
emigrated to the United States, and after a 
voyage of six weeks, landed at (,^)uebee, Can- 
ada, and soon after landing went to Winona 
county. Minnesota. From there he went to 
Fillmore county, Minnesota, and after re- 
maining there one year, removed to Dunn 
county, Wisconsin. He remained in that 
locality for two years, engaged in the pin- 
eries and in a saw mill. Mr. Joi'genson then 
returned to Minnesota, remaining in Good- 
hue county for several years, engaged in 
farming. He then went to Grant county, 
Minnesota, and settled in Pomme de Terre 
township, homesteading 160 acres of land, 
and resided thei'e three \'ears, engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, also handling considera- 
l)le stock. He then removed to Sanford town- 
ship, of the same county, and settled on sec- 
tion t>, where he bought 160 acres of land and 
there engaged extensively in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising operations. He was one 
of the first settlers in the county and is held 
in high esteem. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Jor- 
genson removed to the village of Elbow Lake, 
where he carries on a general livery business 
and is also village marshal. 



258 



]<J:D Kn-EK rALL/iV A.VD 



Mr. Jorgenson was married in June, 1870, 
to Jliss Signe Jorgenson, a native of Nor- 
wav. Tiiey ai'e tlie ])ai'ents of tlie loiiowing 
named cliildreii — Jorgen, Tlieodoi'c, ilartin, 
Edward, Samuel, Sigval, Jorgena and I.iiiie. 
Mr. Jorgenson witli his family belongs to 
the Lutheran chui'cii, of which he has held 
the office of trustee. He is one of the i'e])re- 
sentative men of his township and has held 
the office of sujjervisor for six or eight 
years and vaj'ious offices in school district No. 
1. Mr. Jorgenson participated in the organ- 
i/aiioii of the county and the town of San- 
ford. He is a republican in his political 
affiliations and takes an active interest in all 
local affairs. He is a man of the strictest 
hoiioi- and integrity, highly respected by all 
who knnw liiia. 



-'«•- 



^.^^ 



J^EeNS p. STRATE, the present county 
JL-^*2L treasurer of Clay count\', Minnesota, 
and a well-known citizen of Moorhead, is a 
native of Korway, born August 4, 18.50. 
His parents were Peter and Bertha (Jenson) 
Stratc, also natives of Norway. The father 
is engaged in the lumberiny business in his 
native country. 

H^fr. Stnite is a strong advocate of i)rohibi- 
tidii. He l)elongs to the Odd-Fellows order, 
and may truly be styled a leading and ex- 
ein|)hirv citizen. 



.-^. 



PMTeLS E. nelson, is the register of 
J^ deeds for the county of Douglas, 
Minnesota. He is the son of Elof ami Ciirrie 
(Johnson) Nelson, who were both natives of 
Sweden. The father was one of the large 
farmers of his native country, but in the 
spring of 187n he turned his attention west- 



ward, came to the United States and settled 
in Clayton countv. Lava, wlieic he reniaincMJ 
one year. At the end of that time he came 
to ^Minnesota ami settled in Douglas county, 
settling upon land in the town of Le Grand, 
where he took a homestead of seventy-ei<;ht 
acres. Here he built a log house twelve by 
fourteen feet, and settled down to tiie Imsi- 
ness of farming. He has since added 1<I0 
acres to his farm, improved it thoroughly, 
and has now good buildings upon the place. 
He has held the offices of supervisor of the 
townshi]) and school clerk. He has aided 
materially in jiublic improvements in his 
township and has helped to build several 
churches and school-houses. He, witli his 
family, belongs to the Lutheran church. In 
the father's family there are seven children 
living — Lars. Nels E., Emil, Peter J., John, 
William and Edward. The father is a re- 
publican in politics and is one of the leading- 
men of his township. 

Nels E. Nelson, of whom we write, re- 
ceived his early education in Douglas county, 
and remained beneath the parental roof 
until 1880. In this year he pui'chased a 
fai-m in Le Grand townshij) of Kio acres, 
partly improved, where he engaged in farm- 
ing untd 1880. In this year he was elected 
to his present office, that of register of deeds. 
While in Le Grand township he held the 
position of town clerk for Hve years; was 
also secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Insur- 
ance Company for three years. He was 
married in 1880 to Miss Chrestina Johnson 
of the township of Ida, Douglas county, 
Minnesota. Mrs. Nelson is the daughter of 
Andrew Johnson of that townsjiip. Three 
children blessed this union — Amelia. Will- 
iam A., and John E. Mr. Nelson is a re- 
j)ublican in ])olitics. He and his wife and 
children ai'e members of the Lutheran church. 
In 1888 he was re-elected to his present 
office. He is one of the leading men of his 
nationality in the county. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



259 



M RTHUR C. BELYEA, the editor of the 
_^^^ Grinit County Herald, and a well 
known and prominent member of the news- 
paper fraternity of the famous Park Eegion, 
is a resident of Elbow I^ake, the county seat 
of Grant county, Minnesota. He is a native 
of New Brunswick, Canada, born October 
2(), 1858, and is the son of Archelaus P. and 
Kebecca (Camp) Belyea, natives also of New 
Brunswick, Canada. The father was a 
farmer, and died in Afay, 1888. There were 
thirteen children 111 the family' of the par- 
ents. 

The subject of this biographical sketch 
spent his school-days in his native land, leav- 
ing the school-room when eighteen years of 
age, and engaged in the occupation of teach- 
ing for the next three years. He then at- 
tended the grammar school for about six 
months, and in April, 1880, emigrated to 
the United States. He selected Minnesota 
as his adopted home, and settled at Herman, 
Grant count}', where he secured a clerkship 
in the law office of Joseph W. Keynolds, 
which place he held for the next two years. 
Previous to this, however, he taught school 
for one year. After leaving the law office 
of Mr. lieynolds, Mr. Belyea engaged in the 
newspaper business in the village of Herman, 
and has since devoted his entire time and 
attention to journalism. In the spring of 
1887 he moved to Elbow Lake, Grant county, 
Minnesota, and in May of that year o]iened 
his present office, where he has since edited 
the Grant County Herald, one of the l)right- 
est and most popular newspapers in the 
county. 

Mr. Belyea was united in marriage March 
15, 188.5, to Miss Susie Brackin, a native of 
Pierce county, Wisconsin. Mr. Belyea is 
indepentlent in his political views, reserving 
the right to vote for the most worthy candi- 
date, I'egardless of party. He is one of the 
most prominent and highly esteemed citizens 
of the localitv in which he lives, and is a 



man of the utmost integrity and honor. He 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
is an active participant in all pul)lic enter- 
prises whereby the town or county may 
derive benefit. 

^^EORGE L. MAYS, who has charge of 
V^pl"" the Lion Boiler Mills at Brandon, is 
one of the most intelligent and capable busi- 
ness men, and also one of the most efficient 
millers in l^ouglas county, Minnesota. Mr. 
Mays was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, 
on the 12th of Se[)tember, 18(10. and is 
a son of D. T. and Mary (Hunter) Mays. 
His parents had a family of eight children, 
of whom the following is the record — Mary, 
George L., William, Anna, Belle, Samuel, 
Bertie and Maud, who died in childhood. 

George L. Mays, whose "name heads this 
article, in his youth received excellent 
schoolins', attaining an academic education, 
and attending until he was twenty' years of 
age. He was always persistent and ener- 
getic and never failed in any project he 
undertook. He adopted the millmg business 
for his life's calling and began learning that 
trade, following it for three years in Vir- 
ginia. He then came to Evansville, Douglas 
county, Minnesota, and there followed mill- 
ing for two years. At the expiration of 
that time he went to Alexandria, where he 
remained a year and then removed to Bran- 
don, where he has since lived. He took 
charge of the mill for the Farmers' Milling 
Association, and has iniilt up an extensive 
business, as it draws trade from a wide scope 
of country. The mill is one of the best 
equipped in the county, and contains the 
latest and best impi-oved machinery. It has 
six double sets of improved rollers, with all 
of the necessary purifiers, centrifugals, clean- 
ing- machines, ffi-aders, etc. 

Mr. Mays was married to Miss Ina Pike, a 
dauijhter of George Pike. She was born in 



26o 



KEi) J:lVKK IWi.I.EY AXP 



Washington county, New York, but when \ 
only seven years of age she was brought 
by her parents to Farniington, Minnesota, 
where siie was raised. She received an ex- 
cellent education, principally at Shakopee, 
and is a lady of much refinement. 

In ])olitical matters Mr. INfays would be 
classed as an independent rather than a party 
man, imd it may well be said that he is one 
of the representative citizens of tlie locality 
in which he lives. 

WILLIAM H. MATHEWS, propri- 
etor of the 13ank of Ada, ]Minne- 
sola, is one of the successful business men 
of that village. lie came to the place on 
the mth of July, 1881, and putting up the 
building now occupied by him, commenced 
business under the firm name and style of 
AVare A: Mathews, his partner being H. L. 
Ware, of Waverly, Iowa. Mr. Mathews, 
who was the managing partner, carried on 
the business successfulh', increasing their 
capital materially, until April, 1884-, when 
he i)urchased \\w interest of his associate, 
since wiiicli time he has managed foi' him- 
self. The l)ank now enjoys ample capital, 
and is doing a general banking business, in- 
cluding exchange, real estate transactions 
and insui-ance, and is raidied among the 
soundest monetary institutions of that sec- 
tion of the Ked River Valley. An able 
business uuin in every respect, Mr. Mathews 
has succeeded in his investments in this 
vicmity, and has built \\\i for himself the 
nucleus of a handsome f(jrtune. Besides his 
banking establishment he is largely inter- 
ested in agriculture, owning and operating a 
large farm of 800 acres of land, some 480 
of which are under cultivation, and which 
yields a rich return. 

Mr. Mathews is a native of Hamilton, 
Ontario, Canada, and was l)orn May 9, 1853, 



In the following-year, his parents, John and 
Anna Mathews, came to the United States, 
and made their home at various places in 
the State of Iowa. The subject of this 
sketch received his primary education in the 
public schools of that State, and in 1873 
entered the school at AVavcrly, Iowa, and 
there remained for the best part of two 
years. At the end of that time he entered 
a b.'inlcing establishment at AVaverly, where 
he remained as clerk, etc., until coming to 
Ada. 

Mr. ]\Iathews has been identified to a cim- 
siderable extent with the organization of the 
county, having been the first court commis- 
sioner. In the spring of 1882 he was elected 
to the office of treasurer of the village of 
Ada, and in the spring of 1888 was chosen 
president of the village council, a ])osition 
'that he is filling at the present time. 



«^.-.— 



OHN S, DWVER, who is engaged in the 



^ livery business in East Graiul Forks, 
Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of Ohio. 
He was born in Green county, Ohio, on the 
10th <lay of October, 1853, and is the son of 
Tinu)thy ami Ih-idget (Kavanaugh) Dwyei-, 
natives of Ireland. 

.Mr. Dwyer. the subject of this article, 
S[)ent his early life w\ his father's farm and 
attended the public schools. At the age of 
twenty-one years, his father ilied, and he was 
ap]iointed executor of the estate and was en- 
gaged four years in clearing u[) the accounts. 
At the expiration of the four years, Mr. 
Dwyer engaged in farming and ti'ading 
until 1881. On the 2d of September, 1881, 
he removed to Minnesota and settled in 
Moorhead, Clay count}', where he remained 
four months, engaged in various occu{)ations. 
He then returned to Ohio, and in 1882 again 
returned to Minnesota, accompanied by his 
brother Dennis, of whom a sketch appears in 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



261 



another department of this Album. They 
both settled in Grand Forks, Dakota Terri- 
tory, and I'eniained for a few weeks, and then 
took government land in Walsh county, Da- 
kota Territory. They remained on their 
farms until December, 1882, and then settled 
in East Gi'and Forks, Polk county, Minne- 
sota, where they found employment in a 
livery stable, remaining at such work for a 
year or two. During that time they also 
enoacred to some extent in farming, and then 
went into the liver}' business. In addition 
to their livery interests, they are now hand- 
ling all kinds of farming implements and 
heavy machiner\' and are doing an extensive 
and successful business. 

John S. Dwyer, of whom this article 
treats, was married in Grand Forks, Dakota 
Territory, on the 1st day of July, 1885, to 
Miss Mary Hogan, and this union has been 
blessed with the following children — Tim- 
othy Joseph, born August 18, 1880, and 
Mary Villa, born on the 26th day of Septem- 
ber, 1887. Mr. Dwyer is one of the success- 
ful business men of East Grand Forks, and is 
highly esteemed by all who know him. In 
political matters he affiliates with the demo- 
cratic party. 

East Grand Forks was incorporated as a 
city in Februarv, 1887. On the 1st of April 
following, the first municipal election was 
held and the subject of this sketch was 
elected mayor after a hot contest. Declining 
to run for office the following spring, left him 
at liberty to acce]it the office of city justice, 
to which he was appointed in June, 1888. 
Mr. Dwyer is a strict temperance man and 
a capable business man. 



.^-, 



•^►' 



^JVNTON HUBERT. In examining the 
-Z^Sjl biographies of the prominent mem- 
bers of the farming community of the Park 
Regions of Minnesota, it will be noticed 
that the Norwegian race furnishes some of the 



best, most thrifty, frugal and enterprising 
citizens. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Norway, born near the city of 
Christiania on the 21st da}^ of November, 
1842, and is a son of Ole and Mary (Hanson) 
Hubert, natives of the kingdom of Nor- 
way. 

Anton Hubert spent his younger days in 
the land of his birth, attending tlie excel- 
lent common schools of that country. He 
left the school-room at the age of fourteen 
years, and from that ])eriod until he had 
reached the age of twent3'-one years, helped 
his father on the home farm. At the age of 
twenty-two he emigrated to the United 
States, and after a voyage of fourteen days, 
landed at Quebec, Canada. From the place 
of landing he went to Chicago, Illinois, 
where he remained for eighteen months, 
engaged in the lumber business during the 
summer and in a factory in the winter. He 
then went to tlouston county, Minnesota, 
where he i^emained about six months. In 
186G Mr. Hubert moved to Grant countj', 
Minnesota, and settled in Elk Lake town- 
shi]), where he took a homestead on section 
22. He remained on that place for a good 
many years, and then removed to section 28 
in the' same township, where he has since 
lived, engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. He has a beautiful farm, compris- 
ing 350 acres, all well improved and under 
a high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Hubert was united in marriage on the 
16th day of July, 1872, to Miss Barbra Mary 
Olson, and they have been blessed with the 
following named children — Olaf, Eichard 
and Carl W. They are all members of the 
Lutheran church, of which organization Mr. 
Hubert has been trustee for a number of 
years. He is one of the prominent and 
respected citizens of Grant county. He has 
always taken an active interest in official 
matters, and has held various local positions, 
such as supervisor, school clerk, etc. 



262 



RED RIVEK VALLEY AND 




ROBERT PATTERSON, M. D., who 
a-tV is engageil in tlie practice of liis pro- 
fession in the village of Earnesville, Clay 
county, Minnesota, is one of the most prom- 
inent and efficient physicians in the Red 
River A^alley. lie is a native of Ontario, 
born in Grafton, on the 21st day of August, 
1850, and is tlie son of Thomas and ilary 
(Hardy) Patterson, natives of Ontario. 

Dr. Patterson, of whom this sketch treats, 
spent his boyhood days in his native land, 
attending the excellent common schools of 
his native village. Wlien about fifteen years 
of age, he commenced in life for himself, and 
about that time went to the State of Xew 
York. He remained in that State for eight 
years, finding such emjiloyment as he could 
during the summers, and each winter return- 
ing to his native village and attending 
sciiool. When at the age of twenty-three 
years, he entered the normal school in the 
city of Toronto, and received a teacher's 
certificate; for the next four years fol- 
lowed that jirofession. At the expiration of 
tiuit time he entered the Trinity Medical 
College, and graduated with high honors in 
1880. He received the following degrees: 
M. B., from Trinity University, Toronto; M. 
B., from Toronto University ; fellow, by ex- 
amination of Trinity Medical College, and 
member of tlie (JoUege of Physicians and 
Surgeons of Ontario. One 3'ear after his 
graduation he received the degree of M. D. 
C. M. from the University of Trinity Col- 
lege, Toronto. After graduating, Dr. Pat- 
terson removed to Udei'ton, Ontario, where 
he engaged in his professional lal)oi's. and re- 
mained there until the fall of 1S81. He 
then removed to ^foorhead, Chw county, 
Minnesota, and practiced medicine until in 
June, 1887. He then moved to the village 
of Baraesville, Clay county, Minnesota, 
where he has since resided, devoting his time 
and energy to his chosen work. In connec- 
tion with his professional work he operates 



a drug store, and also owns a fine farm of 
400 acres, having 2U0 acres under cultiva- 
tion. 

Dr. Patterson was united in marriage, in 
1882, to Miss Anna Lennen, and this union 
has been blessed with three children, two of 
whom are now living, named as follows: 
Charles Henry and Olga. 

The doctor is one of the representative 
men of the county, and while in ]\Ioorhead 
was elected county piiysiuian, whicii ])()sition 
he filled for two years. He is an active 
member of the Mas(jnic order, and oi'gan- 
ized a lodge at Ilderton of the A. F. it A. 
M. When he went to Moorhead, he reor- 
ganized the Masonic lodge at that place, and 
for three years held the j)osition of Worship- 
ful Master. He, with his family, belongs to 
the Congregational churcii, of which organ- 
ization he is ti'ustee. Pie is one of the lead- 
ing practitioners in the county, and has an 
extensive and increasing practice in both vil- 
lage and country. 

-— '«— ^g^' < »• - - 



PHILIP C. SCHMIDT, one of the promi- 
nent members of the bar of Polk 
county, and one of its brightest ornaments, 
followed a most diversified course of life 
before he found his true vocation in the 
profession of law. lie first saw the ligiit at 
Cincinnati, Ohio. ]\iay 17, 18.5-1, ami is the 
son of Philip C. and Caroline ( llagner) 
Schmidt, natives of (iermany. In the Sep- 
teml)er following his birth, his j)arents re- 
moved to Washington county, Wisconsin, 
traveling from Chicago, Illinois, in a wagon 
drawn by "slow ]ilodding, careful oxen." 
The elder Mr. Schmidt purchased a claim, 
the ground of which was heavily covered 
with timber, the '• forest primeval," and at 
once installed his little family 'neath the shel- 
ter of the roof of the lonely log cabin which 
had been erecteil l)y the party of whom he 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXNESOTA. 



263 



bought the place, and who liad made the 
original claim. His wife and little ones 
sheltered from the elements, he commenced 
to clear up the place, literally to "hew him- 
self a new home in the great wilderness," 
there being but three acres reclaimed from 
their leaf n"^ covering at the time. Being a 
wagon-maker by trade, he put up a small 
shop for repairing all kinds of vehicles, close 
to tiie road that passed the farm. Toiling 
on year after year, he brought the farm un- 
der suljjection to the uses of man, finally, 
and gi'ew himself prosperous and a promi- 
nent and influential member of the com- 
munity where he lives, he still making his 
home upon the farm. His integrity of char- 
acter, as well as his sincerity of speech and 
action, being tlul}' a})preciated by his friends 
and neighbors, the honors of public of- 
fice were thrust upon him. He served for 
years as one of the county supernsors, and 
as a justice of the peace for the past thirty 
years. The latter position he still holds. 

Philip C. Schmidt, the subject of this per- 
sonal memoir, was reared upon the paternal 
farm, helping his father in the arduous labor 
of clearing it up. At lirst, in early boyhood, 
he was set to })icking up the small pieces of 
rocks and stones upon the surface of the 
ground, and, as he grew in strength, helped 
dig out the blackened stumps that covered 
the laiul. His early education was obtained 
in the rough log cabin school houses of that 
period and locality, and b\' ambitious study 
at eventide at home. In 1868, with a lauda- 
ble desire to increase his store of knowledge, 
he entered the Northwestern University, 
at Watertown, Wisconsin, l)ut only re- 
mained there one term. At the expira- 
tion t)f that he went to Milwaukee, and, 
entering the large dry goods establish- 
ment of I. A. Leir A: Co., as cash boy, 
began to push his own fortune in the world. 
He was at that time only lifteen years of 
age, but a bold, manlv fellow. In a short 



time he was jiromoted to the ]iosition of 
salesman, and remained with that firm about 
eighteen months. In the fall of 1870 he 
changed to the store of Lin field i^ Co., also 
dealers in dry goods and notions, but eight 
months later, abandoning the mercantile 
trade, entered the employ of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad Company as time- 
keeper. Not relishing that position, in the 
fall of 1871 he removed to West Bend, Wash- 
ington county, Wisconsin, where he engaged 
as clerk in the genei'al retail store of Potter & 
Miller, and remained with that firm but three 
months. During the following winter he 
returned to Milwaukee, and spent one term 
in the Spencerian Business College, at the 
end of which he went to Cincinnati and re- 
sumed his duties in a dry goods establish- 
ment — that of Hopkins & Co. In the fall of 
1872, appreciating the advantages of a trade, 
he commenced learning that of ornamental 
painting and decorating in the Hall Safe 
and Lock Company's works. He remained in 
that employment for the next six or seven 
years, becoming quite proficient with the 
brush, in all of the principal cities of the 
United States, from the Atlantic coast to 
Denver, Colorado, and from the Gulf of 
Mexico to the Great Lakes. 

Becoming convinced that he had abilities 
that fitted him for a forensic career, on the 
2d of January, 1879, he entered the office 
of Frisby & Weil, one of the leading law 
firms of Wisconsin, where he gave his unrtag- 
ffimr, unwearied attention to the studv of 
law. He remained with that firm, having 
studied previously in private for some two 
years, until the winter of 1882-88, when, the 
firm dissolving, he followed Judge Frisby to 
Milwaukee, and with him finished his studies 
in the winter of 1883-84. Having been ad- 
mitted to the bar, he lookeii around for a 
suitable locality in which to settle and dis- 
play his abilities as a lawyer, he deter- 
mined to emigrate to the Eed River Valley. 



264 



RED MIVKR }'y1 /././■: V AXD 



On his arrival in Polk county, Minnesota, Mr. 
Sclnnidt located in Red Lake Falls, wliicli 
M'as then a young and pi-oniising village, 
and there oi)ening an office, commenced his 
successful career in this part of the world, 
lie took an active part in all village and 
town matters, and was elected a member of 
the county board of commissioners from 
that district. In October, 1885, our sul)ject 
removed his office to Crookston, tlie county 
seat, since which time lie has been recog- 
niz('d as one of the leading attorneys of the 
place. He is the jiossessor of one of the 
best law libraries in the city, it containing 
some 400 volumes, and is valued at 81,200. 

Politically ^Ir. Schmidt has always been 
identified with the rei)ublican party, and dur- 
ing the presidential campaign of 1888 was the 
president of the club of that political oi'gani- 
zation. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, having been made a Mason in West 
Bend Lodge, No. 138, when but twenty-two 
yearsof age, and still holdsmembership there. 

]\Ir. Schmidt was united in mai'riage De- 
cember 23, 1885, with Miss Emma Morrill, a 
native of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and 
daughter of David P. Morrill. By this 
union they have one daughter, Marion M. 



— ..^- 



v-^ 



^M ^ C. EARSLEY. Among the promi- 
Jj^^ nent and influential business men of 
the famous Park Regions of Minnesota is the 
gentleman wliose name heads this article, a 
dealer in heavy and shelf hardwai'e in Her- 
man, Grant county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of New York State, born in Tioga 
county, June 8, 18-11, and is the son of Will- 
iam and Mary (Lynch) Earsley, natives, also, 
of the "Empire State." After their mar- 
riage the parents of our subject lived in their 
native State for two years, and then moved 
to Indiana, where they lived for seven years. 
At the e.xpii'ation of that time they moved 



to New York State, where they remained 
the rest of their lives. They were the 
parents of the following named children — • 
Ruth, Charles, Cyrus and A. C. 

Mr. Eaisley. the subject of this sketch, 
spent his younger days in the State of New 
York, where he completed his education at 
the age of twenty-one years. In the year 
1871 he came to Minnesota and located at 
Waverly, and from there i-emoved to Litch- 
field, Jlinnesota, where he remained for a 
• few months. At the expiration oftliat time 
he went to Hennan, Grant county. Min- 
nesota, and for the ne.xt two years was em- 
ployed as station agent in that i)lace. He 
then engaged in the general nierdianilising 
business in connection witii the luiid)er l)usi- 
ness, which he carried on I'oi- al)out tiii'ee 
years. Mv. Earsley then sold out iiis gen- 
eral merchandising business, and opened a 
hardware store in connection with his lumber 
yard, and has since carried on the same. He 
carries a full line of hardware and all classes 
of lumber. Before closing the sketcli of Mr. 
Earsley, special mention should be made of 
his war record. On the 1st day of August, 
18(i2, he enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Ninth New York Infantry, and served 
throughout the war. He enlisted at Cai'o- 
liue, New York, and was discharged at Wash- 
ington, D. C, in July, 1805. He was under 
Captain McAllister and participated in the 
following battles : Wilderness. Spottsylva- 
nia Court House, etc. He was througli 
Indiana, Illinois, Nelji-aska and Wy<(ming 
Territory. After his discharge lie returned 
to New York State, and from there came to 
Minnesota. 

Mr. Earsley was united in marriage on 
the 4th day of December, 1870, in Sai'dinia, 
New York, to Miss Ella Simons, arui this 
union has been blessed with the following 
nanied ciiildren — Jessie E., Maude E., Lesley, 
A. C, Ethel and Barrett. All of the chil- 
dren ai'e at home except Jessie and Maude, 



PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



265 



who are attending the Pillsbury Academy, 
at Owatonna, Steele county, Minnesota. 
The suliject f)!' this sketch lias held various 
oiiices ol' his residence village, including 
those of president of the village council, also 
a member of that l)ody, president of the 
school boanl, etc. He is chief of the fire 
department and post commander of the An- 
drew J. Hubbard Post, Number 115, Grand 
Army of the Republic. He is one of the 
active business men of the village, taking a 
prominent part in all matters whereby his 
town or county may derive benefit. He is 
one of the rejiresentative men of that region, 
and is an adherent to the principles of the 
republican ]>arty. His family are devoted 
memlters of the Ea])tist church. Mr. Ears- 
ley is a member of tiie Masonic fraternity. 

^LLIAM H. CROWE, a prominent 
and respected citizen of the village 
of Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, is en- 
gaged in the machinery business at that 
place. He is a native of Ohio, born in 
Columbus on the 15th of April, 1836, and is 
the son of William and Elizabeth (Loche) 
Crowe, natives of Virginia, both born near 
Richmond. The father of our subject was 
a miller b}' trade, and lived for many years 
in Ohio. He then removed to the State of 
Indiana. In 1857 he went to Dakota 
county, ]\Iinnesota, where he lived tlie re- 
mainder of his life. He died in 1858 at the 
age of fifty-eight years. The mother of our 
subject passed away in 1874 at the age of 
seventy-one years. They were devoted 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
of wliich the father was class leader for over 
twenty-live 3'ears. The_y were the parents 
of the following named children — Elnore, 
Lewis, Henreitte, liebecca, Edwin, William, 
Olliver, John and Elmer. 

Mr. Crowe, the subject of this article, re- 
ceived his education principally in Indiana, 



and finished in Dakota county, Minnesota. 
He acquired his knowledge more ])y his own 
efforts than anything else, and his school 
attendance'summeil up but little. June 3, 
1855, he landeil at Minnetonka, Minnesota. 
In 1857 he took a trip overland with an ox 
team to the Red River, for the purpose of lay- 
ingout a town site. He started from Hastings 
and went as far as the mouth of the Wild 
Rice river. In 1859 he returned to Indiana, 
where he remained one 3'ear. In the fall of 
18fiO he returned to Minnesota and worked 
in the pineries until June, 1861. On the 
20th of December, 1863, he enlisted in the 
Second Minnesota Cavalry, and served until 
December 4, 1865, wlien he jvas honorably 
discharged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. 
After his discliarge Mr. Crowe went to 
Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, settled, 
and has since made it his home. He was 
one of the first settlers in the village, and in 
1867 he took a homestead in Gorden, now 
Leslie township, and continued to reside 
upon his fai'm for six years. After leaving 
the farm he removed to the village of Osakis 
and engaged in the wagon-making trade, 
which he has since followed. 

Mr. Crowe was married June 29, 1873, to 
Miss Oliva M. Haskines, a native of New 
York, and the daugliter of H. B. Haskines. 
She removed to Minnesota when three years 
old, and has since resided in that State. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ci'owe are the parents of the 
following nameil children — Alta L., Mabel 
E. and Byron L. Mr. Crowe held the offices 
of town clerk, surveyor, recoi-der of the 
village (twelve years), and director of the 
school district. He is a republican in poli- 
tics, and is at present one of the county 
commissioners of Douglas county. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, and is Master 
of the lodge at Osakis. He is one of tlie 
prominent citizens of the count\', and a 
man highly esteemed by all who know 
him. 



266 



KED Kn'ER VALLEY AND 



/^LARENCE J. FISHER, the subject 
'^y of tliis biograpliical sketch, is the 
efficient and accommodating station agent at 
Brcclcenridge, AVilkin county. Minnesota, 
and is also tlie agent tor the American Ex- 
press Company at that place. He is a na- 
tive of A'ermont, born in Kuthmd. TJutland 
county, on the 3d day of June, 184'J, and is 
tlie son of James W. and Susan A. (Sliippee) 
Fisiier, natives of Vermont. Tiie father is 
now in the l)nikiing inspector's office in St. 
Paul, Minnesota, and in his early days was 
a merchant in Rutland, Vermont. In 1856 
he removed to Illinois, and settled in 
Lawrence. McIIenry county. He there en- 
gaged in general merchandising, and in 1866 
or 1867 rt'inoved to Minnesota, setth'ng at 
St. Paul, lie was engaged in purchasing- 
fur for the fur house of Adolph Bostowich, 
ofCiiicago, New York and London. He 
later bought fur in tiie Xorthwestern Teri'i- 
tory, and was located at Fort Qu' Api)elle, 
doing an extensive trade with the Indians. 
Tlie father and mother of our subject were 
the parents of the following named children 
— Edward AY., telegraph operator at Wahpe- 
ton, Dakota Territory; Jessie, and Clarence, 
the subject of this article. 

Clarence Fisher spent his boyhood in his 
native State, and early in life removed with 
his parents to Illinois, where he attended the 
academy at Lawrence. lie then attended 
E.astman's College for a time, and then en- 
tered the Byrant & Stratton Business Col- 
lege. In 1867 he graduated with high hon- 
ors from this institution. Prior to this he 
had tak(Mi a trip from Lawrence, Illinois, 
overland to Denver, Colorado. At Fre- 
mont. Nebraska, he met a. great many jieo- 
ple returning, and deciiled to do so liimseU'. 
He was on the road fi-om the '22il of May, 
166.^, until the .">th of June of the same year, 
and went as far as Black Llawk, Colorado, and 
there remained with his father, who was en- 
gaged in different branches of business. After 



remaining there a short time, he returned 
to the States and settled in Illinois, attend- 
ing the business college. After his gradua- 
tion he took a course in telegrajihy at the 
same college in Chicago, Illinois. He hn- 
ished his course at Oak Park, twelve miles 
from Chicago, on the Chicago A; North west- 
eiMi liailroad, remaining there three months. 

j He was sent to Nevada, Iowa, at the expira- 
tion of the time mentioned, where he was- 
employed as night opei'ator. He remained 
but a short time in that place, and was then 

[ employed as extra operator on the Wiscon- 
sin division of the Northwestern road, and 
worked at the following places : Juneau, 
Wisconsin; Minnesota Jimction, AYisconsin; 
A]i]Jeton, Wisconsin; Ci-ystal Lake, Illinois; 
Palestine, Illinois: and Bari'ington. Illinois. 

In 1S6U he movetl to St. Paul, Alinnesota, 
and took a rest of a month to regain his 
health, and was then enii)loved bv the 
Pacific it Atlantic Telegraph Company, and 
took charge of the Merchant's Hotel tele- 
graph office in St. Paul, anil held the position 
one month. At the expiration of that time 
he removed to Smith Lake, on the old St. 
Paul ct Pacific Railroail, and remained si.x 
months as agent ami operator. At the expi- 
ration of the time mentioned he removed to 
Delano, Minnesota, where he was assistant 
agent and operator for a short time. Mr. 

i Fisher next went to Dassel, where he re- 
mained six weeks. In 1S70 he settled at 
Benson, ^Minnesota, where he remained un- 
til August, and then went to Alorris, remain- 
ing several years as agent. On the first day 
of October. 1882, he went to ISreck-enridge, 
Wilkin county. ^linnesota, and has since re- 
sided there, employed as station agent. He 
is also the agent for the American Express 
Company. 

Air. Fisher was united in marriage on the 
11th day of January, 1888, to ]\Ii.ss Flora 
Ilorton, a native of Gilbertsville, New York, 
and the daughter of C. II. Ilorton, a prom- 



PARK KF.GIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



267 



inent merchant of tliat place. Mrs. Fisher 
is a woman of more than ordinary ability 
and education, and is possessed of a tine 
mnsical talent. Slie was engaged as a teacher 
of music foi' ii number of years, and is a lady 
liiglilv esteemeil by all who know her. Mr. 
Fisher owns property in the village of Mor- 
ris, and has sixteen men under his eonti'ol in 
Breckeni'idge, Minnesota. While in Morris 
he held the office of town clerk for three 
years, also county surveyor for two years, 
and ])resident of the village council two 
years. While in Breckenridge he has held 
the office of a member of the village coun- 
cil. He is are]iublican and a member of the 
United Workmen, also chief of the Good 
•Templars lodge located at tliat ])lace. He is 
a representative man of the village, and, 
although not an old settler, holds the i-espect 
and esteem of all his acquaintances, and is 
recognized as one of the most capable and 
thorough business men in the western part of 
the State. 



-*"S^^"» 



P^^CHRISTIAN WIDENHOEFER, a success- 
'^y ful business man of Polk county, 
Minnesota, is engaged in the jewelry busi- 
ness in the village of Fisher. He is a native 
of Germany, l)orn in Wurtemberg, on the 
26th day of December, ISGO, and is the son 
of Jacob and Catharine (Burr) Widenhoefer, 
also natives of that kingdom. In 1873 the 
parents emigrated to the United States and 
located in Beaver Bay, Minnesota, where 
they remained five years. In 1S78 they re- 
moved to Polk county, Minnesota, where 
they took a homestead in the fall of 1879. 
They have since resided in Polk county, and 
are among the successful farmers in the 
township in which they live. They are the 
parents of the following named children — 
liarbara, Carl, William, Mary, (Christian, 
Willielmine and Jacoi). 



Christian Widenhoefer, the subject of this 
biographical review, remained in his native 
land, attending the excellent common 
schools of that country until he had attained 
the age of thirteen years. At that period 
in life he emigrated to the United States 
with his parents, and after landing removed 
to the State of Minnesota. The parents 
settled in Beaver Bay, Minnesota, and our 
subject removed to the State of Michigan, 
where he entered an apprenticeship to the 
jeweler's trade. After learning his trade, Mr. 
Widenhoefer removed to Minnesota, and 
located in Polk county. He settled on his 
father's farm, and for one year assisted his 
father. In 1881 the subject of this article 
removed to the village of Fisher, Polk county, 
Minnesota, where he located and established 
his present jewelry store. He carries a full 
line of goods, watches, clocks, jewelry, etc., 
and has the most complete stock of goods 
in the village. He is doing a good business, 
both in repairing and sale, and is prepared 
to do all lines of woi'k in the trade promptly 
and satisfactorily. 

Mr. Widenhoefer was united in marriage 
on the lf>th day of April, 1SS5, in the village 
of Fisher, to Miss Minnie Kadi, the daughter 
of Frederick and Anna Radi, natives of 
northern Germany. In political matters 
the subject of this article is a stanch re- 
])ublican, and takes an active interest in all 
local matters. He is one of the esteemed 
business men of the village, and is ]iromi- 
nentlv identified with all movements calcu- 
lated to benefit either town or county. 

^IaMUEL TORGERSON, the superin- 
'^O tendent of public schools for Clay 
county, Minnesota, deserves special mention 
as one of the county officials. He is a native 
of AVisconsin, born June IS, 1856, in St. 
Lawrence township, Waupaca county, of 



268 



KED A'/VEA- I ALLEY A. YD 



that State. II is parents were Samuel and 
Martha (Ilennanson) Torgerson, both na- 
tives of Norway. They came to America 
in 1850 and settled in Waupaca county, 
where they prei'mptcd ]2ti acres of land. 
During the war for tlie laiion the father 
enlisted in Company I of the Forty-fourth 
Wisconsin A'olunteers. He served about a 
year, was taken sick and tlnaily lionorably 
disciiargod. lie came iionie and died 
within tiiree weeks, leaving a wife and four 
children — Samuel, llei'inan, Emma and 
Gunder. The mother still remains upon the 
old homestead in Wisconsin. 

Our subject, Samuel. si)ent his younger 
days in school in Wisconsin. At the age of 
sixteen years he engaged as a clerk in a 
country store, where he remained for a year 
and a half and then spent a winter in the 
high schools of Waupaca. Upon leav- 
ing there he taught in the schools at 
Xew Hope, Portage county, AYisconsin, for 
a year. He next entered the normal .school 
at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, taking a year's 
course. From the normal he spent another 
year at teaching, and then, as if endowed 
with a new ambition and tliirst for knowl- 
edge, he entered the Stale I' ni versify of 
Wisconsin, where he renuiined for two years; 
he then put in another year at teaching, in 
order to meet expenses, and at the same time 
develo[) his mind in a symmetrical manner. 
He then went into the normal school, and 
after a short time graduated from the ele- 
mentary course. His next work was that of 
principal of the North Side high .schools at 
New London, Wisconsin, which position he 
filled until the autumn of 1SS2, when he 
came to Ada, Norman county, Minnesota. 
He spent some time in looking over the ter- 
ritory before selecting a location, but finally 
drop])ed into Mooi-head. where he accepted 
a place in the law ofhce of (). ilosness. He 
read law here for a few months and then 
taught school a vear at Kraaties. Clav couiitv. 



The same year, 1 8S4-, he was elected to liis 
present honorable position. which he has filled 
with unusual satisfaction to his constituents. 

Our subject was married, in 1887, to Miss 
Jannie E. Anderson, daughter of James An- 
derson, of Fullerton, Ontario, Canada. 

Politically he affiliates with the demo- 
cratic party, and believes in tariH' re- 
form. Socially no one stands higher than 
our subject. Heisa worthy memlier of the 
Kniglits of Pythias, and l)oth himself and 
wife are exemplary members of the Presby- 
terian church. 

As one reviews th(> early life and careful 
training, both in and out of school, that 
their worthy official had, one can readily 
understand how it has come about that he 
is so well suited for the office he has so long 
and fitlv lield. 



«»>. 



>^LeNRY WILLIAM BARKER, tlie propri- 
-IrdL etor of the Barker House, in Elbow 
Lake, and also enffajred in the driii;' busi- 
ness in that village in Grant county, ^linne- 
sota, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born 
at Leon, Monroe county, Wisconsin, March 
IS, 1860, and is the son of Pobertand Emily 
(Kamseyj Parkei-, natives of England. The 
parents came to the United States in about 
1853, and settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, 
where they remained for a short time, going 
from there to Leon, Wisconsin, where they 
resided for about thirteen years. The father 
\vas a cabinet-maker b}' trade, and followed 
his trade while in Janesville, but in Leon he 
followed farming for about thirteen years, 
and then went to Sparta and engaged in 
farming at Big Creek, Monroe county. He 
then moved to West Salem, La Crosse county, 
Wisconsin, where he followed farming for 
eight years. He next removed to Pai'kers 
Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, in 
isSl, where he also farmed. Tw(j vears 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



269 



later, in 1SS3. he was accidentally sliot by a 
companion wiiile out Imnting. This sad 
event took place on the fitii of September, 
1883. Tiie mother is still living at the age 
of si.xty-Hve years. Tliey are members in 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and were the parents of nine children, 
eight of whom are now living — John R., 
Peter li., Eobert, Louisa R., Emily R., 
Florence (deceased), Henry W., Frederick 
A., and Francis C. 

Mr. Barker, the subject of this biographi- 
cal sketch, spent his school da^'s principally 
in AVest Salem. La Crosse county, Wiscon- 
sin, and after attending scliool until he was 
twenty years of age, receiving a practical 
business education, went to Parker's Prairie, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He there 
en^aired in school teaching for a short time. 
He then engaged as a civil engineer, and 
assisted in surveying the Fergus Falls & 
Black Hills Railroad, from Wadena west- 
ward to Wahpeton, Dakota Territory. 
After this Mr. Barker followed railroad con- 
tractinu- on the Fargo & Southwestern 
for one season. Fie then returned home on 
a visit, intending to return to Dakota. But 
owing: to the sickness and death of Mr. Henrv 
Aslen, a prominent merchant and a land- 
mark of Parker's Prairie, Minnesota, he was 
induced to take charge of his (Mr. Aslen's") 
general mei'chandise. He also succeeded 
ilr. Aslen as postmaster of Parker's Prairie. 
He remained in charge until the estate of Mr. 
Aslen was pi'obated and the administratrix 
was appointed. Mr. Barker then entered the 
profession of medicine, under Dr. A. E. 
Henderson, a graduate of the Chicago 
College of Homoeopathy. After remaining 
with l^r. Henderson for two or- three years 
Mr. Barker started in the drug business for 
himself at Osakis, Douglas county, Minne- 
sota, but in a few months was burned out. 
In February. 1887, he removed to Elbow 
Lake, (irant countv, Minnesota, and estab- 



lished his present di'ug lousiness. On the 
1-tth of May, ISSS, Air. P>arker opened the 
hotel which bears his name, and which he 
has since successfullv operated. 

Mr. Barker was married in November, 
18S4-, to Frances M. AIcMahan. She. by a 
former marriage, was the mother of one 
child. Pearl. Mrs. Barker is a native of 
Wisconsin, and is the daughter of a promi- 
nent merchant in Parker's Prairie. Minnesota. 
Mr. Barker is one of the representative men 
of his town and county, highly esteemed by 
all who know him, and a man of the utmost 
integrity and honor. He takes an active 
interest in all public and educational matters, 
anil is an adherent to the pi'inciples of the 
I'ejniblican party. 



#EORGE L. TREAT, attorney and 
counselor-at-law, resides in Alexan- 
dria, Minnesota. He is a native of Rock 
county, Wisconsin, born at Janesville on 
November 1-1, 1S59. He is the son of 
Hiram F. and Pamelia (Sims) Treat, who 
were natives of New York. His father was 
for many years engaged in the clothing busi- 
ness in Boonville, New York, coming to 
Wisconsin in 1857 or 18.58. He remained 
in that city until 18G1, when he came to the 
old town of St. Anthony, Minnesota. He 
died October 2. 1876. The mother is now 
a resi<lent of Afton, Wisconsin. There were 
two children in the father's family — George 
L. and Stella II., who is now Mrs. George 
C. Antisdel, of Afton, Wisconsin. 

Attorney Treat received an academic edu- 
cation in the Janesville Classical Academy 
and the Beliot (Wisconsin) College. After 
finishing his course at school he accepted a 
position in a drug store in Alexandria, Min- 
nesota, to which place he came in 1880. For 
one year he was in a drug store at Fargo, 
Dakota, but returned to Alexandria and 



■270 



RED KTVEK V. A LI. FY AND 



commenced the study of law with George 
II. lle\'nolds, Escj. Later he entered the 
office of Hon. Knute Nelson and George II. 
Reynolds. Later he went to Ann Arbor, 
Michif^an, where he took one year's course 
in the law school of the TTniversity of Mich- 
igan, lie returned to Alexandria in 1883 
and became a partner in the firm of Nelson, 
Reynolds ct Treat He d mtinued a member 
of that firm until June, 188*!, when IMi". 
Reyiu)l(ls witlidi'cw and moved to St. Cloud. 
The firm then became Nelson, Treat »fe Gun- 
dei'son, which i)artnei'ship was continued 
until January 1, 18S8. On this date Mr. 
Treat withdrew from the firm and has since 
been engaged in practice alone. He was 
admitted to practice in the disti'ict court of 
Douglas county in 1883. lie enjoys a large 
and lucrative practice, his business not being 
conliued to Ins own county, but business 
comes to him from C)tter Tail, Pope and 
Grant counties. He conducts a general line 
of business, also makes farm loans, and buys 
and sells real estate in the city and country. 
He was married January 1, 1884, to Miss 
Carrie E. Nellis, of Silver Lake. Iowa, 
daughter of Alexander Nellis. One child 
has blessed this union — Alice E. Mr. Treat 
is a stanch I'epuhlican in politics, and he 
and his wife are |)r'ominent members of the 
Congregational ciuu-ch. For some time he 
has hekl the office of d(>acon and su])erin- 
tendent of the Congregational Sabbath- 
school. Ml'. Treat is one of the rising law- 
yers of the Northwest, and stands at the 
head of his profession in Douglas county. 



^^- 



jlaOREN L. BREWSTER, one of the 
J^Msi most prominent and influential mem- 
bers of the farminji' communitv of the fa- 
mous Park Regions of Minnesota, is a resident 
of section 8, Elbow Lake township, Grant 
countv. lie is a native of Maine, born in 



Franklin county, on the 25th day of Septem- 
ber, 184-1-. and is the son of Stephen and 
Mai-y flilanchard) Prewster, natives of 
Maine. They came "West in 1857, and set- 
tled in Wisconsin, where they remained 
three years, engaged in farming. They then, 
in ISfiO, removed to Winona county, ]\Iinne- 
sota, where they have since i-emained. They 
are the pai-ents of the following named chil- 
dren — Lonm, Nancy. Maria, James, Morris. 
Malissa, Stephen, Mary, Myrtha, Eugene 
and Delia. 

Loren L. Prewster, the subject of this 
biograi)liical sketch, received his eai'lier edu- 
cation in Maine and Wisconsin, and [inished 
in Minnesota. He remained in his native 
State until thirteen years okl. at which period 
in life he removed to Fond du Lac county, 
Wisconsin, with his jiarents, anil remained 
in that county until he was sixteen years of 
age, and then came with the family to 
Winona county, Minnesota, where he com- 
pleted his schooling. After completing his 
schooling he engaged in farming, and re- 
mained in that vocation for thirteen 3'ears. 
In 1878 Mr. Prewster moved from Winona 
county to Grant county, ^[innesota. Ikjuic- 
steaded a tract of land and at once began 
improvenu^nts, building a house, barn and 
other oiit-i)uililings, breaking the soil and 
generally improving the place. In about 
nine montlis he moved his I'aiuily to the new 
home, and has since resided there. He now 
owns a well-improved farm of 540 acres, and 
it is one of the most valuable farms in the 
county. He is an extensive farmer and 
stock-raiser, handling all grades of cattle, 
devoting a great deal of his attention to 
Short-horn cattle anil Norman and Prussian 
horses. 

Mr. Prewster was married on the 4th of 
July, 1865, to Miss Mary Cram, and this 
union has been blessed with the following 
named children — Byron, La Porset, Ellion, 
Horace, ilabel, Herbert ami Effie E. The 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



271 



wife of our subject is a native of New 
JIaini)siiire and was educated in Afinnesota, 
to where slie moved with hei" parents in 1S56. 
Her fatiier was ;i fanner, and died in 1872. 
Iler mother resides in Wasliington Territory. 
Mr. Brewster is a republican in his ]M)litical 
affiliations, and takes an active interest in 
all local and ])ul)lic affairs. lie has held tlie 
office of school treasurer, and. while in 
Winona county, supervisor, constable, school 
director, etc. He, with his family, belongs to 
the Methodist church, and he holds the office 
of steward of that organization. He is a 
man of the strictest honor and integrity, 
hi<ihlv esteemed bv all who know him. 

T^ARCUS J. DUNLAP, of Ada, is 
_M'^Jr\^ one of the earliest settlei's in that 
village, having made a settlement there June 
20, 1ST6. He came to take charge of the 
depot, a station having just 'been located at 
that jioiiit, and the railroad company moved 
one of those small houses, such as ai'e used 
to shelter the hand cars, from the neighbor- 
liootl of AVild Rice river, and set it up at 
Ada as the depot. The little caliin was 
liai'dly 1<L\12 feet in area, and did ducy for 
telegrai)h office, ticket office, freight Avare- 
house, and everything pertaining to the busi- 
ness. At that time there was not a house 
within two and a half miles of the station, 
and Mr. Dunlap and the other parties who 
came with him had to travel that distance 
for their meals and lodging until they had 
built a house, where they kept "bachelor's 
hall." \\\ the following fall, when the rail- 
I'oail ceased running on account of the freez- 
ing of tiie river, which prevented the steam- 
boats reaching Fisher's Landing to meet the 
train, iVFr. Dunlap I'eturned to his family, who 
were living in Iowa, where he spent the 
winter. In the spring he returned to Ada, 
and again assumed charge of the railroad 



business. The little shanty in which they 
were lodged the previous summer lasted 
them through the year 187Y, but in that fall 
the company erected larger and more com- 
modious quarters. Mr. Dunlap continued 
in charge of the depot at Ada for some five 
years, and then resigned. For about twelve 
montlis he was not actively engaged in any 
business, but in 1882 was offered and ac- 
cepted the position of book-keeper in the 
bank of Ada, where he i-emained for two 
years, at the expiration of which he entered 
m the same capacity the mercantile house 
of Thorpe Brothers & Company, where he 
has since been employed. When he first 
came to the county, in ISTG, he took up a 
claim a mile west of the village, which land 
he improved and developed gradually, until 
it is one of the best in the town. He still 
owns and carries it on. 

Mr. Duidap is a New Englander by birth 
and education, having first seen the light 
July 11, 1838, in Chittenden county, Ver- 
mont, and was reared and educated among 
the Green Mountains of his native State. 
He is the son of Thadeus E. Dunlap. In the 
common schools of his New Englanvl home 
ami in its excellent academies he received 
the elements of a most excellent education, 
which he has much supplemented by the 
study of current topics in later years. He 
remained at home until 1859, when he started 
for the West, and located at Lake Forest, 
Lake county, Illinois, where for two years 
and a half he was employed as a clerk in a 
store. But it was at that time he possessed 
a desire to enter the railroad service, so, in 
the fall of 18(j2, he went to Evanston, Illi- 
nois, and took charge, as telegraph operator 
and station agent, of the l)usin(;ss of the 
Chicago ife Milwaukee Railroad at that point. 
He remained in that connection for two 
years, and then returned to his boyhood's 
home and there spent the winter. The next 
five or six years he spent in vai'ious parts of 



272 



KED KIVEIi VALLEY AXD 



the West, but was not permanently located 
;uiv\vliere. In 1871, however, he settled in 
Phiinlield. Bremer county, Iowa, where he 
was engaged in clerical woi'k until coming 
to Ada in 1876. 

Mr. Dunlap has been an active and ])rom- 
inent citizen of the town, county and village. 
lie has served several terms as treasurer, 
l)()tli of the township and of Ada, and holds 
that office in the former at the present 
time, lie was united in marriage in June, 
18ti'J, with l\Iiss Ellen Pike, of Kenosha, 
Wisconsin, who was taken from him by the 
dark angel, death, May 9, 1884, leaving no 
familv. 



'«- 



«^^ 



BENNlS DWYER, the efficient city 
marshal of East Grand Forks, Polk 
county, Minnesota, is a native of Ohio. He 
was born in Green county, Ohio, January 
10, 18.58, and is the son of Timothy and 
Bridget (Kavanaugh) Dwyer, natives of Ire- 
land. They emigrated to this coiiiitiy in 
1850. and settled in Ohio. They had a 
family of the following claldren — John S., 
whose biography will be found in another 
part of this AufUM, and Dennis, the sul)ject 
of this sketch. 

Mr. Dwyer, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home with his parents, attend- 
ino- school and working on the home farm 
until he had I'eached the age of nineteen 
years. At that period in life he commenced 
for himself, and for the next four yeai*s was 
engaged in buying grain. He was on the 
road, and part of the time was working on 
commission and the remainder for himself. 
In the spi'ing of 1882 he went to Minnesota 
with his brother, John, and has been con- 
nected in business with him ever since. The 
brothers settled in Grand Forks, Dakota 
Territory, and took a tract of government 
land in Walsh countv and resided there, en- 



gaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
After leaving their farms, the}' removed to 
East Grand Foi'ks and engaged in their pres- 
ent business. Soon after settling in East 
Grand Forks they engaged in the machinery 
business, and have since followed the same in 
connection with their livery. Mr. Dwyer, tiie 
subject of this memoir, held the office of 
deputy sheriff of Polk county, and did 
efficient work. He captured some of the 
worst criminals in the Northwest and was in 
man\' thrilling adventures. He effected the 
capture of the notorious murderer, Ilutchins, 
anil ai'i'csled him when he (Iliitcliinsi hold 
the bloody knife with which he had mur- 
dered his victim in his hand. He c-^jtured 
four professional safe-blowers, and also ar- 
rested many other criminals of the woi'st 
class. Mr. Dwyer assisted in the execution 
of Miller, the murderer of the Snell family. 
He is one of the best known officers in the 
Red River Valley, and greatly dreaded by all 
criminals. lie is a member of the Secret 
Sei'vice Agenc\', and a man of strict business 
integrity. He now hokis the office of city 
marshal, and has held the same since 1887. 



mz 



IIITOBIAS O. SAUBY, an industrious and 
lirifty farmer of Grant county, Min- 
nesota, is a resident of section 10, Pomine de 
Terre township, where he is engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising. He is a lui- 
tive of AVisconsin, born in AVinchester, AVin- 
nebago county, on the 7th of April, 1857, 
and is the son of Ole O. and Berget (Tor- 
grimson) Sauby, natives of Norway. They 
were farmers by occupation. The mother 
died in 1884. The father of our subject is 
still living and is engaged in the vocation of 
farming. They were the parents of the fol- 
lowing named children — Tona, Ole, Gunnel, 
Anna, Kittcl, John. Tobias, Maggie, James, 



PARK KKGIOXS OF MIXXESOTA. 



273 



Easton, and one who died in infancy. Kittel, 
Maggie and James are deceased. 

The subject of this article received his ed- 
ucation in Wisconsin, leaving school .at the 
age of eighteen years. Until he Iwul readied 
the age of twent}^ years, he remained at 
home, assisting on the home farm. He then 
started in life for himself, and after working 
at various occupations in the home neighbor- 
hood in "Wisconsin, heremoved to Minnesota. 
In 1878 he settled in Grant county, and 
bought 164 acres in Pomme de Terre town- 
ship on section 10, where lie has since 
remained, engaged successfully in general 
farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. Sauby was united in marriage on the 
17th of December, 1879, to Miss Turena 
Nelson, and the union has been blessed with 
the following named children^ — ^Norman, 
Charlie and Nellie. Mrs. Sauby passed away 
from the scenes of earth in Febi'uary, 1885. 
Mr. Sauby was married the second time to 
Miss Ida Olson, October l-t, 1887. Mrs. 
Sauby is a native of Winchester, Wisconsin, 
and is the motiier of one child, Wilfred. 
^Ir. Sauby, with his family, belongs to the 
Lutheran cliurch. He has held various 
offices in the town and county, including 
those of assessor, chairman of the board 
of supervisors, constable, deputy treasurer, 
etc. He is one of the representative men of 
his township and takes an active interest in 
all public and local matters. He is a stanch 
adhei-ent to the principles of the republican 
pai'tv. 



-*- 



^.^. 



©ENNIS F. McGRATH, a leading 
hardware merchant, and one of the 
oldest settlers in that section of the lied 
River and Park Regions, is engaged in the 
mercantile business in the village of Barnes- 
ville, Cla}' count}', Minnesota. He is a na- 
tive of Wisconsin, born in Appleton, in 1858, 



and is the son of Dennis and Ellen (Cash- 
man) McGrath, natives of Ireland. 

Mr. McGrath, the subject of this article, 
spent his school days in Wisconsin and Min- 
nesota. At the age of eight 3'ears he I'e- 
moved with his parents to Steele county, 
Minnesota, where he lived until 1879. In 
the spring of tiuit year he moved to Clay 
county, Minnesota, and took a claim on sec- 
tion 18 of Barnesville townsiii]), and located 
upon it. That season he cultivated 100 
acres of land, and remained upon the farm, 
engaged in agricultural ]iursuits, until 1881. 
At that time he entered the lumber business, 
in partnership with P. E. Thompson, whose 
biography will be found in another part of 
this Album. They continued in trade until 
September, 1886, and during that time did an 
extensive lumber business. In the year 1885 
they put on the market 116 carloads of lum- 
ber, eight carloads of lime, ten of brick and 
two of windows, doors, paints, etc., ant! tlid 
$40,000 worth of business. Tliey took con- 
tracts and worked on the installment plan. 
In September, 1886, after leaving the lumber 
business, Mr. McGrath pui-chased the hard- 
ware stock of Mr. Frankivoz, and has since 
been engaged in that occupation. He now 
carries a full line of heavy and shelf hard- 
ware, and the stock is valued at S10,OuO. In 
connection with his mercantile business Mr. 
McGrath does an extensive insurance busi- 
ness, representing five different companies, 
and is also engaged in the produce exchange 
industry, buying and shipping oats, barley, 
potatoes, etc. 

Mr. McGrath was married in January, 
1885, to Miss Anna McGinn, a resident of 
Owatonna, Steele county, iMinnesota. Mr. 
McGrath is one of the leading men of 
Barnesville, and has held the offices of pres- 
ident of the village board for two years, 
town supervisor, justice of the peace, etc. 
He owns several residences in the village, 
and is extensively interested in village real 



274 



RED KIVER VALLEY A\D 



estate. He is a member of the democratic 
party and one of tlie representative men of 
Clav county, lie is a member of tlie Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd-Fellows and an active 
worker in the interests of the locality in 
which he lives. 



— -^I 



-^^^ 




^EORGE H. PALMER. Among the 

'^ii leading and prominent attorneys of 
Polk county, Minnesota, and iuHuential citi- 
zens of the city of Crookston, is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. He is a 
native of FayetteviUe, Onondaga county, 
New York, the son of Jerome B. and Eliza- 
beth (Hubbard) Palmer, and first saw the 
light Christmas day, December 25, 185i. He 
is a direct descendant, in the eighth genera- 
tion, of the jnire Puritan stock that planted 

"On the wild New England shore" 
the banner of religious and civil liberty, 
the germ of this great republic, his great 
ancestor, Walter Palmer, having come from 
Nottinghamshire, the home of his forefathers 
for centuries, to the New World, in 1629, 
landing at what is now Oharlestown, ilassa- 
chusetts. That gentleman, one of a party 
of one hundred families under the guidance 
of a llev. Mr. Hooker, soon after jiushed 
westward, under the umbrageous shades of 
the 
"Forest primeval, where the murmuring pines and 

hemlocks, 
Bearded with moss, and iu garments green, indistinct 

in the twilight. 
Stand like Druids of old, " 

and formed a little settlement at Stonington, 
Connecticut, fleeing alike from the i-eligious 
intolerance at home and the unsocial aus- 
terity of the colony at Plymouth. 

The subject of our memoir, like so many 
of the roving children of New England, is 
the member of a family association which 
was organized in 1881, under the name of 
the Palmer Association, and which contains 



over 3,000 members, all lineal descendants of 
Walter Palmer. The branch of which our 
subject is a mendjer were settlers in the 
Empire State many years ago, and there, in 
the county of his nativity, he was reared 
upon his father's farm. Laboring during 
the genial summer months in assisting to 
carry on the homestead, he attended school 
and academy each winter, laying the foun- 
dation of an excellent etlucation, which he 
has since much enriched by study and re- 
flection. At the age of fourteen he entered 
the Aladison Universitv, at Cazenovia, New 
York. He there remained one year. 

In March, 1870, when but little more than 
fifteen years old, an age when most people 
are but bovs, Mr. Palmer, with the ruii'ged 
independence born of his New England par- 
entage, and which is so characteristic of the 
man, (juitted the paternal roof and came to 
the Great West, and since that time has de- 
pended entirely upon his own resources, 
carving out his own pleasant fortune un- 
aided and b}" his own energies. Settling at 
Fiiribault, Eice county, Minnesota, he en- 
gaged in clerical em})loyment until the year 
1875, when he entered the office of Hon. J. 
H. Case, of that city, one of the leading 
forensic lights of that portion of the State, 
and there, besides attending to the office 
business of that gentleman, gave his mind to 
the study of Plackstone, Coke, Littleton, 
and a host of other luminaries of the legal 
profession, and whose writings are the text- 
books of the well-grounded lawyer. Seven 
j'Cars he remained with his employer, but 
after his admission to the bar in May, 
1882, started for the Northwest and the 
Eed Kiver Valley. Arriving in Polk 
county, Minnesota, in July, he located at 
St. Ililaire. The railroad was not finished 
to that point as yet nor the village laid out, 
so, assisting in the latter labor, he then went 
to Crookston, from which point he hauled the 
lumber with which he erected one of the first 



PARfC REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



275 



buildings in tiie innv village. He there 
openeil a law ami real estate oflRce and com- 
menced business for himself, and ra])itlly 
srew into favor in that new settlement. Hav- 
in": strict inteffritv of character and the <rift of 
a natural suavity of mannei-, lie built uj) (|uite 
a business, but a year later he carried his 
abilities to Crookston, where he has found a 
widei' field for his talents. Establishing a 
law, collection and real estate office in the 
seat of justice of Polk county, he soon 
brought himself into prominence in his pro- 
fession, and lias now one of the best practices 
in the city. Devotmg a fair share of his 
attention to cases before the Interior Depart- 
ment of the United kStates, where he is 
admitted to practice, a large share of the 
land cases of this locality' find their way into 
his hands, anil many of his efforts for the 
good of his clients bear a proper fruition. 
In the spi'ingof 1885 Mr. Palmer was elected 
city justice of Crookston, and held that office 
for two years. He has always been a stanch 
and uncompromising supporter of the prin- 
ciples of the republican party, and a zealous 
advocate of the claims of that organization 
to office. During the jiresidential campaign 
of 1SS8 he acted as secretary to the Polk 
county republican clubs, and mainh' through 
his efforts organized some seventeen other 
political clubs throughout the count}'. 
Frank and outspoken, an able debater and 
orator, his well-known honesty of purpose 
has made him a leader in this locality, while 
his liabits of reading and reflection make 
him no easy opponent in forensic encounters. 
Mr. Palmer was united in marriage. May 
25, 1881, with Ella L. Patterson, the 
daughter of Oren P. Williams, one of the 
earliest settlei's of Faribault. P>ut their 
happy home was soon broken up, the death 
angel summoning away the beloved wife 
June 1, 1885, leaving one child, Luther J., 
but eighteen months old at the time, to a 
bereaved father's care. 



RISON T. ADAMS, assistant in the 
hardware store of Wells Brothers, in 
Herman, Grant count}', Minnesota, is a na- 
tive of Iowa, born in Manchester, on the 
6th day of February, 1865, and is a son 
of Ira and Grace (Esterbrook) Adams, 
natives of Vermont and New York, respect- 
ively. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject were married in Dubuque, Iowa, and 
after their marriage located at Manchester, 
Iowa, where he (the father) engaged in the 
hardware business. He was educated af 
Rochester, New York. They are the par- 
ents of the following named children — Clara, 
Alfred, Orison. Elmer, Mary, Sarah, Grace 
and Bessie. Clara is the wife of a Mr. Fer- 
guson, located at Watei-loo, Iowa. 

The subject of this biographical review 
passed his younger days in his native State, 
attending the excellent common schools of 
the region in which he lived. He com]ileted 
his education at Cornell College at Mount 
A'ernon, Iowa, in the winter of 1882 and 
1883. After com])leting his education, he 
secured a clerkship in a grocery store in 
Manchester. In two or three months he 
went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for the 
next eighteen months clerked in the hard- 
ware store of Miller Brothers. He then 
secured employment in a cornice shop, and 
after working a short time returned to Man- 
chester and Avas employed on the Manches- 
ter Democrat as book-keeper and local writer. 
In a few months he went to Elma, Iowa, 
and found employment in a tin shop. He 
remained in the tinner's trade for about 
three months and then removed to St. Paul, 
Minnesota. He there engaged as news agent 
on the Milwaukee railroad and soon after- 
ward entered a cornice shop, where he 
worked for several months. At the expira- 
tion of this time he went on the road for 
C. H. Shaffer, as news agent, and after some 
few months at this occupation went to 
Grant county, Minnesota. He located at 



276 



JiED A'/l'ER VALLEY AXD 



Herman, where he engaged in the hardware 
and t'urniture business. He then engaged 
as clerk in tlio hardware store of Wells 
Brothers, wliifh ])osition he has since tilled. 
Mr. Adams was united in marriage on the 
17th of September. 1S88, to Miss Addie 
Dexter. The parents of ^Irs. Adams had 
the following namtni children — Addie, Ger- 
tie, Carrie, Ernest, Fred. Grace, May and 
Harry. Mrs. Adams is a native of Maine 
and was educated iu Nova Scotia. Slie 
went to Minneapolis with her parents in 
188-i-. Her father is foreman of a saw mill 
in Minneapolis. Mr. Adams is one of the 
risine: men of his residence village and is 
highly esteemed by all who bear his ac- 
quaintance. He is an active member of 
Herman Lodge, No. 3, Independent Order of 
(lOod Tem])lars. 

. COOK, the efficient 
postmaster at Breckenridge, AVilkin 
county, Minnesota, anil editor and proprie- 
tor of the Breckenridge Echo, is also an 
attorney-at law. He was born in the beauti- 
ful city of Boston, Massachusetts, on the 3d 
day of Novembei', 185fi, and is a son of 
Major W. W. and Frances A. (Walker) Cook, 
also natives of that city. The father was in 
excellent circumstances, and lived a retired 
life iu his native State. He was promi- 
nently connected with the democratic party 
of Massachusetts, and in 1868 was a candi- 
date for State senator, and, although he ran 
ahead of his ticket, was defeated. He was 
an able and popular man, and received a 
commission of major in the Fifth New 
Hampshire Regiment. He enlisted at the 
commencement of the war, and was wounded 
at the battle of Fair Oaks, on account of 
which he was dischai'ged foi' disability. His 
father's gi'andfatlier was Isaac Cook, a 
manufacturer of the celebrated Isaac Cook 



ale, at Roxbury, Massachusetts. They were 
of English descent. The parents of our 
subject's mother were Samuel A. and Cecelia 
(Thayerj Walker, natives of Boston, Massa- 
chusetts. Samuel Walker was a real estate 
merchant at that place, and a strong temper- 
ance man, both in ]irinci|il(^ and pi'actice. 
They were of English descent. 

George F. Cook, the subjecit of this bio- 
graphical review, spent his younger days 
attenditi"- the academv at Derrv, New 
IIam])shii'e, and in 1869 attended the public 
school in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1873 
he commenced attending the Allen lioarding 
School in West Newton, Massachusetts, and 
in 187;") started in at Harvard College, from 
which he graduated in 187i). For the next 
two years he attended the Boston Law 
School, and in 1881 paid a visit to the Old 
World, where he remained two years, visit- 
ing all places of note or interest on the Con- 
tinent and in England. During his sojourn 
in the Old World he attended the Universi- 
ties at Leipsic and llei(leli)erg, Gern)any. 
Mr. Cook retui-ned to the Fnited States m 
1SS3, and at once removed to l\finuca])olis, 
iMimu'sota, where he remained a siiort time, 
and then went to Breckenridge, Wilkin 
county, Minnesota, where he has since re- 
sided. During the winter of 188-1 he tauglit 
school, and in the month of August of that 
year started the WUliin County (lazeite. In 
1885 he was appointed postmaster, and at 
once sold his ])aper and devoted himself to 
his duties as such. In the following year 
1886, he I'e-purchased his old paper, anti, 
after two years, again sold out and estab- 
lished his present paper, the Echo. During 
the fall of 1888 he was candidate for the 
office of county auditor, and went down 
with all the other candidates on the demo- 
cratic ticket. 

Mr. Cook was united in marriage in Dres- 
den, Germany, in 1883, to Miss Bertha Kum- 
mei", a Russian ladv, and the daughter of 



PARK A'EG/OXS OF AffJV.VF.SOTA. 



277 



General Julius Kuuimer, the general super- 
intendent of the musical director}' at St. 
Petersburg. He also held the rank of gen- 
eral in the Russian arm\^ Mrs. Cook is a 
graduate of the high schools in her native 
land, and a lady of wide learning and intel- 
ligence. Mr. Cook is a man of extensive 
travel, and is one of the representative and 
prominent citizens of tlie Red River Valley. 
He is a tiemocrat in politics, and has held the 
offices of school director, justice of the peace, 
etc. A man of intelligence and distinction, 
he deserves the credit and esteem whicli he 
receives. He is recognized as one of the 
most able and trenchant editorial writers in 
the western part of the State. 



— •«— 




OBERT NISBET. Prominent among 
IL'qV the most successful and thrifty farm- 
ers in tlie western part of Polk county, 
Minnesota, is Robert Nisbet, whose name 
heads tliis article, a resident of section 80, 
Nisbet township. He is one of the old set- 
tlers, and as he has always taken an active 
])art in all matters of a public nature, his 
name is jtrominently identitied with the his- 
tory of the growth and development of this 
region. 

Mr. Xisbet was bora in Lanark county, 
Canada, on the 19th of August, 1853, and is 
a son of William and Christina (Lindsay) 
Nisbet. The jiarents, who were natives of 
Scotland, settled in Canada at an early day 
and were pioneers there, enduring many 
hardships and privations during pioneer 
times. Robert Nisbet spent his boyhood and 
received his education in Canada. He re- 
mained on the farm with his parents until 
the spring of 1870, when he learned the 
blacksmith's trade and followetl that voca- 
tion for six months. At the exj)ii"ition of 
that time, not liking the business, he (piit it 
and went to Winona countv, Minnesota. 



For three N'ears he worked for fai'mers in the 
summer, and in the winters worketl at lum- 
bering in the woods of Wisconsin. Then, in 
the spring of 187-1, he came to Polk county, 
Minnesota, and bought " half-breed script," 
with which he purchased his land, therebj' 
savins: SI 00. He has since made this his 
home and now owns 300 acres of excellent 
land, a good share of which is under a high 
state of cultivation; 130 acres of the land is 
located on section 30, Nisbet township, and 
the balance on section 25, Iluntsville. He 
has one of the finest residences in tlie west- 
ern part of Polk county, and, as a whole, his 
building improvements are a credit to the 
locality in which they are situated. Mr. 
Nisbet carries on farming extensively, and 
also, during the proper season, runs a steam 
thresher. At other seasons of the year he 
uses his engine to grind feed for himself and 
neighbors. 

Mr. Nisbet was married lirst on the 8th of 
May, 1878, in Canada, to Margaret Furger- 
son, a daughter of Duncan and Violet (Mc- 
Dougalj Furgerson. The marriage was 
blessed with one child, named Robert D., 
and the mother died when the child was 
about two weeks old. Mr. Nisbet sent the 
child to its grandparents in Canada, where it 
still remains. 

Mr. Nisbet's second marriage occurred 
March 12, 1888, when he was wedded to Miss 
Christina Geddes, a daughter of Daniel and 
Agnes (Furgerson) Gedtles. 



-.^^ 



JM^ALVOR RASMUSSON, who will 
J^X form the subject of the following 
sketch, is the present clerk of court for Clay 
county, Minnesota, and is one of the most 
|)rominent citizens of Moorhead. 

He was born September 20, 1841, in Nor- 
way ; his parents were Pasmus and Annie 
(Ilalverson) Rasmusson, iti>th natives of Nor- 



278 



RED KIVER VALLEY Ai\D 



way. They left the home of their nativity 
in 1866 and sailed for America, landing at 
Quebec, Canada, and from that section came 
to Winona, Minnesota, where they engaged 
in farnjing until 1874. This family liad six 
children — Halvor, Signe (Mrs. Kice), Annie 
(Mrs. Dr. K. IIoegh\ and Kriste (Mrs. (). 0. 
Hals). 

The parents were devoted and exemplary 
members of the common church of all who 
come to this country from Norway, the 
Lutheran. 

Halvor, our suliject, was reared to farm 
labor and received a good common school 
training in his native country. He came to 
America in 1861, witii the view of making 
this land his future home. lie settled in 
Kilbourric City, Wisconsin, where he engaged 
in teacliing for a year and then entered the 
general store of J. E. Dixon »k Son, where 
he remained two years, which Ijrought him 
to 1863. lie then went to Winona, Minne- 
sota, and there engaged in buying grain for 
Charles Millei'. He remaineil there ami in 
the adjoining counties for ten years, buying 
grain botii for iiimself and others. In 1876 
he commenced operating a hotel at Winona. 
He followed that for two years, and, in 1878, 
came to Moorhead and ran a] hotel, called 
" Winona," for two 3'ears more. He was then 
elected city clerk, holding that office for two 
j^ears, at which time he resigned to fill the 
office of clerk of court, to which he had 
been elected in the fall of 1884. lie was re- 
elected for tiu; foui- years" term in the fall of 
1888, so that he still holds that position. As 
other evidence that he has been looked upon 
by pnl)lic o])inion as ;i man in every jiartic- 
ular qualified for business duties, it may be 
noted that he has been a member of the 
board of education for the past five years, as 
he was a member of the school board when 
in Houston, Minnesota, also president of the 
council of thiit j)lace for a term of two years. 
He has identified himself with everv enter- 



prise calculated to benefit either the city or 
surrounding country, and may justly be 
termed one of the leading citizens of the 
locality in which he lives. 

Mr. Rasmusson was married in his native 
land, March 24, 1861, to Miss Live Johnson, 
daughter of John Hanson. \\y this union 
the husband and wife have been blessed by 
the advent of six intelligent children, three 
sons and three daughters — John K., Annie 
M., Julia P., liutlolpii T., Frederick C. P. 
and Nora H. 

The ]iarents and all theii- children belong 
to the i^utheran church, to which they not 
only subscribe, but also practice the faith as 
set fortii Ijy that I'eligious denomination. 

Politically Mr. Rasmusson is a democrat, 
and belongs to the oi'der of ( )ild-Fellows 
and Druids. 



^^^ 



Man; 

irJL farr 



S P. HANSON, a prominent 
farmer and stock-raiser, who lives on 
section 24, Elbow i^ake township, is one of 
the leading citizens of Grant county. Minne- 
sota. He is an old settler, and as he has al- 
ways taken an active and prominent part in 
all matters of a public nature, and held a 
number of the most important county offices, 
his name is indissolubly connected with the 
official histoi'v of his county. 

Mr. ilans(jn was born in Di'animen. Nor- 
way, on the 16th of September, 1844. and is 
a son of Torger Hanson. His fathei' was a 
farmer, wiio came to the United States in 
1851, and settled in Adams county, Wiscon- 
sin, where he still lives. Toi'ger Hanson ;ind 
wife were the jjarents of four ciiililren, who 
are still living — Anna D., Helena, Henrietta 
and Hans P. 
I When Hans P. Hanson was seven years 
of age he came to the United States with 
his father. As a consequence he received 
his education in Adams county, Wisconsin, 



PARK KEGiOATS OF MINNESOTA. 



279 



where his father settled. He attended 
school until he was fifteen or sixteen years 
of age and then beji'an the realities of life on 
his own account. During the mnter seasons 
he worked in tlie woods, and in the summer 
months was employed on the river. In the 
meantime the Civil War had broken out, and, 
on the 11th day of March, 1S65, our subject 
enlisted in Company D, Fifty-second AVis- 
consin Volunteer Infantrj^. It should be 
stated that he enlisted under the name of 
Peter Hanson, as he was known by tliat 
name at that time. His service was princi- 
pally in scouting and skirmishing with 
the bushwhackers, and he was finally 
honorably discharged on the 28th of July, 
1865, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. After 
his discharge he at once returned to Wis- 
consin, and was again eraploj'ed in the 
pineries and on the river. In 1871 he came 
to Grant county, Minnesota, and took a 
homestead on section 24, Elbow Lake town- 
ship, where he now lives. He was one of 
the earliest settlers in the township, and he 
at once became recognized as one of the 
leading citizens in that portion of the county. 
He has held a great many local offices, such 
as school treasurer, school clerk, etc.. be- 
sides many of the more important positions. 
He has been a inemljer of the board 
of county commissioners ever since the 
county was organized, except six years, and 
for a number of years was chairman of 
that body. He also for four years held the 
office of sheriff of Grant county, and in 
every official position in which he has been 
placed he has always discharged the duties 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to all 
concerned. He was also the first postmaster 
in Elbow Lake township, and held the office 
for four or five years, and when the United 
States census was taken in ISSO, he was the 
enumerator for the north half of the county. 
It will tinis be seen that he has figured very 
prominently in the official history of the 



locality in which he lives. A man of the 
strictest integrity, he is held in the highest 
esteem, both as a neighbor and an exemplary 
citizen. 

Mr. Hanson was married on the Sth of 
October, 1871, to Miss Tinney Johnson, a 
native of Norwaj', who came to the United 
States in 186G. Their marriage has been 
blessed with the following children — Emma 
B., Josephena, Thomas R., Henrietta, Henry, 
Frank and Stena. Besides these, one child 
died in infancy. The family are exemplary 
members of the Lutheran church. 

In political matters Mr. Hanson is a re- 
publican. He is an honored member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, holding a 
membership in the Herman Post. 



^^EORGE F. MORISSE is a member of 
^^T the firm of Baumbach & Morisse, 
druffffists, of Alexandria, Minnesota. He is 
a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he 
was born on the 25th of November, 1851, 
and is the son of Frederick and Gesina(Alft) 
Morisse, who were natives of Oldenburg, 
Germany. 

His father came to America in 1849, 
settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In that 
city for a number of years he was engaged 
in the grocery business, from which he has 
now retired. In the father's family there 
were six children — George F., Herman D., 
Mary, now Mrs. Jensen ; Charles, Edward 
and Emil. 

George F., the subject of our sketch, re- 
ceived his education in the city of Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin. He was also a clerk in 
his father's store. After a time, iiowever, he 
chano-ed his business and turned his atten- 
tion to clerking in a drug store. In 1878 he 
came to Douglas county, Minnesota, where 
he clerked for Lewis \S: Ball in the drug 
business. He was with this firm for a num- 



28o 



Ri-.n Rni:R VAi.i.i-.y Axn 



ber of years. In 1881 he engaged in the 
drug business with C. Hanson, under the 
firm name of Hanson it Morisse. Tliis 
business partnership was continued for 
eighteen montlis, at which time Mr. Eaum- 
bach bought out Mr. Hanson's part of the 
business, since which time the firm has been 
Baumbacii it lyforisse. Mr. Morisse is one 
of the ohlest druggists in Alexandria. He 
has interested himself thoroughly in the 
advancement of the business interests of his 
adopted city and has proven himself worth}' 
of tlie respect of his fellow-townsmen. In 
politics Mr. Morisse is a rei)ublican; he is 
also a member of the I. O. (). F.and Knights 
of Honor, and is one of the leading citizens 
in the place. In 1S77 he was married to 
Miss Etta Schoyan, of Columbus, Wisconsin, 
daugiiter of (leorge Schoyan. They have 
had four sons — Carl, Raymond, Frederick 
and George. 



-«- 



-^^ 



NRY F. SANFORD. Prominent 
imong the rejiresentative men of the 
famous Park Regions of Minnesota is tiie 
gentleman whose name heatls this biogra])h- 
ical memoir, a farmer ant! also the county 
auditor of Grant county, Minnesota. He 
resides on section 17, San ford t(nviiship. 
Mr. Sanford is a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in Pleasantville, June "J, 184."), and is a 
son of Ebenezer C. and I.urana (Beai'dsley) 
Sanford, natives of Nenv York State. They 
were married in Pennsylvania. They settled 
at Pleasantville soon after their marriage 
and resided there until 1S.")1. They then 
sold their home and moved to Crawford 
county, Pennsylvania, where they settled on 
a farm, remaining seven years. In 1858 
they removed to Mercer county. Illinois, liv- 
ing there until the father's death in 1862. 
The father was a farmer through life with 
the exception of the time of their i-esidence 



in Pleasantville, Pennsylvania, where his 
attention was taken up with tiie stoneware 
trade. The mother is still living with her 
son Jasper in Grant county, Minnesota, and 
is at the advanced age of seventy years. 
There were the following children in the 
family — Sylvia, now Mrs. Delamater, of 
Pennsylvania: Asenath, the wife of Mr. 
Eaton, of Herman, Grant county, Minne- 
sota ; Jasper N., a farmer of Grant county, 
Minnesota; and Henry F. The family are 
members of the Methodist church. 

Mr. Sanford, the subject of this article, 
spent his youngei' days in the school-rooms 
of his native State and at the age of thirteen 
years moved with his parents to Illinois, 
where he left school at the age of si.xteen. 
After leaving the school-room he came 
to St. Paul, Minnesota, in September, 
1863, and eidisted in "Hatches' Battalion," 
serving until June, 1866, when he was 
honorably discharged at Fort Snelling, 
Minnesota. After his dischai'ge he came to 
Grant county, Minnesota, and worked by the 
month until 1868, when he returned to Illi- 
nois and worked in the Rock Island Arsenal 
for two months. Keturning to Minnesota, 
Mr. Sand ford homesteaded a tract of land 
on section 17, Sanford township. Grant 
county, Minnesota, where he has since c(m- 
tinued to operate, carrying on general farm- 
in"- anil stiick-raisinfj. He was the first 
settler in SanfortI townshi]), and took an 
active part in the organization of the town- 
ship. Tli(> township derived its name from 
Mr. Sanfoid. and he has always i)een an 
enthusiastic participant in all movements 
wherebv tiie "-enci-al welfai'c niav be en- 
hanced. 

Mr. Sanford was united in niairiage No- 
vember 11, 1877, to Miss Cordelia ('. Cald- 
well, and this union has been blessed with 
one child — Sylvia. Mrs. Sanford is a native 
of Ohio, and was reared and educated in 
Wisconsin. "Mr. Sanford is a republican in 



PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



281 



his political affiliations. lie is a member of 
the Graml Ai-my of tlie Republic, Andrew 
J. Hubbard Post, No. 115, at Herman. He 
is one of the representative citizens of bis 
townshiji and county and has held various 
local otlices, including assessor, town clerk, 
justice of the peace for ten years, first presi- 
dent of tlie village council of Elbow Lake. 
He was elected to the ottice of count}' aud- 
itor in 1873, serving until March, 1878, and 
was again elected to tlie office in the fall of 
1886, and re-elected in November, 1888. He 
has discharged the duties devolving upon 
that res])onsil)le jtosilion with satisfaction to 
all parties concerned, and is justly regarded 
as one of the most efficient and capable offi- 
cials in the western part of the State. 



I^HARLES A. BROWN, the present in- 
x^>^ cuTiibent of the office of deputy siieriff 
of Polk county, Minnesota, is a resident 
of the city of East Grand Forks. He is a 
native of the State of New York, born in 
Clinton county, May 13, 1844, and is the son 
of William and Jane (Gray) Brown, natives 
of Scotland and France, respectively. The 
father of our subject was a Scottish peer, 
but wiio latei- emigrated to the United 
States. The parents had a famil^y of nine 
children. 

Charles A. Brown, of whom this sketch 
treats, I'emained in his native county until 
1853, when he removed with his parents to 
St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where his father 
took a farm. Our sul)jeot attended school 
and worked on the farm until the 19th of 
April, lSt)4. At tliat time he enlisted in 
the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Wisconsin 
Infantry ((Company F), First Brigade, First 
Division, Ninth Corps. lie was honorably 
(liscliargetl in Washington, D. C, on tlie 
27th of July, 18(15. He was in a number of 
battles and skirmishes, including Harrison's 



Creek, Virginia, June 17 and 18, 1864; 
Petersburg and explosion of mine, July 30, 
1864; Yellow House Station, Virginia, Au- 
gust 19 and 21, 1864; Weldon railroad, Au- 
gust 25, 1864; Pegram Farm, September 30 
and October 2, 1864; Hatches' Run, October 
27, 1864; Fort Stedman, Virginia, March 
25, 1865; and capture of Petersburg 
(Fort Mahone), Virginia, April 2, 1865. 
After he was mustered out, he re- 
turned iiome and soon moved to St. Paul, 
whei'e he attended the Commercial C'ollege 
and again returned home. In the fall of 
1866 he went to New York and spent 
that wiiiter traveling in different parts of 
the State. The next summer he returned 
home, and in the summer of 1868 went to 
Irving, Marshall county, Kansas, where he 
was engaged in the grocery business for one 
year. In 1869 he again returned home and 
for the next ten years was traveling in dif- 
ferent parts of the world. In 1879 or 1880 
he removed to Minnesota and settled in East 
Grand Forks, Polk county, where he filed on 
a soldier's claim of 160 acres on section 12, 
Sullivan township. He remained upon his 
farm for seven years, imjn-oving it both 
in cultivation and buildings. During that 
time he lived in the city in the winters and 
in the summers remained upon his farm. He 
was also engaged in the contracting and 
building business, and was one of the sub- 
stantial farmers of the township. In 1886 
he was appointed deputy sheriff, and at once 
removed to the city, where he gave his un- 
divided attention to his official duties. 

Mr Brown was mariied on the 19th day 
of October, 1877, to Miss Minnie Aldrich, 
the daughter of Pascal and Martha (Hans- 
berger) Aldrich, natives of Ohio and Ken- 
tucky, respectively. i\Ir. Brown is one of 
the esteemed and pi'oniineiit citizens of East 
Grand Forks, and is a man of extensive 
travel. In political matters he is a repub- 
lican. 



282 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



M NTON L. STUDLIEN, an enterprising 
Af-"^ and respected fanner of Land town- 
sliip, (ifant county. Minnesota, is one of tlie 
oldest settlers of his townslii]). He is a na- 
tive of Norway, born in Christian Stift, June 
8, 1850, and is tiie son of Lavs (). and Anna 
(Olson) Studlien, natives also of the king- 
dom of Norway. They came to Quebec, 
Canada, in 1S(>7, and moved from there to 
Dane county, Wisconsin, where they engaged 
in farming for four years. In 1871 they 
moved to Grant county, Minnesota. The 
father died in 18S-t. The mother is living 
in Lar.d townshi]) with iierdaughter. There 
was a family of nine children, all of whom 
are still living — Ole M., John O., Martin, 
Anton L.. IMartha, Mary, Olora C, Ole and 
Lewis. 

Anton L. Studlien, tiie suljject of this 
biogi'apiiical sketch, spent his early boyhood 
days in the excellent common schools of his 
native land, early imbibing tliose principles 
of thrift, industiy and frugality which so 
distinguish the nationality from which he 
springs. Leaving school at the age of seven- 
teen he came to the United States with his 
parents, and when he was twentj'-one came 
with his ])arentsto Grant county, Minnesota. 
At that time, in 1871, he took a homestead 
on section 12, Land township, but sold the 
claim before proving up. About two years 
later he bought 160 acres on section 22 of 
the same townsiiip, to which he has since 
added 120 acres, so that his ])resent farm 
consists of 280 acres. He has since lived 
there, making good building im[)rovements 
and developing a valuable farm. 

Mr. Studlien was maiTied January 24, 
1883, to Miss Caroline Peterson, and tiiis 
union has been blessed with three children — 
Adolph, Leonai'd and Victoria, who died at 
the age of eight months, ilrs. Studlien is a 
native of Sweden, educated in Iowa and 
Minnesota. Her father is still living, but the 
mother is dead. The subject of this article 



is one of the representative men of the 
county and has held various offices in his 
town, including those of school treasurer for 
twelve years, town clerk for two j'ears, super- 
visor for a number of years, township treas- 
urer for ten years, etc. In political matters 
he affiliates with the republican party. He, 
with his family, belongs to the Norwegian 
Lutheran church, of which organization he 
is a deacon. Being one of the oldest settlers, 
he has been prominently identified with the 
growth and development of the locality, and 
his name is indissolubly associated with the 
official history of his townshipand county. 



J^ L. NORIN, M. D., one of the leading 
jtP^ physicians of the village of Ada, and 
the official doctor of Norman county, was 
born in the kingdom of Sweden, August 16, 
1858, and is the son of J. Norin and ^Nfi-s. A. 
Norin. He was reared in the land of his 
bii'th and there received the elements of a 
good education. At the age of seventeen he 
crossed the ocean to the New World and 
located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where, for 
the first six months, he attended school to 
learn the English language. At the expira- 
tion of that time he took charge of the gas 
works of the State Deaf and Dumb Asylum, 
located in that city, where he remained some 
two or three years. Tiie succeeding two 
years were spent in attendance upon the 
high school of the same city, in j)ui-swit of 
etlucation, and at the end of that tiuic went 
to New York City and entered Bellevue Hos- 
pital Medical College, and comjjleted a 
course of study. During his vacation, not to 
be idle, and foi' the futherance of his knowl- 
edge of the healiu"' art. entered as an assist- 
ant the Brooklyn Small-pox Hospital, where 
he remained some three months. Finishing 
his second course in the fii'st mention(!d col- 
lege, he went to Tainora, Nebraska, where 



PARK REGIONS OF MJXNESOTA. 



283 



he was with his brother in the mercantile 
trade for a year and a half, at the end of 
which he opened a drug store for himself. 
After eighteen months Dr. Norin sold out 
there and removed to 8t. Paul, where he 
entered the medical college from which he 
was graduated in the spring of 18S6. He 
opened an office for the practice of his profes- 
sion in St. Paul, and remained there until the 
following September, when became to Ada, 
since which time he has been a i-esident of 
that village, and in the enjoyment of a most 
excellent and increasing practice. His suc- 
cess in baffling disease and death has made 
him a marked man in the profession, and he 
is rapidly taking a front rank among his 
medical confreres. His popularity in social 
circles is (iuly second to the interest he 
excites in the sick-room, and he is recognized 
as one of the leading citizens of the village. 
In 1887 he was appointed county ph3'sician 
and holds that official appointment at present 
(1888). Tlie doctor makes a sj)ecialty of 
treating chronic nasal catarrh, and he is prob- 
ably the most successful physician in this 
line in the Northwest. He gained profi- 
ciency in this specialty as a student of the 
noted Prof. Frank H. Bosworth, of New 
York City, N. Y., the professor of nose and 
throat diseases in Bellevue Hospital Medical 
College. 

Dr. Norin was married December 31, 
1888, to Miss Helen C. Schriver, of La 
Crosse, Wisconsin. She was an instrumental 
music teacher of that place, and a sister of 
Mrs. Peter llamstad. of Ada. 



•«--S^{^-^- 



l^RANK H. PETERSON, a prominent 
JP^ attorney-at-law in the famous Ked 
River and Park Pegions, is engaged in the 
practice of his jirofession in the thriving vil- 
lage of Barnesville, in Clay county, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of the State of Marv- 



land, born in Baltimore on the 16th day of 
Aufj'ust, 1859, and is the son of John and 
Alice Peterson, natives of Maryland and 
Pennsylvania, respectively. 

Mr. Peterson, who is the subject of this 
article, remained in his native city and at- 
tended the common schools until he was 
thirteen years of age. He then entered the 
Western Maryland College at Westminster, 
]\[aryland, where he attended for five years 
and from which he was graduated with high 
honors in 1878. At the expiration of his 
collegiate course he entered Johns Hopkins 
University in Baltimore and took a special 
course in history and political economy, and 
after this entered the law department of the 
University of Maryland and graduated after 
two years, taking the degree of LL. B. The 
same year he took the academic degree of 
M. A. In May, 1881, he was admitted to 
the bar of his native State and for some time 
thereafter made teaching his profession, in the 
suburbs of Baltimore. In the month of July, 

1884, Mr. Peterson left his native State and 
traveled all through the West and North west, 
and finally located at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, 
where he was associated with Colonel Bax- 
ter, now Judge Baxter, of that place, and of 
whom a sketch will be found in another de- 
]xirtment of this Album, and remained with 
him until the latter went on the bench in 

1885. A short time after that Mr. Peterson 
formed a partnership with H. W. Childs, and 
in the spring of 1885 they opened a law and 
real estate office in Barnesville, Clay county, 
Minnesota. In January, 1887, Mr. Childs 
was appointed assistant attorney-general and 
removed to St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Peter- 
son has since carried on the business alone, 
and is one of the most successful and well- 
known attorneys in the Red River Valley. 

Mr. Peterson was united in marriage, 
in 1887, to Miss Mamie E. Baseman, a 
native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the 
daughter of John and A. E. Baseman. Mr. 



2S4 



Kin KHER lALLKY A XI) 



Peterson is engaged in a general law busi- 
ness, lie is well and favorably known in 
tlie Park Region and is a prominent nieniher 
of the legal fraternity in tiiat region. 

He is an adherent to tiie principles of the 
republican party and is an active participant 
in all niovenionts of a local nature. 



•■*"S^^"^- 



M^E^ 

Mir 



^ENRY T. BROWN, wlio is engaged 
in the manufacture and sale of cigars 
in the city of Crookston, TVIinnesota, is one of 
the largest wholesale and retail ilealers in 
those articles ami tobacco in this portion of 
the Valley. Jle is a native of Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, born October SO, 1854, and is 
the son of Ciiarles and Augusta (Hanna) 
Brown. He received ids primary education 
in the excellent schools of his native city, 
than whicii there are none better, and at the 
age of twelve years came to Minnesota and 
settletl with his parents at Tied Wing, Good- 
hue county. While there he learned the 
trade of cigar-making and followed it as 
journeyman in different places until 188 1, 
when he embarked in that line of business 
for himself in the city of Stillwater, this 
State. He remained there but a short time, 
and in 1SS2 removed to AUiert Lea, where 
for nearly a year lie was employed as fore- 
man in the cigar factory of Thomas Warrick. 
Having by that time formed some liusiness 
acquaintances, in cojnpany with M. Lewis, 
under the firm name and style of Lewis it 
Brown, he o])ened a manufactory of cig.ars of 
their (iwn in that seat of justice of Freeborn 
county. This not i)roving u financial success, 
Mr. Brown left that city and sought emplov- 
ment at his trade wherever it offered. In 
this manner passed the time until August, 
1884, when became to the Red Kiver Val- 
ley, settled inCrookston, and established his 
present business. At that time he had but a 
capital of $82, but he had ambition. ener"v. 



and business tact, and possessed a thorough 
knowledge of his trade. He therefore rented 
a building, and, purchasing a small stock of 
leaf tobacco, set to work alone to build uj) a 
trade and make a living. 

The strict integrity that has niarke«l his 
business life in this community, the excel- 
lence of his goods and his accommodating 
and affable manner of conducting his busi- 
ness have rapidly In'ought him tin; reward of 
such virtues. His ti'ade has .so increased 
that now he gives em))loyment to si.x or 
seven hands besides his own, and in addition 
cari'ies a large stock of foi'eii;n and domestic 
goods of other manufacturers, chewing and 
smoking tobacco and smokers' sui)])lies. His 
customers are scattered over a wide expanse 
of territory, and the extent of iiis transac- 
tions increase with each year. He has done 
well since coming to this place and is already 
the owner of his neat residence. 

Being endowed with many social qualities, 
Mr. Brown is an honored niem!)er of both 
the Independent Order of OddFellows and 
the Sons of Hermann, and a prominent in- 
strumentalist in the Crookston cornet band. 
He was united in marriage. January 2<), 1888, 
with Miss Augusta X'oelkcM', of Ci'ookston, a 
native of Canada, and daughter of John 
Voelker. 



-«" 



l^^. 



■HARLES M. BREUER is the propri- 
etoi- of the Fergus (^ity Iron Woi'ks, 
Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. 
He is the proprietor of the only first-class 
foundry and machine siiop in the city, and 
articles of his manufacture are steam en- 
gines, shapers, saw arbors, pulleys, hangers, 
shaftings, iron columns, balance wheels, 
sleigh shoes, sash weights, sinks, bridge- 
washers, circular saw mills, and, in fact, all 
kinds of articles that are made in first-class 
foundries and machine shops. He also manu- 



PA A' A' A'EGfOXS OF MI.V.VESOTA 



285 



factures all kinds of boiler work, and makes 
a specialty of engines and mill repairing. 
His business house is located at Nos. 119, 
121 and 123 Wiiitford street, Fei'gus Falls, 
Minnesota. Mr. Breuer is a native of Prus- 
sia, and was born in the year 1842. He is 
tiie son of Henry and Theresia (Von Ems) 
Breuer. The parents were born in the city 
of Cologne, Prussia, and the father was a 
practical maciiinist. which business he car- 
I'ied on in his nativeland. The parents came 
to America in 1851 and settled at Chicago, 
Illinois, where the father workedathis trade 
until his ileath, which occurred in 1862. 
The mother is still living in the city of Chi- 
caiTo. In the father's familv there were 
fourteen children, four of whom died in 
Prussia and one in Anderson ville prison, 
where he was starved to death. Nine of the 
children are stdl living — Ann;i, Elizabeth, 
Charles M., Jacob, Adam, Theressia, Charles 
A., Elizabeth and Bertha. 

The subject of our sketch spent his 
younger days attending school in his native 
land, and after coming to America attended 
the educational institutions of Chicago for 
some time. Later he commenced work in 
the McCormick machine shops at Ciiicago, 
Illinois, and renuiined in these shoi)s until 
seventeen years of age. He completed his 
apprenticeshij) at this business in New York 
City, in 186-1. After this he worked as a 
journeyman machinist in different cities in 
the East and West until 1880, in which year 
lie came to Fergus Falls. Prior to his com- 
ing to Fergus Falls he had charge of a 
seeder factory in Horicon, Wisconsin, for 
two years. He completed his present large 
shops in Fergus Falls in 1881, having first 
built a smaller one on Lincoln avenue in 
isso. His first slio]) proving inadequate for 
iiis purpose and business, he sold it out and 
l)uilt the large one which he now occupies. 
He has done a very large business, employing 
duiMng a great part of the time twelve men. 



At present he has two men employed in his 
shop. He is indeed a master machinist, un- 
derstands his trade thoroughly, and can 
manufacture all kinds of machinery. 

Mr. Breuer was married in 1879 to Miss 
Augusta Kostman, a native of Prussia. 
They have had three adopted children — 
Annie, now Mrs. Ludwig ; Hattie, wiio died 
at ten years of age, and Emma. 

Mr. Breuer is a stanch republican, and is a 
.member of the Masonic fraternity, and is re- 
spected and confided in by his fellow towns- 
men. He has held several positions of 
trust in the city, and Avas for two terms 
alderman of the Second Ward. He lives in a 
line residence on Lakeside drive, a beautiful 
home, fitted up with all modern improve- 
ments. Mr. Breuer i.s one of the substan- 
tial and re))resentative men of p'ergus Falls. 



-*"S^^--4- 



E)HIL1P H. CLAGUE, druggist, and one 
Aj^ of the ))rominent business men of Her- 
man, Gi'ant county, Minnesota, was born on 
the Isle ol ]\ran. July 9, 18-19. His parents 
were William ami Mar\^ (Campbell) Clague, 
who were also natives of the Isle of Man. 
William Clague and his first wife became 
the parents of the following children — John 
J., Mary A., Margaret E., Eliza, Philip, 
George W., Charlotte and Alfi'ed, who are 
now living, and William and Edward, who 
died ill infancy. Mary Camjibell Clague, 
the first wife, died in 1856 at the age of 
forty years. Soon after her death the father 
came with the children to the United 
States. In 1859 he returned to his native 
isle and married Miss Isabella Corrin, who 
still survives him. By this second marriage 
one child was born — Katharine S., who is 
now Mrs. Berlin, of Herman. William 
Clague was a blacksmith by trade originally, 
but during the latter part of his life was a 
local preacher, and for forty years a member 



286 



Kl-.n RIVER VAJ.LKV AND 



of the Methodist Episcopal church. Upon 
coming to the United States he first settled 
at Ilastrngs, "Minnesota, hnt later removed 
to Castle Ttock. Minnesota, where he re- 
mained until the time of his death, which 
occurred December 23, 1884. he heing in iiis 
seventy-ninth j'ear. 

Philip II. C'lague, the subject of this l)io- 
graphical sketch, spent his earlier school- 
days at Castle Rock, Minnesota, and, in 
1870, at the age of nineteen years, linishcd 
his course at Carlton College, Northfield, 
Minnesota. After leaving college Mr. 
Clague engaged in the railroad business at 
Benson, Minnesota, where he was employed 
as clerk- in the office at that place. At the 
expiration of two years he was employed as 
agent at Kirkoven, Minnesota, which posi- 
tion he filleil for two vears. Mr. Clatrue 
then removed to II(!i-nian, Grant count}', 
Minnesota, where he was employed as agent 
for seven yeai's. At the expiration of that 
time he engaged in the hai'dware business, 
and at the end of three years sold out to 
Mr. Earsley, and then secured the post- 
mastership for four years. In the year 
1887 Mr. Clague engaged in the di'iig busi- 
ness, which he has since followed. In addi- 
tion to his drug trade he is a member of the 
machinery firm of Clague ife Prescott. lie 
carries a comjilete line of goods in his drug 
store, and the agricultural im])lement firm 
handles all manner of farm mac-hinery and 
implements of husbandry. 

Mr. Clague was united in mai'riage on tlie 
12th day of October, 187(!, in Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, to Miss Faustina E. Prescott, and 
this union has been blessed with two chil- 
dren — Winifred and Florence, both of 
wiiom ai'e now at home. Mrs. Clague is a 
native of Lowell, Massachusetts, and was 
educated in Minnesota. IShe is a dau<rhter 
of N, M. Prescott, a farmer of Grant county, 
Minnesota. She is one of eight children, 
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal 



church. Mr. Clague is one of the prominent 
business men of the county, and has lield the 

following offices : Member of the village 
council for one year, town clerk for many 
years, postmaster for four years, etc. lie 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
is an adherent to the princi])les of the re])ub- 
lican party. 

^M NDREW G. ANDERSON. Among 
J^^ the thrifty and successful members 
of the farming community of the famous 
lied River and Park Regions, is the gentle- 
man whose name heads tliis article, a resi- 
dent of section 18, Fisher township, Polk 
county, ilinnesota. He is a native of Nor- 
way, born in Christian Stift on the ISth day 
of July, 1850, and is the son of Guilder A. 
and Tilda G. (Moy) ^Viulerson, also natives 
of that kingdom. Tlie mother of the sub- 
ject of this article died in Wisconsin. 

Mr. Anderson, the subject of this sketch, 
emigrated to the United States in 1867, with 
his parents, and settled at Primrose, Wiscon- 
sin. After his mother's death, Mr. Ander- 
son remained in Wisconsin with his father, 
brothers and sisters, for five j'ears. They 
then came to Stearns county, Minnesota, 
where they remained for a jieriod of ten 
years. In 1S7(' they again removed, this 
time settling in Polk county, Minnesota. 
After locating tliere, the father took a tract 
of railroad land, and Andrew (li. home- 
steaded 160 acres of excellent land on .sec- 
tion IS, FishcM' township, where he has since 
remained. He now owns a tine farm, all 
well under cultivation and with good build- 
ing improvements. He is engaged in a gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising business, and 
is one of the prominent and enterprising 
farmers of that locality. He springs from 
a race distinguished for their industry and 
economy and has made his way in the world 
onlv bv liis own elforts. 



PARK KECIOXS OF MIXN'ESOTA. 



287 



Mr. Anderson was united in marriage in 
Stearns county, ^Finnesota, June 10, 1877, to 
Miss Mary Olson, a native of Norway, and 
the daughter of (Sunder Olsen and Gura 
(Tores Daughter) Londe, also natives of the 
kingdom of Norway. Mr. Anderson now 
owns 2S0 acres of tlie most desirable iatid 
in the townsliip. It lies on the banks of the 
Eed Lake river and is partially timber land. 
He is one of the active men of the town, 
takino- an active interest in all local matters 
and lias held the office of supervisor of his 
township for a number of years. 



j^YMAN B. EVERDELL, one of the 
^ leading attorneys of the Red lliver 
Yalley anil Park Regions, is engaged in the 
practice of his profession at the village of 
Breckenridge, Wilkin county, Minnesota, 
lie is a native of New York State, born in 
Oneida county, on the 2r)tli of June, 1842, 
and is the son of the Rev. Robert and Eliza- 
beth (Beecher) Everdell, natives of England 
and Vermont, respeetiveh'. The father's 
active days were spent in New York State, 
and in 1850 lie settled in Wisconsin, at 
Fond du Lac, where he is now living. He 
was a Con";reKational minister through act- 
ive life and a strong temperance man. He 
was a free-soiler and later a republican, and a 
man highly esteemed by all who knew him. 
The father and mother of our subject are 
both living in Fond du Lac, the former being 
eighty-nine years old and the latter seventy. 
They were the parents of the following liv- 
ing children — Lyman B., Luc}^, now Mrs. 
Root ; Emma D. and Eva C, the wife of a 
Mr. Bryant. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject was John Everdell, a native of England, 
and a prosperous agriculturist in that land, 
lie raised a family of fourteen children, 
some of whom are now living at a very old 
age. He himself lived to be nearlv one 



hundred years old, and all through life en- 
joyed the most robust healtii. The parents 
of the mother of tlie subject of this sketch 
were Lyman and Sarah (Stone) Beecher, 
natives of Connecticut. Lyman Beecher 
was educated for a jihysician, but followed 
farming in Yermont. lie accidentally met 
his death by falling fi-om a loatl of hay upon 
a pitchfork, which pierced his body. They 
both died in Vermont, and were among the 
early settlers of that State. 

Lyman B. Everdell, of wiiom this sketch 
treats, worked on a farm in Wisconsin and 
attended school until he had reached the age 
of seventeen years. In 1859 he commenced 
the profession of school teaching and con- 
tinued to follow the same for two years. In 
August, 1861, he enlisted in the First "Wis- 
consin Infantry, Company K, in General 
Ncgley's brigade, and was discharged April 
1, 1863, on account of a- wounil received at 
Perryville, Kentucky, on the 8th of Octo- 
ber, 1862. After his discharge he resumed 
his studies and commenced a course at Ripon 
College, Wisconsin, where he remained a 
sliort time, and in January, 1864, re-enlisted 
in the Thii-tieth Wisconsin, and was pro- 
moted, first to the position of first lieuten- 
ant, and afterward to captain of Company I, 
Thirty-fifth Regiment. In May, 1866. the 
regiment was sent to Brownsville, Texas, to 
watch the movements of Maximilian. Mr. 
Everdell ])articipated in the following named 
battles — Perryville, Kentucky ; Nashville, 
Tennessee ; Atchafalaya River, and took part 
in the capture of Spanish Fort, Alabama, 
and the capture of Mobile. When Mr. Ever- 
dell returned from the front the second time 
he again entered the college at Ripon, from 
which he graduated in 1868. He was ena- 
bled to do this by keeping up with his class 
while he was in the service. After his grad- 
uation he secured the position of princi|)alof 
the high school at Ripon, Wisconsin, also at 
Lodi and Boscobel, in the same State. In 



288 



JiEl) jaVliK VALLEY AND 



1870 lie established llii' !Ji|i()ii Free Prega, 
and, after six iiiontlis, sold out and removed 
to Berlin, Wisconsin, where he connected 
himself with the Journal at that place. 
After four years in Berlin he was engaged as 
a teacher in tiie commercial college at Fond 
du Lac, Wiscf)nsin, which position he filled 
with credit and satisfaction until ISTC.. In 
1870 he was admitted to the bar. and during 
the same year commenced his pi'ofessional 
life as an attorney -a t-law in Fond du Lac. 
Wisconsin. In 1870 J[r. Everdeli removed 
to Brc^ckenridge, Minnesota, where Ik; opened 
a hiw oitice and has since resided. In 1880 
he was elected to the office of county attor- 
ney, which he held until the loth of Octo- 
ber, 1882, when lie resigned. 1I(^ was ap- 
])ointed judge of probate b^y tiie governor, 
and held that position until January, 1SS3. 
He is extensivelv enmio:ed in the law busi- 
ness and also devotes special attention to the 
pui'chase and sale of land and village prop- 
erty. 

Mr. Everdeli was married in ISCt! to Miss 
Annie Valentine, the daughter of Solomon 
and Sarah Valentine, and they are the par- 
ents of one child — Frank \. Mr. Everdeli 
is a democrat in his ]H)litiral affiliations, and 
is on(> of the leading citir.ens and attorneys 
in the northwestern pari of the State. He 
is a member (,f the Grand Army of the lie- 
pulilic, Sumner Post, .\o. -fO. He stands 
high in the couimunity in whicii he lives, 
both as an exemplary citizen 
lawyer. 



and an aiile 



H^lR. LEWIS C. DAVENPORT, dental 
surgeon, of Moorhead, Minnesota, is a 
man wIkj staiuls high in his chosen ])rofes- 
sion and carries with him the respect of the 
entire community in which lie lives. 

He is a native of Conneautville, Pennsyl- 
vania, born October lit, 1858. His parents 
are George and Hannah (Rhodes) Davenport, 



natives of New York and Pennsylvania, re- 
spectively. The father is a farmer and lives 
on thesame farm he went on with his parents 
fifty years ago. His father was Cornelius 
and his mother Caroline (Snyder) Davenport, 
natives of Painted T'ost, New York. He 
was also a farmer and folhjwed it durinir his 
life. Hannah Rhodes' ])arents were Lewis 
and Eli/.ebeth (Fettei'mani Rhodes, natives 
of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, wiiere thev 
were engaged at rariuing. They had a large 
family. The father was a democrat, strong 
in his ])olitical life, and held many local 
offices. His father's name was Thom;is, a 
native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- 
vania, who followed farm life throughout 
his days. It should here be stated that the 
Davenport family were Methodists and the 
Rhodes family, generally speaking, Pi-esby- 
terians. George Davenport had a family of 
three sons, two of whom are now living. 
They were i-eare<l on their parents" farm 
and both obtained a high school education. 
When eighteen years of age, our subject 
traveled two years for a firm at Rochester, 
New York, after which jieriod he studied den- 
tistry with Dr. (ieorge McDonnell, of Con- 
neautville, Pennsylvania, and also with Dr. 
Marshall 11. Webb, of Lancaster, in that 
State. Hegraduated from the dental depart- 
ment of the University of Pennsylvania in 
Philadelphia, in ISSO. He then came to 
Moorhead, Clay county, Minnesota, where he 
engaged in active practice. Our subject has 
been pi'csident of the Northwestern Dental 
Associa.tion, also is a member of the State 
Board of Dental Examiners. Dr. Davenjioi-t 
has an extensive pi'actice at various points 
in the Northwest. His office in Moorhead 
is situated on Front street, the tirst door 
west from the City Hall. 

Dr. Davenport was married in 1882 to 
Miss Ada L. AVebster, of Macpioketa, Iowa. 
She is the daughter of Bii'dsall and Frances 
(Smith) Webster. 



PAkK RKGICNS OF MINNESOTA. 



2S9 



(')ni- sul)ject is a splendid dentist and also 
a fine business man; lie owns land in north- 
ern Dakota anil has a residence in Moor- 
head. He stan(is in the forefront among 
the dentists in the Northwest. 

Politically he is a republican, and he is an 
acceptal)le member of the Knights of Pythias 
lodge at Mooi'head. 

«--J^^"4^ , 

fUDGE CHRISTIAN O. CHRISTIANSON, 
the present judge of the probate 
court of Polk county, Jlinnesota, and senior 
member of the firm of Christianson Pros., 
real estate dealers, loan and insurance 
agents, was born in the kingdom of Norway, 
April -fth, 1850, and is the son of Ole and 
Anna (N'idden) Christianson. When he was 
but eight years of age he was brougijt to the 
United States by his ]iarents, who settled in 
Allamakee county. Iowa, on a farm jnir- 
chased by his father. On the paternal aci-es 
he was reared, enjoying the excellent facili- 
ties for education presented by the schools of 
that district, and assisting in carrying on the 
farm. On attaining his majority in 1S71, he 
felt an inclination to investigate this portion 
of the country, and with that end in -view 
came to the Eed River Valley, in company 
with four or five others. On reacning 
Georgetown, Clay county, Minnesota, they 
there left their teams and after crossing the 
river, started on foot, northward, with the 
intention of onlv goinj;- a day oi- two's 
journey, but continued on until they reached 
Ft. Garr}', now Winni])eg, IVIanitoba. On 
their way back they took the Minnesota side 
of the river, and having but three oi' four 
days' supply of provisions, relying upon re- 
placing them on their route, and finding a 
deserted country, but four settlers within a 
distance of 200 miles, suffered for want of 
something to eat. The last three days their 
only food was one prairie chicken which they 



managed to kill, which was divided among 
the party. After a hard trij), which lasted 
three weeks, they reached Georgetown i)i a 
sorry condition and disgusted with the coun- 
trv and their experience there. At that time 
there was not a building \\\ Moorliead or 
Fargo, the few i)eo])le in that vicinity living 
in tents some four or live miles north of those 
l)oints, waiting to see where the coming rail- 
roa<l would cross the i-ivei', before taking 
their claims. 

The subject of this memoir returned to 
Allamakee county, Iowa, where he was em- 
ployed for about four years in general farm 
labor, or whatever he found to his advantage 
to do, but in the fall of 187."), wishing to 
supplement bis elementary education by a 
more extended course, he entered the Wau- 
kon Seminary, at the seat of justice of that 
county, and thoroughly availing himself of 
itsadvantages, remained thei'e for two years 
The two succeeding years he spent in teach- 
ing school in Iowa, but in ]8T!> removed to 
Lake Park, Pecker county, ]\Iinnesota, where 
he was employeil in the village school. He 
continued "to teach the young iilea how to 
shoot "in that locality until August, 1880, 
at which date he came to Polk county, and 
took a homestead in the town of Garfield, 
then just set off and organized as a civil 
township. In the fall of that year he also 
engaged in the wheat ti'ade at Peltrami, 
but made his home upon his farm, where he 
remained until 1882, serving as county com- 
missioner from that district, cliairman of the 
town l)oard, and assessor. 

Entering the ein})loy <jf the Pillsbiuy A: 
Hubliard Elevator Company, in August, 1882, 
Mr. Chi-istianson went to Alexandii;i, Doug- 
las county, where he had charge of the 
elevator belonging to that comi)any. In 
March, 1883, the corporation transferred him 
to Fargo, where he remained in superinten- 
dence of their business until August, 1885, 
when, dissolving his connection with the 



290 



JiKI) KIVER VALLEY AND 



companj% he came to Crookston. In com- 
pany with H. L. Malgaard, he embarked in 
the loan, real estate and insurance business, 
and remained in partnership with that 
gentlemen until March, 1886, when Ole O. 
Christianson, the brother of our subject, 
purchased the interest of Mr. Malgaard, and 
the present llrm was formed. 

At the fall election of 1886, Mr. Christian- 
son was elected to the office of judge of the 
probate court, and perrormiiig the duties of 
that position to tlie eminent satisfaction of 
the people of thccommunity, was nominated 
by acclamation at tlie cc^nvention in 1888, 
and re-elected his own successor Ijy a hand- 
some majority. He has always been thor- 
oughly identified with the republican ])arty, 
and has been a stanch supporter of its 
principles. Socially he is an active and 
prominent member of Crookston lodge. No. 
78, A. O. U. W. 



«4>^ 



^iljI^HOMAS B. GILLESBY, one of the 
yly ])rominent members of tlie farming- 
community of the Park Regions of Minne- 
sota, is a resident of seel ion 30, Logan town- 
ship. Grant county, ilinnesota. lie is a na- 
tive of Canada, born in Wentworth county 
on tlie 8th of Februaiw, 1847, and is the son 
of Bernard and Agnes (Hutchinson) Giilesby, 
natives of England. Tlie parents of our sub- 
ject came to this country at an early day and 
settled in Canada. They were the parents 
of the following ciiiidren — Thomas E., 
George, John, Margret, Robert, Mary 
Agnes, William Bernard, Albert Andrew, 
and Sarah A. King. Robert was drowned 
at the age of twenty-six years. 

The subject of this biographical sketch 
spent his school-days in his native land, and 
at the age of nineteen years left the school- 
room and for the next four years helped his 



father on the home farm. He then went to ' 
Michigan, where he remained ten months 
and then settled in Wisconsin, wliere he en- j 
gaged in farming for one month, ^[r. ' 
Giilesby then removed to Minneapolis, , 
Minnesota, where lie remained for three 1 
or four years. He then entered the em- ' 
ploy of the Northern Tacific Survey Com- 
pany, and during the suinuicr of 1872 
crossed the plains and the succeeding 
summer surveyed on the boundary line, 
returning to Minneapolis. After remaining 
in Minnea]iolis for a short time he returned 
to his native laud, remaining there for some ' 
little time visiting the scenes of his child- 
hood. Soon he returned to the Fnited 
States and again settled in Minneapolis, 
where he lived until 187!). In 1879 he went 
to Grant county, Minnesota, where he settled 
on his ]iresent place on section 30, Logan 
township. He at once commenced imjirove- 
ments, breaking the soil and putting up sub- 
stantial building improvements. He has 
since devoted his attention exclusively to 
general farming and stock-raising. 

Our subject is one of the representative men 
of his township, and takes an active intei'est 
in all public and educational matters lie 
lias held the offices of supervisor of his 
township and also I'oudmaster. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, and .stands 
hitrh in the communitv in which he lives, 
both as a neighbor and an exemplary 
citizen. 

Mr. Giilesby was married June 2."), 1874, 
to Miss Catharine McLaien, and tlieii' union 
has been blessed with six children, as follows 
— Emma, born March 17, 1875, died Septem- 
ber 19, 1878; Agnes E. and Maggie E. 
(twins), born April 28, 1877, died in August, 
1877; Robbie A., still living; Kate B., born 
February 9, 1886, died June 16, 1888; and 
AVilliam R., living. Mr. and Mrs. Giilesby 
are regular attendants of the Methodist 
church. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



291 



John M. RUGGLES, register of deeds in 
^ ami for Ilichlaiid county, Nortli I)ai;ota, 
is one of tiie leading citizens of Walipeton. 
His biith took place in Orleans county. New 
Voi'lc, on the 15th day of March, 1847. 

Mr. Ruggles' parents were Darwin D. and 
Annie (Vallance) Ruggles, natives of New 
York State and England, respectively. In 
his younger days at Holley, Orleans county, 
New York, the father was engaged in the 
business of wagon-making and later in life 
became a pattern-maker. He made the first 
patterns of the Curtis iron beam plow at 
Albion, New York. He was of an inventive 
turn of mind and was one of the inventors of 
the gang and iron ])lows. In 1807 he 
removed to Michigan, where he is now en- 
gaged in the firm of Smith Brothers & 
liUi^iiies, (ietilers in earriaoces, wagons, sleighs 
and cutters. Darwin Ruggles' parents were 
Martin ami xVnnie (Janes) Ruggles, natives 
of Connecticut, the father being a millwright 
by trade. Martin's father was Timothy 
Ruggles, also a millwright, the latter being 
a son of Rev. Edward Ruggles. The family 
is of Englisli tlescent. 

The mother of the subject of our sketch 
was the daughter of John and Lucy (Lan- 
grage) Vallance, natives of England. They 
came to America in 1832 and settled at Hol- 
ley, Orleans county, New York, where Mr. 
\'allance followed the milling business. 

Darwin D. Ruggles had a family of two 
children — John il.. whose name appears at 
at the head of this sketch, and Edward J., a 
I'armei' in Richland county, North Dakota. 
The mother died at Hillsdale, Michigan, 
Janiuiry Ki, 1867. 

Tlu! subject of our sketch attended school 
in Orleans county. New York, and also 
in Noble and Elkhart counties, Indiana. 
His spare time out of school was occupied in 
work in his father's factory. "When but 
seventeen years of age, May 10, 1864, he en- 
listcil in Company B, One Hundred and 



Thirty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. 
He enlisted for one hundred days, but re- 
mained for seven months, doing service on 
guard duty between Chattanooga and 
Nashville. After his service in the Union 
Army was completed he returned to his 
parents' home in Indiana, where he re- 
mained until he was twent}' years old. 
He then engaged as foreman for R. 
M. & W. S. Lockhart, of Waterloo 
city, in the lumber business, with his head- 
quarters at Ligonier, Noble county, Indiana. 
He continued with this company for three 
years, during which time he traveled exten- 
sively over the State, looking for and buying 
lumber and having under his constant super- 
vision a large force of men. July -f, 1873, 
Mr. Ruiigles came to Richland countv, North 
Dakota, being among the very first settlers 
in that region. He at once located on a 
quarter section of land two miles west of 
where the city of Wahpeton now stands. 
For live years he remained on the farm and 
gave his time and attention assiduously to 
its cultivation and improvement, in the 
meantime adding eighty acres more thereto. 

Ml'. Ruggles was wedded on June 14, 
1868, to Miss Rosa A. Arnold, a daughter of 
John P. and Martha B. Arnold, natives of 
Ohio. One daughter, Leora, blessed this 
union. Mrs. Ruifgles died in 1880. Mr. 
Ruggles' second marriage was to Miss Mary 
K. Mulvey, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, by 
whom he has had one child, Darwin Wahpe- 
ton, the first male baby born in the town of 
Walipeton. 

Mr. Ruggles is a leading citizen of his 
town and county and the confidence placed 
in him by liis friends and fellow-citizens has 
been signally manifested in various wa3's. 
He has been honored by being placed in 
many positions of trust, and in every case ' 
has proven a capable and trustworthy officer. 
In 1876 he was elected register of deeds for 
Richland county, which position he now 



292 



RED Rn'KK WII.LEY AND 



holds. In 1881 he was elected clerk of the 
courts iitul for two 3'ears attended to the 
dnties of that otfico. For four years 1k> held 
acceptably the position of county superin- 
tendent of schools. He is a loyal republican 
and is a member of the ]\Iasonic fraternity 
and the G. A. K. lie iieli>cd in the organi- 
zation of the county and has at all times 
since been a warm supporter of everythin<>- 
that tended towai-d its prosperity and finan- 
cial develoimient. He lives in one of the 
best I'esidences in the city. 



^''^^HARLES A. DALEY is a dealer m 
boots and shoes and gents' furnishing 
goods in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. He is also president of the Ot- 
ter Tail flouring mills at Fergus Falls, and is 
oiu! of the dii'ectors of the Fergus Falls 
National 15anl<. His l)usiness house is located 
at No. 227 Lincoln avenue east. 

Ml'. Daley is a native; of Cortland county. 
New York, and was born on the 2d day of 
June, 1849 He is the son of Charles L. and 
Jane(Spence) Daley, the former a native of 
Connecticut and the latter of Vermont. The 
father was a miller by trade. He came to 
Sauk county, Wisconsin, in 1855, and there 
followed the mercantile business until 1870. 
He has e.vtensive landed property, and is now 
in the business of maUing loans, and since 
187i' be lias also been in the agricultural im- 
j)lemenl business. In the father's family 
there were two sons — Chai'les A., thesubject 
of our sketch, and Thomas R., now an ex- 
tensive stock-farmer in Wisconsin. Thefani- 
ilv have all been successful in business, anil 
have acquired considerable fortune. 

The subject of our sketch s])ent hisyounger 
days under the parental roof, and al lifteiMi 
years of age engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness. He first started in this line in 
Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he remained 



in active business for ten years. In the 
years 1867, '68 and '69, he was in Milwaukee, 
and from 1873 to 1880 was in business in 
Madison. In 1881 he came to Fergus Falls, 
^liiincsota.and having considerable means, he 
at once engaiied in business, building a large 
brick block twenty-five by ninety feet, where 
he opened his jiresent establishment and 
where he has since continued. He has one of 
the most extensive trades in Fergus Falls. 
Soon after coming to this city hi' built a fine 
dwelling on the corner of Uroadway and 
Lincoln avenues, in which he put all motlern 
improvements. This to-day is indeed a 
beautiful home. He has extensive landed 
interests in this county besides the cajjital 
he has invested in other business. He 
was one of the organizers of the Otter Tail 
County Mills, which were established in 
1886. This mill lias the largest capacity of 
any in the city. 

]\Ir. Daley was married in 1877 to Miss 
Jennie i\l. Phelps, the daughter of D. II. 
Phelps, of Sauk county, Wisconsin. 

Mr. Daley is acknowledged to lie (me of 
most jn'ogressive citizens of Fergus Falls. 
In all matters tending to the financial im- 
provement of the city in the way of estab- 
lishing new lines of business or iin])roving 
city property he has certainly no peer. He 
has been one of the most liljeral siqiporters in 
the way of helping to l)uild up |)ul>lic insti- 
tutions that is to be found in Otter Tail 
county. He has always contriiiuted largely 
toward the support of schools and churches. 
He became associated with the Bank of 
Fergus Falls in 1884. In politics Mr. Daley 
is a republican, and is now alderman of the 
Third Ward of Fergus Falls. He is a promi- 
nent incmberof the Masonic fraternity, and 
is a ineml)er of the Congregational society. 
In his mercantile business Mr. Daley has 
made an excellent success, carries an exten- 
sive stock of gootls, employing two clerks, 
and does a large and increasing business. 



PARK RF.a/ONS OF MINNESOTA. 



293 



^g^ENERAL HORATIO JENKINS, 
^^PT county attorney of Douglas county, 
Minnesota, is one of the leading- lawyers of 
Alexandria. He is a native of the city of 
Boston, Massachusetts, and was born ]\rarch 
3, is:',7. He is the son of Horatio and Mary 
Sv (Sims) Jenkins, both of whom were na 
tives of Massachusetts. IVfr Jenkins, senior, 
was engaged in tiie ship-chandlery l)usiness 
until ISfiS, when he turned his face west- 
ward, coming to ^Minnesota. He settled in 
Wasioja, Dodge county, where he purchased 
land and engaged in farming for two years, 
after which time he came to Douglas county 
and settled in Alexandria, where he engaged 
in tlie hardware business with George C. 
Sims. He continued in this business until 
his death, which occurred in June, 1878. 
Mrs. Jenkins, the mother of the subject of 
this sketch, is still living in Alexandria. 
There were three children in this family, 
two of whom are now living — Charles E., of 
Dayton, Washington Territory, engagetl in 
fanning, and Horatio, our suliject. 

Atloi'ney Jenkins received his education 
in Massachusetts. He attended Yale College 
for two vears and then went to the Harvard 
Law School, where he remained one year, 
wliile at the same time he read law in an 
office in Boston. He enlisted in the Union 
service in April, 1861, as a private in Com- 
pany I, Fifth Regiment, Massachusetts In- 
fantry. This was on the call for three 
months' service, it being the first call 
lor volunteers that the president issued. 
Mr. Jenkins was in the lirst battle of Bull Hun. 
This was at the close of his enlistment. 
After this he helped to raise Com])any (t, 
Fourth Massachusetts Infantry, and took the 
office of first lieutenant, and remained in the 
service until December, 1865. His sei'vices 
during the war were exceedingly meritorious 
and his conduct was such as to receive the 
comniondation of his superior officers. In 
1862 he was appointed captain, in ISO-l was 



commissioned a major, and received a lieu- 
tenant-colonel's commission the same year. 
Under the request of the governor of Massa- 
chusetts he was honorably discharged from 
the infantry service that he might accept the 
commission of lieutenant colonel of the 
I''ourth Massachusetts Cavalry, by order of 
the secretary of war. He had conferred on 
him bv Andrew Johnson, the president, by 
and with the advise and consent of the sen- 
ate, the rank of colonel, on the 6th of April, 
1865, foi- special gallantry at High Bridge, 
Virginia. On the 28rd of April. I86.1, he re- 
ceived his commission from John A. Andrew, 
governor of Massachusetts, which made him 
colonel of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. 
He received the title of brigadier general on 
the l?.th of March, 1865, for his gallant con- 
duct ami efficient services, on the recom- 
mendation of General Grant. It will be 
seen that General Jenkins received many 
honors for his efficient service while in the 
Union ai'uiy, but it was not all honor that 
he received; he saw much hard service. On 
the 6th of April, 1865. at High Bridge, he 
received a severe woiiiul and was taken pris- 
oner, but the next morning a rescuing ]iarty 
from General Sheridan's commaiul rescued 
him and put his captors to flight. In May, 
1864, he was captured by the enemy and 
confined in prison for four months. He 
spent some time in Libljy ])rison, also in Ma- 
con, Charleston and Columbia. After four 
months, however, he contrived to escape and 
found his way back to the Union lines. After 
the war Mr. Jenkins stopped a short time in 
Massachusetts. In 1880 he came to Alexan- 
dria, and on arriving here, opened a law office 
and engaged in the practice of law. He was 
elected county attorney in 1884, which i)osi- 
tion he has hekl ever since. 

General Jenkins was married in 1862 to 
]\riss Sarah L. Jameson, who was the daughter 
of Hugh Jameson, of Nashua. Xew Hamp- 
shire. Three children have bles-sed this 



294 



KED RIVER VALLEY .4 A E) 



union — GertnitJe, Joannio, and Ilofatio. 
junior. 

General Jenkins is one of the leaxling at- 
tornevs west of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 
lie enjoys a large jn'actice, is respected 
and esteenietl by his I'cllnw-townsnicii, and is 
known to be one of the most entci-prising 
citizens of Alexandria. He is, in })()litics. a 
repul)lican. and on many occasions has l>y no 
uncertain sound given the peo])le of Alex- 
andria and vicinity to know what his prin- 
ciples were. He is a mciniicr of the Masonic 
and Od<l Fellows fraternities, and also of the 
G. A. R.,and is post commander of the Rey- 
nolds post of Alexandria. Mr. Jenkins is a 
careful, painstaking lawyer and is fine of the 
best orators in the Northwest. 



5-4"- 



ELS H. MYRAN, tlie postmaster at 
Elbow Lake, Grant county, Minne- 
sota and also deputy sheriff of that county, 
is a native of Iowa. He was born in Winiu;- 
sheik county on the 3(>th of Mai'ch, IS.oT), and 
is a son of Helga and Tilda (Tiiompson) 
Myi'an. natives of Norway. The jiai'cnts 
came to tiie United States in about 1847 
and settled in Muskego, Wisconsin, where 
they lived for ten years. Removing from 
Wisconsin, the family settled in Iowa, six 
miles from Decoi'ah, where the parents have 
since lived. The father was a farmer. He 
died in December, 1887. The mother is 
still living in Iowa. They were the jiavents 
of nine children — Nels, John, Helga, Tor- 
ger, Caroline, Anna, Isabelle, Tilda and 
Eertha. 

Nels, the subject of this ai'ticle, spent his 
school-days in Iowa, attending the district 
schools in Madison township, Winnesheik 
county, until he was seventeen years of age, 
when be entered the Decoiah Institute, re- 
mainino- there a siiort time. He then learned 



the carpenter's trade, which he followed un- 
til 1880 in Winneshiek and various other 
counties in Iowa. He next rem<>v(,'(i to 
Ridgeway, Winneshiek county, Iowa, where 
he secui'ed the position of clerk for (4ali)y cV' 
Aakei- of that place. Aftei- working for 
this firm for foui' oi- live years he removed to 
Minnesota, settling in Elbow Lake, (irant 
county, in 1884-. Soon after taking up his 
residence in this place, he established a gen- 
eral merchandise store, putting u|j a building 
in which he now has the postoffice. 

Mr. My ran \vas married in 1887 to Miss 
Carrie Ronning, and this union has been 
blessed with one child. ()iir subject has 
held various local offices in his town, as 
township clerk, constable for two years, 
and was appointed deputy sheriff of Grant 
county in 1885, which position he has lilled 
with credit to himself and universal satis- 
faction." He and his family are con- 
stant attendants of the Lutheran church. In 
political affairs he takes an active interest in 
all the movements of the democratic ])artv 
and is one of th(> representative men of the 
count V. 



-«- 



PI'eLS KJELDSON, who is engaged in 
_S^^Jl the real estate, loan and insurance 
business in the village of Ada. Minnesota, 
and who is one of the most public-spirited 
and ])roniinent citizens of that place, came 
to that section of j\linnesota in June, 1879, 
and at that time purchaseil a farm some 
twenty miles northeast of Ada. That .sum- 
mer he spent in its tillage and improvement, 
but in the fall returned to Granite Falls, 
Yellow Medicine count », Alinnesota, where 
he i-emained the following winter. In the 
spring of 1880 he returned to this county 
with the intention of nudving a permanent 
settlement, and cominenced in earnest the 
cultivation of his farm. 



PARK REGIONS OF MrNNESOTA. 



295 



On tlieoi-ganization of Norma n count\% in 
the fall of ISSl. Mr Kjeklson was appointed 
register of deeds, and at the fall election in 
tiie year 1S82 was chosen his own successoi'. 
His strict attention to the duties of his office, 
and his faithfulness in X\w discharge of them, 
hrouglit its own reward, foi' the people of 
tiie county, appreciating liis efforts, in the 
autumn of 1SS4 again re-elected him to the 
same office, and thus he served the people in 
that I'esponsihle office for full five years. At 
the exph'ation of that term he established 
his ])resent l)usiness, he having during the 
last two or three years in office had some 
experience in I'eal estate transactions, giving 
some attention to that branch of business in 
the intervals of his duties. 

Mr. Kjeldson is the owner of some 1,200 
acres of land in various portions of the 
countv, a part of wlncii is improved and 
under cultivation. To one farm of 280 
acres, some eleven miles northwest of Ada, 
of which 150 acres are under tillage, he 
gives his personal attention, carrying on 
farming there in connection with his busi- 
ness. Besides this large amount of land ho 
is the owner of his place of business and a 
neat and tasty residence in the village, and 
is ranked among the prosperous and go-ahead 
busmess men of Atla. He was appointed 
notai'v ]iublic by the governor of Minnesota, 
in Januaiy, 1SS7, and is one of tlie justices 
of the ])('ace of the village and a member of 
the school board. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of 
the city of Chicago, Illinois, born June 15, 
lSi5. While he was still but a lad his par- 
ents removed to Columbia county, "Wiscon- 
sin, and settlwl on a farm. There he was 
reared and given all the facilities to avail 
himself of the educational advantages offered 
by the common schools of that district, and 
finished with a course in the Lutheran Col- 
lege at Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa. 
After spending two yeai's in the latter widely 



celebrated and most highly extolled institu- 
tion of learning, he removed to Watonwan 
county, Minnesota, in 187(i, and was there 
employed for the next foui- or five years in 
various kinds of work, among the chief of 
which were farming and school-teaching. 

In 1875 Mr. Kjeldson removed to Yellow 
Medicine county and there followed farming 
and teaching, varied with some clerical labor 
in the stores of Granite Falls, but in 1879 
came to Norman county, as already men- 
tioned above. Since coming to this part of 
the State he has been highly successful in 
his life's work and has grown into the confi- 
dence and i-espect of the whole community. 
He is a zealous and consistent member of 
the Evangelical Lutheran comnninion, and is 
quite active in all I'eligious work. In his 
business I'elations he is known as a shrewd, 
honest and straightforward gentleman, and 
has built up by his own etfoits a large and 
lucrative business. 



JTaMES E. SULLIVAN, a prosiierous and 
^ enterjM'ising farmer of East Grand Forks 
township, Polk county, Minnesota, is a resi- 
dent of section 1, where he is engaged in gen- 
eral farming operations. He is a native of 
Canada, born in Renfrew county, Ontario, 
May 9, 1840, and is the son of Andrew and 
Ellen (Enrioht) Sullivan, natives of Ireland. 
Mr. Sullivan, the subject, of this biograph- 
ical sketch, remained in his native land, at- 
tending school until he was fourteen years of 
affe. Durins: his schooldavshe wouhl work 
on the home farm in the summers and in odd 
hours, and after leaving the school-room he 
at once went to work on his father's farm and 
continued to assist his father in farming 
until October, 1875. He then determined 
to find a suitable place «to locate and jour- 
ne3'ed to Polk county, Minnesota. He 



296 



KKD RIVI-.K VALI.IiY A.XD 



traveled from place to place aiul from Polk 
county went to Manitoba. Xot liking- tlie 
surronndiiigs up there, ho returned to East 
Grand Forks and made a verl)al contract 
for a farm. lie tlien returned to Ontario 
and sold the farm he iiad inherited frf)m 
his father, and ai^aiii returned to East 
Grand Forks. In iht^ spring of 1876 lie 
moved his family and took a deed of tiie 
farm where he now lives, lie iias a line. 
large farm comprising I.2(i0 acres, all well 
under cultivation. He has imiircjved the 
surroundings, erected a fine l)ricl< dwelling- 
house, also a large barn and otlier buildings. 
He is engaged in a general fai'niing and stock- 
raising business, and is one of tlu^ largest 
farmers in the county. 

Mr. Sullivan was united in maniage on 
the 22(1 day of February. ISSl, to Miss 
Bridget IIogan,tlie daughtei'of Patrick and 
Sarah (Moran) Hogan, natives of Ii'eland. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have been blessed 
with the following children — Leslie, Jose- 
phine, Clara and Laura. Mr. Sullivan, with 
his family, belongs to the Catholic church. 
In political mattei's he is a democrat. 

He is an excellent business man ; a man of 
the strictest honor and integrity, and is 
highly esteemed both as a neighbor and an 
exemplary citizen. He is justly rated as 
oneof the most solid and substantial citizens 
in Polk countv. 



-^^ 



WAN AUSLUND. In examining the 
s^/ biographies of the ])r'ominent mem- 
bers of the faiining community in the notetl 
Red River \'alley and Park Ilegioiis of Min- 
nesota, it will be noticed, that the Scandi- 
navian race furnishes many of the most 
thrifty, frugal and creditable citizens of that 
retrion of the countrv. The suljjeet of this 
memoir is a successful aiul highlv esteemed 



I agriculturist of Land township.Grant county, 
^linnesota. He is a native of Sweden, born 
in the northern part of that kingdom on the 
17th of October, 1:?49, and is the .son of 
Samuel and Anna (Norstrom) Olson, natives 
of tiie same kingdom. They were farmers 
and lived and tlied 111 their native land. 
They were the parents of the following chil- 
dren^ — Olaf, Lars, Samuel, Johan, Andrew, 
.Vmelia. Elizebeth, Margret and Swan, the 
subject of this article. 

Swan Auslund spent his boyhood days in 
his native land, attending the excellent 
common schools of that land until he had 
attained the age of twenty years. In 1870 
he decided to seek his fortune in a new er 
land, and accordingly set sail for the "land 
of thefree." After landing on American soil 
he settled in West Dayton, Iowa, where he 
remained one year, and then removed to 
(4rant county, Minnesota. In the fall of 
1871 he settled on a homestead of Ifio acres 

I of land on section 22, Land township, 
where he hassincecoiitinued to reside, carry- 
ing on a successful fariningand stock-raising 
Inisiness. He has one of the most desir- 
able tracts of land in the county, and is 
rated as one of the most substantial and 

' intelligent farmers in the conntv. 

Mr. Auslund was united in marriage to 
Miss Matilda Peterson, A])ril S, 1876, and 
this union luis i)een blessed with six chil- 
dren, four of whom are living — Sven J., 
William L., Anna C. and Amelia, ()., and 
John F. and Oscar S., deceased. 

Mr. Auslund is a stanch adherent to the 
principles of the republican ]KH'ty, and ever 
takes an active interest in all that i)arty's 
campaigns. He has held various local offi- 
ces in his township, including school clerk, 
justice of the peace, town clerk, and was 
elected county commissioner in the fall of 
1888. He and his family are miMiibers of 
the Lutheran cliun-h. of which organization 
he is secretarv. 



P.IKK REGIONS OF MIXNESOTA. 



297 



/i^ DWARD FAY, the efficient and pop- 
Vl^ ukir [xjstmaster at T\[ooi'liead, Minne- 
sota, among otiier enterprising men of Moor- 
liead and surrounding conntiy, is entitled to 
a place in this connection, as he is closely 
identified witii the people and has taken a 
prominent part in all public matters. 

He is a native of Irelantl, born in 1S3S. 
II is parents were Tiiomas and Bridget 
(Devlin) Fay, Tiie ])arents were engaged in 
farming in Ireland, where the father died in 
1842. Seven years later, 1849, the widowed 
mother and our subject came to America, 
first settling in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, 
where they remained until 1852. They 
removed from Wisconsin to Pleasant Valley, 
Winona county, Minnesota, where they 
lived until 185r) and then moved to Waseca 
count}', of the same State. The mother died 
there in 1884. 

Our subject remained with his muthei', until 
1863, on the farm, which he ojierated until 
he went into tlie employ of the old Minne- 
sota Stage Company, acting as their agent 
at Winona, St. Paul, New Uim, St. Peter 
and other points. He remained in this 
capacity until 1874, then came to Moorhead 
and was in the employ of the American Ex- 
press Company until 1886. At this date he 
received the appointment from President 
Grover Cleveland as postmaster at Moorhead, 
wiiich place he still holds. After his removal 
to this cit\^ he pnrciiased city property and 
built a handsome residence on Thii-d street. 

Mr. Fay was united in marriage to Miss- 
Annie Fitzgibbon, a native of Cincinnati, 
Ohio. Siic is tile daughter of Patrick Fitz 
gibbon. This union has been blessed by six 
children— Thomas F., AVilliam P. (twins), 
Edward, ilaiy, Annie and James. 

In politics Mr. Fay is a democrat, always 
having taken a leading and active part in all 
matters of public interest. Both' he and his 
estimable wife are members of the Roman 
Catholic chui'cli. 



^^lyTARRY H. SNELL. 



Prominent among 



IKL the editoi's and publishei's of the Red 
River Valley and Park Regions is the gentle- 
man whose name heads tins biogra])hical 
sketch, the editor of the Barnesville Iter'aw, 
published at Barnesville, Clay county, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of Canada, born in 
Ontario in 1860. He remained in his native 
land, attending the excellent common schools 
until he was eighteen years of age. He tiien 
commenced in life for himself, and for the 
next eight years was in different localities 
and engaged in various occupations. In 1886 
he removed to Breckenridge, Wilkin county, 
Minnesota, and with Mr. Gunn purchased the 
Mercury, a weekly pa[)er published at Wah- 
peton, Dakota Territory-. They moved the 
office to the villao'e of Breckenridge and Mr. 
Snell remained there operating the ]iaper 
until September, 1888. He then bought the 
Revieio and has since opei-ated this paper at 
Barnesville. The paper was established in 
1883, and, at the time Mr. Snell purchased it, 
was a democratic oi-gan. He changed the 
political creed of the paper, making it more 
of an independent or republican publication. 
He has materially improved the ]ia])ei-, both 
in appearance and editorially, and it lias an 
extensive circulation. It has a circulation of 
ovei'five hundred copies, and the publisher 
is rapidly adding to his patronage. The 
office does a good job and advertising busi- 
ness, and the paper is recognized as one of 
the best journals in C'lay count}'. 



«^^ 



aON. LUTHER L. BAXTER is judge 
of the district comprising the coun- 
ties of Otter Tail, Douglas, Todd. Pope, 
Stearns, Morrison. Benton, Slierburne and 
Mille Lacs. He is a native of Cornwall, 
Vermont, born in 1832, and is the son of 
Channcey and Plulena (Peet) Baxter, both of 
whom were natives of the State of Vermont. 



298 



RED K] I KK I ALU: ) ' . / XD 



The subject of our sketcli was reared on 
tlie home farm, receiving a common school 
education until lie was fifteen years of age. 
At tliat age he attended tlie Castieton Semi- 
nary at Castieton, \'ermont, for one year, 
after which for a ])eriod of two years he was 
a student at Norwich LTniversity in that 
State. At the close of this two years' course 
he commenced reading law at MiddJebury, 
Vermont, and most of Iiis studies wei'e prose- 
cuted under theiiislruction of Juilge Horatio 
Seymom-. He continued his studies for tliree 
years, and in 1S54 was admitted to tlie bar 
in the supreme court at Ottawa. Ilhnois. 
After his graduation lie went to Geneva, 
Wisconsin, tliis lieing in May, 1854, where 
lie engaged in the practice of law. i'emaining 
until 18.57. In tiiis year he came into tiie 
8tate of ilinnesota, settUng at Cliaska, Carver 
county, where lie cnigaged in the practice of 
his profession until the breaking out of tlie 
war. He enlisted in Company A, Fourth 
Ilegiment, Minnesota Volunteers, receiving a 
commission as captain. In April, 1862, he 
was promoted to the rank of major. In the 
fall of ISOii he resigned his commissi(jn and 
returned to Minnesota, settling in Shakojiee. 
Here he continued in the practice of law 
until 186-1-, when he accepted the position of 
majorin thcMinnesota Heavy Artillery. Later 
he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant- 
colonel, and continued in the service until the 
close of tlie war. He saw service in the sieae 
of Corinth, in 1802, and was in the ixittle of 
Corinth in the same fall with the Fourth 
Minnesota. In his last service he participated 
in the liattle of Nashville At the close of 
the war he returned to Shakopee, where 
he again commenced the practice of law, 
in which he continued until 1868. At this 
time lie removed to Cliaska, continuine: 
in the practice of his professic^n until 1882, 
when lie removed to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. In 1858-9 hewasjutige 
of [irobate in Carver county, Minnesota. and 



was appointed by Governor Sibley as prose- 
cuting attorney of the Fourth Judicial dis- 
trict. In 1863 and part of 186-1 he was 
prosecuting attorney of Scott count\', ilin- 
nesota. In 1878-9 he was county attorney of 
Carver county. In 186-4 he was elected sen- 
ator from Scntt county and held that office 
until iscit. From 1869 to 1883, with the 
exception of the three j'ears, 1876, '77 and 
'78. he was a member of the house or senate 
from Carver county, holding continuous 
office in the upper oi- lower branch of the 
legislature during that entire time. In .March, 
ISS."). he was a])|)()iiite(l to his present judi- 
cial otlice, and in the fall of Isst; waselected 
thereto. 

On the luth ilay of Seiiteinber, I8r>6, Judge 
Baxter was married to Miss Emma Ward, of 
Geneva, Wisconsin, liv whom he has one liv- 
ing child, Chauncey L., an attorney, located 
at Perham, Minnesota. Mrs. Baxter died on 
the 4th of June, 1872. His second marriage 
was to Miss Barbara Duchs, of Cliaska, Min- 
nesota, by whom he has one living child. 
Bertha. His third marriage was to Miss 
Emma Child, of Glencoe, Minnesota. 

Judge Baxter is a democrat in politics, is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity and of 
the (t. a. li. He has considerable money 
invested in Fergus Falls, owning a line resi- 
dence in which he lives, besides other houses 
which he has rented. The judge is a man of 
marked legal ability, gen ial.warni-liearled and 
social as a man, before whom all attorneys in 
tlie district like to ]iractice, feeling that at 
all times their cases ami themselves will 
receive just and proper consideration at his 
hands. In all his adjudications of cases that 
are brought before him he has been fair and 
impartial, and is without doubt one of the 
ablest of the judiciary of the State of Min- 
nesota. Although a democrat politically, he 
is not an offensive partisan, as will be seen 
by the fact that, although a democrat, he 
was elected to his office bv the franchises of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



299 



many republicans. Asa man he is lionored 
and esteemed in liis home, and as a judge is 
respected throughout tiie district. 



,«« 



,M^SA H. SNOW, retired, is a resident of 
'I^^ Wahpeton, liiciihind county. North 
Dakota, lie is a native of Pomfret, Wind- 
sor county, Vermont, wiiei-e he was horn 
July 2G. 182.3. 

Mr. Snow's parents were JIartin and Lydia 
(Hayes) Snow, the I'oi'mer a native of Pom- 
fret, and tlie latter of AVindsor county, Ver- 
mont. Martin's parents wei-e Samuel and 
Betsey (Perkins) Snow, natives of Bridge- 
water, Massachusetts, and farmei's by occu- 
pation. Samuel's parents were Jonathan 
and Sarah Snow, the former being the son of 
William antl Rebecca Snow. William Snow 
was born in England, in about 162-i, and 
came to America in 1637, settling at West 
Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was one of 
the pioneers of the United States, and no 
doubt the en tire Snow family in Aniericacame 
from this stock. Lydia Hayes, the mother 
of the sul)ject of our sketch, was the daugh- 
ter of Philemon Hayes, a native of Sharon, 
Vermont, and of Englisli descent. He was a 
farmer by occupation, as were most of the 
ancestors of the Snow family. Martin and 
Lydia Snow had a family of four children, 
two of whom ai'e now living — Eliza, now 
Mrs. Hewett, and Asa II., whose name ap- 
pears at the head of this sketch. 

The subject of our sketch remained at 
home during his early life and was given 
e.xcelient educational advantages. At four- 
teen he went to tlie military academy at Nor- 
wich, \'ermont, from Avliich institution he 
graduated in 1842. He then went to Mary- 
land and taught school for tiiree years, 
removing at the end of that time to Boston, 
where he engaged in clerking off and on for 
ten years. Tiiree years <;f tliis time, how- 



ever, was spent more or less in gold mining 
in California. Fi-om Boston he went to Man- 
chester, where he engaged principally in 
clerking for two years. He then returned to 
A^ermont, where he remained some three 
years. In June, 1862, he enlistedasa private 
in Company D, Ninth Kegiment, Vermont 
Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the ser- 
vice for three years. He was engaged in a num- 
ber of severe battles and was taken prisoner at 
Harper's Ferry, but was soon released. 
ilay 24, 1863, he was commissioned second 
lieutenant of his company, and for some 
time was provost marshal on detached duty 
in North Carolina. After the close of the 
war he returned to Vei'mont, locating soon 
after in Claremont, New Hampshire, wliere 
he engaged in the lumber business for ten 
years. From thence he went to Ilion, New 
York, where he remained in the employ of 
the Remingtons for eighteen months. He 
then removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
where he engaged in clerking for four years. 
In 1880 he came to Wahpeton, North Da- 
kota, where he has i-esided ever since. For 
two years he clerked in the register of deeds' 
office, and then for five years worked in the 
treasurei''s office, since wliicli he has lived a 
retireii life. He built his jiresent residence 
on the corner of Pembina avenue and Fifth 
street. He was town clerk one year and has 
held other minor positions. Mr. Snow is a 
man of wide travel and extensive reading 
and is held in high esteem by his fellow- 
townsmen. 

In 188-J Mr. Snow was united in marriage 
to Mrs. Ciuxrlotte Cummings. daughter of 
Eben II. and Mercy (Brewer) Russell, na- 
tives of Wintlsor. Vermont. Her father 
was engaged extensivelv in farming. Her 
parents had a family of twelve children, 
four (if whom are now living — Mrs. Snow, 
Ellen, now Airs. Taylor; Melissa, now Mrs. 
Downer, and Belle, now Mrs. BiUmgs. Mr. 
Snow has one son, Clai'ence A., who niai'- 



300 



RED RIVEK I'ALI.I-.y AXD 



ried Jennie Dickerson. Mrs. Snow liad two 
chiklren l)y her lornioi' husband — Fi'ank E., 
nnirried to Miss Flora Taylor, and IIi'rl)ert 
A. Mrs. Sni)\v is one of the leading ladies 
of the city and is a consistent member of the 
(^ontrieiiational churcli. She is also a mov- 
ing spirit in the Lailies' Aid Society. 

Mr. Snow has been thrifty aiul economi- 
cal throuD'hont his career and has laid bv a 
good competency, and has now retired from 
active business to enjoy the blessings of a 
well-spent and useful life. 

K. OLSON, one of the prominent and 
leading citizens of (hookston, Min- 
nesota, is cnyaiied iti the sale of wa^clies, 
clocks, jewelry, silvei'ware, etc., in that citj'. 
lie is one of the pioneers of this portion of 
the Red Eiver Valley, having located on a 
farm in this county in May, 1S73. 

Mr. Olson is a native of Xoi'way, born in 
1S36. lieceiving his education in his youth 
in the excellent schools of his native land, 
he made his home in that land until he 
had attained the age of twenty -two years. 
Although the country of his birth has nunx' 
liberty than an\' other in Europe, still the 
chances for the amelioration of his condition 
were far from satisfactory to him, and he 
determined, in 1S5S, that in the New World 
he would seek that fortune that seemed so 
difficult to overtake in his native land. Em- 
barkino' he crossed the wide ocean, with 
nniny other adventurous emigrants, and 
upon landing u|)on the shores of the (ireat 
Ilepuhlic, started at once for Minnesota. 
Locating in Fillmore county, he there found 
einployiiient upon various farms, and resided 
there until 1804, when, in response! to a call 
for more men to hel|) sui>i)ress the unlioly 
rebellion wajjed against "the best govern- 
ment the sun ever shone on," in June he 
enlisted in Company B, Fourth Minnesota 



Infantry, and after being duly mustered 

into the service of the United States, was 
forwai-ded, as a reci-uit, to the regiment in 
the field, which was then at Allatoona Pass, 
Georgia. With the gallant l)ody of men of 
whicii he was a member, lie participateil in 
the un])aralleled march through (ieorgia 
and the Carolinas, to the sea, under that 
matchlcps leader, W. T. Sherman, and played 
a valiant part in the various engagements 
of that glorious campaign. After taking 
part in the grand review at the National 
Capital, in 1865, at the close of the hostili- 
ties between the two sections of the coun- 
try, ill'. Olson was sent with the leginient 
to Louisville, Kentucky, and after waiting 
there for seven weeks, was transfei-red to 
Fort Snelling, Minnesota, at which ])lace he 
was honorably dischargeil from the service, 
July 10, 1S<;5. 

On returning to the duties of peace, he 
located in Houston county, i\finnesota, where 
he purchased a farm and settled down to 
agricultural ])ursuits. Thei'e he remained 
until ISYl, when he sold his property and 
removed to Hush ford. Fillmore county. In 
the latter village he made his home until 
1S73, when, hearing of the fertile soil and 
excellent advantages of the far-famed lied 
River Valley, he came hither in search of a 
new home. 

On his arrival in this vicinity, the subject 
of this sketch settled in the neighborhood of 
Crookston, where he remained some eigh- 
teen months, after which he removed to 
Fisher, and there ke])t the boarding place 
for the men in the employ of E. Sampson, 
the railroad contractor for grading at that 
])oint. Several years was he thus employed, 
but in IST'.t he settled on a claim \vliich he 
had taken in 1874, about four and a half 
miles west of the village of Carman, Minne- 
sota, where he again resumed the cultivation 
of the soil. In 18S2 he ai>andoned his agri- 
cultural labors and removed to the city of 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXXESOTA. 



301 



Crookston and established his pi-esent jew- 
elry establishment, and lias continued in that 
business ever since. 

Ml'. Olson is a respected and honored 
niend)er of C'obhani Post, No. 90, G. A. U., 
and one of the ofHcers of that organization. 



-"J-f^^*-^ 



/^■EORGE M. FABER, retired nieivhant, 
x^T IS a resident of Fergus Falls, Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota. He is a native of 
Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and was 
born December 14, 182T. 

Mr. Faber is the son of George and Eliza- 
beth (Reinoehl) Faber. His parents were 
natives of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, 
the father being- a boot and shoe-maker by 
trade, liut during the latter jiart of his life 
turned liis attention to farming, in which 
occupation he continued until at si.\ty-tive 
vears of age, when he move<l into Lebanon 
Oity. In that place he lived a retired life 
until his death in ISTL The mother died in 
ISSO. The father was a democrat in polities ; 
a man of large ideiis and extensive reading, 
lie and his wife were members of the Luth- 
eran church, in which societx^ the father was 
deacon and elder for many years. They had 
a family of five children, two of whom are 
now living — Lucetta, and the subject of our 
sketch. 

George M. Faber, whose name appears at 
the head of this sketch, spent his younger 
(lays on the farm attending school until 
s(!venteen years of age. He then commenced 
clei'king in different business houses, con- 
tinuinir in this line for ten years. When he 
was about twenty-seven years of age he 
eno-ag-ed in the mercantile business for him- 
self at Lebanon City, Pennsylvania. He 
built up a large and extensive business and 
continued in the same during ISfi", when 
lie sold out and started westward, coming 



to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he en- 
aaged as clerk until 1869. At this time 
he went to Osakis in Douglas county, 
Minnesota, leaving his family in St. Paul. 
He took land in Todd county and improved 
it to a considerable extent, and at the same 
time was engaged in clerking in Osakis, 
where he remained until the fall of 1870. 
In November of that year he came to Fer- 
gus Falls, and soon after sent for his family, 
who joined him at that place. At this 
time there were only two log houses in 
Fergus F'alls. In 1872 he put up a building 
nearl}" opposite to where the Parker hotel 
now stands, the building being twenty two 
by twenty-eight feet and two stories high; 
the First National Bank did business in this 
building on the first floor, Mr. Faber living 
overhead. This was the flrst bank at Fer- 
gus Falls. The building was burned in 1876 
and was the scene of the first fire in the city 
of Fergus Falls. This was (piite a loss to 
the town because of the fact that this was 
the best building in the city at that time. 
Mr. Faber went to AVinnipeg in 1875 and re- 
mained until 1878, and during his residence 
there was engaged as clei'k in a. lai-ge mer- 



Peturning to Fergus Falls, 



cant lie liouse 
he eniiaaetl as clerk for six vears and was 
also a clerk at Wahpeton, Dakota, and other 
places, but made his homo at Fergus Falls. 
He built his present fine residence in 1S82, 
on the south side of the river. He owns 
considerable city property, some of which 
is quite valuable, namely, two lots on 
the corner of Lincoln avenue and Court 
street and several lots 011 Vernon ave- 
nue. Mr. Faber is a democrat in politics, 
and, although not offensive in iiis partisan- 
ship, stands firmly upon the principles of 
the democratic party. He is well read on 
the current events of the day, is a man of 
broad ideas and takes a leading place among 
the wealthy men of the citv 
Falls. 



of Fergus 



302 



JiED J<IVEK VALLEY AXD 



Mr. Faber was married in 1853 to Miss 
Louisa E. Siegrist, tlie daughter of Jacob 
and Louisa (Roland^i Sictrrist, natives of Leb- 
anon county, Pennsylvania. Ilerlatlier was 
engaged in tiic manufacture of boots and 
shoes, and tiiey botii lived in tlieii" native 
Stateuntil their tleatli, whicli occuri'ed, — the 
father's in 1848 and the mother's in 1874. 
They hatl live children — ilis. Faber, Mrs. 
Sallie Ueckwith. George W., who died at six 
years of age. Mary M. and Mrs. Emma 
Ranch. Mr. Siegrist was a democrat in [loli- 
tics, and he and his family were members 
of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mi'S. Fa- 
ber have had five children, three of whom 
are now living — Alice A., now the wife of 
Mr. Brandenburg, the sheriff of Otter Tail 
county ; Laura L., now Mrs. Barcalow ; and 
George W. Alice A. was the first American 
young lady in the city of Fergus Falls, and 
Lake Alice, now in the city limits, was 
named after her by the mill men. 

Man}' interesting stoiies ai'e told l)y Mrs. 
Faber of the early days in this country. 
Some of them are interesting because of the 
curiosity tiiey insjiire, and others i)ecau.se of 
the terriiile character of the sutferin"' and 
exposure described. She tells of the death 
of a chikl about two miles from town, that 
there were no boards out of which to make 
a cotiin and a I'ude box was maile (if it can 
be called a box) out of rails, and when 
this rude coffin was placetl in the grave 
the spectators could see the body of the 
child through the spaces between the rails. 
A\'ilh others, the Faber family passed 
through much sutfei'ing in those early days, 
and were ileprivetl of many (jf the real neces- 
saries of life. It is related that during the 
first spring the families of Fergus Falls were 
)>rac'tically out of food, having only a few 
])<>()r onions ami a snuill qiumtity of milk 
from one cow. About this time the buffaki 
tish began I'unning in the sti'eanis up towards 
the lakes, and the membei's of the familv 



succeeded in catching some of these fish. 

Having this meat from the Inififalo fish they 
were able to make what was facetiously 
called buffalo soup, which was a conglomera- 
tion of onions, milk and iiuffalo fish nu-at. 
Although this would seem to some to be a 
very unsavory mess, yet at the same time it 
was heartily enjoyed and joyously a])pre- 
ciated by th(> families of that place, ilrs. 
Faber states that the reality is not a])|>re- 
ciated by peo])le who know nothing of 
pioneer life. None but those who have pei-- 
sonally been through these scenes and ex- 
periences can know what they are. She has 
seen the bodies of two jiersons who were 
frozen to ileath. and has witnessed many 
other harrowing scenes. She with her hiis 
band had left a beautiful home in the East, 
a home with all the comforts that heart 
could wish, surrounded with warm, lovinir 
frieiuls, and then to come to this new coun- 
try and experience all the privations that 
necessarily sui'round the ]iioneer life, seemed 
for a time nu)re than she ciiuld l)ear. But 
after all these iiardshijis had jiassed and had 
become part of the iiyoone, she can say, as 
she looks i)ack upon it, that, aftei' all, there 
has been moi-e or less ]ileasui'e, and the sting 
of these hard trials and hard times is re- 
moved when she sees that now she is sur- 
rounded with kind friends, has a beautiful 
home, and is in a prosperous city which has 
been built upon the ruin of these pioneer 
da vs. 



^^^ 



^^ — 



J@)OBERT BAIN, one of the represent- 
Jl:^:^ ative and sui)stantial farmers of the 
Red River valley, is a resident of section '.•, 
Fisher townshiji, Polk county, Minnesota, 
liorn in the suburbs of (ilasgow, Scotland, 
he comes of that sturdy, determined Scotch 
race which has made the best citizens in the 
population of the Northwest, a race pro- 



PARK A'ECJO.VS OF MINNESOTA. 



303 



vei'hiiil for their industry, integrity, economy 
and geniid, hospitable temperament, for it is 
an old and true saying that "no man goes 
hunarv from a Scotchman's door." The 
(late of Robert Bain's birth was IVIay 20, 
1818. His parents were John and Isabella 
(McDonald) Bain, who were also natives of 
Scotland. The father was a carpenter. 
Jjoth parents are long since deceased. 

Robert Bain, whose name heads this arti- 
cle, spent his childhood in Scotland, and in 
1S27 came to America with his parents, who 
settled about seventy miles from Ottawa, 
Canada, where they were among tlie first 
settlers. The country was very new and the 
))ioneers had to endure many hardships and 
jierils. It was a heavily timbered country 
and a great deal of hard labor was necessary 
liefore a farm was cleared larjje enough in 
extent to support the family. Robert Bain 
was engaged chiefly at farming in Canada, 
although he also followed coopering to some 
extent. He was married in Canada in 1842 
and i-emained until 1849 in the neighborhood 
where his parents had located. He then 
removed to Perth county, ami located on 
the banks of the river Thames. Tliere he 
lived until ISfiS. when he came to Minne- 
sota and settled in Fremont, Winona coufity. 
For ten years he lived on a rented fai'm and 
then iionght a farm in an Irish settlement 
near Winona. He finally, in 1S78, sold out 
and came to Polk county, Minnesota, where 
he jiurchased all of section 12, in Lowell 
township. There he lived foi' two years, 
although the first land he worked belonged 
to Judge Stearns. At the expiration of 
that time he purchased 240 acres where he 
now lives, on section 9, Fisher townshiji, and 
now owns 510 acres in all, a good share of 
which is under a high state of cultivation. 
He has comfortable and tasty building im- 
provements, and the farm is one of the most 
valuable in the vicinity^ as it includes both 
prairie and timber land. 



The marriage of Mr. Bain occurred 
August 3, 1842, in Lanark county, Canada, 
when he wedded Barbara Furgerson, a na- 
tive of Scotland, and a daughter of Duncan 
and Barbara (Currie) Furgerson. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bain are the parents of the followino- 
children — John, Barbara, Duncan, Robert, 
Isabella G., James and Donald. John is 
engaged in farming in W^inona county, Min- 
nesota. Barbara lives in Mai lory. Duncan 
is a farmer near Mallory. Robert lives in 
Fisher, where he is engaged in the lumber 
business in company with C. P. Mallorv. 
Isabella lives in Winona countv, Minne- 
sota. James is a farmer and lives in Fisher. 
Donald is the only son who is still at home. 



^^EORGE KETCHAM. In glancing 
\^^r over the biographies of the many in- 
cumbents of the county otiices in the differ- 
ent counties comprised in the famous Park 
Regions of Minnesota, it will be seen that 
American-born citizens furnish a large part 
of the persons who fill their responsible j)osi- 
tions with satisfaction to all parties con- 
cerned. The subject of this article is the 
present incumbent of the office of countv at- 
torney of Grant county, Minnesota, to which 
position he was elected in 1884, and re-elected 
in 1886 and 1888. He is a native of Mich- 
igan, born in Cass county on the 9lh day of 
January, 1850, and is the son of Samuel and 
Abigail (Pullman) Ketchum, natives of New 
York State. The fatlier of our subject was 
a Baptist preacher, and is now living at the 
advanced age of eighty -one years. The 
mother of the present subject died in Feb- 
ruary, 1888, at the age of seventy -five years. 
They were the parents of the following 
named children — Franklin, Lewis, George, 
antl Elizabeth. The two first named are 
deceased, having died in infancy. 



304 



RED A'/rj-:k- \-ALLEy AND 



Mr. Ketcliam attended school in bis native 
State and graduated from the Hillsdale Col- 
lege in 1873. He then decided to enter the 
profession of law, and accordingly studied 
two years under Judge Coolidge and was 
admitted to the bar. He then commenced 
the ])ractice of his profession at Cassopolis. 
Cass county, Michigan, and devoted iiis en- 
tire time to it for seven years. In 1882 he 
reniov(>d to C4i'ant county, Minnesota, and on 
settling there at once engaged in tiie law 
business. 

Mr. Ketcham was married un the lOtluhiy 
of ()(!toher, 1877, to MissMinnic Wetliey. and 
this union has l)een blessed with one child, 
Ko\l:i, born Sojitember 11, 1SS4. Mrs. 
Ketcham is a native of New York State, and 
received her education in Michigan, at the 
high schiK)l at Cassopolis, where she was 
married. She is a daughter of A. Wethey, 
a farmer of Grant county, Minnesota. The 
subject of this sketch is a republican in his. 
politic;il belief and takes an active interest in 
all public and local affairs. "While in Micli- 
ijran he was elected to the office of Circuit 
Court Commissioner, which position he held 
for six years. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and one of the most popular 
and highly esteemed citizens of the county. 
He is a man of the strictest honor and in- 
tecritv and stands liiLi'li in the coinmiinitv in 
wliicli he lives. 



-«- 



-C^- 



WALTER E. TRLIAX, M. D. Among 
the successful and leading medical 
practitioners at Breckeniidge. Wilken county, 
Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article. Dr. Truax is a native of 
Wisconsin, born in Eacine county, June 10, 
18-18, and is a son of AYalter D. and Sarah 
F. (Gibbons) Truax, natives of Vermont and 
England, respectively. The grandfather of 
our subject (John Truax) was a native of 
Vermont and of German descent. He was 



a manufacturer and moved to Canada in 
1820. where lie engaged in the manufacture 
of scytlies and axes until the latter part of 
his life, when he returned to ids native State, 
remaining there until his death in 1840. He 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a 
sturdy re]n'esentative f)f the ])ioneers of his 
day. The jjarents of \\'alter E. Trujix's 
mother (Sarah Truax) were John and IMarv 
(Harding) Gibbons, natives of England. 
Tiiey came to this country in lS3n, and set- 
tled in State City, New '^'ork. wlicrc John 
Gibbons carried on tlie occupation of boot 
and shoe manufactui'ing. They moved to 
Wisconsin in 1845 and settled at Watei-ford, 
Racine county, where they i-einained until 
1870. They then removed to Floyd county, 
Iowa, where the father remained until his 
death in 1SS2. He was a republican in po- 
litical matters. He, with his wife, who died 
in 1881, belonged to the Methodist church. 
The father of our subject moved to Floyd 
county, Iowa, in 18(13, wjiere he lived until 
his death in 1886, at the age of sixty-eight 
yeai's. The mother of Dr. Truax is now liv- 
ing in Floyd county, Iowa, and she is the 
mother of ten children, seven of whom are 
living — Amanda, now Mrs. Knapp ; John 
H., Dr. Walter E.. Laura E., the wife of Mr. 
Hunt ; Nellie, Clara (married to a Mr. Eob- 
erts) and Charles. The parentsaiid children 
are iiRMubers of the Baptist chui'ch. 

Dr. Walter Truax, the subject of this liio- 
graphical sketcli, I'diiaiiictl at home attend- 
ing school until he was lifteen years of age. 
In 1803 he enlisted in the Foily-eighth Iowa 
Battalion (Infantry) and served one liundi'ed 
days. After his lionorable discharge he re- 
enlisted in Company B, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, 
and was in the service sixteen mouths. He 
was at Mem])his, and later participated in 
several engagements with the Indians on the 
plains of Dakota and Nebraska. After his 
return from the war he commenced the 
study of telegraphy at Marshalltown, Iowa, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



305 



and remained one year working in the train 
dispatciier's office. Until ISTO he was on- 
gaged as an operator for the Chicago, Rock 
Island ct Pacific Tlailroad, also the Burlington, 
Cedar Ra])ids & Nortliern Railroad. During 
this time lie woi'ked in the commerical offices 
for these companies in Omaha, Cliicago and 
St. Louis. He then received an appointment 
on the Nortliern Pacific and remained with 
tliom for thirteen years. He was the second 
station agent appointed at Moorhead, Minne- 
sota, and iield tiiat position for five years. 
Prior to this he studied medicine, attending 
tlie Minnesota University, and was admitted 
in 1S83. He commenced^ tiie practice of 
medicine in Todd county, where he remained 
one year and then settled in Battle Lake, 
Otter Tail county, JNIinnesota, where he 
remained engasred in clinical work for two 
years. In 1SS5 he moved to Breckenridge, 
Wilkin county, Minnesota, where he has 
since heen actively engaged in his profession. 
Dr. Truax was married in 1869 to Miss 
Alice A. Judd. This union has been blessed 
witli five children, as follows — Percy E., 
Sadie A., William E., Lotta E. and Walter 
D. Mrs. Truax is a native of Illinois and tlie 
daughterofWilham and Elizabeth Judd. Dr. 
Truax has traveled extensively and is a man 
of thorough and versatile knowledge. He 
has written two works on drauglits, one while 
a resident of Chicago and the other while in 
Breckenridge. lie is a democrat in liis polit- 
ical beUeC and is a member in good standing 
oC the Grand Army of the Republic, Masonic 
fraternity and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. 



^^EORGE E. PERLEY, a successful 
>S£>^ attorney at Moorhead, of the firm of 
Wellcome & Perley, forms the subject of this 
biographical sketch. 

iMr. Perley is a native of Lempster, New 
Ilanipshiro, born August 19, 1853. His par- 



ents were Ashury F. and Sai'ali J. (Dodge) 
Perley, natives of tlie same State and county. 
The father is engaged at farming, which has 
been his life-long occupation. The mother 
died in 1883. Our subject's grandfather 
Perley was named Edmund, and his wife was 
formerly Sarah Bailey. They were natives 
of Salem, Massachusetts, and were the par- 
ents of a large family of children — ten in 
number. Our subject's ancestors are of Welch 
descent, coming to America and settling 
at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1634:. Sarah 
Dodge's parents were John and Rebecca 
(Gould) Dodge, natives of Lempster, New 
Hampshire, and Westminster, Vermont, re- 
spectively. The father was engaged in 
farming and milling. His father was John, a 
descendant of the Saxons. ( )ur subject's 
grandfather Edmund, was a strong Methodist 
churchman, as was his son Asbury, alwa3's 
taking an active part in church matters. 

Our subject is a graduate of Kimball's 
Union Academy of Meriden, New Hamp- 
shire, also of Dartmouth College, leaving the 
latter famous place of learning in 1878, after 
which he taught in the high schools of his 
State for over two years. He then studied 
law at Claremont, New Hampshire, in the 
office of Hon. Ira Colby, graduating at the 
New Hampshire bar in 1883, being admitted 
the same year at Boston, Massachusetts, 
where he practiced his chosen profession 
until he came to Moorhead, in 1884. Here 
he has practiced law and attended to loans 
and real estate business,' forming a partner- 
ship with J. B. Wellcome, and they are now 
among the leading law firms of Moorhead. 
They are the local attorneys for the St. Paul, 
Minneapolis & Manitoba llailway. Our sub- 
ject also carries on a farm of over four hun- 
dred acres, in Clay county. 

Mr. Perlej' Avas married in 1884 to Miss 
M. E. Jones, of Windsor, Vermont ; she is 
the daughter of Asa and Clara Jones, of the 
same place in Vermont. Tiiey have one child 



3o6 



KED KIVF.K VALLEY AXD 



— Grace. Mr. Perley is a radical republi- 
can in politics. He belongs to the First 
Presbyterian church of Moorhead, and stands 
very high, liotli among those of his profes- 
sion and with tlie cilizens of Clay county. 



li/HOMAS C. SHAPLEIGH, whoisone 
(jf tlic justices of the city of Crooks- 
ton, Minnesota, has occupied quite a promi- 
nent position in the history of the territory 
and State of Minnesota, where he settled as 
early as 1855. He was born in York county, 
Maine, July 7, 1824. He received the rudi- 
ments of an excellent education in the 
schools of his native county, and while yet a 
young man commenced an apprenticeship to 
the trade or craft of ship carpenter in the 
nav}' yard at Kittery, not far from the place 
of his nativity. Three years he served and 
then followed the trade as journeyman until 
the spring of 1855. Then he determined to 
seek anew home in the West, and with tliat 
intent, in April of that year, came to Minne- 
sota, among the earliest pioneers of this 
region, and for a time located at St. An- 
thony. In June following he went to Monti- 
cello, Wi'ight county, where he assisted in 
building the lirst steam saw-mill west of St. 
Anthony. After the mill was completed he 
took charge and operated it until the fol- 
lowing February, when he returned to St. 
Anthony. There he took charge of a saw- 
mill, and from that time until 18Gi he had 
charge of saw-mills in Anoka, Mendota, and 
Wacouta. Then he returned to Monticello 
and engaged in farming. But the quiet life 
of a farmer was not to his taste, and in 1867 
he accepted the appointment of assistant 
United States revenue assessor, under Gen- 
eral McLaren, which position he held two 
years. 

In 1872 he went to the point where the 
Northern Pacific Railroatl was to cross the 



Missouri river, near where Bismarck, Dakota 
Territorv, now stands, and there had charire 
of the businessof Burleigh & Keith, who had 
acontract for the const met ion of (ifty miles of 
the road. He remaineil in that cn])acity until 
the work was completed. In the month of 
j\larch, 1874, he received tiie ai)poinliiieiit of 
register of the United States land ollicc at 
Detroit, Minnesota, and took possession of 
the olHce in that capacity. In 1879 the 
office was removed to Crookston, whither he 
came. He remained in that responsible and 
onerous office until December, 1881. Dur- 
ing the following year Mr. Shapleigh actetl 
as land agent for the St. Paul, Minneapolis 
«fc ]\Ianitoba railroad, but in the fall of that 
year received the nomination and election to 
the office of the clerk of the court of Polk 
county, and served in that capacity for the 
succeeding four years, enjoying the confi- 
dence of the jieople of Crookston ; on the ex- 
piration of his term of service he was offered 
and accepted the position of city justice, a 
jiost which he is worthily and satisfactorily 
filling the current year (1888). 

The subject of this sketch is one of the 
prominent and le!ading citizens of thecounty, 
identified with its growth and development l)y 
a thousantl ties. Besides his handsome resi- 
tlence in the city, he is the ownei' of consid- 
erable real estate in the county in the shape 
of ffood farmino; land. An active, energetic 
business iium, of sterling integrity and hon- 
esty of purpose, he holds a high place in the 
opinions of the people of thecommunitx', and 
is deservedly one of the most ])opulai' men 
in Ci'ookston. He is an active mendjer of the 
Masonic fraternity, having been made a Ma- 
son in St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 5G, at Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire, in 1852, but is now 
connected with Crookston Lodge, No. 141, 
and has held the office of D. G. M. for the 
northwestern part of the State. He is also 
a prominent member of Pierson Chapter, No. 
40, R. A. M., of wdiich he is past most eminent 



PARfC REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



307 



high priest, and is the present eminent com- 
niiuuler of Gonstiintine Commanderv, No. 
20, K. T., of Crookston. 

Mr. Shapleigh has been married, but his 
wife is deceased. He has a family of four 
i-hildren. 



/g|klCHAEL B. SHEPPARD. The 
Jr^lia^ subject of this Ijiographical sketch 
is a prominent and. esteemed member of the 
farming community' of the Park Regions, 
and is a resident of section 20, Logan town- 
shij). Grant county, Minnesota. lie is a na- 
tive of Ohio, born in Montgomery county, 
on the 18th day of June, 18.51, and is the 
son of Joseph and Mary (Lyon) Sheppard, 
natives of Maryland and Ohio, res])ectively. 
The father and mother of our subject were 
married in Ohio, and after remaining there 
for eight or ten years, removed co Iowa. 
Tiicy settled at Cascade, where they lived 
for six years, then removing to Delaware 
county, Iowa, where they have since contin- 
ued to reside. The father is engaged in 
agricultural jnirsuits and is one of the rep- 
resentative men of Delaware county, Iowa. 
They are the parents of nine children, whose 
names are — Johnson, Michael, Mary, Will- 
iam, Maggie, Richard, David, George and 
Joseph. Even and one ciiild (who died in 
infancy) are deceased. 

Michael B. Sheppard, the subject of this 
biographical sketch, spent his younger days 
in attending school in Delaware county, 
Iowa. Leaving school at the age of seven- 
teen he remained at home, helping his father 
on tiie farm for one yeai-. He then engaged 
in lif(! for himself by di'ivingtlie stage from 
.Manchester to ]\farion, and to Elkadei', Clay- 
ton county, Iowa, for a period of two years, 
ilr. vSlie])pard removed from Clayton county, 
Iowa, in the spring of 1878, to his old home, 
where he remained for a short time, and in 



the same year went to Grant county, Minne- 
sota. Upon his arrival there he homesteaded 
a tract of land in Logan township, on sec- 
tion 20. Prior to his settling on his present 
place he took a pre-emption right from a 
Mr. Belding, who went to drrant count}^ at 
the same time as our subject. Since that 
time Mr. Sheppard has lived on his present 
place on section 20, where he has been en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
Mr. Sheppard was united in marriage to 
Miss Mar^^ Harrison on the 22d of April, 
1881, and this union has been blessed with 
two children, named — Roy E. and Edna G. 
jMrs. Sheppard is a native of Iowa and the 
daughter of John Harrison, a farmer of 
Iowa. The mother is still living. The 
father died when Mrs. Shejjpard was a small 
child. She is one of five children— Geortre, 
William, John, Martha and Mar}'. Mr. 
Sheppard is one of the prominent and repre- 
sentative citizens of his township, ever tak- 
ing an active interest in all public matters. 
He has held the offices of assessor and su- 
pervisor and is a member of the Tariff Re- 
form Club in Herman. He is a man of the 
utmost honor and integrity, highly esteemed 
by all who know him, and his word is con- 
sidered as good as his bond. Mr. Sheppard 
is independent in ])olitical matters. 



«^^ 



^'"•^UPTAIN JOHN 
deputy county 



W. GREGG is the 
auditor of Richland 
county, North Dakota, and lives at Wahpe- 
ton, the county seat of that county. He is 
a native of Rock Island, Illinois, where he 
was born, September 1, 1841. 

Mr. Gregg's parents were Dr. P. and Sarah 
L. (Wheelock) Gregg, the former born in 
Ireland and the latter a native of New 
Hampshire. The father was a graduate of 
Trinity College, Dublin, and came to Amer- 
ica in 1831, settling first in Philadelphia, 



3o8 



KED RfVER )'AI.I.EY AA'D 



Penns\'lvania, where lie attended a course 
of lectures at J efl'erson College. In 1840 lie 
removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where he 
was niarriod and was for years the leading 
pliysician and surgeon. He lias a family 
of seven living children — Jolin W., Mary, 
now Mrs. A. C. Dart; Joseph K.. Sarali, 
Carrie, Spencer and Fannie. 

Tiie suliject of our sketch was given cx- 
ceiieut ('(lucational advantages in his youth 
and was surrounded witli the iiilluences of a 
refined home. He took a thorough course 
at tlic higli school in Kock Island, and at 
its couniielion clerked in a stoi'e for one 
year, lie then read law for one 3'ear in the 
office of Messi'S. Wilkinson & Pleasants, 
leading attorneys of IJock Island. On the 
breaking out of the late war, he gave up his 
legal studies, and enlisted as a private in 
Company D, Twelfth Regiment, Illinois In- 
fantry, and served with that company for 
live montiis. He was then transferred, for 
promotion, to (!ompanv K, Fifty -eighth 
Regiment, Illinois Infantry, of which he was 
ma.de second lieutenant. He held this com- 
mission for one year, tluring which time, on 
the (itli of Ajiril, at the battle of Siiiloli, he 
was taken prisoner by the confederates and 
kept in pi'ison until October 12, when he was 
i-eleased. During most of this time he was 
kept in the confederate prison at Madison, 
Geors-ia. In the winter of 1802 ho was 
commissioned lirst lieutenant, which rank he 
held until the latter part of 1863, when he 
was made captain of his company. He was 
on the stair of GeneralJolm McArthur from 
April, 18(1."), until the close of the war. 
Cajitain Gregg saw service in the following 
enffiiijemi^nts — Fort Donaldson. Shiloh, Abides- 
burgh, .lackson, the campaign of Atlanta, 
Nashville, and many minor battles and 
skirmishes. After the close of the war (^a])- 
tain (iregg went to Chicago, Illinois, where 
lor one \'ear he engaged in the commission 
business. He then acted as clerk of the 



board of public works of that citj' for a 
period of six years, after which for six years 
he worked in the postoffice department. He 
then traveled extensively over the AVestern 
States, prospecting, and in December, 1881, 
located at Fargo, Dakota Territory. Here 
he found em])loymcnt as advertising clerk 
on the Fai'go Ari/us\ and worked in that line 
for one year. Then for two years he was 
itgent for the Fargo ifc Southern Railway 
Company, at Wahpeton, Dakotii, where he 
has since resided. Resigning that position, 
he engaged as book-keejier for the Wali]ieton 
Elevator Company for one year. For two 
years thereafter he was book-keejier for the 
L'lr/i/(i)id Coi/tifi/ (lazetie, during which time 
he held the ollice of justice of theiieace. He 
was then apjiointed deput}' auditor of Rich- 
land count}^ November 15, 1888. 

In December, 18G5, Captain Gregg was 
mai'ried to Miss Margaret McArthur, of 
Chicago, Illinois, a sister of (leneral .lolm 
McArthur, and adaughterof.Iohn McArthur, 
of (Miiciigo, Illinois. Her father was a naiive 
of Scotland. 

(^a])tain (Tr(\gg is a stanch republican in 
politics, is a iiKMiiberof the 1. O. O. l'\, (i. A. 
R., and the Knights of Rythias. He is one 
of Wahpeton's leading citizens and is 
esteemed by all who know him. 



-♦- 



.-^. — 



RANK KENT is engMged in the 0111- 
W^ nibus and dray business in Alexan- 
dria, Minnesota. J\Ir. Kent is a native of 
Penobscot county, Maine, and was born on the 
23d of March, 1831. His father, William 
Kent, was a native of New Hampshire. His 
mother's name was Nancy (Stewart) Kent, 
and she also was a native of New Hampshire. 
The father was a cooper by trade, and fol- 
lowed that business in IMaine during his resi- 
dence there, until, in l.s;]4, he came west to 
Illinois to prosjiect, and while there was 



PARK A'/iCi/OiVS O/-' MINIVESOTA. 



309 



taken sick and died. TTis" mother, "Nancy 
(Stewai't) Xent, died in New Ilainpsliire 
in .lanuary, 1864, leaving only one child, the 
suiijiict ol'this sketch. The Kent family are 
of iliiglisii ancestry, and on the Stewai't sule 
of Scotch ancestry. 

Frank Kent, the subject of our sketch, 
afler liis father's deatii was bound out to a 
farmer and raised 011 a, farm until he was 
fourteen years old. He tiicn went into a 
saw-mill to work, and remained eight years, 
and during tlie last tliree years had charge 
of the null wliere twenty men were employed. 
In 18r)5 Mr. Kent came to Minnesota, and 
lirst went into the pineries at St. Croix. 
Here his capability for management was 
recognized by his employers, and he was 
niven fiiarge of a large driviu'*- crow and 
later of a I'afting crew. lie remained at 
work in the pineries on the St. Croix river 
until .luly, 185*!. \\q then came to St. An- 
tiiony, now East Minu('a])()lis. Again he 
went into tin; milling business and was"-iven 
charge of one of the saws in a large steam 
saw-mill. He continued steadily at this for 
Mve months. At the end of this time, he, 
together with (ieorge Forbes, fitted out a 
ijatteau (a boat), and sup[)lying it with pro- 
visions and tools for work started for Perke- 
ganny Camp up the Mississippi river. This 
was on the 7tli day of November, 1856. 
They started on their cruise and succeeded 
in rcaciiingan island in the Mississip])i river 
some six miles up tlie river, at which j)lace 
they were frozen in for three days, then 
wai'm weather came on and tiiey went on to 
clear water, llei'c they abandoned the enter- 
pris(! and then struck across the country, 
fourteen miles, to Cold Spring City, where 
(ieorge Forbes took a contract to build a saw- 
mill, and Mr. Kent took a contract to get out 
tlie tind)er for the same. The following 
sjjriiig Ml-. Kent started the mill and worked 
in that business during the entire summer, 
tills being the summer of 1857. That fall 



he rented the mill, and ran it under his own 
|)roprietorsliip until 1859, emjiloying until 
this time, two men. In 1859 he quit the mill 
business and gave his attiMition more directly 
to farming, for, prior to this (lat(% he had 
taken a claim for 160 acres of land near 
Mimic. His ])artner, at the same time, had 
taken 160 acres of land near Mr. Kent's 
claim. Later they selected a town site of 
320 acres on the Sauk river. On this town 
site they built a house and made other im- 
provements, but finding this to be a bad in- 
vestment they gave it up, and in the spring 
of 1860 sold their claim for a small compen- 
sation. ]\Ir. Kent then went to Colorado, 
and engaged in the mining business for two 
seasons, but was not very successful in finding 
gold. lie succeeded in reaching lionK; two 
years later with but very little tf) show 
for his two s(;asonss])ent in the gold regions. 
He then came to St. Cloud, Minnesota, tliisbc- 
ingin November, 1861. While in Colorado, for 
a ])art of the time he had engaged in the 
transporting business, and had four nudes 
and one pony, which he brought to St. Cloud 
with him. In the winter of 1861-62 he 
engaged in the freighting business, driving 
from St. Cloud to St. Paul for ,1. C. and 
II. C. Eurbank & Co. In the fall of 1862 he 
(|uit this business, purchased goods, and 
with his team drove to Georgetown, selling 
the goods on his way. Eeaching George- 
town, he received news of the Indian out- 
break, anil tlien drove to Ft. Abercrombie, 
where he enlisteil with the settlers to fight 
the Indians. The Indians made a dash upon 
the fort and made their way to the stables, 
where Mr. Kent and E. M. Wright shot two 
of the Indians and captured a double-barrel 
gun, which Mr. Kent still has in his posses- 
sion. Mr. AVright is now a resident of Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota. 

An incident occurred here at the fort which 
shows how nearly Mr. Kent came to losing 
his life. Before entering the fort the Indians 



3IO 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



might readily have killed liim, but they were 
slow in making their attack, and, by watch- 
ing his opportunity, he gained entrance into 
the fort before their attack upon him was 
made. While here he was sent with another 
man as a messenger from the fort, having 
to go to Georgetown to bring the families of 
tlie liolders of the foi-t to that place. A 
body of troops escorted them for a short dis- 
tance through the timber, and then the_v 
started alone with their horses. They had 
gone but a short distance when they heard 
firing, and looking back saw tiie soldiers 
and Indians fighting, so they thought there 
would Ije no chance to get the fami- 
lies fi'om Geoi'getown to the fort, and 
he struck out for Crow Wing, going thence 
to St. Cloud. The fort was re-inforced 
within a day or two afterward and all the 
citizens and their families came to St. Cloud- 
Mr. Kent spent three weeks in the fort prior 
to his leaving for St. Cloud. After remain- 
ing a short time in government employ in 
St. Cloud, he went up the Sauk river to pur- 
chase grain for Capt. T. D. Smith, of St. 
Paul. During this winter he was engaged 
in hauling Government supplies from St. 
Cloud to Ft. Abercrombie. In the spring 
he commenced freighting for himself and 
othei's, making several trips to AViiinipeg. 
lie followed this Inisiness from 1802 to 1866. 
In 1866 he Ixmglit a farm of 320 acres at St. 
]\rartin, and enoajieii in the farming liusiness 
for two years. At this time he sold the 
farm and went to IVfelrose, ^linnesota, and 
pre empted KiO acres, and lived hei'e upon 
this farm fur a period of seven years. Dur- 
ing this time he did considerable freighting, 
making some money. In 1875 he sold the 
farm and moved into the village of Melrose. 
He then engaged in the freighting business 
between this point and Alexandria, Minne- 
sota, keeping a number of teams continually 
for three years. In 187S he moved to Alex- 
andria, which place has since been his home. 



The subject of this sketch was married in 
1862 to Miss Elvira M. Fadden, of St. Cloud, 
Minnesota, daughter of Joseph Fadden, of 
that place. Six children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Kent, their names being 
Charles F., Le Kona, George II., Eugene 
F., Lewis S. and Harry B. 

Mr. Kent is one of the prominent business 
men of Alexandria, an industrious, intelli- 
gent, enterprising citizen. On coming to 
Alexandria he made several valualile invest- 
ments and purchased a valuable piece of proj)- 
ert\' opposite what is known as the Letson 
House block. Since coming to Alexandria 
he has been engaged in the omnibus ami 
dray business, keeps thi'ee men eni])loyed 
continually, and has practically a monoiwly 
on the 'bus business in the village of Alex- 
andria. In politics Mr. Kent is a rei)ub- 
lican. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and also of the Congregational 
society of Alexandi-ia. In all matters per- 
taining to the best interests of the city, Mr. 
Kent has shown himself to be one of the 
most enterjirising and most liberal of her 
citizens. 

JpiMES F. COWIE, attorncy-at-law, of 
fs^ Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is a native of 
the State of Maryland, where he was boi-n 
in 1854. His parents were of Scotcli de- 
scent, and at an early age Mr. Cowie 
removed with them to western Wisconsin. 
The Cowies were in that j)ortion of Wisconsin 
which was but scantily settled, and conse- 
quently Mr. Cowie's early life was s))ent as a 
farmer's son, in daj's when schools, like I'ail- 
I'oads, were not very numerous in that por- 
tion of the country'. He received a common 
school education, and, at the age of seven- 
teen, began teaching in the public schools 
during the winter, working on his father's 
farm" durinir the summei'. In this wav he 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



311 



saved enough money to take a college course, 
wliic'h he did, oraduatino: from a colles'e in 
I, a Crosse in 1876. 

Mr. Cowie first came AYest in 1881, enter- 
ing tlie einjiloy of tlio L. C. Porter Milling 
Company, at Goodwin, Dakota Territory, 
and afterward of Nicollet, Minnesota. In 
August, 1SS2, Ml'. Cowie cauie to Fei-gus 
Falls. lie began the study of law while in 
college and was admitted to the bar in this 
city in 18S;], and was for two years a mem- 
ber of the firm of Clapp, "Woodard & 
Cowie, but on the election of Mr. Cla])p to 
the olHce of attorney-general, Mr. Cowie 
opened an office for himself, and has since 
been a successful and ])ainstaking attorney. 
Tie was elected alderman in what is fa- 
miliarly known as the " Fighting Third " 
Ward of the citj'^, and has made an excellent 
officer. He has at all times been a fearless 
defender of what he deemed tiie right, and 
has served the city in an able and efficient 
manner. Plis nomination for the legislature 
in the fall of 1888 was given him without 
solicitation on his part and reluctantly ac- 
ce[)ted by him, but having accej>ted the nomi- 
nation, he at once set out to make an asftres- 
sive and honorable campaign in the face of a 
large republican majority. He was unsuc- 
cessful, however, being defeated at the polls. 
Mr. Cowie's parents were Hon. George 
and Margaret (Faulds) Cowie, natives of 
(ilasgow, Scotland. The parents came to 
America in 18-15, settling in Nova Scotia. 
Tiie father was by occupation a miner, and 
engaged in work in the coal, iron and gold 
mines indiff'erentpartsof America. In 1811> 
he crossed the plains to California, remain- 
ing in the gold fields until 1853, at which 
time he I'eturned to the East, settlino' in 
Washington county, Maryland, where he 
followed his old business of mining until 
1850. At this time he removed to Buffalo 
county, Wisconsin, where he turned his at- 
tention to fanning, and where he still lives. 



At present he is engaged extensively in 
farming and also in stock-raising. He is 
one of the wealthy and successful farmers of 
that county. He was chosen to represent 
the people of his county in the State legis- 
lature of the State of Wisconsin in 1872. 
He has been chairman of the town board and 
chairman of the board of county supervisors. 
In local politics he is a man of much in- 
fluence, and is respected by all who know 
him. He had a family of eleven childi'cn, 
seven of whom are now living — James F., 
George M., Allen J., Albert E., Eobert, 
Frank and Mag-gie. Those that died were 
Annie, Nettie, who was Mrs. M. J. Shan- 
nessy, and David. ]\trs. Shannessy left 
two children, twins — Maude and Mabel. 

Mr. Cowie was married in .1877 to Miss 
Jennie Bert, who had been a school-mate 
during his school-days and a former pupil. 
Mrs. Cowie was the daughter of Roijert and 
Jennie Bert, natives of Scotland. Iler ])ar- 
ents came to America in about 1845, settling 
in Pennsylvania. They now' live in Buffalo 
county, Wisconsin, at Glencoe, to which 
[)lace they moved in 1857. He is now 
engaged extensively in farming and stock- 
raising, ami is one of the prominent and 
wealthy men of that county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cowie liave a family of three children — 
Lewis, Elsie and Robert. 

Mr. Cowie has attained to considerable 
prominence in local politics, and has for some 
time, in fact since 1886, been a member of 
the city council. In politics he affiliates 
with the democratic part}', and is a leading 
member of theMasor.ic fraternity. He lives 
in a fine residence on Vine street. 



|(^REDERICK T. KOYLE, M. D., one 
of the prominent physicians of the 
village of Ada, and the county coroner of 
Norman county, Minnesota, is one of the 
oldest residents of Ada, having located there 



312 



RED KU'ER \ ALLEY AXn 



in the summer of 1882. He at once opened 
an office for tlie practice of his profession, 
and liiis continued in the discliarge of his 
duties therein ever since. In the fall of the 
same year he, beginning to be appreciated 
at his true worth, was appointed deputy 
coroner, and in the fall of 1883 was duly 
chosen by the qualified electors of the county 
to fill the office of coroner, and has been 
continued in that position to the present, 
lie has also served on the village board of 
health for several years. 

Dr. Koyle first saw the light January 12, 
1859, in Ijrockvilie, Ontario, Canada, and is 
the son of Turner and Lydia E. (l^nrvis) 
Koyle. Receiving his primary education in 
the common schools of his native town and 
pursuing his more advanced studies in the 
Collegiate Institute at Col)urg, Ontario, he 
spent his time in the school-room until he 
was about seventeen years of age. In 187Y 
he matriculated at the medical department 
of Queen's College, Kingston, Ontario, Can- 
ada, from which institution of learning he 
was graduated with honors in the spring of 
1882. From there he went to Montreal, 
where he spent a few months in the hospital 
for the purpose of enlarging his studies, and 
from that city started for Grand Forks, 
Dakota. On his way thither he came up to 
see the new village of Ada, of wjiicii he had 
heard most favorable reports, and l)eing im- 
pressed with its jiromise determined to cast, 
in his lot witii tiio peo]ile of that village, 
and lias remained evei' since. 

When the doctor ari-ived in \(\\\ lie iiad 
only $10, but by close attention to the duties 
of his profession, with his excellent judgment 
and eminent achievements in all branches of 
medical science, he has succeeded in placing 
himself in a most favorable condition finan- 
cia!l\\ He occupies a high rank in the frater- 
nity of physicians of the county, and has one 
of the largest and best practices in the village. 
His genial, whole-souled manner makes him 



a favorite in the sick room, and he is, socially 
speaking, one of the most ])oi)ular men in 
the community. 

Dr. Ko3'le was united in marriage July 
29, 1884, with Mrs. E. E. Hardy tiee Jenkins, 
a native of Glens Fulls. New York, and the 
daughter of Chauncy and Sadie (^ Davis) 
Jenkins. 

Our subject is a prominent and active 
member of the Masonic fraternity, having 
been made a Mason in Norman Lodge, No. 
i54, A. F. & A. M., in 1883, and now occu- 
pies the high position of worshipful master 
of the hidge, anil takes great interest in all 
the workings of the order. 



-^> 



^MTEPHEN H. PARKHURST, a jn'om- 
"^i^^^ inent attorney -at-law in the famous 
Ked River Valley of Minnesota, is a resident 
of the city of East Grand Forks, Polk county, 
Minnesota, where he is enaaged in an exten- 
sive law and collection business. He is a 
native of Vermont, born in Stockbridge on 
the 17th of September, 1825, and is a son of 
Stephen and Kesiah (Nanson) Parkhurst, 
natives of Vermont. The grandfather of the 
present subject was one of the earliest set- 
tlers in the village of Royalton, Vermont, 
and was residing there when the Indians 
destroyed the town l)y fire. He had always 
been on friendly terms with the '" red men " 
of that locality, and on this account they 
spared his house from the l)i-and. The 
father anil mother of oui- subject were the 
parents of the following named children — 
Harriet, Benjamin, Phebe, Daniel, George, 
Eunice, Juliana and Stephen II. 

Stephen II. Parkhurst, of whom this sketch 
treats, remained in Stockbridge until four 
years old, at which time he removed with his 
parents to Brandon, Rutland county, Ver- 
mont, where he remained for sixteen years. 
Durinn- that time he attended the common 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



313 



schools until March, IS-H, when he secured 
a position as clerk in tiie postoffice and re- 
mained ill that capacity until the postmas- 
ter was I'einoved by the President. In 1842 
or 1843 he was einplo\'ed in the cjuarter- 
master's department, under General Clark. 
His duty was to overhaul and examine the 
arms in the arsenals. As these duties occu- 
pied his attention only in the summer, he 
taught school in tiie winter, and in October, 
184<!, he went to Burlington, A'ermont, with 
(ieneral Clark, to engage in the newspaper 
iiusiness, Clark having purchased the Burling- 
ton Free Press, and acted as editor, while Mr. 
Parkhurst was given cliarge of the financial 
department. Our subject remained at that 
jtlace from 1840 until lS5!t, and in 1859 he 
removed to Brandon, Vermont. After return- 
ing, lie jjurchased a grist-mill and continued 
to operate it for one and a half years. He 
traveled through different parts of the west- 
ern States and again returned to Brandon, 
where he purchased the largest store build- 
ing and put in a full stock of mercantile 
goods. He continued in this business until 
August, 1876, when he was evicted by fire, 
ids goods destroyed and his building burned 
to the ground. For the next two years 
he Avas engaged in settling up his accounts, 
and in April, ISSl, he removed to Minne- 
sota. Pie settleil at East Grand Forks, Polk 
county, Minnesota, where he continued tlie 
study of law, having studied at that pro- 
fession during his leisure hours for a number 
of years. On tiie 21st of April, 1882, he 
was admittetl to the bar in Grand Forks, 
Dakota Territory, and December IS, 1883, 
was admitted in Polk county, Minnesota. 
He has since remained in East Grand Forks, 
engaged in his law business, with the excep- 
tion of the summer of 1885, when he paid a 
visit to his old home in the East. He is one 
of tiie strong upholders of the republican 
party and was delegate to the first district 
repuijlican convention ever held in the 



LTnited States. The convention was held at 
Rutland, Vermont, June 7, 1854, I). A. 
Nickolson being chairman. Mr. Parkhurst 
was a member of the old whig part\' and 
was chairman of the meeting held in Essex 
Junction, Chittendon county, Vermont, where 
the republican part}' was organized. 

Mr. Pai'khurst is actively engaged in an 
extensive law and insurance business, pay- 
ing special attention to loans, collections 
and all matters pertaining to real estate 
matters. 

Mr. Parkhurst was married in Bridgeport, 
Vermont, in January, 1847, to Miss ISfancy 
E. Ganson, the daughter of John and Sybel 
(Sessions) Ganson, natives of Vermont. Mr. 
and Mrs. Parkhurst have lieen l)lessed with 
the following named children — Julia C, now 
Mrs. Buttles, of Brandon, Vermont ; Henry 
S., now a resident of Glens Falls, New 
York; George II., living in Saratoga, New 
York ; and Jennie L., the wife of Mr. Wil- 
der, of White Hall, New York. The sub- 
ject of this article is one of the prominent 
men of East Grand Forks and vicinity, and 
is one of the ablest lawyers in the Red 
River Valley. He has held the offices of 
justice of the peace, town agent, agent for 
the school endowment fund, and is also a 
notary public. He has done a great deal 
for the benefit of the city in which he lives 
and is very highly esteemed by all who'know 
him. He owns several commodious resi- 
dences in the city and is an active citizen, 
working for the best interests of his localitv. 



«^. 



One of the prominent 



of tlie farming comraunit\- in 



#DHN BRENNIN 
memljers 

the famous Park Regions in Minnesota, is the 
gentleman whose name heads this article ; a 
resident of section 22, Roseville township, 
Grant county, Minnesota. He is a native of 
Canada, born in Lower Canada on the 6th of 



314 



/iV-.V) k-lVEK r,lI.L/<V .lA'D 



February, 1845, and is the son of John and 
Jane (Kenne^ly) Brennin, natives of Ireland. 
Tliey came to Quebec in 1832, and from 
there to Maine, where they remained for a 
sliort time and again returned to Canada. 
After living in Canada for a number of years 
tiie parents returned to ]\[aine, where they 
still reside. Tliev are engaged in farming, 
but in former days the father was a stone- 
mason. Tlicy liave a family of si.x children, 
whose names are — Nancy, Catherina, Mary, 
James, John and Thomas. Nancy died at 
the age of seventeen years, and James died 
at the age of twenty-six years. 

John Brennin, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, spent his boyhood-days in the 
town of Solon, Somerset county, Maine, and 
at the age of seventeen left the school-i'oom 
and commenced in life for himself. Until 
1875 he worked at the lumbering trade and 
also helped his father on the home farm. In 
the year mentioned he moved to Minnesota, 
and after remaining in Minneapolis for two 
years, engaged in farming and in the ])incr- 
ies, he went to Grant county, Minnesota, set- 
tling on a tract of land in Iloseville townshi)i, 
where he has remained over since. He home- 
steaded Itio acres in the township named, on 
section 22. and has since devoted his atten- 
tion to general farming; and stoclc-riiisin"-. 
He was one of the tirst settlers in the town- 
ship, there being only two or three houses in 
the town when he first settled thei'e. 

Mr. Brennin was united in marriage May 
7,'1S68, to Miss Mahala Jewett. and they 
have been blessed with five children, whose 
names are — Viola, James, Grace, Blanch and 
Jolin. Mrs. Brennin is a native of Maine, 
born at Solon. She is a well-educated lady, 
and followed the profession of a school- 
teacher prior to her union with Mr. I'rennin. 
Mr. Brennin is one of the substantial men of 
his township, and has always taken an active 
interest in all jtublic and educational mat- 
ters. He is a democrat in his political affili- 



ations, and has held the offices of assessor 
and supervisor. lie was the first voter to 
cast a democratic ballot in the town. He is 
a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is 
held in high esteem both as a neighbor and 
a valued citizen. 



-«.-. 



-^^^ 



JORGEN JENSEN, who is noxf sheriff 
of clay countv, ^Minnesota, anda in;m of 
much travel and experience, is justly enti- 
tled a place in a work devoted to Inogniph- 
ical sketches of the prominent hkmi of Ked 
lliver Valley. 

He is a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- 
many, boi-n March 8, 185-1. His parents are 
Anton and Annie M. (Christeson) Jensen, 
natives of Denmark. The parents were en- 
gaged in keeping a hotel. The father of 
our subject came to America in 1853, and 
after a sojourn of eight years returned to his 
former home across the sea. In 1870 lie 
again came to this country and engaged in 
farming in Clay county, Minnesota. The 
family had two sons — Jens P. and Jorgen. 

Jorgen, our subject, was reared in the 
city and thei-e received a good education. 
At the age of sixteen he came to Amei'ica 
with his ])arents and lived at home until he 
was about twenty-live years of .age. He 
then took a pre-emption of 250 aces of land 
in Moland township. Clay county, where he 
followed fai'ming until 1880, when he was 
elected to the office of sheriff of Clay county. 
In the townshij) in which he settled he was 
a leading man and held the office of chaii'- 
man of the board of supervisors and justice 
of the peace for a number of years. 

He was married in 1882 to Miss Maren 
Hanson, daughter of Hans Christenson. By 
the above union two children have been born 
— George A. and William. 

In jiolitics our subject is a republican, and 
is one of Clay county's representative men. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



315 



ever taldng an active part in county and 
State politics. 

Both he and his wife are acceptable mem- 
bers of the Lutheran ciuircli, and are highly 
esteemed by all who know them. 

Tt may here be stated that Anton, the 
father of oui- subject, was a soldier in the 
(ierman-Danish war of IS-tS. He was ser- 
geant in that service and was wounded in 
the leg.* h\ 1ST6 oui* subject joined the 
Custer expedition as teamster. This was 
witli the famous General Custer, among the 
hostile Indian tribes, when Custerwas killed. 
This trip consumed over three montlis. 



fOHN McGRATH. Prominent among 
the business men of the famous Park 
Regions, is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article, the proprietor of the meat 
mai'ket in the village of Barnesville, Clay 
county, Minnesota. He is a native of the 
State of Wisconsin, born in Greenville, in 
1858, and is the son of Dennis and Ellen 
(Cashman) McGrath, natives of Ireland. 

John McGi'ath attended the common 
schools in AVisconsin until nine years of age, 
at which period in life he came to the State 
of ]\Iinnesota, and settled with his parents 
in the village of Clinton Falls, Steele county, 
Minnesota. He remained there with his 
parents, attending school and working on 
the farm, until 1878, when he commenced 
in life for himself. In the spring of 1879 
he stalled from Owatonna with three horses 
for Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota. 
Ilis Ill-other was with him, and as soon aSthey 
reached their destination they commenced 
to improve their land which they home- 
steailed on arriving there. They were the 
first settlers and built the first claim shanty 
in that region. "When our suljject left the 
farm he went to the village of Barnesville 
and o[)ened u]i a butcher's shop in partner- 



ship with his brother Thomas. They have 
since been engaged in the same business, and 
are the most successful business men in their 
line in the village. In 1883 Mr. McGrath 
purchased the St. James Hotel in that place 
and for eighteen months continued that 
business. During that time he erected the 
building now known as the Central House, 
situated near the depot. At the expiration 
of the eighteen months of hotel experience 
the subject of this liiography returned to 
the occupation of butchering, his brother 
having carried on the trade while he was in 
the hotel. In 188.5 the brothers opened a 
machine shop, liandling all kinds of farm 
machinery and implements of husbandry. 
They have since been engaged in that line 
in addition to their meat market. 

Mr. ]\[cGrath was united in marriage on 
the 1st of September. 188.5, to Miss Allie 
Brislane, a native of Minnesota. Mr. Mc- 
Grath is one of the prominent and esteemed 
business men of the village, and takes an 
active interest in all public matters. He is 
a republican in his political affiliations and 
is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, 
highly esteemed by all who know him. He 
has held the office of president of the 
village board, and was one of the active 
workers when the new town was organized. 
He is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd-Fellows and an exemplary citizen. 



» 



-■*•- 



ON. E. E. CORLISS, attorney and 
counselor-at-law, is a resident of 
Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county. Minnesota. 
He is a native of Washington county, Ver- 
mont, and was born September 1, 1841. 
He is the son of Timothy E. and Elvira 
(Ilutchins) Corliss, both of whom were 
natives of New Hampshire. 

The father was a farmer and a lumber- 
man. He came to Winona countv, Minne- 



3l6 



Kl.n KIIEK \AI l.l-.y A.\D 



sota, in 1856 and settled in Saratoga town- 
ship, wliere lie pre-emjjteil 1<10 acres of 
land. lie improved tliis farm and remained 
tiiere until after tiie close of the war. 
He is now a resident of Pelican Rapids, 
and, having laid up for himself a neat 
competency, lias retired from active busi- 
ness. The father had a family of eiglit 
cliildron, six of whom are now living- 
Stilton H.. John W., Eben E., Jennie, now 
Mrs. Beardsley ; Reliecca, now Mrs. Kenney ; 
and Charles M. The mother died in Sara- 
toga townshi}), Winona county, on the 6tli 
of December, ISGd. 
, Jfr. Corliss, the subject of this sketch, re- 
mained at home in his native State, receiving 
his education in the common schools. His 
early training was received while with his 
parents at home upon the fai'iii. On the 
breakino- out of the war he enlisted in Com- 
pany K, First Regiment, Minnesota \^ol- 
unteers, and served for three months in the 
ranks. After this period he re-enlisted in 
Company A, Second Regiment, Minnesota 
Volunteers, serving for three years. Mr. 
Corliss passed through much trying service. 
He was wounded at the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, being struck by a bullet in the back 
of the head, and Avas for two montlis in 
Hospital Number Five at Kashviile. On 
the 26th of May, 1864, he was discharged 
fi-om service, and in April, 1S65, he enlisted 
in Company A, Ninth United States Vet- 
eran Volunteers, and served as sergeant 
until the close of the war. ]\[r. Corliss was 
in a great many severe engagements, among 
them may be named the following — Jlill 
Springs, Kentucky ; I'ittsiiurgh Landing, 
the siege of Cornith, Terryville, Cliicka- 
inauga, and others of less fame. He was for 
some time with Sherman liefore Atlanta, 
and saw much weary marching for forty 
days going toward that city, being under 
fire the greater part of that time. After 
returning from the war he settled in Saratoga 



township, Winona county, Minnesota, where 
he remained on the farm for one year. 
Thence he went to ChatKeld. Fillmore 
county, Minnesota, where he studied law with 
Judge Ripley. In 1870 he was admitted to 
the b;ir. He came to Otter Tail county aiul 
settled at Battle Lake, where he built tiie 
first frame house in the county. The dimen- 
sions were sixteen liy twent}' feet with 
twelve-foot posts. He settled on 320 aci-es 
of land, one-half of which was preemption 
and the other half homestead. He contin- 
ued on the farm, improving the same until 
187-t, at which time he removed to Fei'gus 
Falls, openetl a law office and engaged ac- 
tively in the practice of his pi'ofession. He 
is still I'unning his farms, having purchased 
other lands, making in all 500 acres. He 
has been (piite successful in his farming busi- 
ness, and does not confine his attention 
whollv to raising grain. At present he has 
many Jiead of line-graded stock. His prop- 
erty interests in the city consist of several 
houses and much business property, besides 
his fine residence, witli all moilern improve- 
ments, situated on Lincoln avenue. He also 
has a summer residence at Chitherall Lake. 
Mr. Corliss has lield many offices of trust 
within the gift of his constituents. He was 
elected county attorney in 1S70, and held 
that office during the greater jtait of the 
time until 1881, serving ten years in all. For 
one year he served as a member of the lower 
body of the State legislature in 1S72. He 
has also held the positions of deputy register 
and deputy treasurer in Otter Tail countv, 
and was county superintendent of schools for 
some time in steatl of his brother, William 
M. Corliss, deceased. 

In 1 S6-t Mr. Corliss was married to Miss 
Elizalieth Tucker, daughter of John Tucker, 
of Saratoga, Wiiujna county, Minnesota. 
Six children blessed this union — Charles W., 
an attorney -at-law, who was married in 18S7 
to Miss Alice Stanton, of Fergus Falls; 



PARK REGIONS OF MhVNESOTA. 



3t7 



Jolin IT., a teacher by profession; Florence, 
Jennie, Mary and Roj' J. 

In politics Mr. Corliss is a defender of the 
faitii as proponnded by tlie republican party. 
lie has attained to considerable prominence 
in the councils of that jmrty and is one of 
the local leaders thereof. lie is also a prom- 
inent member of the Masonic, Odd-Fellows 
and G. A. li. fraternities. In all his busi- 
ness I'elations he has stood at the head of 
the citizens of Fergus Falls. He was one of 
the oi'ganizers of the Citizens' Bank, and is 
one of its directors. He is one of the lead- 
ing lawyers and most jn'ominent citizens of 
Fergus Falls. 

J^'REEMAN ORCUTT, retired capitalist, 
Xp" is a resident of "VVahpeton, Richland 
county, North Dakota. He is a native of 
Milwaukee, "Wisconsin, where he was born 
in the year 18i(5. His parents were Moses 
and IMary (McKay) Orcutt. 

The parents were natives of Vermont and 
Canada, respectively. \\\ early life the 
fatlier learned the trade of millwright, but 
later became a physician and surgeon. He 
came to Wisconsin in 1844, settling in Mil- 
wanlcee, where he remained for two years. 
He then removed to Steuben county. New 
York, residing there until IsiiO, when he 
came west, settling in Benton county, Min- 
nesota, where he lived a retired life until his 
death, which occurred in 1879. The mother 
died in New York State in 1855. They had 
a family of ten children, seven of whom are 
now living — Francis, William, Nelson, 
Henry, Freeman, George, and Walter S. 

The subject of our sketch I'emained at 
home under parental authority until his 
mother's death in 1855. He was then 
bound out to a farmer who was to keep him 
until he was twenty-one. This did not suit 
Mr. Orcutt, the place soon Ixjcame distaste- 



ful to him and the people disagreeable, so he 
ran away and came to AVisconsin, stopping 
at Beaver Dam, where he worked at all 
Icinds of labor and remained two years. He 
then came further west, stopping at Concord. 
Dodge county, Minnesota, where he woi'ked 
at anything he found to do. This was in 
1857, and our subject was but eleven years 
old and with no relative within a thousand 
miles. He was plucky, however, and ener- 
getic and always found something to do. In 
Aj)ril, 18(31, at fifteen years of age, he 
enlisted for a service of three 3'ears in Com- 
]iany I, First Regiment, Minnesota Infantry. 
He remained with this company eighteen 
months, and was then transferred to the 
Sixth Regular Infantry and was made dnll- 
master toward the close of his service at 
Fort Hamilton, on Long Island, New York. 
The first engagement was in the battle of 
Bull Run, where he was severely wounded 
by a shot received in his left leg. He 
was wounded at the battle of Gettysbui'g 
by a shot in the left elbow, the shot shatter- 
ing the bone and severing one of the main 
arteries. This disqualified him from fui-ther 
service as a soldier on the battle-field, as he 
could not have the proper use of his arm. 
He suffered intense agony by this wound, 
and lay on the battle-field nine days before 
Ijeing removed. He saw much fighting, and 
was in every battle of the Army of the 
Potomac up to the battle of Gettysburg, 
except the first battle of Fredericksburg, 
at which time lie was too sick to be in the 
field. After his service he went to Iloi'nolls- 
ville. New Y'ork, where he engaged in sell- 
ing lightning rods for about three months in 
the J'ear, and for nine months attended the 
Alford Academy and the Rodgersville Uni- 
versity, in Livingston county, New Y'ork. 
He pursued this })lan for three years and ac- 
quired an excellent education. In February, 
1808, he removed to Benton county, Minne- 
sota, settling just across the river from St. 



3i8 



KF.D RIVF.K lAIJJ-.y AXD 



Cloud. There he took a Government claim 
and purchased other lands, making a fine 
farm of 480 acres. For nine years he re- 
mained here, part of the time being engaged 
in contracting and building and buying and 
selling proi)ert3\ In 1878 lie removed to 
Walijjeton, North Dakota, where he took a 
Government claim five miles west of the city. 
lie has added to his farm and has now 480 
acres of land all in one l)ody. He has im- 
proved his land and erected good buildings, 
lie Ijuilt his present residence in "Wahpeton 
in ISSO, where lie has since lived. 

Mr. Orcutt was married in 1880 to Miss 
Helen Rich, daughter of Morgan and Eliza- 
beth (Friedorick) Tlich. One child has 
l)l(>ssed this union — Jessie L. Mrs. Orcutt 
is a lady of refinement and finely educated, 
and is one of the moving spirits in the 
society of Wahpeton. 

Mr. Orcutt is a democrat in ]H)litics, is an 
Odd-Fellow and a member of the G. A. R. 
lie has been county commissioner and city 
treasurer for several years, and is now tiie 
city assessor. Mr. Orcutt is a man possessed 
of broad ideas, progressive in his thought, 
and e.Kerts an extensive influence among his 
fellow-citizens, l)y whom he is universally 
respected. 



«" 



-»► 



^^HARLES E. SAWYER, the efficient 
^^y cashiei- of the First National Bank of 
Crookston, Minnesota, is one of the rising 
\'oung business men of that city and real 
estate owners of the county. 

The subject of this sketch was born at 
AVaukesha, Waukesiia county, Wisconsin, 
Sejjtember 26, 1857, and is the son of Silas 
S, Sawyer, of that city. He renniined at 
home with his parents until he had attained 
the age of sixteen 3'ears, drawing his educa- 
tion from the excellent schools of the city of 
his birtli. In 1874 he entered the emplo}" of 



the Waukesha National Bank and remained 

witli that institution for a period of seven 
years. In Octoljcr, 1881, lie went to Chicago, 
Illinois, where, for a few months, lie was 
employed in the First National Bank. At tiie 
expiration of that time he removed to 
Ilacine, Wisconsin, and was employed by the 
widely-known J. I. Case Threshing Maciiine 
Com^iany in the responsible position of 
cashier from January, 1882, until January, 
1885. At the latter date he came to Crook- 
ston to assume the duties of cashier of the 
First National Bank of that place, a ]X)sition 
which he still holds. 

The First National Bank of Crookston 
was established in October, 1881, by the 
individual members of the J. 1. Case Thresh- 
ing Machine Comjiany, and incor])orated 
with a ca])ital stock of $50,000. In January, 
1884, the capital slock was increased to 
$100,000, and the i)ank is to-day the most 
important monetary institution in the city. 
]\Iembers of the J. I. Case Company are still 
large stockholders in the bank, as is Mr. 
Sawyer. The latter, as one of the board of 
directors and as cashier, has materially 
helped in bringing the business to its high 
state of efticiencv and financial standing in 
the community, and has prospered in his own 
investments to a satisfactory degree. He has 
real estate interests in the city of Crookston 
and a consideral)le amount of improved and 
unimproved fai'm lands thi'oughout tlie 
county. One farm of lOo acres, in the en- 
virons of the city, he cari'ies on under in's 
own supervision. 

A man of sterling integrity, affable man- 
ners, and ])ublic-spirite(l and lii)eral, he is an 
honor to tlie community in wliich he I'esides, 
and is held in the highest appreciation by 
the citizens of Crookston and the sui'round- 
ing countr}'. He is a member of Crookston 
Lodge, No. 141, A. F. and A. M., and of 
Pierson Chapter, No. 40, E. A. M. Mr. Saw- 
yer is a member of the First Baptist church 



PARK REGIONS oF MINNESOTA. 



319 



of the city and one of the trustees of that 
congregation. Mucli of liis spare time is 
jriven to religious worlc and the advancement 
of the cause of Christ, and he endeavors in 
all things to square his life by the teachings 
of the Christian religion. 

On the 24th of January, 1888, Mr. Sawyer 
was united in matrimonial bonds with 
Miss Elsie Jennings, a native of Wisconsin 
and the daughter of I. U. Jennings, of 
Crookston. 



-«" 



►^^ 



^^RICK FRANKBERG, tiie city police 
^P- justice of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, ]\rinnesota, is a native of Sweden, 
born on the yth day of August, 1850. 

His parents were Andrew and Britta O. 
D. (Johnson) Berg, both of whom were 
natives of Sweden. The father was born in 
1805. The father's father was Magnus 
Berg, and the mother's father was Oloff 
Johnson. They were all well-to-do-farmers, 
and were prominent in the affairs of their 
native country. Magnus Berg was in the 
war of 1808-9, and served about three 3'ears. 
He had a large family, of whom four sons 
anil one daughter lived to manhood and 
womanhood. Oloff Johnson had only two 
daughters, one of whom died at twenty-two, 
and the other, tlie mother of the subject of 
our sketch, lived until 1877, when she died 
in her native land. She was born in 1815. 

Andrew Berg, the father of the subject of 
our sketch, was a carpenter and builder by 
trade, and also a pattern-maker. He fol- 
lowed these lines until 1871, when he re- 
tired from active business life. Previous to 
this, however, he had engaged extensively 
in farming, and ran a large farm in connec- 
tion with his other business, but in 1856 
gave his farm into other hands. From 1871 
untd his death in 1880 he lived a retired 
life, lie aiul his wife wei'o loyal and ])rom- 



inent members of the Lntheran church, in 
which he held a leading office for many 
years. He was a, liberal-hearted man, and 
was always ready to hel]) the poor. He was 
respected and loved b}' all in life and la- 
mented in death. His wife was a lady of 
generous qualities, nmch given to alms- 
giving, and belonged to various organiza- 
tions for the promotion of social purity and 
for the good of her people. They had a 
familfy of six children — Oloff, now dead ; 
Magnus, Anna, now Mrs. Johnson ; Ei'ick, 
Andreas, and Jonas, now dead. Three of 
these children came to America. Oloff set- 
tled in Chicago, where he was engaged in 
building and contracting. He came to 
America in 18(17 with his sister, Mrs. John- 
son. He lived in Chicago until his death, 
which occurred in 1875. The rest of the 
children remained in Sweden with the ex- 
ce])tion of tlie subject of our sketch. 

Mr. Frankberg, whose name appears at 
the head of this sketch, reached Chicago, 
Hlinois, on the 12th of August, 1871, having 
left Guttenburg, in his native land, Jidy 
21st, of the same year. His childhood-days 
were spent in school in liis native land. 
Until thirteen years of age he attended the 
public schools, and at that age he had passed 
all the grades taught in those institutions. 
At this time he was sent to his uncle Mair- 
nus, where for one year he attended a select 
school. After this he was sent to the city 
of lludicksvall, where he continued his 
studies in the high school for one year, at 
which time he was confirmed in the Luthei'an 
church of that city. He was then engaged 
as clerk by the proprietor of the jirincipal 
hotel of .that place, in which employment 
he remained for one ^ear. His father now 
insisted that he learn the trade of carjien- 
ter and builder, and the son engaged 
in this line for two and one-half years. 
Then for one year longer he served with 
H. Shavon, in the city of Hernosand, Nor- 



320 



JiEn a'/j'/:k vaij.ky Axn 



land, finisliing his apprenticeship to that 
trade. At this time lie returned home, and, 
wiicn twenty j'ears of age. in obedience to 
the Swedish law extant at that time, he 
attended a military school, being promoted 
for the third time to the office of vice-corpo- 
ral. After remaining for one month he 
visited his father's family for some three 
weeks, and then migrated to America, com- 
ing to Cliicago in 1871. In Chicago he 
turned his attention to working at his trade, 
and, togetlier witli liis oldest brother, took 
and fulfilled a great many contracts for 
building. On the 9tii of October of that 
year came tiie terrible Chicago fire. At 
this time tlie Ijrotliers were just completing 
a new buikling. Tliis, together with a great 
many valuables that he had brought from 
Sweden, was burned and utterly destroyed. 
His loss directly from the fire was over 
$1,200, and in a siioit time he lost $292 
more that had been deposited in a bank ; the 
bank failed, and he was out of money. 
After the fire he worked at his trade; and 
was very successful.. He overworked, how- 
ever, and was taken sick with a fever, being 
laid up for nine weeks, and was, during the 
most of this time, paying $5 a week for 
board and $1 \>av day for doctors sei'vices. 
This sickness ate up all of his hard earnings. 
On his recovei'y he again turned Jiis atten- 
tion to worla'ng at his trade, and was again 
successful in gathering together considei'able 
money. During the winter in 1872 he went 
to a private school for tlie i)urpose of learning 
the English language and the business cus- 
toms of our country. Again he turned his 
attention to the carpenter's trade, continuing 
in this business until 1875, when he went to 
Pierce county, Wisconsin, where he was en- 
gaged in contracting and building until 1880. 
During this time he served as constable for 
two 3'ears and studied law some. J)Ut he 
longed to come further west, and on the 2d 
day of October landed at Fergus Falls, 



Minnesota, where he went to work for Erwin 
Gage at the carj)enter's trade. Here he had 
charge of the building of the school-house 
that was destroyed bv fire in 1887. He fol- 
lowed the inisiness of building and contract- 
ing until 1884, when he engaged in other 
lines, and turned his attention to real estate 
business pi'incipally. He followed this until 
1885, when he was appointed city justice 
to fill out the unexpired term of Soren 
Listoe. In the spring of 1887 he was elected 
to that office without opposition and has 
held that position since. He has held nu- 
merous other positions of trust, being atone 
time appointed superintendent of tlie con- 
struction of the high-school building. Dur- 
ing the 3'ear 1872, when in the citv of Chi- 
cago, he made his declaration of citizenship 
and took out his first ])apers in the spring of 
1877, then being in Pierce county, Wiscon- 
sin. His application was made before Judge 
Eundy from whom he received his luitural- 
ization papers. 

On the 24th day of November, 1887, Mr. 
Frankberg was married to Miss Louise 
Johnson, of Pepin county, Wisconsin. She 
was a native of Sweden and came to 
America when twelve years of age. She 
was born October 23, 1850. Two sons 
have blessed this union — Albei't P., bom 
February 4, 1881 ; and George W., born 
December 20, 1 882. 

Mr. Frankberg owns a comfoi-tablc home 
on Summit avenue, which he built in 1882. 
In politics he is a standi republican, and 
with his wife and famil}' attentls the Luth- 
eran church. He is a leading member of 
the Odd-Fellows fraternity, being deputy 
grand master of this district. He became a 
member of the Odd-Fellows lodge Decem- 
ber 25, 1870. In politics Mr. Frankberg 
takes a ])rominent jilace. In 1880 he was 
appointed secretary of the republican county 
committee, and in 1888, during the entire 
campaign, was chaii'inan of the republican 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



yi\ 



committee of Otter Tail count}'. He li.is 
proven iiimself an earnest, enthusiastic 
worker in political matters, and at all times 
a wise counselor. Ilis parents' name was 
llerg, but on attending the millitar\' school 
in Sweden lie was given the name of Frank, 
so that ilis name became Frankl)erg. 



li'HOMAS D. MULLIN, one of the 
prominent business men of the famous 
Park Regions of ^Minnesota, is at the present 
writin"- engaged in the collection business in 
tlie thriving village of Herman, Grcint 
fonntv, ^Minnesota. He is a native of New 
Brunswick. Ijorn on the ISth of Februaiw, 
18.5;^., and is the son of Joseph and Rachel 
(Davis) MuUin, natives of Ireland and Wales, 
respectively. The grandfather of our subject 
on his mother's side was John Davis, a far- 
mer and a native of Wales. The grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch on his father's side 
was John Arthur Mullin, a native of Ireland, 
and at one time a merchant in that country. 
The father of our subject died in April, 1867, 
and was by occupation a school-teacher. He 
was also engaged at manufacturing boots 
imd sho(>s in the citj^ of Fredricton, New 
Bmnswiek, for a good man}' years. He 
with his family belonged to the Free Baptist 
cimi'ch. Tliey had a family of the following- 
named children — John A., Amelia, JosepJi 
II., Eldon, Sarah A., George L., Thomas D., 
Melijurn S., Barnett M. and William II. 
George was drowned at the age of eleven 
years, in the St. John river. New Brunswick. 
John died in a Florida hospital three months 
before the close of the Civil War. He en- 
listed in a Maine Cavalry Kegiment. Joseph 
(bed in June, 1886, in the land of his birth. 
New Brunswick, being forty years old. He 
was head salesman in a large dry goods firm 
at the city of Fredricton, New Brunswick. 



Mr. Mullin, the suliject of this ijiograph- 
ical sketch, spent hissciiool-daysin his native 
land, and at the age of seventeen years quit 
his sciiool-life and commenced an ajipren- 
ticeship in a carriage-shop, continuing at 
his trade until 1882. Prior to this, in 1879, 
he had I'emoved to Herman, Grant county, 
Minnesota, and engaged at his trade 
until the tune mentioned. After quitting 
his trade he engaged in the hotel business, 
and during that summer successfully operated 
the Commercial House in Herman. He then 
eng-aged in the same class of business, in 
^vhich he is now engaged. He traveled 
as a collector for the AValter A. Wood Ilarv 
ester Works, and in Jime, 1888, resigned his 
position with that company and commenced 
his present collection business on his own ac- 
count. He is extensively engaged in this line 
of work and is considered to be one of the 
best men in his line. He cari'ies all lines of 
collections, and, as he is a man of the utmost 
honor and integrity, he commands a large 
aiul growing business, and is one of Grant 
county's most prominent business men-. 

Mr. Mullin was jnarried November 23, 
ISSl, to Miss Abbie S. Cater, who was born 
at Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1856. She is 
the daughter of Andrew J. (^ater, a farmer 
and lumberman, who with his family came to 
Minnesota, in lS6tt, and settled at Princeton, 
Minnesota. She is one of six children, and 
was educated in Minnea])olis, Minnesota. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mullin are the parents of one 
child, Genevive, born August 15, 1882. Mr. 
Mullin was engaged three years M'ith C. M. 
Stevens in the collection business, and after 
leaving that gentleman engaged with the 
Harvester Works. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity — a member of Pres- 
cott Lodge, No. 162, A. F. & A. M. Eldon^ 
the brother of our subject, is principal of the 
Provincial Normal School, in Fredricton, New 
Brunswick, and is considei-ed to be the most 
highly educated man in tiie jjrovince. In 



322 



HEn laVER VALLEY AXD 



1886 he was appointed as commissioner of 
education at the Indian Colonial Exhibition, 
atLimdon, England. Earnett.anotlier brother 
of Mr. J\[iillin, is a principal ol' a school in 
St. Mary's, New Brunswick ; and Melbourn 
was a partner of our subject's in the carriage 
business in the village of ITavlock, Tsew 
15runswiclc, but since the fall of 1879 he 
has been in the employ of the Government 
Kailway Works in the city of Moncton, New 
Jjrunswick. 



SWEET, a farmer of 
, ^Minnesota, is a son of 
Henry and Jane (Dandley) Sweet, natives of 
New York and Connecticut, respectively, 
lie was born in the province of Ontario, 
May 22, 1S4S. He nuide ids home with his 
parents until h(' was twenty -five years of age. 
He followed the business of farming in On- 
tario till the spring of 1881, when he re- 
moved to the United States, coming directly 
to Fisher, Minnesota, where, the first year, 
he bought IGO acres of land, and the next 
year purchased eighty acres more, making 
him a tine farm of 240 acres, besides a piece 
of timber land on the banks of the Red 
river. He is an exemplary citizen and a suc- 
cessful farmer. He resides, at this writing, 
in Fislier village. Ephraim A. Sweet was 
mari'ied May 2t», 1ST3. to Miss Agnes E. As- 
selstine, daugiiter of Benjamin and Chai'- 
lotte (Huffman) Asselstine, natives of Ontario. 
The fruits of this mari'iage were the follow- 
ing cliildrcn — Mabel O., Arthur G., Cyrus 
J., George 11., Edna May, and Harry B., all 
of whom are living, except George 11., who 
died the fall after they came to this country. 
Ephraim's parents, who both died in Ontario, 
have six children, who still survive them at 
this date — Mulford J., James, George W., 
Esther M., Orison D. and the subject of this 
sketch. The parents of Mrs. Sweet also died 



in Ontario, and she has eight brothere and • 

sisters now living — Wesley, Cyrus, Nicholas, j 
Coleman, Charlotte, Mai'v, Olivia, and Effie. 

ISIr. Sweet and his family are members of tiie _■ 

]\ret]iodist Episcopal church. He has served I 

as township clerk, supervisor, anti sciiool ^ 
clerk, also as steward of his ciiui-ch. 



©EXTER E. BRONSON, the affable and 
accommodating ))roprietor of the sale 
and livery stable in Breckenridge, Min- 
nesota, is a native of New York. He was 
born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 
183S, and is a son of George A. and IMary 
(Barnes) Bronson, natives of the "Empire 
State." The father was a blacksmith by 
trade, and remained in his native State 
until 1859, when he went to California, 
where he died September 20, 186(i, and the 
mother died March 4, 1861. They had four 
children who are now living — Dexter E., 
Phoebe E.. now Mrs. Cyrus Underwood; 
Alice A., now Mrs. Ferrin, and Georgia, 
the wife of Mr. Hale. Tlie subject of this 
sketch remained at home attending school 
until he was twenty years of age, at which 
time he commenced in life for himself. He 
opened a hotel in Bradford, Iowa, where he 
had settled in 1S53 with his parents, lie 
enlisted, October 2, 1862, in Comjiany B, 
Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and was in the service 
three years. He was promoted to llrst 
lieutenant and afterward to ca]itain. He 
served in the Indian war in Dakota, and, 
after his lionorable discharge, moved to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained 
for several years engaged in the contracting 
business. In 1879 he moved to Pope countv, 
Minnesota, and settled on a farm near Han- 
cock, where he remained engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits for three years. In 1881 
he removetl to Wilkin county, Miniu'sota, 
and settled in Breckenridge, still operating 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



323 



his farm in Pope county for one j'ear. On 
settling in Breckenriclge, he engaged in tlie 
hotel business, which he followed for three 
years. lie then started in his present busi- 
ness, at which he has since been engaged. 

Mr. Bronson was united in marriage in 
ISGU to Miss Yira Foster, and this union has 
been blessed with two children — George A. 
and Fi-ank D. Mrs. Bronson is a native of 
Maine, and is a daughter of Dr. E. 11. Foster. 

i\Ir. Bronson is one of the most prominent 
men of his village. He held the othce of 
city marshal for one year, and takes an 
active interest in all public matters. He is 
an adherent to the principles of the repub- 
lican part}'. 



R. BRIGGS. The bar of the Eed 
L-H^- liiver Yallev includes many of the 
most able lawyers in the State, and the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this article may 
justly ha rated as one of the most prominent 
among them. 

E. E. Briggs was born at Lake Mills, Jeffer- 
son county, Wisconsin, April 20, 1851, and is 
the son of Silas II. and Sarah A. (Eeed) 
Briggs. The father was born in Steuben 
county, New York, and the mother was 
a native of Waupaca, Wisconsin. Silas H. 
came to Wisconsin when a young man, en- 
gaging at both farming and mercantile busi- 
ness, lie left that section in 1865 and went 
to Filhnoi'e county, Minnesota, and farmed 
for two years ; from there he moved to Wi- 
nona, where he ran a boarding-house. His 
wife died at that place in 180S. He remained 
a few months, and moved to Martin county, 
Minnesota, again engaii'ing in farming, fol- 
lowing the same until 1885, when he died. 
His people were of English origin, and he 
was a man of mucli ])rominence in AViscon- 
sin. Sarah II. Eeed's father was a native of 
New York, but came to Wisconsin in an 



early da}'. He spent his last days at St. 
Charles, Minnesota, where he died in 1885. 
He was also of English origin. 

Our subject, E. E. Briggs, lived with 
his parents until fourteen j'ears of age, at 
Wyocena, Wisconsin, where he attended the 
common schools with the now celebrated Dr. 
N. E. Wood, of Brooklyn, New York. Our 
subject then went to Fillmore count}', Min- 
nesota, to assist his father in farm work, also 
accompanied them to Winona, where he did 
all kinds of manual labor, jiaying for his 
own schooling at the Winona High School, 
from which he graduated, in 18T1, with high 
honors in the first class which graduated 
from that school. He made his home for 
one year with Mrs. Mary C. Nind, who is 
corresponding secretary of the Woman's 
Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Prior to his graduation 
he taught school six months in Wisconsin, 
one term at Mt. Yernon, Minnesota, and 
one terra at Pickwick. 

After he had graduated, he was tendered 
the professorship of the Eed Wing Institute, 
then under the presidenc}^ of W. P. Hood, 
He refused this, howevei', and entered the 
law Urm of Simpon i*»: AVilson, at AA'^inona, 
under the tutorship of Judge Abner Lewis, 
a former member of Congress from New 
York. After being a student for three years, 
he was admitted to the bar in 1873, and at 
once began practice at Winona, where he 
remained until 1878, when he came to Moor- 
head. His (office is now in the Grand Pa- 
cific hotel. He is said to possess the most 
complete private lil)rary in the Nortliwest, 
much larger than found in an}' of the public 
libraries. He values this choice library and 
his law library at $10,000 dollars. His pi'ac- 
tice is a large one antl is still increasino-. 

No man of Moorhead has accomplished 
more or put forth more effort to buikl up the 
city and county than has our subject. He 
was interested in the various raili-oads 



324 



nED RIVER VALLEY AND 



diverging from the place. lie aided the 
Mooriiead foundry and machine shop, also 
was ]iroininont in the !Moorlicad Publishing 
Company (Moorhead Evening NnoH),i\\\iS. has 
also been a successful ojierator in farm in- 
dustry. His residence, which is one of 
Mooi'iioad's best, is situated on Eighth and 
Gai'i'Dwa}' streets, n))on a beautiful plat of 
nine lots. 

Mr. Briggs was mai'i'ied July 4, 1875, to 
Miss Lizzie IJascomb, of Wisconsin. She 
was a student at the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evnnston, Tliinois, and a pupil of the 
celebrated Miss Frances Willard. She also 
followed teaching in Minnesota some, prior to 
her marriage. Sheis nowtliemotherof three 
children — Florence E., Earl E., and Edith. 

Mrs. Briggs is a faithful Christian worker 
and is vice-president of the W. C. T. U. of 
Minnesota, and president of her district for 
the same society. Both parents and children 
belong to the Methodist Episcopal churcii. 
The father has been superintendent of a Sun- 
day -S(;hool for ten years, and has for a long 
])eriod taught a class of young ladies. In 
188i lie re])resented the Methodist EjMscojial 
eliurcli 

delpliia, as a lay 
lie holds the oflice of menibei'of the oiticial 
board of the Moorheatl church. He is a 
strong advocate of temperance principles and 
temperance laws, and is a thorough repub- 
lican in politics. Such is the life stor}' in 
brief of one of the most higldy esteemed 
gentlemen and one of the leadfng attornej's 
of Moorhead. 



at the general conference at Thila- 
delegate from Minnesota. 



-«- 



^tf^ 



©LE H. LUCKEN, the ])oi)ular and 
well-known treasurer of Polk county, 
Minnesota, is one of the "brave boys in 
l)lue "' to wlumi this nation is so much in- 
debted I'oi' their sei'vices during the late Civil 
War, and is the jiresent commander of Cob- 
ham Post, No. 90, G. A. R., of Crookston, 



of which city he is an influential and es- 
teemed citizen. 

It being within the scoi)eof tliis volume to 
give a short sketch of the lives of the jirom- 
inent and i-epresentative peo])le of this local- 
ity, it devolves upon us to place in i)roper 
order the narrative of the characteristics and 
events which constitute ^Mr. Lucken's biog- 
ra|)]iy. Ii<^ was i)orn in Norway, that cradle 
of so many dominant i-aces, on the 22d of 
September, ls;57, and is the son of Hans and 
Maria Luclcen. Beared amid his native 
hills, he there drank in that spirit of liberty 
and ind(>pendence that is so chai-actei-istic of 
the iiiMU. and there received the elements of 
an ('(hication, the birthright of every native 
of that favored kingilom. In 1S.")7, ijeing 
then some twenty years of age, he bade 
adieu to his Noi-thland liome, and, crossing 
the se.as, landed in Eastern Canada, where 
he made his home until September, 1801, 
when ho immigrated into the United States. 
Scarce had he reachcHl his post of destination, 
Madison, Wisconsin, when, on the 20th of 
September, he enlisted in Company H, Fif- 
teenth Wisconsin Infantry, and remained a 
member of that gallant band of heroic men 
until the spring of 186;"). He bore a con- 
spicuous })art in the capture of Island No. 
10, in the battles of Perry ville and Stone 
Biver, and bore the Hag of his I'egiment, so 
oft the oi'iflamme of victory, thi'oughout the 
awful carnage of Chickamauga's bloody day 
and the perilous assault and cai)ture of the con- 
federate lines on Mission Bidge. At Chicka- 
mauga a minie-ball from an enemy's musket 
grazed his head, knocking him helpless and 
insensible with a wound upon his scalp. His 
comrades seeing him fall, left him on the 
Held for dead, but within an hour he was in 
his old place in the lines of the regiment, 
with his head tied up in a handkerchief and 
the beloved ensign of his adopted country 
waving; above him. The command luiving 



been assiiined to the column 



(ien. AV. T. 



PARK KEG JONS Ol- MINNESOTA 



3-is 



Sherman, our suhjoct participated in all of 
the excitint^ scenes that heralded the fall of 
Atlanta, and in the battle of • Joncsboro. 
When Sherman piisiied out his columns to 
the sea, the Fifteenth Wisconsin was assigned 
for duty to the railroad between Nashville 
and Chattanooga, where our subject re- 
mained until Fel)ruary 18, 1865, when he was 
mustered out of the service. lieturniiig to 
Madison, Wisconsin, he was commissioned as 
first lieutenant of CduipanyE, Fifty-third Wis- 
consin Infantry, and did gallant service in 
Missouri until October 10, 18C5, when he 
was again mustered out and finally dis- 
ci larged. 

Immediately on leaving the service Mr. 
Lucken removed to the State of Iowa, and, 
putting up a woolen mill at Decorah, the 
seat of justice of Winneshiek county, con- 
tinued its o]ieration tiiere for about nine 
years. In 1874, dis[)osing of his property 
there, he removed to Lyle, Mower county, 
Minnesota, at which ]ioint he was engaged 
in the general merclumdise trade until the 
centennial year, ISTG, when, once more sell- 
ing out, he opened a general store at Bloom- 
ing Prairie, Steele county, this State, l)ut in 
1878 disposed of it and came to Polk county. 
Here he took up a claim in the town of Rus- 
sia, but shoi'tly after was appointed receiver 
of the estate of T. II. Ergens, and remained 
tiiere until April, 1879, at which date he 
came to Crookston, where he has resided 
ever since. During that summer, a vacancy 
having occurred in the oiJice of the county 
treasurer, Mr. Lucken was apjiointed to that 
position. At the election in the succeeding 
fall he was chosen I>y the qualilied voters of 
the count}' to fill tiie same post, and has been 
continued therein by a discriminating and 
adiiiiriiii;- constitiieiicv, he lieino- elected his 
own successor ever since, lie has always 
been identified closel\' with the republican 
pai'ty,and stands liigii in the local councils of 
that organization. 



Tlie subject of this memoir is a leading 
and active memi)er of the Masonic frater- 
nity; was made a Mason in Great Light 
Lodge, No. 81, of Decorah, Iowa, in 1866, 
but is now a member of Crookston Lodge, 
No. 141, A. F. & A. M.; of Pierson Chapter, 
No. 40, K. A. M., and of Constantine Com- 
mandery, No. 20, K. T. 

Mr. Lucken was uniteil in marriage on the 
27th of May, 1867, at Decorah, Iowa, with 
Miss Elizabeth Wilson, a native of Norway, 
and the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth 
Wilson. By this union there has been born 
two children — Horace and Leonartl. 



^4— 



«^^^ 



WINSLOW HOLASEK. Among 
the thrifty and frugal citizens of 
Grant county, Minnesota, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this biographical sketch. 
His beautiful farm, comprising 160 acres of 
well cultivated land lies in Logan township 
on section 22, where he carries on, success- 
full\% a general farming and stock-raising 
i)usiness. Mr. Holasek is a native of Minne- 
sota, born in Eden Prairie, Hennepin county, 
and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Charstic) 
Holasek, natives of Bohemia, a subdivision 
of the Austrian Empire. The father and 
mother of our subject emigrated to the Unit- 
ed States, and settled in Ilennejiin county, 
where they still remain. The father is a 
farmer, and is one of the representative citi- 
zens of the localitjr in which he resides. 
They are the parents of thirteen living chil- 
dren, named in the following order — Anna, 
]\fary,AVinslow, Joseph, John, Julia, Stephen, 
Jennie, Frank, Fred, Eosa, Christena and 
Amiel. 

Winslow Holasek spent his school days in 
Hennepin county, attending for some time 
in Minneapolis, but principally in the district 
schools. At the age of nineteen years he 
left the school-room, and until he had reached 



326 



RED KIVER VALLE Y AND 



the age of twentv-ono. Avorkod for S. W. 
Fiirnliaiii, in Minneapolis. After remaining 
with this gentleman for about eighteen 
months, ^fr. Ilohisek moved to Grant county, 
j\Iinnesota, setthng, in ISSO, on his present 
tract of land in Logan township on section 
22. On this jjlacc he has since remained, and 
is one of the prominent and influential farm- 
ers of that regicm. 

~Wv. llolasek was united in the holy bonds 
of matrimony on the ISth day of February, 
1882, to Miss Mary Souba, a native of Wis- 
consin. This union has lieen blessed witli 
two chiklren — Joseph W. and Rosa M. Mr. 
llolasek is a Catholic in religious belief. He 
is a man of the sti'ictest honor and integrity, 
highly esteemed by all his acquaintances. 
He holds the office of treasurer of Logan 
township and is also poundmaster. He 
affiliates with the democratic party and 
takes an active interest in that oi-ganiza- 
tion's campaigns. 

— — *-J€i^-'«— - 



rUDGE FOLSOM DOW is one of the 
landmarks of Richland county, North 
Dakota, having been the second settler in 
the village of Wahpeton. He has therefore 
been identifieil closely with all the interests 
of that place since its foundation. He is of 
EngHsh descent, and traces his ancestry 
back to Benjamin Dow, his great grand- 
father, who came to America from England, 
in about 1740, settling at Seabrook, New 
PLampshire. Benjamin Dow's son Winthrop 
was the grandfather of the subject of our 
sketch. 

Judge Dow was born in New Hampshire, 
August 5, 1838, his ]iarents being Samuel 
and Mary (Pease) Dow, natives of the same 
State. The mother was a daughtei' of Win- 
throp Pease, who was the son of Enoch 
Pease, a native of England, and who, on 
coming to this country, settled in Deerfield, 



New Hampshire, where he followed the busi- 
ness of farming. 

Samuel Dow was a farmer by occupation, 
and also dealt largely in cattle, buying and 
driving to Massachusetts, where he sold 
many head. He died in the place of his 
nativity January 19, ISOT. The mother died 
February 17, 1870. They had a family of 
three children, two of wlioni are now liv- 
ing — Louisa M., now Mrs. JUake. and Fol- 
som, whose name appears at the head of 
this sketch. 

Judge Dow spent his younger days on the 
home farm attending the district school. 
At fourteen he commenced a course in the 
Phillips Academy, where he attended every 
winter until he was seventeen years old. 
At that age he began the study of law with 
James McMurphy, Esq., in E]))iing. Rock- 
ingham county, New Ham])shire. He con- 
tinueil prosecuting his legal studios in the 
winter, and working on the farm during the 
summer, until lS6-t. In that year he was 
admitted to practice by the supreme court 
of New Hampshire. He then opened a law 
office in his native town, and engaged in 
active practice there until 1870. Durmg 
this time he had made his home on his 
mother's farm, Init after his mother's death, 
which occurred February 17th, in that year, 
he settled up the estate and started for the 
West, traveling in search of a location. For 
two months he traveled over the Northwest, 
" viewingtlie landscape o'er," and then settled 
for a short time in Yankton, Noilli Dakota. 
While on his prospecting tour he canu^ to 
North Dakota on a, Governnu'iit surveying 
corps. lie followed the lino Iruni LJrecken- 
ridge across the Boid Sioux river into T^akota, 
and when he passed over what is now the site 
of the county seat of Ricldand county, so 
struck was he with the beauty and lay of the 
country, that he concluded to mark it for his 
own. So, taking a stake, with his name carved 
upon it, he drove it into the ground as a land- 



r.lRK REGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



327 



mark. His prophecy has been verified in the 
fact that now tliat land lies within the lim- 
its of tiie city of Wahpeton. The same 
year he returned and built a house on this 
land, becoming the second settler in the 
place, where he has since resided. He com- 
menced operations on the farm by having 
forty acres broken and put under cultiva- 
tion. However, he had no idea of relin- 
quisiiing his hold on his ])rofession, so he 
openetl an otRce in his house and gave his at- 
tention to what business there was in the 
legal line. He was the first regularly ad- 
mitted lawyer in the county, and has con- 
tinued in active practice since coming to this 
county. The settlers organized a school 
board in 1ST3, andhe became one of its mem- 
bers, which position he held until 18S7, 
when he refused to serve longer. He was 
the first justice in the count}', being elected 
in 1S73, and married the first couple who 
were m.arried in the county. This couple, 
after their mari-iage, camped on the river 
bank, turning their oxen loose to graze on 
the prairie, and themselves sleeping in their 
covered wagon. In the morning they bought 
a few goods and then started for their home 
on the Cheyenne river, far to the northwest. 
Judge Dow has officiated at more marriages 
than any three men in the county, and seems 
to be in active demand by those desirous of 
laimching on the matrimonial sea. He has 
held tlie office of justice during most of the 
time since 1S73, when he was first elected. 
He has held other positions of trust and 
responsiliility, among them that of county 
superintendent of schools, county treasurer, 
and ilistrict attorney. He enjoys a large and 
lucrative practice, and is held in high esteem 
l)y his fellow-citizens. He buys and sells 
real estate ami makes collections. He has 
invested largely in lands throughout the 
county, and owns some village property. 

In January, 1882, Judge Dow was mar- 
ried to Miss Josephine M. Losinger, of Eoch- 



ester, Minnesota, daughter of Frederick and 
Harriett (Eaton) Losinger, natives of Penn- 
sylvania and Connecticut, resj^ectively. This 
marriage has been blessed with two children 
— Mary and Clarence S. 

Judge Dow is a supporter of the ]n'inci- 
ples of the I'epublican party, and is an ac- 
knowledged leader in its local affairs. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and attends 
the Congregational church, of which he is a 
trustee, and of which he was one of the lo- 
cal founders. The judge is a man of strong, 
decided opinions, is careful and conservative 
in all things, and by his integrity and fear- 
less defense of the right has endeared him- 
self to the hearts of all who know him. 



-*-: 



IP,.^ EWELL N. HARDY is the junior 
W^ member of the firm of Kortsch &c 
Hardy, of Alexandria, Minnesota. He was 
born in Rock count}', Wisconsin, on March 
20, 1S43, and is the son of Samuel B. and 
Mary (Carlton) Hardy, natives of IVIassaehu- 
setts. 

His father was engaged during most of his 
life in the boot and shoe business, and, coming 
to "Wisconsin in about 1841, settled in Rock 
county, where he took Government land and 
engaged thereafter in farming. He remained 
in this county until 1853, when he sold out and 
came to Minnesota, settling on Spring creek, 
near Red Wing. At this place he also took 
Government land.and improved the same until 
ISG-l. At this time he moved into the city 
of Red Wing, where he engaged in the man- 
ufacture of boots and shoes. Later he went 
to Diamond IMuff, Wisconsin, where he 
eno-asred in the g-i-ocerv business. He re- 
niained in this ]ilace until his death, which 
occurred in 1SS4, in the month of May. The 
mother died in November, 1887. They were 
both members of the Methodist Episco])al 
church, the father having been prominent in 
the churches of which he had been a member, 



328 



HEI^ RIlEk VAII.EY JXJ) 



having held the position of ciass-leatler and 
otiiei" offices for many years. They liad a 
family of thirteen children, six of whom are 
now living — Charles C, Ebenezer, Xewell 
N., Albert H., Matilda A. and Julia A. 

Mr. Hardy, the subject of this sketch, spent 
his younger days on the farm, and received 
his education in the common schools of the 
State of Minnesota. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Company H, Eighth Ilegiment Minnesota 
A'ohmteers, and was in tiie service for three 
years and nine days. He was in four lieavy 
Indian l)alt](;s in Minnesota and on the 
l)lains of Dakota, saw service in seven battles 
of the South beside many skirmishes, witness- 
ing the severest service in the battles of 
Murfreesboro and ISTashville, where he saw 
the annihilation of Hood's army. From 
Nashville he went around l)y the coast where 
his regiment joinetl the corps of General 
Sherman. They remained one month with 
General Sherman's command, during a por- 
tion of his '• march to the sea." At Charles- 
ton, North Carolina, the regiment was dis- 
banded, and ilischarged at Fort Snelling, 
Minnesota. On receiving his discbarge from 
tile service he went to Pine Island, Minne- 
sota, where he eno-affed in farmin<!'. reinain- 
ing in this business for three years, at the 
end of which time, in ISCS, he came to 
Douglas county, Minnesota, where he took a 
homestead of ]()0 acres in the town of Lake 
Mary. Hcrehc built a log house with what 
is called a " shake " roof, and which was wit h- 
out a floor the first winter. Here he saw the 
severest times of his life. On coming to 
Douglas county he had but .s5 in his pocket 
with which to improve his farm and buy 
])rovisions. Five dollars went but a little 
way in accomplishing this — flour being $10 
a barrel, and no ])otatoes nor vegetables of any 
kind to be had at any price. However, Jfr. 
Hardy was a man not to be frightened by 
such things. He kejjt on improving the 
farm as best he could until it was in fine 



condition, with fine buildings. He lived here 
upon this farm until 1878, at which time he 
came into the city of Alexandria and en- 
gaged in mei'cantile business with Nord & 
Kortsch. He continued with this firm for 
about five j'ears, and then Mr. Nord retired 
from the business, turning over his portion 
of the firm assets to Mr. Hardy, who formed 
a partnership with Mr. Kortsch. This busi- 
ness partnership they have continued ever 
since. In ISS-t they purchased the store 
building, which they now occujw on the 
corner of Sixth avenue and Main streets, at 
which i)oiut they are doing a very large 
business. IMr. Hardy has made many in- 
vestnuMits in land in Douglas county. I'.e- 
sides his town property lie owns a farm in 
the town of Orange and one in the town of 
Hudson, the latter being now run and 
managed by himself. He has quite a fancy 
for blooded stock, especially horses, and has 
now a number of first-class animals. He 
owned the well-known race horse Selkirk, 
who, when thirty-one years of age, ti-otted a 
mile in 2:4o, and at that extreme old age 
looked like a young horse. 

Mr. Hardy was married, in 18T5, to Miss 
Celestia E. Putnam, of Pelican Ilapids, "SWn- 
nesota, the daughter of Lewis Putnam. 
Seven children have blessed this union — 
Charles C, Rachel S.. Mary C, Flora I'... 
Lewis P., Samuel P. and Joseph F. 

j\Ir. Hardy is a republican in politics: is 
an honored member of the G. A. \l. and 
Knights of Honor. He has held the ollices 
of pathmaster, town clerk, supervisor, etc. 
He resides in his beautiful home on the 
shores of Lake Winona west of Main street. 
Mr. Hardy has been one of the most suc- 
cessful business men who have settled in 
Alexandria. In his farms and other invest- 
ments he has made consitlerable money, and 
now occupies much of his time in making 
farm loans, and looking after his other busi- 
ness interests. 



PAR A- REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



^ C. CLEMENT iseii,<>-:iged in the general 

'^P line of hrokeraye business in Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota. lie handles real estate and 
insurance, anil is general Ijusiness agent for 
what is known as the South Side Real Estate 
Headquarters. He collects rents, notes and 
accounts, and pays taxes for non-residents. 
His office is located in the Clement and 
Wriglit block, corner of Bismarck and Cas- 
cade streets. 

Mr. Clement is a native of Hopkinton, 
Merrimac county, ]^e\v Hampshire. He was 
born on the 8th day of December, 1824, 
and is the son of Caleb and Lydia (Gyle) 
Clement, natives of New Hampshire. The 
father was by occupation a farmer, and died 
in 1S2G. Caleb's father, Peltiaii, was a 
farmer by occupation and a native of Xew 
Hampshire. Lydia (Gyle) Clement's father 
was David GNde, also a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and a farmer. Caleb Clement had a 
family of three children — Sarah A., now 
Mrs. Chase ; Mehitable, now Mrs. McGoom ; 
and C. (!., the subject of our sketch. 

C.C.Clement remained beneath the par- 
ental I'oof until he was well along in years. 
When nine years of age his parents' moved 
to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he received 
a good public school education. At sixteen 
years of age he was a]iprenticed to learn the 
carpenter's trade, and served in this line 
until he was nineteen years old, at which 
time he coninienced work as a journeyman 
carjienter. doing some contracting in 
Lowell and \ iciruty. After completing 
his apprentic('slii[) he attended the academy 
at Fembi'ook, New Hampshire, for one 
year, and in 1850 went to California by way 
of the Isthmus of Panama. He remaine<l in 
California for two years, during the first few 
months of which time he worked in the 
mines. Then he jobbed at the carpenter's 
trade, but his health failed and he was not 
able to perform the necessary amount of 
work which would enable him to catrv on 



his largo business. Finally he was so terii- 
bly shaken up with fever and ague that he 
was forced to leave the country. In 1852 he 
returned to Lowell, Massachusetts, coming- 
back by way of the Nicaraguan route. After 
coming to Lowell he continued for some time 
to work at his trade, but in 1S5.3 he turned 
his attention to the grocery business, and 
opened a store Avhich he I'an for one year. 
He then went to Lake Village, New Ilami)- 
shire, where he engaged with the Boston, 
Concord & Montreal llailroad Compan}'^, as 
23attern-maker in their shops. He continued 
in this business for eight 3'ears, and thence 
going to Concord, he engaged in the same 
kind of work for the Concord, M. &, L. Eail- 
road, continuing in their employ for over 
one year. During the first year of the war 
he went to Portsmouth (New Hampshire) 
Navy Yard, where he worked at machine ])at- 
tern-raaking for one year; tlience he came 
westward to Ohio, settling in Sandusky, 
where he had charge of the car de- 
partment in the Sandusky, Dayton & 
Cincinnati Railroad Company's shops for 
three years, having in charge during the 
greater portion of this time, a crew of fifty 
men. In 18C5 he came to Minnesota and 
settled at Faribault, where, for a time, 
he performed no labor, but carefully looked 
after the recuperation of his health. Later 
he went to woi-k on the Minnesota Central 
llailroad, for which coini)any he had charge 
of all their bridges and turntables. In 1867 
he went to Minneapolis where, for one year, 
he worked in the shops of this raili'oad com- 
pany. At the end of this time he turned his 
attention to other lines, and was given charge 
of the erection of and ])utting the machinery 
into the first Washburn tlouringmill in Min- 
neapolis. After com[)leting this work he 
went to Winona, where he was placed in 
charge of the mechanical department of the 
shops of the Winona & St. Peter llailroad 
Company, in whose employ he remained for 



330 



RED A'/fEK VALLEY AND 



two years. In 1869 he removed to Hastings 
and found employment in being placed in 
cliarge of the mechanical department of the 
Hastings & Dakota Railroad Company. For 
eleven years he continued working for this 
line of road. In April, 1S80, he came to 
Fergus Falls. Minnesota, as agent for the late 
George B. Wright, who was one of the pro- 
prietors of the town site of Fergus Falls, and 
had extensive business interests in this region. 
Mr. Clement had charge of all tiiis business 
when he settled in Fergus Falls. Mr. "Wriffht 
died in 1S82, and Mr. Clement was engaged 
in settling up his business until 1SS3. When 
the mattei*s in relation to tiie estate of ilr. 
Wi'igiit were closed up, the subject of our 
sketch tui'ued his attention to his present 
business, in which he has continued ever 
since. 

Mr. Clement was mari'ied in 1S40 to Miss 
Sarah S. Lathum, a native of Maine and 
daughter of Plon. Cyrus Lathum of Lowell, 
Massachusetts. They had a family of eight 
children, three of whom are now living — 
Emma C, now Mrs. J. G. Shouts; Caleb C, 
superintendent, secretary and treasurer of 
the AVinona Plow Works; and Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. A. C. Cooper, of Fergus Falls. 
Mrs. Clement died in 1857. She was ;i mem- 
ber of the Free-Will Ba])tist churcli, and an 
exemplary Christian lady. Mr. Clement's 
second wife was Mrs. Elsie J. Wright, widow 
of C. II. Wright, and a native of ?se\v Ilanip- 
siiire. Mrs. Elsie Clement by her first lius- 
band had one child — Charles J. Wrigiit, of 
Fergus Falls, who has been clerk of the 
court for Otter Tail countv for about eiarht 
years. 

Mr. Clement was formei'iy a whig, i)ut on 
the organization of the republican party be- 
came an earnest supporter of that organiza- 
tion, but during the last few years has affil- 
iated with the j)rohii)ilion l^arty. He has 
been a member of the school board in Hast- 
ings and Fergus Falls, and in various other 



ways has enjoyed the confidence of his fellow 
townsmen. He was formerly a member of 

the Free-Will Ba])tist church, but of late 
3" ears has been connected with the Presby- 
terian society, being a man of considerable 
prominence in church work. Since coming 
to Fergus Falls he has held the position 
of elder in his church society, and was 
a commissioner from the Ked Iliver pres- 
b\'tery to the general asseiid)ly of the 
centennial meeting at Philadelphia in ifay, 
1888. !Mr. Clement has extensive busi- 
ness interests in Fergus Falls and vicin- 
ity, and handles the business of many 
foreign residents. His Inisiness relations 
extend from Maine to Fei'gus Falls. On 
his books are to be found man}' farms 
and much desirable city property for sale. 
He is an active and vigilant collector, and in 
all his business transactions has proven him- 
self to be a wise and judicious manager, and 
to have gained the confidence of all his busi- 
ness |iatrons. 



-?►- 



MTRED L. HAMPSON. the junior mem- 
■'' ber of the firm of Andrews *fc liamp- 
son, dealers in iuirdware and lumber and 
loan agents, and of the firm of Aiuliews & 
Co., dealers in general merchandise, in the 
village of Ada, Minnesota, is one of its most 
prominent and influential merchants. 

Mr. llampson is a native of Akron, Sum- 
mit county, Ohio, and the son of Henry O. 
and Eliza (Osborn) llampson. He first saw 
the light March 17, 1858, and spent the first 
sixteen years of his life in that portion of 
the Buckeye State. When he was about 
ten years of age his father died from the ef- 
fects of hardships and exposure incurred dur- 
ing the service in the Second Ohio Cavalry 
Regiment dui'ing our late Civil War, leaving 
his widow with two small children — Fred 
L., the subject of this sketch, and Clara, now 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



331 



the wife of Judge A. Velanil, of Minneapolis, 
Minnesota. 

Mr. Hanipson remained with his mother in 
Alcron, assisting to the extent of his abilit\' 
ill providing for the family maintenance un- 
til 1875, when they all came west to Min- 
neitpolis. Leaving his mother and sister at 
i'aribault, Minnesota, lie went to tiie "Flour 
City" to get a house read\' for them, and 
after tiiey had come on and got settled he 
entered tiie employ of O. A. Praj', as office 
boy at tiie magniRcentsalaiy of $3 per week, 
and witli tlie understanding that he was to 
have a chance to learn the trade of mill- 
wright in the sliop. Tin's latter, after some 
eight months' delay, seemed to be no nearer 
to him. and for some time after he was em- 
ployed at wliatever he could find the most 
advantage to liim in a financial wav. In 
the winter of 1876-77 he entered the print- 
ing establishment of Johnson & Smith, of 
that city, where he learned tiie trade of 
litliographer, and remained until the sum- 
mer of 1878. Leaving his work for a short 
time he came to Glyndon, and found work 
in tlie harvest field for L. H. Tenney, who 
had formerh' been the major of the regi- 
ment in wliich Mr. llampson, Sr., served. 
The same fall our subject returned to Min- 
neapolis and resumed his labors in tlie litho- 
grapliic trade, but the following summer 
Major Tenney, who iiad taken quite an in- 
terest in the young man, procured him a sit- 
uation in the lumber yard of Andrews & 
Bro., at Glyndon, and, coming to that place, 
he entered their employ. For two years he 
was at work in their interests there, and, in 
1881, such was their confidence in him that 
they sent him to Ada to establish a yarii for 
the sale of lumber there. In January, 1882, 
he was taken into partnership with an equal 
interest with the two brothers. 

In the fall of 188.3 the firm established a 
liranch lumiier yard at Ilalstead.on the lied 
river. In the fall of 188-1 they purchased a 



stock of hardware, which they opened in 
connection with their lumber yard at Ada, 
under the charge of Mr. Hampson, and at the 
same time made the same addition to their 
business at Halstead. In the spring of 1885 
the firm dissolved partnership and divided the 
business, A. C. Andi-ews taking the stand at 
Halstead, and C. E. Andrews and Mr. Hamp- 
son the business at Ada, and the present 
firm was formed. In the fall of 1886 the 
new firm purchased a stock of general mer- 
chandise, and Mr. Andrews came u]) from 
Glyndon and assumed charge of that branch 
of the business, our subject still having 
control of the other. In all their interests 
the firm are doing a large and increasing 
business, and are among the most popular 
business men of the place. 

Since locating in Ada, Mr. Hampson lias 
been one of the most active and energetic 
citizens in all matters pertaining to the gen- 
eral interest and welfare of the community. 
He is strictly temperate in his habits, and 
has probably done more to promote the 
cause of temperance and drive out the liquor 
traffic than any other individual in this part 
of the countrv, the village refusinji- to grant 
any license in the same for the sale of liquor. 
Mr. Hampson is the acknowledged leader of 
the prohibition party in K"orman county, and 
was, in 1888, the chairman of the county 
executive committee of that following. He 
is an active member of the Congregational 
chm-ch, aiul was main!)' instrumental in the 
organization of the society of that denomi- 
nation in Ada, and in the building of the 
church. It was partially owing to his efforts 
that the Ada creamery was established at 
that place in the spring of 1886, with a cap- 
ital of $6,000 in a stock company, and he is 
the secretary and one of the directors of that 
institution. 

By his own exertions he has raised himself 
from poverty to coiiqiarativc affluence, and 
is one of the most highlv esteemed and re- 



332 



RED KJVEK VALLEY AND 



spected business men of Ada. His example 
is a bi'igiit one to tiie rising generation, 
sliowing fully the cliances that a young man 
has of raising himself in tlie world by the 
exercise of sobriety, industry, faitiifuluess 
and honesty. 

Mr. llainpscjri was united in marriage 
Al)ril 5, ISs;',, withl^liss Katie Waterlniry, a 
native of Lexington, Michigan, daughter of 
Charles and Ellen (Nettleton) Watei'bury, 
and niece of Gen. A. B. Nettleton, of 
Minneapolis. They have one child living, 
named Ilenrv Oscar. 



^ M^ LEXANDER ROBINSON, a respected 
J^^'*yL citizen of Polii county, Minnesota, 
is a resident of the city of East Grand Forks, 
where he is engaged in the blacksmith's 
trade. He is a native of Canada, born in 
Lanark county, on the 14th of March, 1853, 
and is tlie son of Andrew anil Jane (War- 
rington) Robinson, natives of Ireland. 

Mr. Robinson, the subject of tiiis article, 
attended the common sciiools of his native 
land until he had i-eaclied tlie age of fifteen 
years. At that jjeriod in life he commenced 
for himself by learning the blacksniitii's 
trade. After learning this trade he moved 
to Moberly, Lanark county, Ontario, Canada, 
where he followed the ti-ade for four years. 
He then removed to North Sherbrook, where 
he worked about one year. On the loth of 
October, 1S77, Mr. Robinson removed to 
Wisconsin, and during tlie following winter 
was engaged at his trade. Li the ensuing- 
spring he went to (iraiul Forks, Dakota 
Territory and opened a l)lacksinitii shop. 
He remained tliere foi' four years eniiaf>ed 
in his trade, and in ISSl removed to East 
(irand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, opened 
a siiop, and has since remained tiiere follow- 
ing his trade. He is prepared to do all kinds 
of smitliingand fancy shoeing, and gives the 



best of satisfaction to all his customers. 
He owns a substantial shop and a neat and 
commodious dweliing-house. 

Wv. Robinson was united in marriage on 
the 2Gth day of December, 1880, in East 
Grand Forks, to Miss Margaret !Mullally, the 
daughter of James and Phema (^lay) Mul- 
lally, natives of Ireland and Scotland, respect- 
ively. Mr. and JMrs. Robinson have been 
blessed with the following-named children — 
Gertrude, Jane, Mav and Andi'ew. 

Mr. Robinson is an active particinant in 
all local movements, and is an adherent to 
the principles of the republican ])arty. He 
is a worthy member of the Inde|)eiulent 
Order of Odd-Fellows at Graiul Forks, 
having joined the organization in Grand 
Forks in 1879. 

■«— 1^^"»- 

»ETER F. McCOl.LOR is one of tlir 
Is'" many "brave boys in blue" who 
have found homes in the fertile I'ark 
Regions of jMinnesota, and it will fully re- 
pay the readiM- to carefully examine the 
sketches of such men as the suljject of this 
memoir, who have ])assed thi-ough life's 
many changes and vicissitutles, iiiudly set- 
tling down to (piiet lives in the fertile ]>rai- 
ries of Northwestern Minnesota. 

Mr. McCollor is a native of the Pine Tre<^ 
State, born in Somerset county, Maine, July 
2, 1833, and is a son of Patrick and Jb'idget 
(Brennin) McCollor, natives of Ireland. Mrs. 
(Brennin) McCollor was the daughter of 
Barney Brennin, a farmer of Ireland. Pat- 
rick ^fcCollor was the son of Edward ]\rc- 
Collor, also a farnu^r of Irelaiul. The par- 
ents of oui- subject eniigi'ated tothel'nited 
States in 1812, settling in jVfaine, where they 
lived the remainder of theirlives. They had 
a family of twelve children, nanu-d in the 
following order — Bernard, Nancy, ,Ianies, 
John, Catharina, Patrick, Edward, David, 
Peter, Michael, Phineas and Thomas. Ber- 



PARK KEClONS OF MINNESOTA, 



333 



nard was in the Mexican War, and died in 
New York City from a disease contracted in 
tiie service. James, who was engageil in 
tiie bakeiw Inisiness in Chicago, Illinois, died 
there in ]ST<'>. IMichael was accidentally 
killed in the woods near Moosehead lake in 
1880, leaving a wife and chikl to mourn his 
loss. 

Peter ^FcColloi', the subject of this me- 
moir, attended the excellent common schools 
of Anson, Maine, until he was twelve years 
old, when he removed with his parents 
to Lower Canada. He attended school 
until he was seventeen years old, at 
which time he returned to Maine witli his 
brothers, where he was engaged in the lum- 
bei'ing business until 1856. In 1S50 Mr. 
McCollor went to California, where he 
i'einaine<l for tiiree years engaged in mining. 
While in ('(jloma, on the south branch of the 
American )'iver, Mr. IMcCoUor saw tlie first 
piece of gold found in the State. It was dug 
out near Sutter's mill and weighed twelve 
dollars. In 1S.5'.» he returned to Maine, and 
there lived for nineteen years. In 1878 he 
moved to Minnesota and settled in Grant 
count}', in May. He took a homestead of 
1(!0 acres in Eoseville township on section 14. 

On the 15th of September, 1862, he enlisted 
in the Twenty-fourth Maine Infantry and 
served until 1863, when he was honorabl}' 
discharged in August, lie entered as a pri- 
vate and wiis mustered out as a sergeant. 
II(! ])articii)ated in many battles and skir- 
mishes, including the siege of Port Hudson, 
during which he received a wouiul in the 
left arm. lie was discliaroed at Autrusta, 
Maine. 

]\ri'. ]\rcCollor was mai-ried April 15, 1801, 
to I\riss Margret McGarity, and this union 
has beei\ blessed with ten children — 
Angelia, Jennie, Ernest, Leon, All)ert 
(deceased), Alfred, Claud, Winnifred, Ivan 
and Margret. Tiie wife of Mr. McCollor 
died on the 20th dii v of Januarv, 1SS4, being 



forty-one years of age. Our sul)ject has 
held the following offices in his townsliip : ' 
Supervisor, six yea is ; justice of the peace, 
four years; and has also held various school 
oifices. He is a republican in his political 
belief, and is a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. He has a fine farm on 
which he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising. 



-«^-; 



v.^^ 



pgg, RICH C. F. HANSEN, of the business 
V^S^ firm of Hansen Bros., butchers and 
l)ackers, at Moorhead, Minnesota, is a 
native of Germany. He was born in 1854, 
and is a son of Erich and ChrisLena (Suver- 
krubb) Hansen, also natives f)f Germany. 
The father was enoagiHl in brewino- and 
farming in his native country, where he now 
lives a retired life. He was also a public 
character, ha\ing been on the police force 
and was sergeant for twenty-five years from 
186-1 to 1887, inclusive. His father was 
named John J. and his mother Juliana 
(Hansen) Hansen, who were also life-long 
brewers and farmers. Erich, Sr., had a 
family of eleven children— John, Erich C. 
F., Peter, Magretha, Christena, Ever, Doris, 
Juliane, Fritz, Carl and Heinricli. The 
father was a man of much importance, and 
gave all his children a fine education. His 
religious belief was that of the Lutheran 
church. 

Our subject, Erich C. F., came to 
America in 1873, his brother, John P., 
having arrived a year previous. They both 
went to Duluth, and there woi-ked at any 
business that came along. Erich C. F. re- 
mained at that point for four weeks ; his 
brother operated a grocery business there 
for two years. After leaving Duluth, Erich 
C. F. went to Eagle Kiver, Michigan, where 
he worked in a copjier mine for about six 
months, then engaired in the butchering 



334 



RED RIVER VALLEY AXD 



business, which trade he had mastered in his 
native countiy. lie served at tli is for three 
years, rem;iiiiin<^- at tiiat point ahoiit foui' 
years in all; lie tiien went to Willmar, ifin- 
nesota, where he engaged again in butchering 
for one yeai-, after whicli he went to lied 
"Wing, Minnesota. He then worked in a Hour 
mill a shoi't time, and from there he went to 
St. Paul and attended private school for 
three months, lie again went to butcher- 
ing until 1878, then came to Moor- 
head and Fargo, butchering in the 
latter place for about six montlis, and then 
engaged in the same business in Moorhead, 
lie and his brothei-, John P.. commencing 
business in company, building their ]iresent 
fine l)nsiness Ijlock in 1882. It is 4:5.\90 feet 
in size, on Fi'ont street, and is a massive brick 
building. A part of it is occupied by Eckert 
& Simonson, dealers in clothing and boots, 
wiiile the upper portion is rented for families 
to live in. They also built another ijlock 
across the street, 20x50 feet in size, which is 
used as a hardware store. Our subject has a 
beautiful residence property, which lie erect- 
ed at a cost of $3,3U0, on Williams and 
Fifth streets. He also owns, in company' 
property, a twent3'-acre lot near tlie city 
limits. 

Mr. Hansen is a man of strong personal 
character, and has been pi'ominent in the 
upbuilding of Moorhead — as evidence of 
this may be mentioned here that he was 
one of the organizers of the Moorhead 
Southeastern Railway, is director of the 
Driving Park and Agi'icultural Association, 
also has been chosen as alderman from the 
Second Ward in Mooriiead and is a member 
of the lioard of health. 

PoHtically he is an independent voter. 
He l)e]ongs to the Masonic and Odd-Fellows 
orders, and, witli his family, attends tiie 
Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Hansen was mariied, in 1878, to Miss 
Ilattie Pi-itzel, daughter of (Jiiarles Pritzel, of 



Gemiany. Mrs. Hansen was born, however, 
in Martinsville, New York. Their children 
are — Ilattie, Eric, Liliiii and diaries. 



-«-: 



JOHN G. TWEETON, a successful and 
prominent business man of the Red River 
Valley, is a resident of the village of Barnes- 
ville. Clay county, Minnesota, where he is 
engaged in the lumber business, handling all 
kinds of lumber, also windows, dooi-s, blinds, 
cement, lime, brick, paints, binding papcM', 
etc. — in short, everything which conies undei' 
the head of building material. He is a 
native of Norway, born May 24-, 1859, and is 
the son of G. Land ]\Iar\' ( Lofthus) Tweeton, 
natives also of the " Land of the Midnight 
Sun." 

Mr. Tweeton, the sul)ject of this article, 
remained in his native land attending the 
excellent common schools of that country 
until twelve years of age. He tiien emi- 
grated to the United States with his parents, 
and settled in Iowa county, Wisconsin, where 
they lived until 1877. In May, 1877, our 
subject, with the family, consisting of his 
father, mother, brothers and sisters, started 
with a team and covered wagon for the 
noted Red River Valley. They came direct 
to the town of Tansem, Clay county, Minne- 
sota, where they bought a tract of land. 
The subject of this sketcli remained at home 
but very little after settling in Clay county, 
but was employed on the railroad or at 
whatever work he could procure until the 
fall of 1880. In tiiat year he secured a posi- 
tion witii P. E. Thompson, a mei'chant of 
Barnesville, and remained in his emploj' for 
over six years. He then purchased the lum- 
ber yard of Thompson & JMcGrath, and since 
that time has been engaged in this line at 
Barnesville. He has placed himself in exceL 
lent circumstances. He is a prominent and 
esteemed citizen of Clay county, and has 



PARK A'EG/OXS OJ- MIXNF.SOTA. 



335 



lielcl the offices of village recorder for two 
years, clerk ot the school district, ami, wliile 
witli Mr. Thoni])son, was dejiuty postmaster 
for five years. He is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd-Fellows, and in polit- 
ical matters is an adherent to republican 
jirinciples. 



«»► 



■HARLES F. WILLIS holds a position 
oi' chief engineer for the Fergus Falls 
Waterworks in that city,^Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. He is a native of Hartford, 
(.Connecticut, and was born July 10, 1852. 
His pai'ents were Ephraim and Clarrissa 
(Uhaiiman) AVillis, who were natives of Con- 
necticut. The father was a general business 
man, living and dying at Hartfoi-d, Con- 
necticut, his death being recorded in 1800. 
The mother is still living at Hartford, Con- 
necticut. They had a family of six children, 
five of whom are still living — Mrs. Eliza 
Ray, Mrs. Adella Bigelow, Mrs. Nellie 
Shields, Parley H., and Charles F. The 
mother's parents were Horace and Emeline 
Chapman, natives of Connecticut. He was 
an extensive farmer, and remained in Con- 
necticut throughout his life. He reared a 
large family of five sons and five daughters. 
He was a prominent member of the Congre- 
gational church, and was deacon of that 
society at Ellington, Connecticut. 

The subject of our sketch remained at 
home attending school at Hartford, Con- 
necticut, and also in Pittsfield. Illinois, 
until twelve years of age. At this latter 
jilace in Illinois he was living with his uncle, 
Clark P. Cha]iman, and after remaining with 
his relative for three years returned to his 
parents in Hartford, Connecticut. At this 
time, when fifteen years of age, he started 
out for himself, fii-st working in a machine 
shop in Hartforii, where he received as com- 
pensation %?j \)QY week and boai'ded himself. 



He worked in this business until he was sev- 
enteen years of age. At this time he was 
pliiced in charge of a 100 horse-power engine 
run b}' the Weed Sewing Machine Companv 
at Hartford. He worked for this company 
for about two years, receiving $(p5 per month. 
Then, in 1870, he came westward, stopping at 
Springfield, Illinois, where he found empW- 
jnent as locomotive fireman on the Wabash 
liailroad. Until in 1875 he continued work- 
ing in this line, and in that year he was pro- 
moted to the position of engineer on the 
Canadian Southern at Grosse Isle, Michigan. 
He continued in the employment of locomo- 
tive engineer until 1883, at which time he 
accepted his pi-esent position as engineer of 
the Fergus Falls Water Works. 

Mr. Willis is a thoi'ough machinist, and is 
of an inventive turn of mind, having pat- 
ented two different machines — the automatic 
telephone call, and the automatic circuit 
controller. He is now at work upon several 
other inventions, which he expects to com- 
]ilete in the near future. He holds a license 
as chief engineer from the State inspector of 
the State of Minnesota. He has had a lare-e 
and varied experience in the machine busi- 
ness since boyhood, and has acquired a 
wonderful skill in all lines of machine work. 

In 1S82 Mr. Willis was united in marriaee 
to Miss Mary Van Dyke, of New Lisbon, 
^V^isconsin, daughter of Abraham and Mary 
(Warren) Van Dyke, both of wliom were 
natives of New York. Her father was by 
profession an engineer, but is now retired 
from active business life. Mr. and Mrs. Van 
Dyke had three children — Julia (now Mrs. 
Skeed), Charles and Mrs. Willis. Mr. and 
Mrs. Willis have a family of two children — 
Gertie and Leslie. 

Mr. Willis' office is in reality a museum 
of curiosities. He has turned his inventive 
genius to the adornment of his quarters, and 
has many articles of beauty and value. His 
office is lighted by electric light, the appli- 



336 



/'A/; KI]-l:K \-AIJJ:y AND 



ances for the making of which he was the 
inventor, and the power for the manufacture 
of which is ol)t;iine(l from tlie city engines. 
He has an invention of a red curtain, whicli 
is phiced on the outside of his office building. 
In case of fire there is an automatic appli- 
ance which, by telephone connections, causes 
this curtain to drop, and the dropping of this 
curtain can be seen a long distance. In this 
way Mr. Willis can keep continual watcli 
over his office, as in case of fire the curtain 
would 'j'ive him warning-. He also has a 
curious c(mti-ivance which represents the old- 
fashioned water woi'ks of Fergus Falls in 
1882. This representation is a woman oper- 
ating an old-fashioned pump, and water run- 
ning from the sjiout into a small ])ail. The 
movement of the figure is very life-like. 
Mr. AVillis has ]iui'chasod and improved sev- 
eral lots in the city, and is one of the leading 
business spirits of Fergus Falls. He is a 
man who holds the confidence ami esteem 
of his em plovers, and of the city at large. 



— — <f— 

J^^ORGAN T. RICH is a wealthy and 
^JLb%^ influential citizen of Wahpeton, 
Tlichland count}'. North Dakota. The place 
of his nativity was in Oswego county, New 
York, where he was born March 4, 1882. 

The ])ai'ents of the sul)ject of our sketch 
were Morgan L. and Caroline (Steai-ns) liich, 
the fornuM- a native of New York and the 
latter boi'U in Massachusetts. The father 
was engaged extensively in farming, and 
was also proprietor of a town called Sand- 
banks, where he also carried on -a mercan- 
tile business. 

Morgan T. received a good education in 
New York State, and remained at home 
until 1S5G. He then came to St. Paul, Min- 
nesota, where he began drivins' stage, nudving; 
his home, however, in Red Wing, i^ame State. 
Later he commenced fariningnear Wacouta, 



where he also engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness, keeping a large force of men at work. 
In ISmhe sold out his business interests in 
Minnesota and went to .Montana, where 
he headquartered at Helena. Until 1867 he 
engaged in mining for gold, then returned 
to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he lived 
two j'ears. He then removed to Walij)eton, 
North Dakota, that is, he came to where 
Wahpeton now stands, as at that day there 
were no signs of this flourishing city of the 
present. Mr. Rich became the pioneei' of 
the place, and there were no other white 
settlers within fifteen miles. He first called 
the place Richville, but later changed it to 
Wahpeton, after the Indians of that name, 
who were then wandering over the country. 
]\Ii'. Uic-li did not ln'ing his family with him 
to his new home, but, leaving them in Red 
Wing, he boarded himself, did his own work 
and built a " sort of root house " on the 
bank of the Red river, a short distance 
from where his present residence stands. 
He built the first log house, the first 
building in the village, and laid out 
the village in 1873. His claim, which 
contained 160 acres, was the original site of 
Wahpeton. He improved a few acres and 
set out a number of trees. He had located 
on a fine jViece of land, and this, together 
with the fact that the Red river ran at his 
door, led him to believe that in the future 
develo])ment of this region his location 
would ]ilay an important ])art. So he bent 
all his energies to nuiking a town on his 
land, and the present state of things shows 
how admirably he succeeded. He built a 
ferry boat in 1871, and, for several years, 
until the bridge was built, ferried teams, 
cattle and foot passengers across the Red 
river. He has purchased a large amount of 
land, and has handled considerable property 
for other parties. He helped to organize 
the county, and was one of its first county 
commissionei"s. He has been engaged act- 



PAkK KEGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



337 



ivelv in business in Wahpeton since its 
loiindation, and loans large sums of money 
on real estate. 

January 19, 1S5T, Mr. Rich was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Friederick, a native of 
Germany, and daughter of George Frieder- 
ick. ller mother died in lS-14, in Gernuiny, 
and the father, with his family of foui' chil- 
(h'en, came to America, and settled at Wells 
creek, nine miles west of Red Wing, Minne- 
sota, where he took land and engaged in 
farming until his death, which occurred in 
1872. Mrs. Rich has only one brother now 
living — Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Rich have 
tliree daughters— Carrie E., Helen J. (now 
Mis. Orcutt, of Wahpeton, who has one 
child — Jessie L.), and Sarah A. (now Mrs. 
Pyatt). Carrie E. has been blind since she 
was a child, and has received her education at 
the Blind Institute at Faribault, Minnesota. 
She spent eight j'ears at that place, where 
she has also taught for three years. 

]\fr. Rich is one of the most enterprising 
citizens of Wahpeton, and has indeed been 
the father of the city. He is a man of broad 
ideas, is socially inclined and has a large 
circle of friends, who hold him in high 
esteem. 



John alderman. Among the active 
and jirogressive business men that have 
helped establish the reputation that Crooks- 
ton, Minnesota, has gained for push and en- 
ergy, there is perhaps no better example 
thiin the gentleman whose name heads this 
memoir. He is a member of the firm of 
.\lderman & Silvester, hardware dealers of 
that cit\', who carry a stock of every chai'- 
acter of goods in their line, that will invoice 
upward of $6,500 and is also the proprietor 
of the livery stable near the St. Louis Hotel. 

Mr. Alderman was born in Dane county, 
Wisconsin, April 7, 1851, and is the son of 



Walter and Cornelia Alderman, who were 
among the earliest settlers in that part of 
the Badger State, locating in Milwaukee, in 
18.39, previous to its admission to the Union. 
The subject of our sketch was reared to 
manhood upon his father's farm, and received 
the elements of his education in the rough 
log school-houses of the period. At the age 
of twenty-three he left the paternal roof, 
and for some three years was employed as a 
clerk in a store in the city of Stoughton, 
Wisconsin. Having entered into a copart- 
nership with O. II. Lothe, on the 8th of 
Mav, 1878, he left the latter place in a cov- 
ered wagon drawn by four horses, and, 
in company with T. H. Bjohn, started for 
Crookston. Four weeks later he drove into 
the little village that bore that name, which 
then contained about two hundred and fiftj' 
inhabitants. All its business houses were 
rann^ed along the railroad track, and the 
present site of the populous and thriving 
city was, as yet, covered with the primeval 
timber. He and his partner purchased a lot 
and put up a building now occupied by Olson 
& Timley as a saloon, and in it opened the 
2)ioneer drug store of the village. They con- 
tinued in trade some eight months, when, 
having disposed of the stock, Mr. Alderman, 
in the spring of 1879, retiD'iied to his native 
home, and after a month spent there returned 
to Crookston with a number of horses, which 
he sold daring the following summer. In 
Januar^^ ISSO, he, in company with others, 
opened a general merchandise store in Crook- 
ston, under the firm name and style of 
Alderman, Hensing & Co., but one year 
later sold out his interest therein, and, pur- 
chasing the Norsk Hotel, opened it as its land- 
lord. While in the latter place of business 
he made a claim on 160 acres of land on sec- 
tion 12, St. Hilaire township, this county, 
and in the spring of 1882, renting the hotel, 
he removed to his farm, and for some two 
years engaged in agricultural pursuits. At 



338 



RED RfVER VALLE Y AXD 



the expiration of that time he returned to 
Crookston, and again assumed control of the 
hotel, which he managed until Jul_v, 1888, 
when he, in company with S. R. Silvester, 
purchased the hardware stock and business 
of Eiken Bros., and is engaged in carr\'ing 
on that line of trade. Previous to this, in 
1886, he had inaugurated the livery stable 
near the St. Louis Hotel, which he still owns 
and manages. Since coming to tiiis point 
Mr. Alderman has been quite successful in 
his financial measures, and owns considerable 
real estate in the county, chief among which 
are his farm (now within the limits of St. 
Hilaire), tiie Nor.sk Hotel and tlie livery 
barn. He has taken a lively interest in the 
growth and development of his adopted 
home, and is one of its most progressive 
and public spirited citizens, and stands de- 
servedly high in the respect and esteem of 
the people of the communitJ^ In his polit- 
ical views Mr. Alderman has always affiliated 
with the republican party, and takes consid- 
erable interest in the success of that organ- 
ization. 

Mr. Alderman was united in marriage 
with Miss Anna Silvester on the 11th of 
December, 1880. They have two children — 
Cora E. and Wallena R. 



-«-•: 



-^ — 



^M^NDREW ERWIN is a resident partner 
W^ of Jolin McCulloch & Co., lumber 
merchants at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He 
is a native of Tennessee, and was born in 
Memphis, November 10, 1856. 

His parents were John S. and Elizabeth 
(Wilson) Erwin, who were both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father was a manufact- 
urer of sashes and doors in Memphis, and re- 
moved from that place to Clinton county, 
Iowa, where he engaged extensively in farm- 
iner. In 1872 he removed to Missouri and 
settled in Adair count}', in which county he 



engaged largelv in farming and raisine 
stock. He is and has been one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Adair county, and lias held 
various county offices, and in many wa^'s has 
been made the recipient of honors bestowed 
by tiie franchises of his fellow-citizens. He 
has now retired from active business life and 
resides in Missouri. His jiarents were An- 
drew and Mary (Stewart) Erwin, natives of 
Belfast, Ireland. Elizabeth (Wilson) Erwin's 
parents were Hugh and Mary AVilson, the 
former a native of Ireland and the latter a 
native of Pennsylvania. The father of the 
subject of our sketch had a family of five 
children — William D.. now a lumber mer- 
chant at Kinsley, Kansas ; Mary, now Jfrs. 
Anderson, of Kirksville, Missouri ; Andrew, 
Joseph P., a traveler ; John S., a professor 
at Kinsley, Kansas, teacher in the graded 
schools of that city. The father is a demo- 
crat in politics, and, with his wife, belongs 
to the Presb^'terian churcli. 

The subject of our sketch spent his younger 
days on the farm, but was given first-class 
scliool advantages. He is a graduate of the 
normal school at Kirksville, Missouri, and 
graduated therefrom in 1876, after which 
time he taught school in Ray county, Mis- 
souri, two terms, thence went west to Kansas 
and settled in ICinsley, Edwards county, 
where he was employed for two years as a 
clerk in a hardware .store. He tlien went to 
Colorado and wound up a lumber business 
for the Kansas Lumber Company. Soon 
afterward he went into partnershi]i witii this 
compan}' at BurJingame, Kansas, where they 
opened a yard, in which business he remained 
for two years. In the month of Januaiy, 
1882, he came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, 
and took charge of the lumber interests of 
that company, in whicli line he has since 
continued. 

In 1883 Mr. Erwin was married to Miss 
Hattie Munger, of Paw Paw, Michigan, tiie 
daughter of Rev. William Munger, a clergy- 



PAR/C REGIONS OF M/N1VES0T.4. 



339 



man of the Baptist church. Tliey have one 
(liuigliter — ]\ray. 

Mr. Ei'win is deeplj' interested in the 
financial welfare of Fergus Falls, has numer- 
ous business interests and many financial 
and social connections which bind him to 
this place. lie is vice-president of the Fer- 
gus Falls Electric Light and Power Company, 
which corporation he heljied to organize in 
ISST. Politically he affiliates with the 
democratic party, and is a Mason, and one 
of the leading business men of Fergus Falls 
and vicinity. He has purchased a fine resi- 
dence on Cleveland avenue. 



lAMESNISBET. A large percentage of the 
most enterprising and valuable citizens 
wjiicli make up the ])opulation of the Red 
River Valley consist of Canadians. They 
are a race proverbial for their integrity, 
industry and enterprise, and the remarkabl}' 
rapid growth and development of the now 
famous Red River Regions is due to a large 
extent to these traits of its citizens. James 
Nisbet, whose name heads this article, a resi- 
dent of section 2-i, Huntsville township, Polk 
county Minnesota, is a Canadian by birth, 
and is an excellent representative of the race 
from wiiich he springs. He is one of the most 
liioniinent farmers of the locality in which 
he lives, and is rated as one of the most suc- 
cessful and substantial citizens of Polk county. 
Mr. Nisbet was born in Lanark county, 
Canada, on the 7th of June, 1847 and is a 
son of William and Christina (Lindsay) Nis- 
bet. Tiie parents were natives of Scotland, 
but settled in Canada at an early tlay and 
were pioneers there. James Nisbet was 
reared and educated in the Province of his 
liirtli, receiving the same training as to integ- 
rity and industry that characterizes his 
nationality, lie left home at about twenty 
years of age, when he went into the 



" lumber camps," and for about nine years 
was engaged in lumbering, principally 
on the Chippewa river in Wisconsin. At 
the expiration of that time, in 1875, he came 
to Polk county, Minnesota, and settled where 
he has since lived. At the time of his arri- 
val he took eighty acres as a homestead, and 
entered 160 acres with " half-breed script." 
He has, however, since purchased additional 
land until he now owns 400 acres, compris- 
ing one of the most valuable farms in that 
region. His residence is one of the finest in 
the township, and his building and other im- 
provements are a credit to his enterprise. 
He has always taken an active interest in all 
official and other matters affecting the wel- 
fare of this region, and he may justly be 
termed one of the leading citizens of Polk 
county. 

Mr. Nisbet was married on the 17th of 
February, 1880, to Miss Christine Morrow, a 
daughter of William and Margaret (Geddes) 
Morrow. Their marriage has been blessed 
by the birth of the following-named chil- 
dren—Margaret Eveyln, William, James 
and Myrtle Christena. 

The township in which Mr. Nisbet lives 
was named Nisbet in honor of the Nisbet 
brothers. 



-^^ 



MaTHAN B. UFFORD, who, at this 
writing, is the postmaster at Herman, 
Grant county, Minnesota, is a pioneer of 
Minnesota. He is a native of Franklin 
county, Vermont, born on the 30th of July, 
1832, and is a son of Albert and Clai-i (Buck) 
Ufford, who were also natives of the same 
State. The father died there in 1886, and 
the widow still lives upon the old homestead. 
Albert Ufford and wife were the parents of 
five boys and one girl — Nathan B., John, 
Harry S., Samuel, Zaddock and Paulina M. 
Zaddock enlisteil in tiie Second Vermont 



340 



JiED RIVER VALLEY AND 



Infantry, veteranized, rose to the rank of 
sergeant - major, and was killed in the 
battle of the Wilderness. Samuel served for 
three yeai-s in the First Vermont Cavalry. 
He is now book-keeper for the Winona Plow 
Company, at Winona, Minnesota. 

N. B. Ufford, our present subject, spent 
his school days in his native county in Ver- 
mont. Tn 1850 he came to Minnesota, and 
settled at Long Prairie, in Todd county, 
Minnesota, witii his uncle, David Olmsted. 
The latter is a familiar name in Minnesota 
history, and. altliougli lie is noticed at length 
elsewhere in tliis volimic, it will be of inter- 
est in this connection to note some of the 
most salient features in the history of his 
hfe. David Olmsted was an Indian trader, 
and pushed out into the very heart of Min- 
nesota earlj' in Territorial times, and many 
years before the advent of actual settlers. 
Indeed, in 1850, when Mr. Ufford joined 
his uncle in Todd county, there were 
but very few settlers west of the Mis- 
sissippi river. David Olmstetl afterward 
became prominent in Territorial and 
State affairs He published the first daily 
paper at St. Paul ; was the first mayor of 
the city, and was president of the first Terri- 
torial council. It is with pleasure we refer 
the reader to the sketch of his life elsewhere 
in this Album. Mr. Ufford, after leaving his 
uncle, went back to the New England States, 
but shortly afterward returned to Minnesota, 
and for many years made his home in 
Winona county, living there from 1854 until 
1882. He was engaged in the mercantile 
business for a number of years ; was post- 
master under the Buchanan and also the 
Lincoln administrations, and also for several 
years was boolv-keeper in the wholesale 
grocery of S. C. White. He also served for 
si.x yeai's as county auditor of Winona 
county, and for some time carried on the 
real estate and insurance business. In 1882 
he came to Grant county, Minnesota, and 



engaged in the general mercantile trade at 
Norcross. Later he removed to Herman, 
and in October, 18S5, received the ajipoint- 
ment of postmaster, and still retains the 
office. He is also notary public and justice 
of the peace. Mr. Ufford has extensive prop- 
erty interests in Grant county, and owns (in 
Elbow Lake township) one of the finest 
tracts of laiulin tlie Park liegions. 

Our subject was married in .\ugust, 1800, 
to Miss Caroline F. Jones, and tiiey are the 
parents of four children — Albert, John, Clara 
M. and Helen. Mrs. LTfford was a native of 
Indiana and a daughter of Dr. AV. C. Jones, 
an eminent ph^'sician and surgeon, located 
at ]\nian, Illinois. 

In political matters Mr. Ufford is a dem- 
ocrat. 



-«-- 



YRUS S. ALLEN is the manager of the 
Northwestern Telephone Exchange of 
Falls, Minnesota. He is a native of 
Akron, Ohio, born February 2G, 1851, and is 
the son of Edward and Jane (Buskirk) Allen, 
natives of New York City. 

The father was an artist, and followed that 
employment throughout his life. In \^\1 
the family came to Ohio, where the father 
engaged in professional duties until his death, 
which occurred in ISfiO. Thomotiier is still 
living in Akron, Ohio. The father held 
many positions of trust during his life in the 
Eastern States and after coming to Ohio. In 
the latter State for many years he held the 
office of justice of the peace, which position 
he held at the time of his death. In the 
father's family there were five children to 
grow to numhood — Samuel L., Francis A., 
William E!, Collins H. and Cyrus S. The 
father always voted the ilemocratic ticket. 

The subject of our sketch spent his early 
years at home attending school, and at thir- 
teen years of age went to work in a pottery, 




PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



341 



in which lie was employed for two years, 
lie then commenced at the cabinet business, 
in which line he worked for six months, then 
later went to work in a bookbindery, where 
he found employment for another six months. 
At tlie end of this time he found employ- 
ment as office boy and clerk for the ma- 
cliiiiery firm of Altman, Miller & Co., 
manufacturers of what is known as 
the Buckeye Mower and Reaper at Akron, 
Ohio. He continued with this firm for ten 
years, at the end of which time he turned his 
attention to the manufacture of electric bells 
and alarms, in which line he continued for 
two years. Then he was engaged in build- 
ing telephone exchanges in Ohio, Indiana 
and Illinois, and after two years spent in 
tiiis employment he engaged with other 
companies in the telephone business. In 
conjunction with this line he has done a gen- 
eral electric business up to the present time. 

lie came to Fergus Falls Jime 25, 1885. 

In 1871 Mr. Allen was married to Miss 
Frances A. Packer, of Western Star, Ohio, 
tliedaughter of Richard and Hannah (Owry) 
Packer. Her father ^\-as a native of Eng- 
land and her mother of Ohio. Mr. Packer 
was a merchant at the time of his death, but 
formerly had been engaged in the manufact- 
ure of threshing machines at Wadsworth, 
Ohio. He had a family of four children — 
Charles, Richard, Frances A. and Maria L. 
The father died in 1864, and the mother is 
now living with her daughter at Fergus 
Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have two living 
children — George C. and Samuel L. Mrs. 
Allen taught penmanship for some time in 
Ohio, and has been copyist for various 
offices in that State. She is an active mem- 
ber of the Christian church. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Allen are graduates of the Union Tele- 
graph College at Akron, Ohio, from which 
institution they received their diplomas in 
1870. Mrs. Allen was for some time teacher 
of penmanship in that institution. 



In politics Mr. Allen affiliates with the 
democratic party. He is a man of push 
and business ability, and stands well among 
the business men of Fergus Falls. 



«- 



►^^ 



NDREW ElKEN, register of deeds of 
iP^ Polk count}', Minnesota, and one of 
Crookston's most enterprising, progressive 
and thorough young business men, merits a 
prominent place in a work of this character. 
A resident of the city since 1881, he has 
nearh' all the time been connected with mer- 
cantile circles, and established a reputation 
for jDrobity and fair dealing which, coupled 
with his well known business tact, has made 
him well and favorably known. 

Mr. Eiken first saw the light April 27, 
1800, in Houston county, Minnesota, and 
is the son of Torgus and Gunhild Eiken. 
Receiving the rudiments of his education in 
his youth at the district schools of his native 
county, at the age of fifteen he entered the 
JSTorwegian Lutheran College at Decorah, 
Winneshiek county, Iowa, one of the best 
educational institutions in tliat State, with 
its nine ]irofessors, its 150 to 200 pupils and its 
magnificent building in its extensive grounds. 
There the subject of this sketch remained, 
steadily engaged in climbing the road to 
knowledge, until 1880, when he returned to 
the parental farm. Resting from his mental 
labors, he remained at home, helping carry 
on the paternal acres, until the following 
year, when, in company with his brothers, 
Germond and Kittel T., he came to Crook- 
ston. Under the firm name and style of 
Eiken Brothers, the young men at once 
established a hardware store, and soon as- 
sumed their jn'oper place in the business 
circles of the village. Andrew remained a 
member of this firm until the fall of 1886, 
when he was nominated and elected to the 
office of register of deeds, which post he fiUed 



342 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



for two years, and was re-elected his own 
successor in November, 18SS. His popularity 
as an office holder is only second to his suc- 
cess as a merchant, and it only depends upon 
himself how wide his sphere of action may 
reach. 

Mr. Eiken was united in marriage Sep- 
tember 26, 1SS2, with Miss Elsie C. Berg- 
land, a native of Madison, Dane county, 
Wisconsin, and daughter of Christen and 
Elsie O. Bergland. Mr. and Mrs. Eiken are 
the parents of three children — Theodore 
E., Amanda and Clara M. 



-H^; 



:HARLES B. HILL, the subject of this 
biographical sketch, is the proprietor 
of the livery and sale stable at Moorhead, 
Minnesota, and is one of the leading business 
men of Claj' county. 

He is a native of Cass county, Michigan, 
born May 27. 1853. His parents were A\ril- 
lard and Kcisa (Ingling) Hill, the father 
being a native of Vermont and tiie mother 
of Ohio, she is still living in Michigan, but 
her husband died in 1856. 

diaries B. is the only one living except his 
mother. He spent his youthful da3's in 
Michigan on the farm and in the school-room. 
When old enougli he followed farming, con- 
tinuing in Michigan until 1879, then came to 
Moorhead, Minnesota and there engaged in 
farming, keeping at the same until 1888. He 
purchased his livery stable, however, in 1886 
and operated it in connection with his farm. 
He runs the only livery stable in Moorhead, 
but supplies every reasonable demand made 
U])on iiiin in way of good turnouts. In ISSfi 
he was appointed deputy sheriff of Clay 
county. He is also president of the driving 
park association. He owns consideraltle city 
property, including his iiouse and two lots, 
besides outside real estate. 



Tn his political choice he favors the demo- 
cratic party. He belongs to tlie order oT 
Odd-Fellows, of which he is a prominent 
memlier and in good standinsr. 

Mr. Hill was married in 1873, to Miss Jen- 
nie McKenney of Michigan. They have but 
one child living — Ciiarles E.. and also an 
adopted daughter — Clara M. 

Mr. Hill has always taken an active ]iait 
in all ]niblic affairs, and may well be classed 
among the most prominent business men of 
the place, liberal and enterprising, every 
move calculated to benefit either the city or 
surrounding country receives his active sup- 
port and co-operation. 



-«- 



«»- 



f^^^ LI S. NYE. Among the fanning com- 
^^^ munity of the Park Regions of Min- 
nesota none deserve better mention than the 
gentleman whose name heads this article, 
a resident of section 8, Logan township, 
Grant county, Minnesota. Mr. Xye is a 
native of New York State, born in Rens- 
selaer county on tlie 1th of November, 1826. 
He is a son of Benjamin B. and Betsie 
(Maxon) Nye, who were natives of the Em- 
pire State, where they lived and die(L Tiie 
father of our subject was a farmer in his 
native State, and during part of his life fol- 
lowed boating on the Erie canal. They were 
the parents of five children, named in the 
following order — Eachel, Ann, Horace, Har- 
riette and Eli. 

Eli S. Nye, the subject of this article, 
spent his school days in his native State, 
leaving the school- I'oom at the age of twenty- 
one years. He attended the Alfred Univer- 
sity for three terms, and, after finishing his 
education, engaged in tlie tanning business. 
After five or six years in this vocation, Mr. 
Nye removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, 
where he remained until 1879, engaged in 
farming. In 1879 he went to Grant count v. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



343 



Minnesota, and took a homestead of 160 
acres on section S, Logan townsliip. He at 
once began ini]irovements, cultivating the 
soil and putting up substantial buikling im- 
jirovements, and generally nnproving the 
]ilace. lie has since continued to reside on 
his farm, and devotes his attention, exclu- 
sively to general farming and stock-raising. 
Mr. Nye was united in marriage on the 
23d of December, 1853, to Miss Cornelia P. 
Sweet, a native of New York, and a daugh- 
ter of Spencer Sweet, a farmer of the Em- 
pire State. Mr. and Mrs. Nye have been 
blessed with one child — Ernest, now a farmer 
of Logan township, Grant county, ]\Iinne- 
sota. j\Ir. Nve is a man of the utmost honor 
and integrity, highly esteemed by all who 
bear his acquaintance. lie has held the 
offices of road overseer, chairman of the 
board of supervisors, supervisor and justice 
of the peace. He is a republican in politics. 



«^^ 



jM^ LBERT SUNDERHAUF is the effi- 
JFSlL cient auditor of the county of Rich- 
hmd, North Dakota. He is a native of 
Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, where he was 
born October 0, 1860. 

Mr. Sunderhaufs parents were Christian 
and Mary A. (Lichtenauer) Sunderhauf, both 
natives of Germany. The father was a com- 
mission merchant, and followed that busi- 
ness throughout his life. He died in 18Y5. 
lie was a soldier in the German war of 
1848, and was one of the prominent and 
wealthy men of that country. He was a 
member of the Lutheran church. He had 
two children — Albei't and Elizabeth. 

Albert remained at home attending school 
until he was seventeen years of age, when he 
was aj)prenticed to learn the general colonial 
mercantile business. Three 3' ears were 
spent by him in this line of employment, 
and, in 1881, he came to America, settling 



in Telfair county, Georgia, where for a few 
months he worked on the railroad. Here 
he was taken sick, and for two months lay 
at the hospital. As soon as he was well 
enough to leave, he went to New York, stop- 
ping at Wilhamsburg. After a few months' 
stay in that place he went to Albany, New 
York, where he found Avork on the canal. 
When navigation closed, in the fall of 1882, 
he went to New York City, where he re- 
mained until spring. He then came West, 
stopjnng in Clay county, Minnesota, where 
he worked on a farm until in September, 
removing at that time to Wahpeton, North 
Dakota, where he chopped wood for a time. 
October 6, 1883, he was appointed deputy 
auditor of Richland county, and in 1885 
was elected auditor, which office he still 
holds. 

Mr. Sunderhauf was married in 1885 to 
Miss Henrietta Bessie, daughter of Adolph 
Bessie, of Wahpeton, Dakota. Two chil- 
dren have blessed this union — Marion and 
Rosa. 

The subject of our sketch has purchased 
city property in Wahpeton, and owns a fine 
residence on Sixth street, where he now 
lives. In political faith he is with the 
democratic party. He is a leading Knight of 
Pythias, and is a member of the Order of 
Druids. Mr. Sunderhauf is one of the lead- 
ing and representative citizens of his town 
and county. 



foHN A. McKAY is a member of the 
(irm of McKay & Tlioreson, dealers in 
groceries and provisions, Alexandria, Minne- 
sota. Mr. McKay is a native of Ontario, 
Canada, born in 1837, and is the son of John 
and Rachel (Maxwell) McKay, who were 
both natives of Scotland. The father came 
to Canada in 1821. and lived and died in the 
city of Perth, where he was honored and 



344 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He held the 
position of postmaster-general and many 
othej' offices, and was the only British officer 
located in that part of Canada. He was a 
cajjtiiin in tlie T5ritish army and led the Sev- 
enty-second and Seventy-eighth Corps of 
English ti'oops at the battle of Waterloo. 
He iiad many degrees of honor conferred on 
liim by the British government. The 
fathei' died in 1839 and the mother departed 
this life in ISfil. They liad four cliiidren, 
two of whom are now living — Alexander, 
who was a lawyer in West Virginia. His ]>rop- 
ert}' was taken by the confederates in the Civil 
War and he was taken prisoner. His brother 
and friends have been able to find no trace of 
him since his captm'e. He either died in 
prison or was killed by the enemy. Another 
member of the family, James, is now living 
in Dakota. He is the son of Mrs. McKay by 
a second marriage. 

John A., the subject of our sketch, spent 
his early life on a farm. At sixteen years of 
age he went to work upon the river Clyde 
and also spent some time on the river Grand, 
in Canada, tlien later came to the State of 
Wisconsin, wlierc he worked in the river 
trade on the AVi How and Apple rivers. He 
followed this means of obtaining a liveli- 
hood for about eleven 3'ears. In 1870 he 
came to Douglas coimty, Minnesota, took a 
homestead within the city limits of the city 
of Alexandria and bad a log house built upon 
it, in which he lived for some five years. He 
then built a nice house and a fine barn. Mr. 
McKay has seen hard times since coming to 
this country, and has known what it is to be 
without money. On coming to Alexandria 
the only cash he had was twenty-five cents in 
paper money. He had to pawn his wedding 
coat for board over night and the next day. 

From these small beginnings Mr. McKay 
has risen to be one of the solid, prosperous 
citizens of Alexandria. \\(\ is the only brick 
maker in or around the city, manufactui'ing 



all the brick used here on his farm. He has 
done an extensive business in this line for 
the last ten years, employing continually 
from ten to twelve men. Besides this he 
engaged in farming and in running a busi- 
ness in the village. He owns a good place 
of business on Sixth avenue and a buildinor 
on Main street, two doors south of Walker's 
brick block. Mr. McKay's business ventures 
have been many and of various kinds. In 
1877 he engaged in the furniture business, 
following the same with good success for 
eight or nine years. The winters of 1885, 
'86 and "'87 he spent in California specu- 
lating in land, in which business he made 
considerable money. His present business 
was started the 25th of September, 1888. 

Mr. McKay was married in 1869 to Miss 
Anna Hainor, of Pennsylvania. They have 
eleven children — William W., ilaud 11., 
John S., R03' C, Mabel, Florence, Ronald, 
Andrew H., Henry J. B., Sherman 15. and 
Annie B. 

Mr. McKay is a republican in j)olitics, and 
is also a member of the I. O. O. F. In jjolit- 
ical and business cii'cles he is prominent. 
He was trustee for the Ba))tist chui-ch for a 
number of years. He is acknowledged to be 
one of the most indefatigable workei-s in any 
line that will benefit Alexantlria, and is at 
the front in every effort to improve the city. 
He has held the office of justice of the peace 
for several years, and, in fact, has always 
taken an active and prominent part in all 
public affairs. 

WALLACE B. DOUGLAS. The 
subject of the present article is the 
county attorney for Clay count}', INlinnesotn, 
and is one of the most able and prominent 
members of thebar in the Red River Valley. 
He was born September 21, 1852, in Lewis 
county, New York. His parents were Asahel 
M. and Alma E. (Miller) Douglas, natives of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



345 



tlie same county and State, as our subject. 
Tlic father was an extensive farmer and sold 
out in the spring of 1867, coming west to 
Illinois, settling at Monience, Kankakee 
county of that State, where he renuiined until 
his death in 1869. The mother died in 1886. 
Asahel's father was Israel, who traced his 
forefatliers back to 1660, when they came 
from Scotland and made a home in Massa- 
chusetts. He became a very popular and 
influential man of his day and State. Isreal 
was a soldier in the Tlevolutionary War and 
followed farm life in times of peace. Asahel 
^I. had a famih^ of tliree children, two of 
whom are yet living ; thej' were twins — our 
subject, Wallace B., and William A. The 
latter is now foreman in the large wliolesale 
house of Barrett & Barrett, Chicago, Illinois. 

Our subject was reared on the farm until 
he was fourteen years of age, receiving a fair 
education. He accompanied his parents to 
Illinois, where he took a jwsition with the C. 
E. it I. Railway Company, which he held a 
year. He then returned to the East and 
attended school at Cazenovia Seminary for a 
year, then returned to Illinois, accepting a 
position in the banking house of J. B. Dur- 
ham it Brother at ]\[omence. After a year 
in the liank. he commenced the study of law 
at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he graduated 
in 1875, locating at Chicago, Illinois, in June, 
1875. He , followed his chosen profession 
until 1883, when he thought he saw better 
things in store in the West, hence came to 
Moorhead. It should be here stated that 
one reason for coming to the last-named city 
was iiis failing health. In January, 1884, 
lie was apj)ointed city attorney, holding the 
same until May, 1888, when he declined a 
re-appointment. He was elected in 1886 and 
re-elected in 1888 county attorney for Clay 
count}', which office he still holds. 

Mr. Douglas was married in 1881 to Miss 
Ella M. Smith, a native of Channahon, 
Illinois, and a daughter of C. Smith. By 



this union there have been two children — 
Harold and Leila L. 

In political matters Mr. Douglas is a 
stanch republican. He is a member of both 
the Odd-Fellows and Masonic fraternities and 
stands high both as a lawyer and a citizen 
in the locality in which he lives. He has 
devoted his attention exclusively to legiti- 
mate law practice, and has won a high posi- 
tion at the bar. 



*-5-«S^{^-^- 



OHN H. STAAL is one of the leading citi- 
zens of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. He was a native of Denmark, 
where he was born in 1835. His father Avas 
Hans Staal who was a miller b\' trade, and 
had charge of extensive milling interests in 
his native land. 

Mr. Staal remained in his native land until 
1865, when he emigrated to this country, 
settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he 
engaged in boot and shoe making, to which 
trade he had served an apprenticeship of 
five years in Denmark. He remained in 
Minneapolis for fourteen years, part of the 
time engaged in the mercantile business and 
part of the time in running a saloon. He 
then came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
where he purchased a fine farm. This was 
in 1878, and after running the farm for three 
\'ears, he sold out ami moved to Fergus Falls, 
tlie county seat of that county. He pur- 
chased forty acres of land adjoining the city 
on the south, where he put up his present 
residence, and wiiere he lives a retired life. 
Mr. Staal has traveled extensively in the 
United States, liaving visited California, and 
many other localities in the West and East. 
In 18()6 he made an extensive trip through 
the Park Eegion of the Northwest, in the 
fur business. There were no settlers in this 
region at that time, and his operations were 
confined to the half-breeds who were 



346 



JiED A'/l/Ck' I- ALLEY AND 



scattered here and there over this country. 
He purchased $iOO worth of furs, which he 
carried by wagon to St. Paul. lie made 
three trips, and was successful each time. 

In 1863 Mr. Staal was united in marriage 
to Miss Christena Nelson, a native of Den- 
mark, where they Avere married. 

Politically, Mr. Staal affiliates with the 
democratic party. He is a careful, conserva- 
tive man, and out of his numerous invest- 
ments has acquii'cd a considerable fortune. 
He is well known, as a moral, upright citi- 
zen, and is universall\' respected. 

An interesting point in John Staal's his- 
tory, is the fact that he served in the regu- 
lar army of Denmark. He enlisted in 1863 
and served until August 12, 1864. He par- 
ticipated in eleven battles against the Ger- 
man army and was taken prisoner April IS, 
1861. 



-«•- 



*V^ORA W. GIFFORD, a prominent 
member of the farming community of 
Grant county, Minnesota, is a resident of 
section 21, Roseville township, where he 
successfidly operates a well-tilled tract of 
land comprising 160 acres. He is a native 
of New York State, born in Cayuga county, 
on the 17th of November, 1838, and is the 
son of Stephen and Mary (Bragg) Gifford, 
natives of New York State also. They 
were the parents of twelve children, the sub- 
ject of this memoir being the sixth. 

Coral Gifford spent his school days prin- 
cipally in Ohio and Wisconsin. He left 
school at the age of seventeen, and from 
that time until he was twent^'-one he helped 
his father operate the home farm. In Sep- 
tember, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventeenth 
Wisconsin Infantry, Seventeenth Army 
Corps. Going in as a private and being pro- 
moted to the rank of a corporal while in the 
service, he served until June, 1866, when he 



was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis- 
consin. He was in many engagements and 
skirmishes, including the battles of Corinth, 
luka, Vicksburg, Atlanta, with Sherman in 
the famous " march to the sea," and the bat- 
tle of Jonesburg. He was wounded in the 
left side in the battle of Corinth, and was 
confined to the St. Louis Hospital for some 
time. After his discharge Mr. Gifford 
remained in Wisconsin for a few years, 
engaged in farming. In 1870 he removed to 
Mitchell county, Iowa, whore he remained 
for seven years. In the year 1877 he set- 
tled in Grant county, Minnesota, engaging 
in farming on section 21, Koseville town- 
shij), where he has since lived. He is en- 
gaged in general fai-ming and stock raising, 
and is rated as one of the most successful 
and substantial farmers in the county. 

Mr. Gifford was married in the month of 
November, 1859, to Miss Margaret E. KUne, 
a native of Pennsylvania. They are the 
parents of the following named children — 
Mary A., Myran S., Coral E., Frank A., 
Harry A., Carrie M., Jacob E., Burt, Ira, 
Grace and Ethel. Ethel died when about 
one and a half years old. ]\Iary is tiie 
wife of Mr. Sheai'er, of Charles city, Iowa. 

Mr. Gifford is one of the representative 
citizens of his township, and has held the 
offices of treasurer and justice of the ]ie.ace 
for a number of years. He is a meml)er of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, and is one 
of the pioneers of the township. A man of 
the utmost honor and integrity, he deserves 
the esteem and respect in which he is held. 



-♦- 



-^^ 



/gp^nWARn R. HYSER, the proprietor 
v^^ of the Ilyser House at Breckenridge, 
Minnesota, is a native of Massachusetts. He 
was born in l!ristol county, in IS.jS, and is tiie 
son of Solomon and Barbara (Hess) Ilyser, 
who weie natives of Germany. The parents 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



347 



came to this country at an early day and 
settled in Bristol, Massachusetts, where the 
father worked as a day laborer until 1868, 
when he moved to Minnesota. He settled 
on a homestead in Wright county, Minnesota, 
where he remained until his death, in 1870. 
The mother died in 1858 in Massachusetts, 
leaving three children — Eobert, who died in 
1870; George, who is married to Miss Alice 
Bowen, by whom two children have been 
Iwrn — Maud and George. Mrs. Alice 
(Bowen) liyser is the daughter of Timothy 
Bowen, and is living in Minneapolis, Minne- 
sota, where George Ilyser is engaged in the 
hotel business. And the third child, Edward 
R., the subject of the present ai'ticle. 

Edward H\'ser attended the common 
schools in his native State until he was iifteen 
years of age, when he came, with his parents, 
to Minnesota. He, with his brothers, opened 
a hotel in Wright county, keeping pace with 
the railroad which at that time was being 
built through that section of the State. They 
carried on business in this manner, boarding, 
princi]KiIly, the employes of the railroad) 
until 1871. In the fall of 1871 the three 
brothers opened a hotel in Breckenridge, 
which they continued to ojierate until the 
death of Robert in 1876, after which sad 
event the surviving brothers, George and 
Edward, remained in partnership until 1881. 
In 1881 George removed from Breckenridge, 
and our subject continued in the same busi- 
ness until 1883, when the old hotel was torn 
down and his present one, opposite the Mani- 
toba Railroad depot, was erected. In 1873 
Mr. Ilyser purchased a farm of 320 acres, 
about two miles from the village, which he 
continues to operate, and, in connection Avith 
his farming interests, runs a dairy. 

Mr. Ilyser was married in 1881 to Miss 
Susan Abendschien, and this union has been 
blessed with thi'ee children — Louise E., Alice 
C, and llattie P. Mrs. Ilyser is the daugh- 
ter of George and Christina (Rathgeber) 



Abendschien, natives of Germany. They 
came to this country in 1878 and settled in 
Breckenridge, Minnesota, where the father 
died in 1879. The mother is now living with 
her daughter, Mrs. Hyser. Hr. Hyser, 
the subject of this article, takes an active 
interest in all matters pertaining to county 
or State, and is one of the solid business 
men of Wilkin county. In political matters 
he affiliates with the republican party. He 
and his familj^ are members of the Con- 
gregational church. 



-«" 



.LEXANDER RUNNING, of the village 
of Ada, is one of the early settlers of 
Norman county, Minnesota, having located in 
this portion of the Red River Valley on the 
13th of June, 1878, and has since then been 
closely identified with its interests, both 
officially and as a private citizen. 

Mr. Running, of whom this sketch is writ- 
ten, was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, 
in November, 1816, and is the son of Ole A. 
and Bergeta (Thompson) Running. When 
he was but four j^ears old the family removed 
to Vernon county, in the same State, and 
were among the pioneers of that I'egion, the 
first settler having preceded them about five 
years. The father of our subject took up a 
claim in the thick and heavy timber that 
then covered all that part of the Badger 
State, and having by hard work hewed 
himself out a farm, made that his home until 
1862. During that year a moi-e northward 
course was taken b}' the family, who settled 
in Dunn county, in what is now known as Run- 
ning Valley, named after them, they being 
the first settlers in that section of the county. 
There they suffered the hardships and incon- 
veniences always attendant upon frontier life 
and the general isolation of the settlers. 
Their nearest neighbor was some four miles 
distant. On the farm that he had founded 



348 



JiED RIVEK J'ALLEV A.VD 



the second time in the wilderness the elder 
Mr. Running made his home for three years 
and was then called away to a brighter land 
beyond the grave, and a j'ear later he was 
followed by his beloved wife. 

The subject of our sketch received his 
primary education in such schools as the 
early date of the settlements afforded, and 
assisted liis fatlier in carrying on the farm. 
By assiduous study he soon made up for the 
])aucity of seliools in that region, aiul soon 
acquired a fair store of knowledge, which he 
has since much inci'eased by judicious read- 
ing. On the dcutii of his father, he being 
the eldest of nine children, Alexander took 
charge of the homestead and became the 
head of the family. He remained on the 
farm until 1873, when he removed to the 
village of Colfax, in the same county, and 
there entered into the agricultural implement 
business. When the township of Colfax 
was organized in 1867 his ability was recog- 
nized, and, although but twenty years old, 
he was elected its first town clerk. He was 
afterwards elected to the position of chair- 
man of the board of supervisors, and 
remained in that position until leaving that 
part of tlie county. He was bj^ this a mem- 
ber of the county board, and took an active 
interest in the business of the county. 

In the summer of 1878 Mr. Running came 
to the Red River Yalley and filed on a claim 
some ten miles west of Ada and commenced 
to open a farm. In the fall of 1879 he was 
chosen one of the l)oard of commissioners of 
Polk county, of which this then formed a 
part, and served as such until the setting off 
of Norman county and its subsequent organi- 
zation. Before the latter event, however, 
Mr. Running, after two years' residence in 
his homestead, removed to the village of 
Ada and went into the wheat trade. 

Tiie agitation for tiie division of Polk 
county found in our subject a warm sup- 
porter and an energetic worker, and on the 



success of that measure — a success in which 
he was one of the most active agents — and 
the organization of Norman county, in the 
fall of 1881, Mr. R. was appointed first audi- 
tor of the count}-. He was re-elected his 
own successor in the autumn of 1882, and 
held that responsible position until January, 
1885. On the expiration of his official duties 
he took charge of the books of the well- 
known firm of Larson & Lystad, and has 
continued in their employ ever since. All 
this time he has, however, carried on his 
farm, which now embi'aces some 240 acres, 
all of which is under cultivation and uiuler 
his own management and supervision. 

Mr. Pkunning is an anient supporter of the 
principles of the prohibition movement, and 
takes a great interest in the suppression of 
the liquor traffic, and has helped, materially, 
in driving it out of Ada. He is a member of 
the present board of education of the village 
and manifests great devotion to the cause of 
the schools. 

Mr. Running was united in marriage on 
the 27th of March, 1869, with Miss Christine 
Salverson, and by this union tliey have liad 
a family of six children — Henrv- O., Bertha, 
Clara, Edwin A., Arthur and Clarence. Both 
he and his wife are meml)(M's of the Evan- 
gelical Lutheran church, and are active 
workers in the cause of religion. 



-■»- 



^.u^ 



OHN S. IRISH, a retired merchant of 



Moorhead, Minnesota, deserves special 
mention in this connection. 

He was born in Cumberland county, 
Ifaine, at the town of Bridgton, January 7, 
1831. He is the son of Dean and Mehitable 
(Small) Irish, also natives of Maine. The 
father followed lumbering all his lifetime. 
They had a family of seven children: Frank- 
lin and Albert were in the army, and both 
died. The remainder are also deceased, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNF.SO TA. 



349 



except John S. and Susan, now Mrs. Putnam 
Our subject's grandfather, on the father's 
side, was Obediah, a native of England. He 
was also a lumberman, and liad the lionor of 
being a Eevolutionary soldier. 

Our subject was brought up on a I'arm, and 
was somewhat familiar Avith lumbering. He 
followed this sort of life until he reached the 
age of twenty-one years, he then went to 
Pennsylvania, remained a year, and then went 
to "Wisconsin in lS5-i, engaging in lumbering 
business on the Saint Croix River ; he also fol- 
lowed steamboating in that section. In all 
he lived there ten years. In 1867 he came 
to Minnesota, stop])ing at Ta^'lor's Falls. 
Her6 he engaged at steamboat building for 
II. C. Folsom. He worked there until 1875, 
then went to Grand Forks, Dakota Terri- 
torj'^, whei'e he acted as foreman for N. "W". 
Kittson & Co., builders of steamboats. He 
remained there two years, and then came to 
Moorhead, Minnesota, following the same 
branch of business until 1883. At tliis time 
he engaged in the grocery business, first in 
Fargo then in Moorhead. He continued in 
trade until the autumn of 1887, when he quit 
business. He now lives a retired life. He 
purchased a fine home on Kennedy and Sec- 
ond streets, which he still occupies. He also 
owns a fine store building on Fourth street, 
which he now rents. 

In 1858 he was married to Miss Emma 
J. Abbott, a native of Oneida county, New 
York. She is the daughter of J. F. Abbott, 
now a resident of Moorhead and aged eightj'- 
one years. lie was formerly engaged in the 
hotel business in Polk county, Wisconsin. 

Mr. and IMrs. Irish are the parents of three 
sons — Frank E., Fred and Hersey. 

In political matters our subject is a repub- 
lican. He has nearl}' all of his life had 
control of a number of workmen, doing con- 
tract work and ship building. One marked 
feature of his eventful life is that he has 
ever been benevolent in times of need and 



distress, and by reason of this viitue has 
won a large circle of warm, true friends, 
who revere his name. 



y^^ATHIAS P. PHILLIPPI, one of the 
^\ir^prominent furniture dealers of the 
Eed River Valley, is a resident of the village ■ 
of Barnesville, Clay count}', Minnesota, 
where he handles all kinds of house furni- 
ture and also carries a full line of undertak- 
er's goods. He is a native of Germany, born 
in 1852, and is the son of John and Kate 
PhiUippi, natives, also, of the kingdom of 
German}'. 

Mr. Phillippi,the subject of this biograph- 
ical sketch, remained in his native land 
attending the common schools of his birth- 
place until he was eleven years of age. At 
that period in life he emigrated to the 
United States, with his parents, and settled 
in P>uffalo county, Wisconsin, Avhere he 
remained until he was sixteen \'ears of age. 
At that time (1868) he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, being three years apprenticed to 
that work. After learning his trade he 
worked in different parts of AVisconsin, and 
continued as a journeyman for twelve years. 
In 1881 he removed to Minnesota, and, in 
July of that year, settled in Barnesville, 
where he has since remained. When he lirst 
located there he engaged in contracting and 
building, which he continued for three years. 
In 1884 he erected his present business build- 
ing and put in a stock of furniture, being at 
that time the first and only store of tlie kind 
in Barnesville. In 1885, when the new town 
was incorporated, Mr. Phillippi moved his 
building and goods over to the new town 
site and has since been located there. He 
does an extensive business, having almost 
all of the trade of the two villages. In 
addition to his furniture business he handles 
ail kinds of farm machinery, McCorniick 



I 



350 



RED RTYF.K V A 1. 1. FY AXD 



binders, plows, fanning mills and everything 
needed by the farming community. He is a 
leading citizen and l)usinoss man of the vil- 
lage of Earnesville, and has held the offices 
of deputy sheriff for four years and town 
clerk for one term. He is a representative 
and esteemed resident of Clay county, and 
is a stanch repuljlican in his political views. 
Mr. Phillippi was married November 15, 
1873, to Miss Lizzie Kirschmer, of Buffalo 
county, Wisconsin. Her father was a farmer 
of that vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Phillippi 
have been the [)arents of four children, only 
one of whom, however, is now living, named 
Mathias. 



-«« 



• * ^ *- 



W^- WILLIAM 
'^'''l member 



T. DUNCAN is junior 
of the firm of McLean & 
Duncan, practicing physicians and surgeons 
of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of Canada, and was 
born January 6, 1856. 

The Doctor's parents were John and Caro- 
line (Holden) Duncan, the former a native 
of Glasgow, Scothind, and the latter a native 
of New York State. The father, during a 
great many years of his life, engaged in the 
daily business, but has now retired and is 
living at Granby, Canada. John Duncan's 
]);irents were William and Margaret (Smith) 
Duncan, both of whom were natives of Glas- 
gow, Scotland. They came to Canada in 1821 
and there engaged extensively in farming. 
Dr. Duncan's mother's father was Orson 
Holden, a native of the State of New York, 
and a farmer by occui)ation. 

John Duncan, the fatlier of the subject of 
our sketch, has a family of five children: 
George H., Margaret L., now Mrs. P. W. 
Taber ; John C, Dr. William T., and James. 
Mr. Duncan was a prominent citizen of tiie 
place of his residence and held various offices 
of trust. For some years he was mayor 



of the town of Granby, Canada, and was 
also town assessor, occupying other positions 
of honor at different times. He was one of 
the leading men of tliat section. His son, 
John C, now holds the office of mayor of 
Granby. Mr. Duncan had three brothers in 
the service of tlie United States during the 
war of the rebellion ; one of these brothere 
died in the service. The family have been 
great church people, and have been warm 
supporters of all projects in an educational 
line. The grandparents on the father's side, 
througli several "enerations, have all been 
members of the Conjirerationa] church. 

The subject of this sketcli was reared on 
the home farm, receivinji iiis eailv training 
in the district schools until nineteen years of 
age. He was then sent to the Granby 
grammer school in Granby, Canada, and 
later attended the Braeside Academy at 
Montreal. He completed his course in that 
school and later attended the McGill College, 
and later the McGill Medical College, gradu- 
ating therefrom in 1882. After this, for 
one J^ear, he was house physician at the Mon- 
treal General Hospital. Al)Out one year after 
his graduation he came to Fergus Falls, and, 
in company witli Dr. T. H. McLean, com- 
menced the practice of his profession. He 
bought a neat residence on Cascade street, 
in which he now lives. 

Dr. Duncan was mari'ied in 1880 to i\[iss 
Eva G. llerrick, tlie daughter of Jolin and 
Ann (Chalmers) Herrick, of Canada. One 
child has blessed this union — John K. 

Dr. Duncan has become one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Fergus Falls. He is a mem- 
ber of the city council, and is president of 
the board of examining surgeons for pen- 
sions in this district. He also belongs to the 
State ]\Iedical Society. For some time he 
has held the a)i})ointment of surgeon of the 
St. Paul, Minneapolis A: Manitoba llailroail 
Company. Politically he believes in the 
principles of the democratic party. He is a 



PARK A'ECIOXS OF M IXA'ESOTA. 



351 



leading- Knight of P3'tliias, and in all mat- 
ters wliicli tend to the improvement of the 
educational, social and business interests of 
Falls, he is a leading- factor. This 



Fergus 



lartnership lias built up an extensive practice. 



«»^^ 



ON. J. H. MILLER is the present 
sheriff of Kichland county, North 
Dakota. He was born on the 25tli day of 
August, 1844, in Oneida county, New York. 

The jiarents of the subject of our sketch 
were Asher and Catherine (Mowers) "Miller, 
of New York. The father belonged to a 
sturdy family of English descent, and during 
most of his life followed the occupation of 
faruiino- for a livelihood. In 1850 he came 
westward, settling in the State of Illinois, 
where, in Winnebag-o county, he became 
one of the early pioneers. In 1SC7 he 
removed to Grundy county, Iowa, where he 
lived until his death, which occurred in 1S()8. 
The mother is still living in Iowa. The 
father served as a soldier in the War oi 1812, 
and saw iiiucli hard service, being once 
severely wounded. He had a family of three 
children, two of whom are now living — 
J. II. and Julia II., twins, the latter now Mrs. 
Willson. 

The grandfather of the subject of our 
sketch was Luther Miller, a native of Con- 
necticut, and b\' occupation a farmer and 
luiiiberman. In early life became to Oneida 
county, New York, where he lived until his 
death. He was of English descent, the lirst 
of the familj^ having come to this country in 
the sixteenth century, settling in Connecti- 
cut. Luther was a soldier in the War of 1776. 

Catherine Mowers, the mother of the sub- 
ject of our sketch, was the daughter of John 
Mowers, a native of New York, and a fartnei- 
by occu])ation. He served as a soldier in the 
Uevolutionary War. His ancestors came 
fi'oni German}'. 



The subject of our sketch was reared on 
the home farm, receiving a good education in 
the district schools of his neighborhood. In 
1862, when eighteen years of age, he enlisted 
in Company C, Seventy-fourth Illinois In- 
fantry. For two and one-half years he 
remained in active service, and was wounded 
several times. He was twice wounded at 
Missionarj'^ Kidge, and at the battle of Kene- 
saw Mountain was shot in the left shoulder, 
sustaining such a severe injury that he was 
unable to do any work for about one year. 
He was honorably discharged from the army 
in February, 186.5. His soldier-life was a 
life at the front and was full of the hard 
fortune that usualh' comes with such service. 
He was in the following battles : Perr3'ville, 
Stone Kiver, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, 
Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Pleasant Hill, 
and many other engagements of minor im- 
portance. In 1867 became to Iowa, settling 
in Grund}' county, where he purchased a farm 
of 160 acres and turned his attention to 
farming. He also engaged for some years 
in teaching school. In 1878 he removed 
to Wahpeton, North Dakota, where, until 
1882, he had charge of the T. L. French 
farm, for whom also he sold agricultural 
implements. In 1882 he was a]i])ointed to 
the office of clerk of the courts, which 
position he held until 1886, when he was 
elected sheriff of Eichland count\'. In the 
fall of 1881 he was elected to represent 
iiis county in the Territorial legislature, serv- 
ing one term. 

Mr. Miller was married in 1879 to Miss 
Laura Poadman, of Grundy county, Iowa. 
She was the daughter of William and Polly 
J. (McConnica) Roadman, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. Her father came to Iowa in 1874, 
where for a number of years he was 
engaged in farming. He is now retired 
from active business and is living a retired 
life in Cedar Falls, Iowa. ilr. and Mrs. 
Miller have two riiildren — Annie and Ida. 



352 



JiED RIVER VAILEY AXD 



In i)olitics Mr. Miller is a stanch republi- 
can and since coming to Wahpeton has been 
one of tiie leaders in tlie affairs of tiiat 
part}'. He has at all times enjoyed the con- 
lidence of his i)()litical friends, bv whom he 
has been highly honored many times. For 
one year under President Arthur's adminis- 
tration he held the position of postmaster, 
and ill 1885 and 1S8G was mayor of the city. 
Mr. i\[iller has engaged somewhat in buyino- 
and selling land, and at present owns a' tine 
farm of IGO acres, lie also owns two fine 
residences in the city. Mr. ]\filler has l)een 
an earnest supporter of all matters pertain- 
ing to the welfare of his adopted town, 
and has, with pride, watched the village of 
twenty-five inhabitants grow to the propor- 
tions and importance of a city. Mr. Miller 
is a prominent member of the I. O. (). F 
and tiie G. A. E. 



-«« 




i. BARNES, the senior partner in the 
firm of Barnes & Slocum, grocery 
and provision dealers, of Crookston, Minne- 
sota, was born in Charles City, Floyd conntv, 
Iowa, and is the son of Harrison and Eliza 
(Coles) Barnes, lie lived with his parents 
from the day of his birth, A])ril ;20, 1868, 
until 1885, receiving his education in the 
superior schools of his native city. At the 
age of thirteen years he entered a large 
grocery establishment in the same place, 
where he remained until August 11, 1887, 
fully preparing himself, by acquiring a 
thoi'ough knowledge of the business, for 
his life's work. On the last mentioned date 
he removed to Fai-go, Dakota, whei-e he was 
engaged in clerical work until June 24, 1888, 
when he came to Crookston, Minnesota. In 
company with W. E. Siocum, he bought out 
the stock of the bankrupt firm of Horton & 
liurlburt, and embarked in business. 



Both of these young men are but new 
comers in the city, but, by close attention to 
the wants of their customers, and activity 
and energy in catering to the tastes of the 
community, are fast bmlding up for them- 
selves a large and p<)|)ular trade. 



E. SLOCUM, the junior partner of 
the fii-m above mentioned, is also a 
native of Charles City, Iowa, ami was born 
January 2, 1867. He is the son of C. A. and 
E. L. (Wilbur) Siocum. residents of that part 
of the Hawkeye State. Receiving his educa- 
tion in the high-grade schools of the city of 
his birth, at the age of sixteen years he 
entered the postotfice of that place as a clerk, 
where he remained until the spring of 1887. 
With a natural desire to see more of the 
country and stai-t out in life for liimself, he 
then made a trip to Kansas, but after spending 
the summer there returned to Chai-les City 
and entered a large dry goods establishment 
as clerk and salesman. There he remained 
until June, 1888, when became to Crookston 
and joined his friend O. J. Barnes in the 
present business. 

The firm carry full lines of staple and fancy 
groceries, provisions, Hour, crockery, glass- 
ware, wooden-ware, etc., their stock, which 
is one of the largest in their line in the city, 
invoicing some $4,500. 



--^f^J^--»- 



WILLIAM H. SUTHERLAND, one of 
the leading business men of Grant 
county, Minnesota, has charge of the local 
grain business of the Northwestern Elevator 
Company, and conducts their elevator at 
Herman. 

Mr. Sutherland was born in Whitehall, 
Washington county. New York, April 28, 



II 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



353 



1857, and is a son of Itoljert and Elizabeth 
(Thaiiie) Sutherland. The parents were 
natives of i*^e\v Brunswick, where they 
were married, and shortly afterward settled 
in Washington county, New York. Robert 
Sutlierland died in that county in the spring 
of 1875, at the age of fifty-eight years. He 
was a farmer and lumberman through life, 
a member of the Baptist church, and a man 
of exemplary character. The mother is now 
living witii her son in Herman, and is sev- 
enty-two years of age. Bobert Sutherland 
and wife were the parents of seven children, 
tln-ee Ikjvs and four girls, as follows — J. C, 
George, Clara, Sarah, Katie, Maj' and W. II. 
George and Clara are deceased. George 
was a ship carpenter and died in New York 
City. Clara became the wife of Samuel 
liarrett, and died in New York State, leav- 
ing a family of three children. 

Our present subject, W. H. Sutherland, 
spent his school days in his native county 
in the Empire State. At an early age he 
was thrown upon his own resources, and 
wiien thirteen years of age left school. 
From that time until he was twenty-one he 
was employed at boating between New York 
City and Canadian ports, and, upon attain- 
ing his majority, he removed to Indiana. 
There he was engaged in farming: and also 
learned the milling business. After a 
sojourn of two years in the Iloosier State 
he went to Dallas county, Texas, where he 
farmed and at the same time carried on the 
milling business. In July, 1878, Mr. Suth- 
erland came to Minnesota and jocated at 
Herman, in Grant county. Since that time 
lie has devoted his attention mostly to the 
milling and elevator business, and has moved 
about considerably. For one year he was 
engaged in the mercantile business at Oscar 
Lake, Douglas county, Minnesota ; was then 
engaged in the milling business in ]\Iar.sliall 
county, Dakota, for one year, when he was 
inirned out. We next find him in a mill at 



Alexandria, Minnesota, where he spent one 
year, and, at the exjjiration of that time, in 
1887, he returned to Herman, where he has 
since remained in charge of the elevator 
belonging to the Northwestern Elevator 
Company. He is a thorough and reliable 
business man, and is recognized as one of the 
leading citizens of the locality in which he 
lives. 

In political matters Mr. Sutherland is a 
democrat. 



-«-; 



«^. 



MtON. CHARLES D. WRIGHT is the 
Jt?^ president of the First National Bank 
of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota. 

Mr. Wright is a native of Addison countj^ 
Vermont, where he was born in 1850. He 
is the son of Ethan M. and Eliza (Bottum) 
Wright, both of whom were natives of Ver- 
mont. The father, during the most of his 
life, has followed the mercantile business, 
in which he has been eminently successful, 
and out of which has accrued to him a consid- 
erable fortune. He is a man of large ideas and 
refinement, and is social and charitable in 
all ways. His father was Brigham Wright, 
who was one of the substantial farmers of 
the Eastern States. Ethan M. W^ right had a 
family of three sons — William B., a banker 
in Vermont and associated with other prom- 
inent banks in the East and West ; Charles 
D. and George M., an attorney in New 
York City. 

The subject of our sketch spent his early 
days beneath the parental roof, attending 
the Highland Military School of Worcester, 
Massachusetts, and the Eensselaer Bolvtech- 
nic Institute of Troy, New York. In 1869 
he turned his steps westward and came to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was asso- 
ciated with his uncle, George B. Wright, in 
surveying \vork for the Government. In the 



354 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



fall of 1870 he was appointed to the office of 
chief draughtsman in the United States sur- 
veyor-general's office at St. Paul, whicli ])osi- 
tion he retained for a period of eight years. 
While connected with the Government sur- 
vey, in 1869, and the early part of 1870, he 
traveled over a considerable portion of the 
Northwestern territor}'. He was in com- 
pany with Andrew Holes, now of Moor- 
head, and George G. Beardsley, of Fargo, 
Dakota. They had much opj)ortunity to 
examine the lands in the Northwest, and 
located a great deal of land. 

In 1878 he came to Fergus Falls, and was 
elected to the position of vice-president of 
the First National Bank of that city. At 
that time the bank was located in Martin's 
block, with Henry G. Page as president. Mr. 
"Wright continued in the office of vice-presi- 
dent for five years, and in 1883 was elected 
to the presidency of that institution. In 1881 
the stockliolders of the bank built a block 
for their own use on the corner of Lincoln 
and Cascade avenues, where they continued 
in the banking business for three years. On 
January 1, 1884, they moved into their new 
bank building on the northeast corner of 
Lincoln avenue and Mill street. Tiiis is a 
large and imposing structure, finely built, of 
large pniportions, it being 50x142 feet 
in size. In this building there are at 
present tiiree stores, besides the banking 
offices and the United States land office, and 
offices in the second story. This building cost 
$35,000. ]\[r. Wright has done much to 
improve and beautify tlie city of Fergus 
Falls. He built his present line residence in 
1879, on corner of Court and Vernon avenues, 
and has intei'ested himself largeh* in the 
lands of this and other counties in the West. 

In 1878 Mr. Wright was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Lucy S. Barney, of Maiden, 
Massachusetts, the daughter of George T. 
Barney. Two children have blessed their 
union — George B. and Murray S. 



Mr. Wright is one of the prominent citi- 
zens of Fergus Falls. His business connec- 
tions and financial interests run in many dif- 
ferent lines, in all of which he has been 
eminently successful. He is treasurer of the 
Fergus Falls Water Com])any, of whicli he 
was one of the organizers. He is also treas- 
urer of the gas and mill company, and holds 
the same position in tiie Fergus Falls Water 
Power Company. Fie held the office of city 
mayor in 1S85 and 188G, antl was city treas- 
urer for several terms. In ]>olitics he is a 
stanch defender of the principles of the 
re])ul)lican party, ilr. Wright's name is a 
synonym of all that means success in busi- 
ness and prominence in the social cii'cles of 
Fergus Falls. 



..^« 




,»?^. EORGE COULTER, 
our present sketch 



The subject of 
is a resident of 
section 16, Iluntsville township, Polkcount\', 
Minnesota, and is one of the most prominent 
and substantial citizens of the locality in 
which he lives. He was born in Canada on 
the 31st of January, 1856, and is a son of 
Cliristopher and Elizabeth (Lee) Coulter, 
who were natives of Scotland. The parents, 
who were from that sturdy and determined 
Scotch race, were among the early settlers 
of Canada, where, in pioneer times, they 
endured much privation and liardship. 
George, our subject, spent his childhood days 
in the Province of his birth, and when he 
was ten j'ears old removed with his 
parents to Winona county, Minnesota, where 
he renuiined at home, most of the time aid- 
ing in the labors attendant uj)on carrying on 
the home farm, until he was twenty-one 
years old. When he had attained his 
majority he came to Polk county, Minnesota, 
and took a homestead on section 22, Ilunts- 
ville township. He lived upon that farm 
until 1885, when he sold out and purchased 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



355 



480 acres on section 16, whei'e he now lives. 
It is two miles west of the village of Mallory. 
lie has seventy acres of timber on the place, 
has good building improvements and is in 
excellent circumstances. 

W\\ Coulter was married at Grand Forks, 
on till' sth of May, 1SS2, to Miss Agnes 
Brown, a daughter of Aaron and Ellen 
(Ileuery) Brown. Their marringe has been 
blessed with two children — Margaret and 
George. 

^2;DWARD GRUSSENDORF, retired 
\^^ clergyman of the Lutheran church, 
is a resident of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. 
He is a native of German_y, and was born 
on theinth of July, 1823." 

The early days of the subject of our sketch 
were spent in receiving an excellent educa- 
tion. He graduated from tlie lianover and 
Gotlengen universities in 1S51, after which 
he turned his attention to teaching school, 
and also preaching the gospel until in 1857, 
when he came to America, and attended a 
German college at Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 
which he graduated in 1860. At this time 
he was ordained to preach the gospel, and 
commenced his ministry in Chicago, Illinois, 
in that year. He remained in Chicago for two 
antl one-half years, and then received a call 
to become pastor of the Red Wing Congre- 
gation, in Minnesota. His pastoral labors 
in that place extended through a period of 
three years, and then he removed to Min- 
neiska, where he continued his pastoral 
labors for two years. At the end of this 
time he purcliased a farm of 160 acres of 
Government land, and remained on this until 
1860, wlien he moved to Fergus Falls, 
Minnesota. His was the third family that 
settled in Fergus Falls. The other two 
families were Mrs. Grussendorf's brother and 
his brother-in-law, Henry Yon Haenigsen, 
they having settled in this place in June, 



1868. Mr. Grussendorf took 160 acres of 
land on the south side of the river, all of 
which is now inside of the city limits of 
Fergus Falls. Here he broke considerable 
of the land and built a house, and in 1878 laid 
out a tract of twent}' acres in city lots, it 
being the first addition to Fergus Falls. He 
has also laid out another addition of foi'ty 
acres on the north side of the river. In 1870 
he turned his attention to other pursuits and 
engaged in the mercantile business. He 
opened the first storb in the city, which he 
run for two years. In 1883, in company 
with his son Gustavus A., he opened again 
in the mercantile business, and continued the 
same for four j'ears, at which time he sold 
out and has since retired from active busi- 
ness life. Mr. Grussendorf was the first jus- 
tice of the peace for the townshi)), being 
elected to that place in 1870. He was one 
of the organizers of Busetown, in 1871. In 
1882 he purchased land in Polk count}', at 
Red Lake Falls, and laid out an addition to 
that city. He also bought several farms 
along the river near to that place. lie has 
always taken a deep interest in the growth 
and prosperity of Fergus Falls and vicinit}', 
and has always been a hearty su})porter of all 
projects that tended to the financial growth 
of this locality. 

Mr. Grussendorf was married, March 24, 
1862, to Miss Fieda Buse, of Germanj'^, and 
daughter of Carl and Liessete (Ohn) Buse 
Her parents came to America in 1856 and 
settled at Buffalo, New York, where the 
father engaged in the clothing business. In 
1861 they came westward, settling in Red 
Wing, Minnesota, where he engaged in 
farming. There the family remaineil until 
the death of the father, which occurred in 
1869. The mother died at Fergus Falls in 
1872. Mr. and Mrs. Grussendorf have only 
one son, Gustavus A. 

Mr. Grussendorf has for many years affili. 
ated with the republican party, and he and 



356 



la-.D h'lVFR VAL/.f.y AXD 



his wife and son are members of the Lutheran 
church. He has two dwening-houses in the 
south part of the cit}', and owns one, in which 
he lives, on the north side. Mr. Grussendorf 
is one of tlie leading citizens of Fergus Falls, 
and has been a warm and ready su[)poi'ter of 
all church enterprises and in the improve- 
ment of schools. He has not onl\' encour- 
aged these movements by his words, but has 
aided materially in a financial way. He 
enjoys the esteem and conlidence of his fel- 
low-citizens. 



W. FREEMAN, who is a member of 
the Moorhead Merchant Tailoring 
Company, was born in Sweden, November 
12, 1854. His parents were John and Jo- 
hanna (Swanson) Freeman, of Sweden. They 
were farmers and emigrated to America in 
1872, settling in Goodhue county, Minnesota, 
and from there moved to Rockford, Hlinois. 
The next change was a move to Meeker 
county, Minnesota, at a point six miles from 
Dassel. Here they farmed again. They 
had a family of whom the following are 
living — S. August, Elizabeth, John A., 
Cleas W., Andrew G. and Hannah N. The 
parents both belong to the Lutheran church, 
and the father is a republican in his political 
views. 

Our subject, like most fai-mers' sons, did 
farm labor and attended school, getting a 
good common school education. He left 
home, however, at the age of twelve years, 
when he commenced to work at the tailor- 
ing business, serving five years as an appren. 
tice, and then worked for wages in Sweden 
for three years. In 1874 he crossed the 
ocean to America, settling at Itockford, Hli- 
nois, where he remained until 1S82, then 
came to Moorhead, where he engaged in 
business for himself and took as his partner 
C. A.Allen. They continued as a lirm until 



May 28, 1888, when the Moorhead Tailoring 
Company was formed, with Mr. Freeman as 
its president. They carry a full line of 
merciiant tailoring goods and employ four 
men to assist them. 

Mr. Freeman was united in marriage in 
1877 to Miss Annie ]\[. Blomqnist, of Jiock- 
ford, Hlinois. Thev have si.x children — 
J. H., C. W., A. M., "m. L. E., D. E. IL and 
E. J. M. 

Politicall}' our subject is a re])ul)lican. 
Both he and his wife are members of the 
Luthei'an church, of which he is a trustee. 

i^HARLES E. DAMPIER, M. U., one of 
V^y the leading practicing physicians and 
surgeons of the flourishing city of Ci'ookston, 
Minnesota, is a native of Waterloo, Canada, 
born June 5, 185-1, and is the son of Edward 
and Charlotte (Parmelee) Dampier. Li 1856 
the family came to the United States, locat- 
ing in the town of Lemond, Steele county, 
Minnesota, where the father took \\\> a pre- 
emption claim and engaged in the tillage of 
the soil. One yeai' later they removed to 
Meriden township, in the same county, 
where the family resided until ISfio. Li the 
latter year Mr. L)ann)ier, the elder, in search 
of a more eligible location, removed to ' 
Dakota county, wliei'e he found that which 
he was in search of, in that beautiful portion 
of the State, 

" Where harvest mantles, fringed with prairie lilooms. 
Trail in the sunset." 

There the family found a home and there 
they were living when the necessities of the 
country's defense called for so many of the 
men from the Northland, whereupon the 
father of our subject enlisted in Hatch's 
Independent Battalion of Minnesota Cav- 
alry, and served until the close of the war, 
the latter portion of the time as first-lieut- 
enant of Company F, he having been pro- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



357 



moted to that position for gallant conduct in 
tlio iield. On receivin';- his discharge Mr. 
Dainpier returned to his family in the county 
of Dakota, where, like Cincinnatus, he 
returnctl to his agricultui'al and bucolic jnir- 
suits. He made his home in that locality, 
on a farm which he ]iurchased about the 
time of his return near Castle Eock, until 
IS 74, when he removed to Northfield, Rice 
county, and there engaged in the hotel lousi- 
ness. After pursuing the calling of landlord 
for some years, in 18S0, he came west again, 
and is now living in Fergus Falls. 

Charles E. Dampier was reared upon his 
father's farm, and drew his primary educa- 
tion from the district schools of the neio'h- 
borhood, which was sup])lemented by a term 
at the schools of Elgin, Illinois, whither he 
went for the ])urpose, and one term at Carl- 
ton College. In the spring of 1S75 he en- 
tered a drug store in Northfield, as clerk, at 
the same time taking up the study of medi- 
cine, he liaving a natural aptitude and liking 
for that i)rofession. For eighteen months he 
continued in that place, steadily applying 
his leisure time to the books that were to 
lay the foundation of his future success, but, 
in the fall of 1876, matriculated at the med- 
ical department of the Michigan State Uni- 
versity, at Ann Arbor, from which cele- 
bi-ated and noble institution of learning he 
was graduated in the Class of 'Y8. 

On receiving his diploma, Dr. Dampier at 
once went to Dell Rapids, Dakota, where he 
entered upon the duties of his profession, 
and remained there in full practice until the 
following spring, when, with an admirable 
foresight, he removed to Crookston, Minne- 
sota, then a small village of no more than 
500 inhabitants, but in which his sagacity 
had discovered the germ of its future size 
and thrift. The doctor at once opened an 
office in the place, and has grown with its 
growth until he now has a large and lucra- 
tive practice. This worthy disciple of Hip- 



pocrates and Galen, while attending strictly 
to the duties of his chosen profession, has 
not been able to shift entirely from his 
shoulders his share of the public burden. 
For some six years he was compelled to act 
as health officer of the city, but no longer 
occupies that position. He is the United 
States medical examiner for pensions, for 
this district, and the local surgeon of the St. 
Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad 
Company, the latter office having been filled 
by him for the past nine years. He is also 
the surgeon for the Crookston fire depart- 
ment. 

The Doctor is a member of the State Med- 
ical Society, and of the Masonic fraternit}-. 
He was made a Mason in Crookston Lodge, 
141, A. F. & A. M. in 1879, his being one of 
the three names presented on the night of 
the organization of that botl3\ He is a 
charter member of Pierson Chapter, No. 40, 
R. A. M., he having been exalted in the 
chapter at Fergus Falls, and is now the 
treasurer of the chapter. The Doctor is the 
owner of a fine farm of 240 acres in Polk 
county, which he leases to a tenant. 

Dr. C. E. Dampier was united in mar- 
riage August 4, 1880, with Miss Estelle E. 
Carruth, a native of the State of New York. 



-«- 



-•»► 



>IpLENRY O. JOHNSON, a respected 



E 



farmer of Grant county, Minnesota, 



is a resident of Pomme de Terre township, 
section 36, where he is engaged in agi'icult- 
ural pursuits. He is a native of Minnesota, 
born in Fillmore countj^, on the 8th of 
April, 1866, and a son of Lage and Nellie 
(Eastenson) Johnson, of whom a sketch will 
be found in another part of this Album. 
They are the parents of the following-named 
children — Anna M., Gea, Emelia, Josephine, 
Olena, Henry O., Peter L., Tilda O., Wil- 
helm N., Julia D. and Sophia E. 



358 



KED KTVER VALLEY AKD 



Henr}' O. Johnson spent his boyhood-days 
in Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1875 he 
came with his parents to Grant county, 
Minnesota, where lie attended the district 
sciiool in Pomme de Teri-e village for some ' 
time. In the fall of 1879 he entered the 
normal school at St. Cloud, where he re- 
mained for about two years. After complet- 
ing his education, he returned to Grant county, 
and lias since made it his home. For some 
time lie remained with his parents, helping 
his father in tlie store and on the farm, and 
later engaged in farming on his own account. 

Mr. Johnson was raai-ried February 27, 
1886, to Miss Hattie Johnson. She was a 
native of "Winneliago county, Wisconsin, but 
came to Grant county, Minnesota, with her 
parents when about one year old. There 
she grew to womaniiood, and attended school, 
completing her education in St. Cloud, Min- 
nesota. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents 
of two childi-en, named as follows — Dora 
and Alma T. Mr. Johnson has a well im- 
proved farm of 160 acres in Ponmie de 
Terre township and is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. He holds the 
office of supervisor of the township, and is 
assistant postmaster at Pomme de Terre 
])()stoffice. Mr. Jolmson is a man of indus- 
try, hoiiest\' and integi'itv : his word is recog- 
nized as good as his bond. He is one of the 
most liiglily esteemed citizens of Pomme de 
Terre and a representative man of tiie county. 



•«-! 



,,^,^OTT T. STEVENS is engaged in the 



:'- A^ general hardware l)usiness in Wah- 
peton, Richland county, North Dakota, where 
he carries a large stock of stoves, tinware, 
iron and steel, steam fittings, pumps, jiipes, 
etc. 

Mr. Stevens was horn in Auburn, New 
York, March 31, 1837. and is a son of Tiiomas 



and Eleanor (Davis) Stevens, natives of New 
York. The father was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of hoes, forks, corn knives and loco- 
motive forgings, and had a large factory 
located two miles east of Auburn city, New 
York. He was a man of wide influence in 
his native town, and held many offices of 
importance, being a justice of the j)eace and 
county commissioner. In politics he was a 
democrat and was a memljci- of the Univer- 
salistcliurch. He died in lsT6;his wifediedin 
1888. They had a family of seven children, 
five of whom are now living— Sarah A., now 
Mrs. Doty ; Augusta, now Mrs. Brown ; Celia, 
now Mrs. Putnam ; Mott T. and George W- 
The mother's j)arents Avci'c Quaker people 
and were natives of New York State. Thomas 
Stevens' father was Eoswell Stevens, a native 
of New York and of English descent. He 
Avas a manufacturer and owned a large blast 
furnace. He was a soldier in the "War of 
1812. 

The subject of our sketch remained at home 
in his native State until he was well along in 
yeai's. He received good educational train- 
inir and atteiuled the Fort Edward Seminarv» 
on the Hudson river, until twenty years of 
aee. From that time until he was twentv-six 
he worked in his fatlier's factory. Tlicn in 
1862 he turned ]iisstei)S westward, locating in 
Lakecity, Minnesota, where,forabout fourteen 
years, he engaged in steamljoating and mill- 
ing. Thence he went to Minneapolis, en- 
ffaoins: in the real estate business, at which 
he continued one j'ear, when he removed to 
Wahpeton, Dakota, where he has since lived. 
He at once opened a hardware store, which 
business he has conducted ever since. He 
purchased his fine business place on Dakota 
avenue, and also a fine residence on Fifth 
street, where he now lives. In 1885 he had 
the contract for plumbing from the water 
works, mains to the offices, stores, and resi- 
dences in Wahpeton. He owns a large pow- 
der magazine adjoining the city limits, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINJVESO TA. 



359 



where he does an extensive wholesale busi- 
ness in powder. 

Mr. Stevens was married in 1863 to Miss 
Laura Ciiadderdon, a native of Weedsport, 
New York, and a daugiiter of Nathan and 
Phwbe J. (Rood)Chadderdon. natives of the 
same place. This union has been blessed 
witii two children — Maria E. and Fred. T. 

Mr Stevens has invested largely in real 
estate, and owns a number of residence lots 
on Si.xtli street. In politics he affiliates 
with tlie democratic party, and is a leading- 
member of the Masonic Order and of the 
Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor. 
Himself anil wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, of which ciuirch he is 
a leading trustee. Mr. Stevens has been 
successful in business, and is one of the 
solid and prominent men of the city and 
county. 



• ■' >- 

n^HN p. HANSEN, another man of high 
standing and prominence in the city of 
Mooi'head, is the person of whom this sketch 
will treat. He is of the firm of Hansen Bros. 
butchers and stock dealers. 

Mr. Hansen is a native of Germany, born 
November 13, 1852. His parents were Erich 
and Ciiristena ( Suvei'krubb ) Hansen, also 
Germans by birth. His father was an exten- 
sive l)rewer, and also followed farming to 
some extent. He now leads a retired life. 
Atone time he was induced to join the police 
force and kept on serving, until twenty-five 
years liad rolled away. His father's name 
was Joiin J., who was also a farmer and 
followed brewing throughout his life . Erich, 
our subject's father, had a family of eleven 
ciiiidren, all of whom he finely educated. 
Tiieir names are — John, Erich C. F., Peter, 
^lagretha, Christena, Ever, Doris, Juliane, 
Fritz, Carl and Heinrich. 

John P., of whom we are now to speak 
biographically, was raised in the cit\' of 



Schleswig, German}^ where he had good 
school advantages and availed himself of 
them. "When about sixteen years old he 
entered a general store, where he learned the 
art of book-keeping. He remained four years 
and a half, and all but the last six months 
was expended in mastering the profession. 
The first four years he received his board, but 
had to get his own clothing and laundry work. 
The last six months he received $50, with 
board. After this training he left the home 
of his childhood and came to American 
soil, first settling in Duluth, where he found 
emjiloyment in a flour and feed store, 
for a short time. From that he went into 
a grocery store, remaining for fifteen 
montiis. He then took a trip to the copper 
mines of Michigan with his brotlier. He 
only stopped there a month or so and came 
back to Duluth, where he did wood chopping 
by the cord for two months, building a log 
hut in the big woods, in which he and his 
three companions boarded themselves and 
chopped for a living. After this laborious 
means of getting on in the world a mer- 
chant of Superior City, Wisconsin, engaged 
him to clerk in a general store during the 
winter. From that ])lace he again strayed 
back to Duluth, antl worked in a wholesale 
liquor house for a year or more. He did 
other work for another year and then 
eneasred in grocerv trade himself in Duluth, 
l)Ht shortly thereafter he went to Willmar, 
Minnesota, Avherc he worked in a meat mar- 
ket. He went to Fargo \\\ 1ST6, looking for 
work, but failing, he went to Pted Wing, 
where he got work in the Turner 0])era 
House for two years. Then he went to 
Moorhead, and in the fall of 1878, with his 
brother, Erich, formed a partnership, which 
still exists, dealing in meat and cattle. 

Mr. Hansen was married on the ith of 
May, 1884, to Miss Caroline Kruegel, 
daughter of Wilhelm and Caroline Kruegel, 
natives of German v. IMrs. Hansen was born 



36o 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



in the State of Wisconsin. Their family 
consists of two children— Earl J. and Her- 
bert P.. Mr. Hansen piii'chased a fine Jiome 
on Barlow and Fourth streets, in Moorhead, 
where he still lives. 

In ]iolitieal matters onrsul)ject is indejiend- 
ent, believing in the ix>st man for the office, 
regai'dless of strict party lines. He and his 
family attend the First Presbyterian churcli 
of Moorhead. 



-«" 



'HRISTIAN JOHNSON, deputy sheriff 
of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is 
a native of Norway, and was born June 2, 
1851. His parents were Zacharius and 
Carry (Johanson) Johnson, both of whom 
were natives of Norway. The father while 
in Norway was a laboi'er in the city of 
Stenkjer. They came to America in 1SC7 
and settled in Kushford, Fillmore county, 
Minnesota, where they remained for four 
years. They then came to Otter Tail county 
and settled in the township of Tordenskjold 
ami took a homestead of 1(50 acres. On 
this farm he built the first log house, 16x24 
feet. In 1877 he sold out and purchased a 
farm of IGO acres in Leaf Mountain township. 
He continued to improve this farm until in 
1881, when he moved to the vicinity of 
Fergus Falls, where he now lives. They 
had only one son — Christian. 

The subject of our sketch remained at 
home in his native country and received a 
common school education. After coining to 
America with his parents, he went at work 
on tlie railroads, grading on some of the 
principal lines in this Western country. He 
continued at this occupation foi- tliree years, 
after which he became a clerk in a general 
store at Fountain, Fillmore county, Minne- 
sota, where he remained one year. In 1871 
he moved to Otter Tail county, where he 
took a pre-emption of 120 acres in the town 



of Tordenskjold. He improved this farm 
thoroughly, built a log house 8x10, liv- 
ing in tiie same for one yeai-. Then until 
1874: he worke<l about the country at what- 
ever he could find to do in the line of farm 
work. In tliis year, 1S74, he was mariMcd 
and settled down on the farm wliere he lived 
until 1881. Ill this year he turned hisatten- 
tion to railroad contracting and continued in 
this line of employment for three years. At 
the end of this period he was appointed 
deputy sheriff of Otter Tail county, which 
position he lias held ever since. 

Mr. Johnson was married, in 1874, to Miss 
Eva G. Moe, a native of Norway and the 
daughter of Jacob Moe. Four children have 
blessed this union, their names beingCarl, Eli- 
nor, Christopher and Tord. Mr. Johnson is a 
respectable and resjiected citizen, and a man 
in whom the people have placed much coiili- 
dence. He has held the office of town clerk 
and supervisor, and helped to organize one of 
the first school districts in the county. While 
living on the farm he was appointed under 
President Hayes as postmaster in that town, 
and held that office for three years. In 
1879 he was assistant sergeant-at-arms in the 
house of representatives at 8t. Paul. He 
owns a fine residence on Yernon avenue, one 
of the model homes of the city of Fergus 
Falls. Mr. Johnson affiliates with the re- 
publican party and is a leading Knight of 
Pythias. He is one of tlie leading citizens 
of Fergus Falls. 



JTaMES H. LETSON is ]iroprietor of the 



^ Letson House, Alexandria, Minnesota, it 
being the only first-class hotel in Alexandria 
for travelers and tourists. Mr. Letson is a 
native of Clinton county, New York, and was 
born in 1847. He is the son of Samuel and 
Ann (Carson) Letson. Samuel Letson's par- 



PARK K EC IONS OF MINNESOTA 



361 



ents A\ere John and Margaret (Oarr) Letson, 
wlio came to America from County Antrim, 
Ireland, in 1832, and settled in Clinton county, 
New York, where they lived, engaged in farm- 
ing until the father's death. They had a 
family of ten eliildren, nine of whom are now 
living — Samuel, William, Thomas, John, 
Isaac, Mariah, Elizabeth, Henry and Jane> 

Samuel, the father of the subject of our 
sketch, is still living and is a resident of Alex- 
andria. He is now with his son at the Let- 
son House. He has followed various lines of 
business, in New York engaging in farming. 
On leaving New York he came to Wisconsin, 
and for the last thirteen years has been a 
resident of Minnesota. 

James H., the subject of this sketch, was 
reared in the State of New York until he was 
ten years of age. At that age his parents 
went to Canada, where they remained for 
three years, at the end of which time he came 
west to Michigan. At fourteen years of age . 
he left the parental roof and went upon the 
lakes, holding various positions on the steam- 
ers that plied from point to point. He fol- 
lowed this business until 1868, assisting in 
the large hotels during some of the winter 
months. In 1S6S he came to Minnesota and 
settled in Minneapolis. Here he was em- 
ployed in the Nicollet and Windsor Hotels 
for about six years. He then ran the Ex- 
celsior House at Minnetonka for five 3'ears as 
a tourist's hotel. In 1880 he came to Alex- 
andria on a hunting expedition and, being 
struck by the beauty of the country, he con- 
cluded to tarry with this ]ieople, and as there 
was no first-class hotel he conceived the idea 
of building such an institution and running 
it himself. The city people gave him three 
lots, and he built the hotel at an expense to 
himself of several thousand dollars. For the 
last six years he has run the Hotel Alex- 
andria at Geneva Beach, caring for some 
three hundred peoj)le from the South and 
East during each season. 



Mr. Letson was married in 1875 to Miss 
Mattie Waite, who was the daughter of W. 
W. Waite, of Minnetonka. Mr. and Mrs. 
Letson have only one child living, Alta, who 
is now a student at St. Paul. 

Mrs. Letson's parents were William W. 
and Harriet (Fairchild) Waite. They were 
natives of Albany, New York. He was a 
manufacturer of cigars and tobacco in Chi- 
cago for some time, and was interested in 
mills, and was a wholesale merchant in 
Indianapolis, Indiana. He came to Minnesota 
for his health and died at Excelsior in 1873. 
Mrs. Letson's mother is still living at Minne- 
a])olis. They had a large family, of which 
six children are now living — Mrs. J. H. 
Letson; Lucretia, now Mrs. Bliss; Grace, now 
Mrs. McCarthy; Eliza, now ^Irs. Dicker- 
son; Wallace and Leon. The father of 
this family was a stanch, true republican in 
politics and was a loyal member of the Bap- 
tist church. The mother was amemberof the 
Methodist Episcopal church. The Waite 
famil}'^ are of English descent, and their gen- 
erations have been traced back to 1075. 
Wdliam the Conqueror gave the earldom, 
city and castle of Norwich in England to 
Rolf de Waite, who was a son of Rolf, an 
Englishman by a AVelsh mothei'. Rolf de 
Waite married Emma, sister of Roger, earl 
of Hereford, who was a cousin of the Con- 
queror. The genealogical tree shows that 
Waite, of the county of Warwick, in A. I). 
1350, was escheatorof the counties of Wilks, 
Oxford, Berkshire, Bedford and Bucks. 
Thomas Waite was a mcnd)er of Parliament, 
and one of the judges who signed the war- 
I'ant in 1649 for the execution of Charles I. 
Of this remarkable line of ancestry comes 
the Hon. Jonathon Waite, who was born in 
York, Livingston count}^ New York, 1811, 
and who is a brother of Mrs. Letson's father. 

Mr. Letson is an ideal hotel-keeper. He is 
always alive to the interests and welfare of 
his guests, providing the best of accommo- 



3f)2 



.K/:n KIVEK VALI.E Y AND 



flations, .and setting one of the best tables to 
be found in any hotel west of Minneajiolis 
or St. Paul. As a business man ISfr. Letson 
stands among the foremost of Alo.xandria. 
lie lias assisted financially in many enter- 
})rises that have been fortlie improvement of 
his adopted town. Tn politics he is a demo- 
crat. He is also a iiicinber of the Masonic 
fraternity, and, with his wife, is a member of 
the Congregational clnii'ch. Mr. Letson has 
always enjoyed the esteem and regard of his 
fellow-townsmen wherever he has resided. 



-•*- 



«^^ 




IMiT RANK HOPPE, who is engaged in the 
liquor business in Breckenridge, "Wil- 
kin county, Minnesota, is a native of Ger- 
many. He was born in tiiat kingdom in 
1S49 and is a son of Godfred and Florenten 
(Schlieker) Iloppe, natives of Germany. The 
father Avas a farmer and followed that occu- 
pation until his death in 1858. The mother 
died irt JSOH. Tliey were the i)arents of 
twelve children. They were devoted mem- 
bers of the fierm.m Catholic church. 

Fi'ank lloppe, the suljject of thisljiograph- 
ical sketch, received his education in his na- 
tive land, and spent his early childhood on 
iiis father's farm. After his parents' death 
he secured work on a large farm, at which 
he worked for three years. He then secured 
the position of foreman of the same farm; 
after holding that place for four years he 
emigrated to the United States. He left 
his native land in October, 1872, and, after 
reaching America's shores, settled in St. 
Louis, Missouri. Although part of his time 
there was spent in a grocery store, the 
greater portion of the three years' sojourn in 
that cit}' was taken up witli the liquor busi- 
ness. Mr. Hoppe next removed to Lake 
City, ]\[innesota, where he worked on a farm 
for one year and then engaged in tlie same 
kind of business, which now occu]iies his 



time. In three years he had the misfortune 
to be burned out; then came to Breck- 
enridge, Minnesota, where lie engaged in 
the saloon business. Soon after settling in 
tliis place lie built a brewery just across the 
river, in Wahpeton, Dakota Territory. He 
sold this in about one year and then gave 
his attenticm exclusively to his business in 
Breckenridge. In addition to his liquor 
interests, he owns a farm of 310 acres, one 
mile and a lialf from the town, wliicli lie 
has rented since 1885. 

IMr. Hoppe was united in marriage in 1879 
to Miss Emma Stalimann, l)y whom three 
children have been born — Francisca, Fred 
and Clara. Mrs. lIo])])c is the daugiiter of 
Fritz and Mary (Anding) 'Stahmann, and 
was born in Lake City, Minnesota. Her 
parents Avere natives of Germany, and, on 
coming to this coimtry, settled in Lake City, 
where the father engaged in farming. 

Mr. Hoppe, the subject of this article, is 
one of the substantial business men of 
Breckenridge. lie has held various local 
offices, and has always taken an active inter- 
est in everything calculated to benefit the 
locality in which he lives. In ])oliLical mat- 
ters he is an adherent to the principles of 
the democratic party. 



-.^j^-. 



-^^ 



^'"•^HARLES H. BROWN, of Ada, Minne- 
sota, who is engaged in carrying on the 
principal harness-making establishment in 
that village, is one of the early settlers of the 
count\', and has been quite prominently 
identified with several of the institutions of 
the county seat ever since. 

Mr. Brown was born in the city and county 
of i'liiladclphia, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1851, 
and is the son of Charles and Agusta 
(Ilaney) Brown, natives of Germany. In 
1854 he was l)rougIit by his parents to Fond 
du Lac countv, Wisconsin, and for some 



PARK REGIOyS OF MINNESOTA. 



363 



twelve years was reared u]ion a farm in the 
environs of the cit\' of Waupun, and tliere 
laid the foundation of his education. In 
1 S66 the family removed to Kedwing, Good- 
Ime founty, jNIinnesota, and there, in June, 
ISCT, our subject, commenced an apprentice- 
shij) at tlie hai'ness-malcing trade witii E. P. 
Watson, of that city. After remaining with 
tiiat gentleman for some two years and a 
lialf he worked as a journeyman at the trade 
in various parts of the State, until 1S70, when 
lie came to what is now Norman county, and 
purchased a farm of the railroad com]iany, 
within three miles of Ada. Entering upon 
agricultural pursuits, he there made his home 
until January, 18S2, when he removed to 
Ada and established his present business, 
harness-making. Here he has continued 
ever since, and is to-day the leading manu- 
facturer and dealer in that class of ware in 
tlie county, but still carries on his farm in 
the same connection. 

Since his residence in Ada Mr. Brown has 
taken considerable interest in village matters, 
and has been a prominent member of the 
council for several years. "While upon the 
farm, jirior to moving into the village, he 
was the chairman of the town board, and in 
the fall of 1886 was elected chairman of the 
board of county commissioners for four 
years, and is the present incumbent of the 
latter responsible and onei'ous office, and ful- 
lills the duties of the position to the satisfac- 
tion of the majority of the rpialified electors 
of the county. 

The subject of this sketch was one of the 
ciiai'ter members and helped organize, in the 
fall of 1SS2, Norman Lodge, No. 154, A. F. 
i<, A. M., he having been made a JVIason in 
Ilei-man Lodge, No. 41, of Zumbrota. Min- 
nesota, in 187'.*. He has always numifested 
an active interest in the workings of the 
order, and has held some office in the lodge 
since the date of its organization, lie was 
also one of the originators of the Ada fire 



department, organized in 1883, and has iieen 
its chief since that time, and discharged his 
duties in that capacity with ability and 
praiseworthy energy. He also helped organ- 
ize the Ada Cornet Band, in 1885, which is 
one of the institutions of that village. 

Since he was eleven years old Mr. Brow^n 
has depended, to a great degree, upon the 
result of his own efforts, although he made 
his home with his parents until 1875, and is 
the sole architect of his (;wn fortune. Act- 
ive, energetic and ambit inus, he devoted his 
entire efforts to rise in the workl, and while 
he has gained the respect and esteem of his 
fellow-citizens, he has accumulated a hand- 
some nucleus of a fortune. 

Mr. Brown was united in marriage Decem- 
ber 4, 1879, with Miss Lucy Pfund, who died 
July 23, 1883. 



-^^ 



LBERT BOERNER, one of the respected 
^ivj^ and industrious farmers of Grant 
county, IMinnesota, is a resident of section 30, 
Koseville township. He is a native of Prus- 
sia, and comes from a race ])roverbial for 
their thrift and econtmiy and integrity. He 
was born in that kingdom on the 28th of 
January, 1851, and is the son of Fi'ed and 
Christena Boerner, natives also of that grand 
division of Germany. The parents came to 
the United States in 1803, and, after remain- 
ing in Chicago, Illinois, for three months, 
moved to Wright county, Minnesota, where 
they lived until 1878. In 1878 they removed 
to Grant county, Minnesota, where they are 
still living. They have a family of eight chil- 
dren, named as follows — Fred, Caroline, So- 
phia, Henry, William, Albert, Herman and 
Julius. 

Albert Boerner, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, spent his school days in his 
native land, and in 18t'.:'. came with his parents 
totheL'nited States. He remained with his 



364 



RED RIl'EK ]■ ALLEY AND 



parents until he was twenty-one j'ears old, 
when he commenced in hfe for liimself by 
engfaoino: in farm labor. He now owns a most 
desirable and iiighly cultivated tract of hind, 
comprising 320 acres on sections 20 and 30, 
IJoseville townsliip. He is extensively en- 
gaged in general farming and stoclc-raising, 
and is one of tiie prominent citizens of Grant 
county. 

Mr. I'oerncr was married on the 25th of 
January, 1872, to Miss Mary Dickow, a na- 
tive of Minnesota, and they are the parents 
of five cliildren, named as foihjws — Julia, 
Edwin, Frank, Alfi'cd and Eniil. Mr. 
Boerner, witii liis family, belongs to the Lu- 
theran ciiiircli. He is a man of tlic utmost 
jioiior and integrity, liigldv esteemed b}' all 
who bear his acquaintance. He has held 
various olfices of his townshi]?, including 
supervisor, school treasurer, etc. In polit- 
ical matters he affiliates with the republican 
party, and takes an active interest in all pub- 
lic and eilucationai affairs. 



^«« 



.-^^ 




EV. THOMAS E. DICKEY, a min- 
i^<^^ ister of the gospel, will form the 
subject of this sketch. He, like every other 
man, lias had an experience that would fill a 
volume, of this size, if given in detail, but 
duty devolves upon the writer to herewith 
record only the chief facts concerning this 
man's birth, parentage and relation in life 
with men. 

He is a native of Nova Scotia, born April 
2, 183(1. His parents were Ephraim and 
^lary (Tiipper) Dickey, natives of the same 
country. The father was a lumljerman 
and followed the business of lumbering until 
his death. He was a major of the militia 
and a justice of the peace. Our subject's 
grandfather was William and his grand- 
mother Hannah (Howard) Dickey. Han- 



nah's father was a colonel in the Revolu- 
tionary War and a native of England. Mary 
Tupjier's parents wei-e Eddy and Annie 
Tupi)er, natives of England and Nova Scotia, 
respectively. Ephraim Dickey had a family 
of nine children, seven of whom are now 
living — Eddy, Hannah (now Mrs. L. C. 
Munson, of Minneapolis), William, Elijah, 
Eliza, Benjamin, and Mary (now Mrs. Will- 
iam Holesworth). 

Until he was fourteen years old, our sub- 
ject attended school in Nova Scotia, and 
then embarked in the lumbering business at 
the age of eighteen years. He came to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, doing the same 
business until he was twenty-one years old. 
He then attended the high school of Minne- 
apolis a year and went to the Jubilee College, 
in the town of Tlobbin's Nest, Illinois, 
another year, then came to Faribault, Min- 
nesota, where he finished his classical studies, 
also graduated from the seminary, in 1807, 
having the degree of B. D. conferred 
upon him. He then took charge of the 
Episcopal parish at Le Sueur, Minnesota, 
for three years. His next charge was at 
Austin, Mower county, Minnesota, where he 
remained two years, then went to Olympia, 
Washington Territory, remained one year 
and next spent a year in California. From 
that State he .went to Silver City, Idaho, 
where he remained a year. The next three 
years were spent in Bozeman, Montana Terri- 
tory. From there he came to Moorhead, 
Minnesota, in 1877, taking charge of the 
mission on the Northern I'acific extension 
from Lake Detroit to Bismarck, making two 
trips per month for a year. He was then 
made president of the Nebraska ('ollege, at 
Nebraska City, iiolding that office four 
years, and then returned to ^roorhead and 
became rector of that parish. He built the 
Bishop Whipple School, in 1882, soutli of 
Moorhead. The buildings and grounds cost 
not far from thirtv thousand dollars. 



PA A' A' REGIOXS OF M/A'.VESOTA . 



365 



The date of our subject's marriage was 
1870. His wife was Miss Helen Wright, a 
native of Veniioiit. Her father was Kent 
Wriirht. Their children are — Henrv W., 
Charles K., Ellis S. and Edward. The first 
named is now a teacher in Dakota. 

Politically J\[r. Dickey is a democrat. He 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is now 
nun^bered among Moorhead"s most promi- 
nent men. 

JISlCKEL M DUNN, the respected and 
.M"JJ%^ successful blacksmith in tiie village 
of Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Pennsylvania. He was born in 
Cambria county, within eight miles of the 
Allegheny Mountains, on the 2d of April, 
1S45, and is the son of Patrick and Mary 
(O'Donald) McDunu, natives of Ireland. 
The subject of this article spent the first 
seventeen years of his life in his native State, 
attending school in the winter and working 
on the home farm in the summer. In his 
seventeenth year he removed to the village of 
Wetmore, and worked two years and a half 
as an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade. 
In 18G5 he removed to Davenport, Iowa, 
where he worked on the farm for two 
months, but not liking the locality he 
returned to his native home in Pennsylvania. 
Shortly after his return he went down the 
Ohio river and stopped at Jefferson, 
Indiana, where he remained six months, 
working at his trade. At the ex]iiration of 
the time mentionetl, or in the fall of the same 
year, he again returned to his old home, and 
in the spring of 1866 emigrated to the far 
West, and settled near Hastings, Minnesota, 
locating on a farm with his brother. After 
remaining there for three years he returned 
to the old home in Pennsylvania and 
remained with his parents for two years. In 
1871 Mr. MoDunn returned to Minnesota and 



settled at Hastings on the farm. He 
I'emained there, engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, until the spring of 1879, at which 
time he went to the village of Barnesville, 
Cla\^ county, Minnesota, where he has since 
resided, engaged in blacksmithing. 

Mr. McDunn was married, in 1872, to Miss 
Mary Gavin, a native of Hastings, Minne- 
sota. They have been blessed witii the fol- 
lowing-named children — Mary, Katie, Eliza- 
beth, AVilliara, Thomas and Michael. Mr. 
McDunn is one of the prominent and success- 
ful men of Clay county, and is a man of 
honor and integrity, highly esteemed by all 
who know him. He is one of the earliest 
settlers of Barnesville, having located here 
when there were only al)out half a dozen 
houses. 



— — .<5« 

g|klCHAEL J. GLENNON is the pro- 
-tr^ prietor of the Fergus Falls Bot- 
tling AVorks, and puts up artificial and 
natural mineral waters. He does a large busi- 
ness, and is located in Fergus Falls, Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota. 

The place of Mr. Glennon's nativity was in 
the county of Westmeath, Ireland, where he 
Avas bom in 1855. He is the son of ]\Iichael 
and Bridget (Macken) Glennon, both of 
whom were natives of Ireland. The fathei' 
was by occupation a farmer. He died in the 
fall of 185-1; the mother still lives in her 
native land. They had a family of two 
children — Mary, now ]VIrs. Tynan ; and INI. 
J., the suliject of our sketch. 

Etlucational advantages being of a good 
character in his native land, the subject of 
our sketch received a very good schooling. 
When fourteen years of age he left Ireland 
and came to America, first stopping at New 
York City. There he put his hands to work, 
at whatever turned up ; in other words, he 
worked at whatever he could find to do, 
continuing at this general business for three 



366 



RED A'/l'/JC rAIJ./-:y AXD 



years, at the end of which time lie removed 
to Pennsylvania, where he worked out for 
three years. Tlionce he went to Iowa, 
stop[)ing at McGregor, and thence to St. 
I'aul, ]\[innesota, returning to McGregor, 
where liestojiped a short time. He remained 
in St. Paul for tliree years. In ISSl he came 
to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota, and engaged in work for tlie Manitoba 
liailroad Company as wareliouse-man for 
two years. In 18S4- he longed for a business 
of his own, and, after casting about, bought 
his present establishment. In 1885 he estab- 
lished a branch business at Wahpeton, Da- 
kota, where lie built up a fine business, and, 
after running it for one year, sold out. 

In 1881 Mr. Glennon was united in tiie 
bonds of wedlock to Miss Bridget English, a 
native of Ireland, by whom he has two liv- 
ing children — Francis M. and Theresia. 

Since coming to Fergus Falls Mr. Glennon 
has been deeply intei-estod in tlie growth and 
welfare of the cit\\ He has built up a large 
and increasing business, and lives in a beau- 
tiful home just south of his bottling works, 
on Whetford street. In politics he has be- 
come quite pi'ominent in the democratic 
l)arty ; has been a delegate to the demo- 
cratic congressional convention, and has a 
number of times been delegate to the demo- 
cratic county conventions, lie and his wife 
and children are members of the Catholic 
church of Ferous Falls. 



^.^> 



BR. GEORGE D. SWAINE, physician 
and surgeon, is the present ma\'or of 
Wahpeton, Kicldand county, North Dakota. 
He is a native of Marquette county, Wis- 
consin, wiiere he was born February' 18,1850. 
Dr. Swaine is a son of Asa M. ami Cath- 
arine (Cross) Swaine, the former a native of 
Vermont, and the latter a native of Ohio. 
The grandparents were William and Mercy 



(Fish) Swaine, the nativity of the former 
being the country of Denmark, and of the 
latter, the State of Ohio. The grandfather 
came to this country, with his parents, wiien 
quite J'oung and settled with them in the 
East. Asa I>. Swaine, the father of tlie 
subject of oursketcii, was reared on a farm 
and, ill an (Nirly day came to Wisconsin, 
settling at N'erona, in Dane county. Here 
he engaged in farming for several j'ears and 
then moved to Marquette county, where he 
engaged in tlie hotel business; thence 
he went to Waushara count\', where he held 
the position of county auditor for some 
years before the war. On the breaking out 
of the liebellion his heart was lired Avitli 
patriotic zeal, and, in 1802, he entered tlie 
service as Captain of Company G, of the 
Thirtieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. 
He I'emained in the service of the Tnion for 
two and one-half 3'ears. On receiving his 
discharge he moved to Elysian, J.e Suciir 
county, Minnesota, where he is now engaged 
in farming. He has been very successful in 
his business affairs and has accumulated con- 
siderable means. Being an intelligent, ])ro- 
gressive citizen, he and his family are held in 
high esteem in the town in which they live. 
In the family there were eight children, 
four of whom are now living — Dr. George 
D.; Edith, now Mrs. AVestlake, of Kasota, 
Minnesota ; Blanche, now ]\Irs. Rev. George 
Hixon, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 
Florence, now Mrs. George Loudon, of Min- 
neapolis. 

The Doctor spent his younger daA'S on 
the farm and at twelve years of age attended 
the high school at AVhitewater, Wisconsin. 
He came with his parents to JMinnesota, and 
until he was eighteen yeai's old he worked 
on the farm during the summers and in the 
winter months attended the district school. 
On reaching eighteen years of age he put in 
practice a long-cherished idea and com- 
menced the studv of medicine at odd hours 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



367 



and on rainy days, otherwise doing work on 
the farm. He continued his studies under 
these circumstances until he came of age, and 
then he entered tiic Tlusli ]\[edical College of 
Chicago, Illinois, from which institution he 
irruduatetl in Feljruary, 1873. After his 
graduation he commenced the practice of his 
profession at Elysian, Le Sueur county, Min- 
nesota, remaining there until, as he says, he 
got a start; tlience he went to Negaunee, 
a place of C,()()0 inhabitants, in Northern 
Michigan. But eighteen months were spent 
in Negaunee. It was too cold in the winter? 
and the Doctor again returned to Minne- 
sota, settling in Le Sueur, Le Sueur county. 
Here he was engaged in active practice 
for eight years, antl at the end of that period 
removed to "\Vah])eton, Xorth Dakota, where 
he has since resided. While at Le Sueur he 
was also engaged in the drug business in 
connection with the [)ractice of his profession. 
Since coming to Wahpeton he has held 
many prominent positions of trust and 
responsibilit}', having been a member of the 
city council and being the present mayor of 
the city. Beside these ])ositions he has been 
the honored president of an insurance com- 
pany; is now the pi'esident of the Wahpeton 
Telephone Com|)any, and is treasurer of the 
Northern Light Electric Company. He is a 
leading member of the Minnesota Yalley Med- 
ical Association and is supei-intendent of the 
territorial board of health. The Doctor affil- 
iates with the ileniocratic party in politics, 
and is a prominent member of the Masonic 
fraternity, the l.O. O. F. and K. of P., of 
which latter he is the grand vice-chancellor. 

Dr. Swaine was married in 1882, on the 
25th of December, to Mrs. Ilattie Conroy, 
of Le Sueur, Minnesota. They are both 
members of the E])iscopal church. 

The Doctor has built two fine residences 
since coming to Wahpeton, in one of which 
he now lives. The Doctor is well up in his 
l)rofession, and his attainments both in a lit- 



erary and professional sense are of a high 
oi'der. He stanils at the head of his pro- 
fession in this county. 



jM^ UGUST WENTZEL, one of the well- 
JI^jL known pro])i-ietors of the North- 
western Marble Works of Crookston, Minne- 
sota, was born in the kingdom of Prussia, 
Germany, April 1, 1843, and is the son of 
John and Rosla (Trojan) Wentzel. His 
father was a farmer in that country, and our 
subject was raised to the business of tilling 
the soil. In his 3'outh he received the edu- 
cation to which every German child is 
entitled by the law of tlie land, and at the 
age of twenty, bidding ailieu to the Father- 
land, crossed the seas to the New World to 
seek his fortune in tlie freer countries this 
side of the broad Atlantic. Landing at 
Quebec, Canada, on the lUth of June, 1803, 
he went from there to Stratford, in Upper 
Canada, where he remained about a year on 
a farm. At the expiration of that time he 
came to Detroit, Michigan, and in the vicin- 
ity of that city found employment in build- 
ing a Government fort. He remained in that 
city until the fall of 1867, when he removed 
to Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and made 
his home in that locality for some three 
years. In September, 1870, Mr. Wentzel 
moved to Woodbury county, Iowa, to the 
neighborhood of Sioux C^ity, and was there 
engaged in farming for a period covering 
about six years. On the 1st of May, 1876, 
he arrived in Crookston, then an insignifi- 
cant village, a mere outpost of civilization. 
Some four families and a few single men, 
mere lookers-up of land, were the only 
inhabitants, who dwelt in some eight or ten 
log cabins or shanties. Wliere now stands 
the busy city the land was covered with 
primeval timber and underbrush. 

Mr. Wentzel, fully persuaded of the growth 
of this beautiful section of the State, pur- 



368 



NED KIVKK ]-AI.I.EY AXD 



chased a farm within some seven miles of 

Crookston, and settling Hi)on it engaged in 
agricultural labor. There he lived until 
ISSI, wlien he moved into the village and 
entered into tiic liquor iiusiness. This latter 
he .continued until June, 18SS, when he gave 
it up, and with a partner opened the North- 
western Marble Works. This institution, 
which is the largest in this portion of the 
State, is prepared to execnte, in a handsome 
and tasty manner, all orders for monuments, 
scul])ture or ornamental liuilding stone, of 
an\' or all kinds of material, and carries a 
large stock of granite, marble, etc., on hand 
constantly. 

Mr. "Wentzel is still the owner of his fine 
farm of 209 acres of land, but prefers to lease 
it to a tenant, as he can not devote his atten- 
tion to it, and since his location in the city 
it has been rented. In audition to this he is 
the proprietor of some valuaijle real estate 
in Red Lake Falls. 

Socially Mr. "Wentzel is one of tlie most 
p()))ular men in the city. He is an honored 
and esteemed member of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, Select Knights and of 
the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and 
closely connected with the local lodges of 
those organizations. 

On the 1st of April, 1870, ]\Ir. Wentzel 
was united in marriage with Miss Augusta 
M. Janz, a native of Prussia, Gei-many, and 
the daughter of Daniel and Mrs. Janz. 



^^EORGE B. WRIGHT, deceased, was 
X^sJ a resident of J\Iiniieai)olis, Minnesota. 
lie was a native of AVilliston, Yei'mont, and 
was horn in the year 1836. He received an 
academic education in his native State, and 
was by profession a surveyor or civil engi- 
neer. He engaged in this line until 1869, all 
this time in the State of Minnesota. He 
located 160 acres of land where the city of 



Fergus Falls, Minnesota, now stands, on the 
north side of the river, in 1867. This was 
in company with W. J. Mendonhall, of Min- 
neapolis. These gentlemen formed a j)art- 
nership and sent a crew of men to their 
place undei- the charge of Henry Dow, who 
arrived on the site of Fergus Falls on the 
19th of August, 1870. 

They at once commenced the construction 
of a dam across the Red river, the location 
of this dam being now known as the Bee- 
hive Power. They also commenced the 
erection of a saw-mill, and the next spring 
built an addition thereto and put in one run 
of stone for the manufacture of floui-. Thpy 
platted 200 acres of land on the north side 
of the river, ]\Ir. Wright having secured 
forty acres in addition to his former 160. 
On the south side of the river they ]ilatted 
160 acres, and commenced building and 
improving Fergus Falls. In 1870 and 1871 
they sent a crew of men into the ])ine tim- 
ber, in what is now the town of Corliss, and 
in the spring of 1871 they rafted the logs 
down the river and had them cut at their 
saw-mill in Fergus Falls. Mr. Wright 
became sole owner of the unsold interest of 
Mr. Mendenhall in 1879, and after this 
devoted his entire time and all the money he 
could command to the building up and 
improving of his town. In 1881 he built 
what is known as the Bee-hive for a manu- 
factory, at present occupied by the Fergus 
Falls Wagon Company. He was a man of 
much vim and energy, just such a man as 
was needed for the trying times of the early 
settlement of Fergus Falls and vicinity. He 
was long-headed, clear, and his conclusions 
as to the outcome of things were seldom 
known to be erroneous. He believed that 
the town, in whose interests he was working 
in those earlj^ daj's, would sometime Ijecome 
an important city, but he was destined not 
to see the outcome of his labors. He was 
cut down by death on the 29th of April, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



369 



1882, ill the prime of life, being but forty- 
six 3'ears of age. He was a man universally 
loved and respected by all who made his 
acquaintance. To him is due tiie honor of 
making Fergus Falls what it is today. To 
liini is due tiie honor of opening up the pos- 
sihilities for prosperity and rapid growth 
whic'li liavo come to this city. He indeed 
made Fergus Fails wliat it is to-day. He 
was an uncle of C. D. Wright, the president 
uf tlie First National bank of Fergus Falls. 

[OHN A. STONEBURG, a well-known and 
^ iiighly respected business man of Grant 
county, Minnesota, is proprietor of a livery, 
feed and sale stable at Herman. 

Mr. Stoneburg was born in Sweden, on 
tiie 9fh of October, 1859, and is a son of John 
and Johanna (Anderson) Stoneburg. The 
raniily came to the United States in about 
1S(')8, landing in IS'ew York City, and settled 
shoi'tly afterward near Lake City, in Wabasha 
county, Minnesota. There they remained for 
ten or twelve years, and then the family 
removed to Stevens county, and the father 
took a liomestead in what is now Eldorado 
township, where he still lives. Our subject, 
John A., is one of a family of four that grew 
to manhood — Andrew, John A., Ciiarles M. 
and Alfred. 

John A. Stoneburg was only nine j^ears of 
age when the family came to the United 
States and to Minnesota. He received his 
education principally at Lake City. After 
finishing his schooling he aided his father in 
liie lai)ors attendant upon carrying on the 
iionie farm, continuing thus until he was 
twenty-one years olil, tlie famih' removing 
meanwiiile to Stevens county. When John 
A. had attained his majority he engaged in 
the inacliinery business at Fergus Falls for 
Captain Cole, but five months later went 
to Herman, where he clerked for N. B. 



Ufford in a general merchandise store 
for about one year. He tJien sold machinery 
for AVashburn & Weljster, of Herman, for 
two summers, traveling a good share of the 
time, after which he embarked in the busi- 
ness on his own account for one year. AVe 
next find him clerking in the hardware store 
of Wells Bros, for a few montiis, and at tiie 
expiration of that engagement he establislied 
a confectionery store which he conducted for 
two years. In the spring of 1887 he estab- 
lished himself in the livery business, in which 
he has since been engaged. He also runs a 
line of stages between Herman and Elbow- 
Lake. 

* 

Mr. Stoneburg was married, October 27, 
1883, to Miss Anna Wistene. 



(^AMUEL S. DAVIDSON, the leading 
■^^^ merchant at the village of Mallory, in 
Polk county, Minnesota, is one of the most 
capable business men in tlie western portion 
of tlie State, and well deserves creditable 
mention in a work devoted to the represen- 
tative business men of the Red River Yalley. 

Mr. Davidson was born in Ontario, Canada, 
on the 21st of August, 1846, and is a son of 
Ralph and Margaret (Swan) Davidson, who 
were natives respectively of England and 
Ontario. His father was a farmer and a 
carpenter, and was a man who was well and 
favorably known throughout the region in 
which he lived. 

Samuel S. Davidson, whose name heads 
this article, received his education. and grew 
to manhood in the Province of his liirth. He 
did carpenter work and aided his father in 
the labors attendant upon carrying on the 
home farm, and remained at home until lie had 
attained the age of twentj^-seven years. He 
then began teaching school, and followed 
that profession for seven years in Canada. 
Plis reason for beginning teaching was 



370 



RKD KIVER VALLEY A A- D 



because he had been seriously hurt in falling 
from a building sciifl'old. Tlie next impor- 
tant event of his life was his marriage, in 
1877, and in February, 1880, he came to Polk 
count}', ]\rinnesota. For about one year he 
stopped at Fisher, where he was engaged in 
clerking for C. P. Mallory. His next move 
was to tlie present site of the village of 
ilallory, wiiere for a few months he worked 
at liis trath^and did other kinds of laljor. Tn 
October, ISSl, he purchased the store build- 
ing of Mallory & Spafford, and opened a 
ijeneral mei'chandise store. He lias since 
carried on this estal)lishment, and liis honor- 
able business methods and straightforward 
dealings have won him an extensive trade. 
When Mr. Davidson purchased his building, 
which was the first on the site of the village, 
it was only 16x30 feet in size. He has since 
made material improvements. He has 
enlarged so that he now has a store room 
16x32 feet in size, with additions for dwell- 
ing 14x16 feet and 11x34 feet, with 16-foot 
])osts. Mr. Davidson was one of the pioneers 
of this locality. When he came here the 
railroad had just been completed, although 
there was as yet no side track at IMallor}-. 

The date of Mr. Davidson's marriage was 
January 3, 1877. His wife was formerly 
Elizabeth Kichmond, a daughter of John and 
Beatrice (Armour) Eichmond. Mrs. David- 
son was born in Lanark county, Ontario, 
Canada, but her parents were natives of 
Scotland. 



■■V' 'i 



lENJAMIN P. BROWN, agent for the 
George 13. Wright estate, has his head- 
quarters at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. Mr. Prown is a native of Mil- 
ford Penobscot county, Maine, and was born 
June'J, 1853. His parents were True G. and 
Jorintha (Guliver) Prown, natives of Ban- 
gor, Maine. 



The father carries on the lumber and mill- 
wright business, at which he has been 
engaged for a number of years in his native 
State. His father was Isaiah Prown, also a 
native of Maine, and by occupation a farmer. 
In Isaiah Prown's family there were six 
children. The mother's father wns Benja- 
min Guliver, a native of Pangor Maine. He 
was a sea-faring man and was foi- years 
master of a sailing vessel. He reared a 
famih' of nine children, and three of his sons 
were captains of vessels on the ocean. The 
father's family are of English descent, and 
on the mother s side are descended from the 
French. Mr. Prown's father had a family 
of three children, all sons — Penjamin F., 
the subject of our sketch, George W. and 
Oscar T. 

The younger days of the subject of our 
sketch were spent at home attending the 
public schools. After closing his high-.sehool 
course he for some time attended a commer- 
cial college, but prior to this he was for some 
time book-keeper in a store at Mil ford, 
Maine. After taking his commercial course 
he went to Oldtown, across the river fi'om 
Milford, and there engaged in clei'king and 
took charge of the book-keeping department. 
He then returned to his home in Milff)rd, 
where he engaged in the mercantile business 
for some three years. He then sold out and 
went to Pangor, where he became book- 
keeper for Fuller i.\: Stanford, wholesale deal- 
ers in groceries, corn and flour. After remain- 
ing in the emplo}' of this company for about 
one year he came West. In 1880 he located 
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and engaged as 
clerk in the dry goods department of Good- 
fellow & Eastman's establishment, by whom 
he was employed for six months. Thence 
he removed to Fargo, Dakota, where for six 
months he was employed as book-keeper for 
P. G. Tozier. In August, 1881, he came to 
Fergus Falls, and entered the employ of G. 
P. Wright as book-keeper. At this time Mr. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



371 



Clement was agent for Mr. Wright, but, 
after tlie latter's death in 1882, Mr. Clement 
resigned his position and Mr. Brown was 
appointed agent. He has attended to this 
estate since that date. His office is on Cas- 
cade street, opposite the Cable Flour Mill. 
His dwelling adjoins the office. 

In the year 18S0 INIr. T.rown was united in 
the bonds of matrimony to Miss Esther I. 
Newbegin, a native of Milford, Maine, and 
daughter of Ed ward (t. and Catharine (Marsh) 
Newbegin, natives of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brown have two children — Edward T. and 
Herbert F. 

Mr. Brown is engaged in raising Holstein 
cattle, and has a fine herd mostly of this 
breed, which stock he obtained from Roch- 
ester, Minnesota. He keeps thirty-five cows 
for dairy purposes and disposes of the milk 
to city consumers. He employs a man on his 
farm near town to attend to his farm inter- 
ests. He has held many ])ositions of trust and 
has at ail times enjoyed the confidence of his 
fellow citizens. While residing in the East 
he was town clerk and town treasurer for a 
period of two years. He Avas also a sur- 
veyor and worked during a portion of the 
time at surveying. In politics Mr. Brown is 
a stanch republican, having affiliated with 
that party for many years. He is a leading 
Mason and is a ])rominent Imsiness man of 
Fergus Falls. 



►^^ 



JMLaRVEY E. COOKE, editor of the 
JP3i_ PoJ'k Couniy Journal, of Crookston, 
Minnesota, was born in Northampton, Mas- 
sachusetts April 27, 1849, and is the son of 
Aaron and Harriett (Clark) Cooke. AVhile 
he was yet a boy his pai'ents I'emoved to 
Steuben county, New York, where he was 
reared and received his primary education. 
In the latter part of the summer of 18G2, 
while the land re-echoed with the tocsin of 



war waged hy I'ecreant citizens on our Gov- 
ernment, his 3'oung heart beating high with 
patriotism, although but thirteen years old, 
he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred 
and Sixty-first New York Infantry. The 
young volunteer, perhaps one of the young- 
est to shoulder a musket, knowing that the 
law prohibited the enlistment of boj^s under 
the age of eighteen, cut out of an old 
newspaper two pieces upon which were 
printed the figures 18, and when asked his 
age, replied promptly, "I am over eighteen," 
for he had placed one in each stocking under 
each heel. His name was enrolled in that 
gallant regiment, but he never served with 
it. After being mustered into the United 
States service at Elmira he was taken sick 
with the typhoitl fever, before the company 
was fully recruited, and sent home. Before 
his thorough restoration his ambition and 
courage led him to endeavor to reach the 
regiment, which occasioned a relapse. He 
was sent to the hospital at New York City, 
where he remained until the following Feb- 
ruary, when he was enabled to reach his 
home. Under the kind ministration of a 
mother's care he soon recovered, and in May, 
1803, went to Rochester and enlisted in 
Company F, First New York Veteran 
Cavalry, then being recruited up to standard 
strength, and was mustered into the United 
States service at Geneva, New York. He 
was at once sent as recruiting officer to 
Steuben county in search of recruits, and 
returned in two weeks' time to thecompan}' 
with the requisite number of men. Being for- 
warded to Washington, District of Columbia, 
the regiment spent I'oui- weeks at Camp Stone- 
man, on the Maryland side of the Potomac 
river, in drilling, at the end of which time they 
were attached to the noble Sixth Corps, 
" The Followers of the Cross," then under 
command of General John M. Sedgwick, 
and our subject received his " baptism of 
fire" at Snicker's Gap, Loudoun county, Yir- 



372 



RED RIVKR VALLE V AND 



ginia, liaving joined the corps at Harper's 
Ferry. After their engagement at that 
place with Mosby's guerrillas, he, in com- 
mon with tiie heroic members of that 
noble regiment, participated in all of 
the hardships, sufferings and sanguinary 
coiillicts tiiat have made tlie armies of tiie 
I'otoinac and tiie Slienandoah so famous. 
Looking bade on the blood-stained fields of 
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, 
l\'tersbui-g, and many others, and viewing 
tlie hardsiiips, sufferings, and death of that 
fratricidal strife from a civilian's point of 
view, it is a wonder that our young hero 
could survive to tell the tale. He had three 
horses shot uiuler liim and many others used 
uj) with fatigue. He served throughout until 
tlie close of hostilities, and was mustered 
out on Saturday, July 22, 1865, at Camp 
Piatt, West A^irginia. 

On again returning, lilvc Cincinnatus, to 
the paths of peace, Mr. Cooke gave his strict- 
est attention to finishing his education, and 
as soon as able tauglit a term or two of 
school to obtain means to go on with. It 
was while thus striving to fit himself for 
life, that he learned the rudiments of tiie 
"art preservative of all arts," printing. 
During his vacations he went to work in a 
printing-office in Bath, Steuben county, New 
York, and soon became proficient in the 
mechanical branch of tiie business. This 
he followed from time to time in the inter- 
val between his studies for some years. 

In 1869, Mr. Cooke went to Helena, Arkan- 
sas, and, until the spring of 1872, was em- 
plo^'ed as teacher among the freednien, but liis 
health becoming- impaired by close application 
he was then compelled to give up instruction, 
and came to the neighborhood of Glyndon, 
Minnesota, where he took up a claim. In the 
fall lie returned to Helena, and taught school 
during the winter montlis, but in the fall of 
1873 returned to the Ked River Valley and 
settled on his jilace, where he was engaged in 



agricultural ])ursuits until the faU of 1875. 
Tlie total destruction of his two crops by 
the grasshoppers had totally impoverished 
liim, all his previous savings having disap- 
peared, until lie liad not money enoiigii to 
get out of the country. Discouraged but 
not dislieartened, Mr. Cooke, after muuer- 
ous efforts to obtain emjiloyment of any 
character, found work on a wood train, and 
after that in chopping wood in the timber, 
which "kept the wolf from the door" lor a 
time. In the spring of 1876 he found em- 
ployment in the office of the Journal at 
Audubon, Becker county, Minnesota, and 
soon took charge of the publication of that 
paper. In the spring of 1877 he established 
the Polk Counly Journal, at Crookston, 
printing the paper at Audubon, and in the 
spring of 1878 discontinued tlie former 
pa]ier, purchased a press and outfit and 
removed to the village of Ci'ooksti)n, and 
commenced the printing of the Journal at 
home. This was the first newspaper north of 
the Northern Pacific Railroad, in the State 
of Minnesota. Since that day he has never 
missed a publication, and devotes his atten. 
tion to the interests of Polk county. He 
is a member of the republican party, and 
a member of the State Central Re])ul)lican 
Committee. 

Since establishing the Journal, Mr. Cooke 
has been very successful from a monetary 
]ioint of view, now owning, besides his well 
e(juippeil office, one grain farm of 480 acres 
four miles east of Carman, and a stock 
farm of 320 acres two miles north of 
Crookston. 

Mr. Cooke is a member of the Masonic 
fraternit\', and of the Cobham Post, No. 90, 
G. A. R." 

Mr. Cooke was married October 1, 1877, 
I to ]\Iiss Mary E. Hopkins of Vermontville, 
i Eaton county, Michigan. Her father was 
one of the pioneers of Michigan and fol- 
lowed farming during his active life. 



PARK A'KG/OA'S OF MINNESOTA. 



373 



T^yENRY P. GILL. A volume devoted 
J^ '^ to a review of the life work of 
prominent business men of the Red River 
Valley would be deficient indeed were it to 
omit an appropriate mention of the gentle- 
man whose name heads this article. He is 
a member of the fii'm of Gill & Forriston, 
jiroprietors of the Moorhead Roller Mills. 

Mr. Gill is a native of Germany, born in 
1844. He is the son of Philip and Margret 
(Gill) Gill, natives of Germany. The father 
was engaged in milling in his native land, as 
was also his father, Hon. Peter Gill, who 
was a senator in his native land for two 
terms. By careful tracing up, it is found 
that the ai't of Hour making has run back in 
this family for over one hundred and fifty 
years. The father of Peter was Anton, who, 
with liis brother Lewis, ran the same mill 
that the son Peter operated. Philip came 
to America in 1872, and settled m the mill- 
ing business in Kansas Cit}^ where he died 
two years later. The mother is now in 
Mexico. They had onlv two sons — Henry P. 
and Philip H^^ 

Our subject, Henry P., was reared, from 
his early youth up, in and around his father's 
mill. In 18t).") he came to America, settling 
at Chicago, I Hindis, where he engaged in 
milling for about two j'ears. From there he 
went to Kansas City, engaging in the same 
occupation until 1874, at which date he went 
to Colorado and went into the commission 
business, continuing for three years. He 
then went to California, where he again 
engaged in milling and remained there until 
1884, when he went to Fargo, Dakota Terri- 
tory, engaging in tlie roller mill of that city. 
A year later he came to Moorhead and 
worked in the mill for a time, but finally, on 
the 1st of April, 1888, the partnership was 
formed of Gill & Forriston. 

The date of Mr. Gill's nuirriage was 1872, 
his wife's maiden name being Eliza Knoche, 
a native of Missouri. Her father was Philip 



Knoche, of Kansas City. They have five 
children — Emmie, Pauline, Edward, Heni'i- 
etta and Harry. 

Our subject is independent in his political 
views. He is a member of the Odd-Fellows 
Order and a popular nnm wherever known. 
He was an alderman at one time, when he 
lived in Colorado, and held various other 
local offices. Both he and his wife attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

The mill thej^ now operate does a large 
business, shipping to the seaboard and sup- 
plying home demand as well. 



^m^HEODi 
W Falls, JJ 



-«•- 



DORE JOHNSON, of Fergus 
Minnesota, is the proprietor of a 
meat market located at No. 321 Bismarck 
avenue, on the south side of the Red river. 
He is an extensive dealer in fresh and salted 
meats, poultry and fish. 

Mr. Johnson is a native of Norway, born 
on the 17th day of November, 1847. His 
parents, John and Guru (Ilalvorsdatter) 
Johnson, were both natives of Norway. The 
father was by trade a tailor, which line of 
business he followed thi'oughout his life. He 
had a family of nine children, seven of whom 
now live — Anne, Bereth, Oleanna, Guru- 
anna, Julianna, Theodore anil Charles H. 

The subject of our sketch remained at 
home attending school until he was sixteen 
years of age. At that age he went upon 
the ocean, serving as a sailor and also as a 
fisherman. He followed these occujtations 
most of the time until coming to America 
in the year 1870. On coming to this coun- 
try, he went directly to Wisconsin, where he 
worked for a lumber company in the city of 
Eau Claire for five years. Thence he went 
to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and began work- 
ing at the carpenter's trade, which business 
he followed for some three years. He then 
opened a butcher shop on Lincoln avenue on 



374 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



the north side of the river, wiiich business 
he continued for about live years. When he 
first came to Fergus Falls he purchased the 
lot on which his present business building 
now stands. He built a good substantial 
shop and house, and now lives in the second 
story of his ])usiness building. 

Mr. Johnson was marrietl in 1ST2 to Miss 
Martha Jensen, a native of Norwa}' and 
daughter of Jens and Carrcn (Hansdatter) 
Evanson. Mr. Evanson was a native of Nor- 
way, in which country he lost his wife by 
death. He came to America in 1871, and is 
at present living with j\Ir. Johnson, his son- 
in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two 
living children. Four children have died, 
by name Toi'val and Tora ; two died before 
they were named. The names of those liv- 
ing are Gilmar and Konrad. 

Mr. Johnson affiliates with the republican 
party, ami both himself and his wife and 
children are members of the Lutheran 
church. He has made several fortunate 
business investments in the city and has 
made considerable monej'. He owns a laun- 
dry I)uilding on Whiteford street, which 
building he put up in ISSl. He is a first- 
class citizen, and is one of the respected and 
respectable men of Fergus Falls. 



.«- 




IMOTHY HEALD, one of the most 
prominent and influential citizens 
of Grant county, Minnesota, is a resident 
of section 23, Pomme de Terre town- 
ship, where he is extensively engaged in 
a general farming and stock-raising busi- 
ness. He is a native of Maine, born in 
Penobscot county on the 3d day of Sep- 
tember, 181C, and is the son of Jonas and 
Hannah (McKinncy) Heald, natives of IVfaine, 
where they remained during their entire 
lives. They were devoted to the farming 
industry. The mother passed away in | 



1823, the father dying in 1857. Th'ey were 
the parents of the following-named children 
— Peoples, James, Jonas, Timothy, Sally, 
Betsie and Mary Ann. 

Mr. Heald, the subject of this article, 
spent his younger days in the county of his 
birth, Penobscot. Maine, and attended school 
in that locality until he had reached the age 
of fifteen years. He then decided to become 
a sailor, and accordingly took up a sea- 
faring life and followed this vocation for 
three years. At the expiration of that time 
he returned to Penobscot county, where he 
remained for seven years engaged in the 
pineries in the winter and on the river in the 
summer. In 1841 he engaged'in farming in 
his native State and followed the same for 
nine years. In the year 185-1- he went to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked on 
the river and operated a farm for ifr. "Wales 
for one year. He then bought a tract of 
land on Basset creek, Hennepin county, 
Minnesota, on which he remained for thir- 
teen years engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
In 1868 Mr. Heald removed to Grant county, 
Minnesota, settling in Pomme De Terre 
township, where he purchased a piece of 
land comprising 180 acres on section 23, 
where he has since remained, devoting his 
time to farming. For a number of years he 
operated a hotel at his farm home for tlie 
accbmmodation of the traveling public. Mr. 
Heald was one of the earliest settlers in the 
county, as the early date of his settlement 
will testify. He participated in the organi- 
zation of his residence to\vnshi]i, and is one 
of the most successful farmei's in the countv. 

Mr. Heald was married on the 7th dav of 
April, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Martin, a 
native of Maine, and now the mother of the 
following-named children— Yelgora, Samuel 
W., Ezra M., Aaron, Loantha. Francis H., 
Hannah A. and Jonas P. All the children 
are married, except Samuel, who was killed 
in the late war. He was twentv-one vears 



PARK RHGIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



375 



of age at the time of his death and belonged 
to the Third Minnesota Infantry. 

Mr. Heakl has held the offices of assessor 
and various offices of the school district, 
including school clerk, treasurer, etc. In 
political matters he is a republican, and 
evinces deep interest in all local affairs. He 
is one of the most prominent and highly 
esteemed citizens of the township, and a man 
of the strictest iionor and integrity, his word 
bein"' considered as aood as a bond. 



-»— ^ 



UDGE WILLIAM S. LAUDER is the 
present district attoi'ney of llichland 
count3', North Dakota, and resides at AVah- 
peton, the county seat of said county. Judge 
Lauder is a native of Orleans county. New 
York, where he was born February 9, 18.56. 
■ The parents of the subject of our sketch 
were Thomas and Mary (Scott) Lauder, 
natives of Wigtonshire, Scotland. They 
came to America in 184-i and settled in 
Orleans county. New York, where they 
remained until 18.57. The father was l)v 
occupation a farmer, and is now living in 
River Falls, Wisconsin, where he holds a 
high place in the esteem of his fellow-men. 
He held the ])osition of county commissioner 
for many years in Pierce county, "Wisconsin. 
In his family were eight children — Samuel, 
Isabeile, Thomas, "William S., Gavan, Mary 
J., John and James. The mother died Jan- 
uary 1, 1880. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on 
the home farm, receiving the advantages of 
a common school education until he was 
eighteen j'ears of age. He attended tiie St. 
Croix Collegiate Institute, from which he 
graduated in 1871:. After his graduation he 
turned his attention to teachinjr and taught 
school for five terms in Pierce and St. Croix 
counties, "Wisconsin. Of sturdy Scotch 
descent and having had the advantage of a 



rugged early training he turned part of his 
time meanwhile to work in the pineries and 
on the " drive " in "Wisconsin. After this he 
began the study of law in the office of Hon. 
"Wellington Vannatta, at Eiver Falls, Wis- 
consin, with whom he remained for three 
years. In 1879 he was admitted to the 
practice of law in that State, and soon after 
he opened an office in Prescott, Pierce 
county. Remaining there until 1881 he 
turned his course westward and located in 
Richland county. North Dakota, where he 
has since been activ^ely engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession. In 1882 he was 
elected judge of probate, which office he 
held for two j'ears, at the end of which time 
he was elected district attorney, and being- 
re-elected in 1888, is the present incumbent 
of tliat office. In politics he affiliates with 
the republican party and is a leading mem- 
ber of the Order of Knights of Pythias. He 
has made numerous profitable investments 
in real estate, and at present owns a fine farm 
near Wahpeton. Judge Lauder is a man of 
excellent literary and legal attainments, and 
has built up a large practice that extends 
over several counties in Dakota and Minne- 
sota. He is an able district attorney, and is 
one of the leading lawyers of his town and 
county. He is unmarried and makes his 
home at the Headquarters Hotel, where 
he has domiciled during his residence in 
Wahpeton. 



♦J^J^-^- 



llaYMAN H. SUTTON is a member of the 



i^ firm of Sutton & Kj'ed, of Alexandria, 
Minnesota. They are manufacturers of and 
dealers in harness and horse furnishing goods. 
They have also a repair shop in connection 
in which repairs are promptly made, and 
satisfaction guaranteed. 

]Mr. Sutton is a native of Cattaraugus 
county, New York, and was born in 1849. 
He is the sou of Lvman C. and Jane A. 



376 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



(Brooks) Sutton, who were natives of New 
York. Mr. Sutton's father was engaged in 
boot and shoo manufacture until in 1855, 
wiien lie came to loua. One year later he 
came to Minnesota, settling in Fillmore 
county, whence he came to Alexandria in 
1871. At this time he turned his attention 
to farming, locating on a farm two miles 
noi'th of Alexandria. lie is now livino: on 
the same farm of 120 acres. He had a family 
of three children — Charles "W., Lucretia D. 
(now Mrs. McQuillan), and Lyman H. 

The subject of our sketcli, until twenty 
years of age, remained at home attending 
school. He learned his present trade in 
Iowa and Minnesota, and after coming to 
Alexandria in 1872 he purchased a farm of 
eighty acres two miles from town. Here he 
engaged in mixed farming for eight years. At 
the end of this time he went to Parker s 
Prairie, where he opened a harness shop, 
which he kept for one year. He then went 
to Ashb}', Grant county, Minnesota. At 
this latter place he opened a harness shop, 
and continued in the harness l)usiness for 
three and a half years. He then concluded 
to change his business operations and came to 
Alexandi'ia; tliere he o]iened a harness shop, 
which he has continued ever since. He pur- 
chased a house and lot on Seventh avenue and 
() street, where he now lives. He also owns 
a farm in Hudson township, where he became 
interested in 1887. Mr. Sutton is independ- 
ent' in politics, and is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. He is one of the leading 
business men of the village and count}', 
and takes an active interest in all thino-s 
tliat pertain to the interest of Alexandria 
and vicinity. 

He was married in 1869, in June, to Miss 
Louise C. Ibberson, the daughtei- of Abra- 
iiam Ibberson, of Mower county, JMinnesota. 
Seven children have blessed tliis union — 
Lizzie J., Nora J., Mary A., Etta J., Ernest 
\"., Minnie, and Luvern L. 



[AMES H. BARNARD, one of Moorhead's 
most energetic and successful business 
men, is the proprietor of the Key City Dray 
Line. He is a native of Madison county, 
New York, where he was born, June 1,1837. 
His father was Ashabel A. and his mother, 
Abigal (Stowell) Barnai'd, natives of Madi- 
son county, also. They were thrifty New 
York State farmers and lived in that county 
until 1839. They then removed to Cat- 
taraugus count}', where the mother still 
remains on the old homestead worked by her 
husbanil, who died in 1886. He had held 
man}' town offices. Politically he was a firm 
believer in democratic ideas. Both he and 
his wife attended the Baptist ciiurch. They 
had six cliiidren — James H., Mary E. (now 
Mrs. C. Bull), Wellington (who died at 
Andersonville prison, having been there 
three months — it is said he literally starved 
to death ! ), Ann (now Mrs. L. Bull), Edgar, 
and Emmie (now "Mrs. Crook.) 

Our subject, the oldest of his father's 
children, was reared on the farm, receiving 
a good common school education. He lived 
at home until he was nineteen years of age. 
then went to Olean, New York, working on 
a farm a few weeks, for which he received 
$15. He then accepted a place in a hotel 
of that city and remained for seven years, 
five years of this period he worked con- 
stantly, not being off duty for a single day. 

Mr. Barnard married Miss Mary E. Morris 
daugliter of Neeley and Elizebeth (Itaub) 
Morris. After his nuiri'ias'e he enffas'ed in 
farming in Cattaraugus county. New York, 
continuing there and in Allegany county of 
the same State, until 1880, when he moved 
to Moorhead, Minnesota. He first pre- 
empted a quarter section of land in Ransom 
county, Dakota, built a house and lived on 
the same a year. He moved into Moorhead 
in the fall of 1881, The first year he worked 
on the Grand Pacific Hotel, and the same 
winter he purchasetl a team anil commenced 



PAKK A-EG70XS OF MIXNESOTA. 



ZTi 



draying, which business he has since fol- 
lowed ; lie now owns several teams and is 
the leading drayman of the city of Moor- 
head. 

To be more specific regarding Mrs. 
Barnard's people, it will be in place to here 
state that her father was engaged in farming 
in Cattaraugus county, New York, in the 
town of Ischua. He went on this farm when 
only nineteen years old and remained there 
until his death, when he was sixty -six 3'eai's 
of age. Their family had six children, four 
of whom are now living^ — Cordelia (now 
Mrs. Learn), Eli, "William and Mrs. Barnard. 
Two died^ — Melvin and John. Mrs. Barnard's 
grandfather, on her father's side, was 
Thomas Morris, who was the first judge of 
Cattaraugus county, New York, as well as 
the first merchant doing business in Frank- 
linville, of that county. Her parents on the 
mother's side trace themselves back to 
German origin, while on the father's side 
they were from England. 

In his political lielief Mr. Barnard is a 
democrat. Both he and his wife belong to 
the Baptist church. Mrs. Barnard is an 
active worker in the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union and also does noble 
service in the Ladies' Benevolent and Aid 
Societ}'. 

Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have been tiie 
parents of four children — Melvin W., Bertha 
C, Neeley (deceased), and Earl. 



II^OUIS HINTZE, the local agent for the 
v^' il loan, real estate, insurance and collec- 
tion firm of A. D. Stephens, came to Ada, 
Minnesota, where he now resides, on the 
14rth of January, 1881, when that place only 
contained some four or five business houses 
and twice that many residences, and has 
made this his home ever since. 



Mr. Hintze is a .native of Hanover, Ger- 
many, born September 18, 1855, and is the 
son of C. L. and Louise (Ohland) Hintze. 
He was reared in the land of his birth and 
received an excellent education, both in the 
schools of that country and under private 
instruction, from his sixth year upwards. 
At the age of fifteen he commenced life as 
a clerk in a grocery store in his native land, 
but six montiis later determined to seek his 
fortune in the New World. Having no cap- 
ital beyond a stout heart and a pair of will- 
ing hands, he was compelled to work his 
way across the Atlantic. After landino' at 
Ni3W York he crossed over to Brooklyn, 
where he spent some five years in cleri- 
cal labor with one party. At the expiration 
of that period a longing to see his parents 
caused him to relinquish his position, and 
he paid a visit to the home of his boyhood. 
After remaining there a year he returned to 
Brooklyn, New York, and there, re-entering 
the employ of the gentleman with whom he 
had been before, made his home until 1881, 
when he came to Ada. 

For the first two years here IVIr. Hintze 
was employed in the furniture store of A. F. 
George, after which, for eighteen months, he 
was the clerk of the Ada House. Eeturn- 
ing once more to see his parents, where all 
his family, except his brother William, re- 
side, he spent six months, and on returning 
to Ada engaged in his present business. 
He is recognized as a shrewd business man, 
and enjoys the entire confidence of his em- 
ployer and the fullest respect of the com- 
munity. He has been (piite successful since 
coming to this point, and, although witlmut 
money when he started in life, has accumu- 
lated a substantial capital, which he has well 
invested in loans and in real estate. 

Mr. Hintze is an active member of Nor- 
man Lodge, No. 151, of which he was one of 
the charter members and the first tyler, and 
of which he has been secretary for five 



378 



Kliiy RIl-ER VALl.hlY AXD 



years. He was made a Mason in Allemania 
Lodge, Ko. 741, of Erookl^-n, New York, in 
1879. 

Wiiliaiu Ilintze, tJie brother of Louis 
llint/.e, also a resident of Ada, was born in 
Hanover, Germany, April 1 , ISfil. At the 
age of seventeen he, too, came to the United 
States, and spent five years as a cleric in the 
city of Brooklyn. In 1883 he came to Ada, 
where his brother was located, and was in 
tlu! employ of Tlioi'pe Bros, ife Co., liaving 
the charge of their branch store at Gary, 
Minnesota for a year. From there be went 
to Minot, Dakota, for the same firm, and at 
the end of a year came to Ada, and has had 
charge of their books ever since. He is a 
young man of more than the average ability, 
shrewd, straightforward and upright, and 
possessed of the entire confidence of his 
employers. Although he was entirely with- 
out means wlien he landed on these shores, 
and in debt for his })assage monej', by dili- 
gence and economy he has accumulated a 
nice little ca[)ital, which is well invested. He 
is also a member of Norman Lodge, No. 154, 
A. F. it A. M., of Ada, and an active worker 
in the order. 



fDHN UTTERBERG, engaged in the liquor 
business in the city of Barnesville, Cla\' 
county, Minnesota, is one of the j^rominent 
business men of that locality. He is a native 
of Sweden, born on the 9th of July, 1852, 
and is the son of J. V. and Mary (Peterson) 
Utterberg, also natives of that kingdom. 
The subject of this article remained in his 
native land until he had attained the age of 
twenty years. During that time he attended 
the common schools in his native place and 
received a fair education. He also learned 
tlie blacksmith's trade, and at the time men 
tioned, 1872, emigrated to the United States. 
After landing he went to Minnesota and 



settled in Wright county, where he remained, 
engaged in various occupations, until 1878. 
In the spring of 1878 he removed to Clay 
county in company with Mr. Marth and 
Mr. Mackenroth, and in May of the same 
year Mr. Utterberg secured a clerkship in 
the general merchandising store of Mr. 
Martli, whose biogi'aphy appears in another 
part of this work. Our subject remained in 
this position for three 3'ears,and at tiie ex- 
piration of that time engaged in the saloon 
business and continued in that vocation two 
j'ears. He then sokl out and openeil a gen- 
eral merchandising store in partnership with 
Mr. Colby, under the firm name of Colby & 
Utterberg. After continuing in the mer- 
chandising industrj' for about eighteen 
months Mr. Utterberg sold his interest in 
the business to his partner, :\nd then estab- 
lished himself in the liquor business. He 
has since been engaged in tlie business, and 
carries a full line of goods, fine liquors, all 
kinds of wines and whiskies and impoi'ted 
cigars. He has one of the finest bai'-i'ooms 
in the county and is popular and well liked 
by all. In 1880 he took a farm of 137 acres, 
which he still operates, in connection with 
his liquor interests. His fai'm is under good 
cultivation and has good building improve- 
ments. He is a prominent citizen of his vil- 
lage and has held the oliices of assessor of 
both villages, village treasurer and deputy 
sherifiF. AVhile he was h(jlding the latter 
official position, in attempting to arrest a 
criminal about two miles from tlie village of 
Barnesville, the criminal fired upon Mr. 
Uttei'berg and dangerously wounded him. 
By the best of medical treatment he recov- 
ered and now carries tiie bullet which so 
nearly ended his life, as a watch charm. Mr. 
Utterberg owns considerable propert}' in the 
village, botii houses and lots, and is one of 
the leading men of the county. lie is a 
member of the German Lutheran church ; 
a member of the Indej)endent Order of 



r.lRK KEOIONS OF .U/A-.VESOr.-l. 



379 



Odd-Fellows, Colfax Lodge, No. 107, and 
also a member of the Order of Druids, of 
wliicli he is deputy grand master. 

Mr. Utterberg was married September 18, 
1880, to Miss C-arrie Iloglund, of Buffalo, 
"Wright county,Minnesota. Iler parents were 
farmers of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. 
Utterberg iiave been the parents of four chil- 
dren — Maria Christena, deceased ; Mathilda 
Josephena and John Ludvig, living, 
and Alis Isadora, deceased. 

In political mattei's our subject is a 
democrat. 

f3HN O. SACKETT. Among the leading 
and prosperous agriculturists of the town 
of Maxsville, Grant county, Minnesota, is the 
gentleman whose name heads this article. 
Mr. Sackett is a native of C^onnecticut, born 
in Syracuse, June 12, 1848, and is a son of 
Charles and Sarah (Dolph) Sackett, who 
were natives of the same State. The father 
of the present subject was a millwright by 
trade, also a wrestler of no little note. 
Charles Sackett located the first railroad 
through Iowa, traveling through the State 
on foot. He operated the first pile- 
driver, which was used in the process of 
bridge-construction in that State, and for 
many years owned and operated a lum- 
ber mill in Fulton, Iowa. He died when 
John, our subject, was but nine years of age. 
John remained at home until he was about 
ten years of age, at which time he went to 
•work for farmers in the surrounding neigh- 
borhood. At the age of fourteen lie went 
to Rockford, Illinois, where he attended 
school for a period of two years. Leaving 
school he went to Iowa, and for the next 
four months he was employed in an office. 
lie next found work as traveling agent for 
a pump factory, and after being employed by 
them for two vears he went to Yernon 



county, "Wisconsin. He there remained, 
engaged in stock-raising and farming, for 
twelve years. In 1880 he removed to 
Grant county, Minnesota, and after spend- 
ing a year or two in looking over the coun- 
try, in 1882 he settled on 160 acres of land 
on section -1, IMaxsville township, where he 
has since lived, engaged in general furming 
and stock-raising. He now owns some 200 
acres of well-improved land, with neat, com- 
fortable building improvements. 

Mr. Sackett was married to Miss Ida 
"White, daughter of Andrew and Jane 
AVliite. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Sackett 
have been blessed with the following chil- 
dren — Charles, Edison, Emma and Earle. 
Edison and Emma are deceased. Mr. Sack- 
ett is one of the prominent men of his town- 
ship and has held the following offices: 
Assessor, treasurer, and chairman of the 
board of supervisors. He takes an active 
interest in all public matters and is a repub- 
lican in his political affihations. 



-«- 



EV. J. O. CAVALLIN, who is the 
highly respected clergyman of the 
Swedish Lutheran church, of ]Nroorhead, 
Minnesota, claims attention in this connection. 
He is a native of the southern part of 
Sweden, and was born November 25, lS4i. 
His parents' given names were Ola and 
Annie, who followed farming throughout 
their lives, as did tlieir foreparents. The 
father died in ISGl. In 18()3 the motiier and 
only child came to America, settling at St. 
Peter, Minnesota, where tiie son bought a 
piece of land. Tlie fall in which they came 
the son entered the Anscari school at Carver, 
Minnesota, where he remained for three 
years. From there he went to Augustana 
College at Paxton, Illinois, remained there 
four years, and graduated m 1870. He was 
ordained and accepted a call from the Swed- 




3So 



REP Ki I 'EK I '.•; / /,/• y .1 xr> 



ish Lutheran cliurchat Spring Garden, Good- 
hue count}^ Minnesota, where he served 
faith Tuliy until 1880. He then accepted a 
call fi-oni the cluirch at Moorhead. When 
he arrived at this charge there were only 
eleven members of a church, which now num- 
bers 140. The church edifice is situated on 
the corner of Sixth and William streets. Our 
subject has just openeil the Hope Academy 
of Moorliead, of which he is the president. 
Tliis institutit)n is under the control of the 
Swedish Lutheran Benevolent Society of the 
lied River Yalley, of whicli our subject is 
also jiresident. Tiie al)ovo academy is built 
on modern {)lans ; is steam heated, and cost 
about !?15,000. 

Our subject was mairied to Miss Sarah 
Paulson, of Carver, Minnesota, in 1866, she 
being the daughter of Hans and Bertha 
Paulson. IMrs. Cavallin was a teacher at 
Carver, Minnesota, prior to her marriage. 
The}' have a family of nine children — Mary 
L., Heyno E., Spener A., Herman L., Esther 
D. T., Martin Ph., Eugene F., Lillie M. and 
Nina L. 

In his political belief our subject is a repub- 
lican, anti is also a sti'ong advocate of tem- 
perance. He is a ripe scholar, an able 
preac-hei', and is esteemed by all as a sincere 
Ciiristiaii gentlenum. To his efforts more 
than to any other influence the city owes the 
establishment of the academy at Moorhead, 
and his untiring zeal and efforts are fully 
appreciated by all. 



-"&" 



y^'LLlAM HOEFLING is one of the 



\paL most prominent business men in 
Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He is engaged in 
the agricultural implement business, and is 
located on the coiner of Cascade and Michi- 
gan avenues. Mr. Hoefling stands at the 
head of the business men of i)is adopted 
town. 



He is a native of Germany, and was born 
in 1845. He is the son of John H. and 
Eosina (Reuss) Hoefling, both of whom were 
natives of Germany. The father was a man 
of considerable prominence in liis native 
land, and for many years, during the latter 
part of his life, followed the business of 
taking Government contracts. He was veiy 
successful in bis business ventures and 
obtained a large fortune. He served one 
year as a volunteer in the German army. 
His family numbers five living ciiilili-en — 
Ann M., John C, "William.. Tulia and .Tosejih, 
all of whom, e.xcoj)t Julia, came to America. 

WiUiam Hoefling, tiie subject of this 
sketch, received a fine education in his native 
land, and graduated from the gymnasium at 
Fuhla. In 1862 he came to America, and 
settled in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, 
where he engaged in general work. On the 
breaking out of the war he was inspired with 
a feeling of patriotism for the land of his 
adoption, and enlisted in Company F, 
Twenty-sixth Regiment of Wisconsin Vol- 
unteers. He remained in the service until 
the close of the war. lie was a tiiorough 
soldier, loyal in all respects, and saw much 
severe service in the leading battles of the 
war. He was eno-aoed in the fdliowino- 
battles: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsviile, at 
which place he was severely wounded, being 
shot through the left leg and tlie right 
shoulder. So severely' wounded was he that 
his life was despaired of, and he lay in Lin- 
coln hospital, Washington, for eigiiteen 
months. Finally gangrene set in and he 
came very near losing his limb. As the 
result of his severe wound he has never been 
a sound man to this day. At Bentonville, 
North Carolina, his horse was killed under 
him, and he narrowly escaped severe injury, 
if not death. On the close of the war he 
returned to Wisconsin and took a com- 
mercial course in the Bryant & Stratton 
Business College, in Milwaukee, graduating 



PARK RF.CTONS OF MINNESOTA. 



3Sr 



therefrom in 1865. Tlien for one 3'ear he 
engcaged as clerk in Dane count\', Wisconsin, 
thence he went to Chicago, where he ac- 
cepted a position as book-keeper in a hirge 
wholesale iiouse, continuing in this employ- 
ment until 1869. 

At this time thoughts of his native land 
took possession of his mind, and he concluded 
to take a trip to Germany. He carried out 
this plan and made a visit to his friends in 
that country, and in the fall returned again 
to America, settling in Wisconsin, and turn- 
ing his attention to teaching school. For 
three winters he taught in Buffalo county of 
that State and engaged in the buying and 
selling of grain during the summers. After 
these three years spent in teaching and buy- 
ing grain, alternately, he engaged in the 
wheat business for himself at Alma, Buffalo 
county, and also did some commission busi- 
ness, continuing in this line until 1883. 
At this time he came to Minnesota and 
settled in Fergus Falls, where he opened his 
present business. Mr. Iloetiing has given 
himself indefatigabl}' to the improvement 
and enlargement of his business, in which he 
possesses to-day the largest trade in this 
whole Northwestern countr3^ He constantly 
keeps on hand a complete line of agi'icultural 
implements. 

In 187-t Mr. Hoefling was married to Miss 
Ida Saltman of Buffalo city, Wisconsin, a 
daughter of Emil Saltman. Five children 
have blessed this union, all daughters — Elfa, 
Orma, JSTeoma, Wilma and Laura. 

In politics Mr. Hoefling has always affili- 
ated with the republican party, believes in 
its principles, and has at all times supported 
its mandates. He is a prominent member of 
the Order of United Workmen, and is a lead- 
ing member of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public. Mr. Hoefling manages his large 
business personally, to which is due its ex- 
tensive increase, and he employes from tiiree 
to six men contiiuuilh'. In all matters of 



public interest Mr. Hoefling has always 
proven himself worth}' of the confidence of 
the people, and in every way has performed 
his part in building up the financial and 
social interests of Fergus Falls and vicinity 
His capacity for detail and for the manage- 
ment of affairs is acknowledged to be par 
excellence. During the war, for some time — 
in fact from the fall of 1864 until the cessa- 
tion of hostilities — he occupied a position on 
General Slocum's staff. At that time and 
ever since Mr. Hoefling has been a man of 
prominence in a business sense, and in evei-y 
way and in all places in which he has lived. 



..4^ 




JOHN C. PYATT, attorney -at- 
one of the leading members 
of his profession in Wahpeton, Richland 
county. North Dakota. He was born at 
Flemington, New Jersey, July 31, 1857, and 
is the son of King and Elizabeth (Laing) 
Pyatt. 

The ])arents were natives of New Jersey, 
and were engaged in farming in Hunterdon 
county, that State. King Pyatt's parents 
were Dr. James and Elizabeth (King) Pyatt, 
natives of the same State. Elizabeth King's 
ancestors came from Scotland to America 
on the Mayflower and settled at Amboy, 
New Jersey. King Pyatt was a man of 
extensive influence and was prominent in 
the councils of the republican party, with 
which he afliliated. He held the office of 
county collector for many 3'ears in New 
Jerse}^ He had a fainily of seven children, 
five of whom are now living — Ellen, Emma, 
Sarah, Albert and J. C. 

The subject of our sketch remained at 
home on the farm and at ten years of age 
was sent to the academy at Flemington, 
which school he attended until he was seven- 
teen, lie thencommencetl to reatl law with 
II. S. Kuhl, in Flemington, remaining in 



382 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



tliat gentlcinairs office for four years, when 
he Avas admit tod to the bar before the 
supreme court. For one year thereafter he 
engaged in tlio pi'actice of his profession, 
and at the end of that time lie strut-k out for 
the Great West. He engaged witli a survey- 
ing corps, and worlccd foreiglit moiitiis on the 
survey of the'Northern Tacilic Ilaih'oad frcMii 
Bismarck, Dakota Territory, to Helena, Mon- 
tana Territory. May 1, 1872, he landed in 
Wahpeton, Dakota, where he engaged in 
the law business, being the first practicing 
lawyer in the ]ilace. He also opened a 
branch office in Breckenridge, Minnesota. 
In 1S80 he was appointed deputy district 
attorney, and in 1881 clerk of the lower 
house of the Territorial legislature. The 
same year he was appointed county attorney. 
In 1882 lie was elected to the T^i'i'itorial 
legislature, serving two years. He was 
president of the city council during 1884-5, 
and at present holds the office of city 
attorney. 

In 1883 Mr. Pyatt was wedded to Miss 
Sarah A. Kich, of Wahpeton, and daughter 
of Morgan T. and Elizabeth (Fredericks) 
Rich. 

Mr. Pyatt has been a careful investor and 
has purchased several farms in Richland and 
Wilkin counties, the latter in Minnesota. In 
politics Mr. Pyatt is a republican and a warm 
defender of the principles upon which that 
part}' is founded. He is a man of excellent 
lee-al abilities and staiuls at the head of his 
profession in his town and county. 



(JASPER SAND, the well 



known pas- 
senger conductor c^n the St. Paul, 
Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad, is one of 
the most active and public-spirited citizens of 
Crookston, and a short sketch of his career 
is necessary in this connection. 

Mr. Sand is a native of Norway, born June 
30, 1851, and is the son of Hans and Olia 



(Anderson) Sand. He remained in the land 
of his birth, attending school until he had 
reached the age of sixteen years, when his 
parents brought their family to the United 
States with the laudable ambition of better- 
ing their lot in this world. The old folks, 
with their fourbo\^s,on landing on the shores 
of this I'epublic, came at once to the great 
and growing Northwest and settled at 
La Crosse, Wisconsin. Here the subject of 
our sketch, with iiis brothers, hired out their 
services to farmers in that vicinity. FuKilling 
their duties while in that spliere, in the fall 
of 1869, bv clubbing their savings, they 
were enabled to purchase a yoke of oxen 
and a wagon, and b\' the help of these came 
to Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where their 
father had come the year ])revious and set- 
tled at Eagle Lake. The two elder boys 
took up claims close to their fathers, but 
Casjier was at that time too young. The 
country was then comparatively new, and as 
the boA's could find no emjiloyment they 
were compelled to mortgage their oxen and 
wagon to find money to buy their winter's 
bread. 

Early the next spring the subject of this 
sketch engaged the employ of the St. Paul 
& Pacific, now the St. Paul, Minneapolis 
& Manitoba Railroad Company, as a section 
hand, and remained in that capacity for about 
three years. In 1873 he was promoted to 
the position of brakeman on the Brecken- 
ridge division of the same road. He 
remained on that jiart of the Manitoba 
system until the raili'oad was completed to 
Glyndon and Fisher's Landing, when he was 
transferred to this ]iart of the line, and after 
a month or six weeks spent as brakeman 
here was mven charge of the train as con- 
ductor. At that time the train was only 
run every other day, spending the alternate 
days at the Landing. He continued to have 
charge of the train until the winter closed 
the river, when traffic was suspended. Mr. 



PARK RECTO KS OF M/.Y.VKS0T.4. 



383 



Sand then returned to the main line and 
resumed his old position as brakeman, in 
which he continued until the opening of 
navigation the following spring, when he 
a<rain took charge of the train on this divis- 
ion, and has remained here ever since. He 
is the oldest in service of any conductor on 
the Northern division, and there are but two 
older on the whole line. He has never 
misseil a pay day since he first started as a 
section hand, nor ever had a " lay off,"' 
except at his own i-equest. 

On the 13th of February, 1S78, Mr. Sand 
was united in matrimonial bonds with Mrs. 
Mary Harkness, nee Christianson, of Wil- 
mar, and putting up a snuiU house at 
Fisher's Landing, made his home with his 
wife there for about a year. At the end of 
that time he removed to Crookston, and, 
erecting a small cabin on the railroad right- 
of-way, resided there for another year, and 
then purchasing two lots in the city erected 
his present residence. In the spring of 
1888, in com])any with his Ijrothers, he 
established the Sand Bros.' meat market, 
which is carried on by his brothers, he still 
continuing in the railway employ. 

In 1880 Mr. Sand induced his father and 
twoof his Ijrothers to leave Kandiyohi county 
and move to Marshall county, where they 
all took up claims, and, being the first set- 
tlers in the town, Sandsville was named in 
their honor. There they all in company 
carry on a large stock farm, controlling some 
800 acres of arable farm land, besides nearly 
two sections of swamp land pasture. 

ilr. and Mrs. Sand are the parents of three 
children — Cecil H., Carl H. and Olive M. 



-«" 



J^LlRAM T. EAMES is a member of the 
J^^ firm of Fames IJrothcrs, proprietors 
of the city meat market and dealers in fresh 
and salted meats. Their business is located 
on the corner of Lincoln and Court streets, 



Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. 
Mr. Fames is a native of Henderson county, 
Illinois, where he was born in the 3'ear 1852. 
Lie is the son of Obediah and Mary A. 
(Bigelow) Fames, both natives of New York 
City. 

Mr. Fames' father was for twenty years 
eng-aged in the business of steamljoating on 
the Mississippi river, after wliich he turned 
his attention to farming in Minnesota. 
Later in life he was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of barrels and barrel stock, having 
his business located in Red Wing, Minnesota, 
where he lived until his death, which 
occurred in 1881. The mother now lives in 
Red Wing. The father was a republican in 
politics and was an attendant and supporter 
of the Methodist Fpiscopal church. He had 
a family of seven children — Hiram T., Clara, 
now Mrs. Neudeck ; Olivia, now Mrs. 
Taakar ; Jessie, now Mrs. Nelson ; Llarry 
O., Paul and Blanche. 

The subject of our sketch s]ient his 
j'ounger days on the home farm in Goodhue 
county, Minnesota, in Hay Creek township, 
where his fatiier was extensiveh'^ engaged in 
farming. Here he received excellent train- 
ing and experience, his father being a 
wealthy man and having in his employ from 
fifteen to twenty men. In 1873 Mr. Fames 
removed to Red Wing, whei'e he worked in 
a meat market for his father, who was 
ensraged in this business in that city for 
five years. The subject of oui' sketch, 
in partnership with anotheryoung man, pur- 
chased his father's business and continued 
running that for some time, when Islv. Fames 
became sole pi'oprietor. He continued in this 
line in Red Wing until January 1, 1881, at 
which time he purchased his father's stave and 
barrel business and ran the same for three 
years. At this time he sold out his business 
interests in Red Wing and came to Fergus 
Falls, opening a meat business with a Mr. 
McKinstrey. For eighteen months this part- 



384 



RED KH'EK )' ALLEY AND 



nersbip was kept uji, when, at the end of 
that time, i[r. ilcKinstrey sold out to Mr. 
Eames and the latter continued to run the 
business until November 1. 1SS8, at wiiich 
time ills l)rothor Paul became junior partner. 
Tliey do the most extensive business in the 
city. 

In 1877 Mr. Eames was united in mai'riage 
to Miss Ilattie Cox, daughter of James and 
Ann E. (Colweri) Cox, natives of IS'ew York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Eames have a family of three 
children — Maude E., Eay T., and Jesse F. 

Mr. Eames afKliatos with the repiil)liciin 
party and is a prominent member of the ]\Ia- 
sonic fraternity. He is one of the live, active 
business men of the city, and keeps three men 
employed. Their business is not confined to 
the retail line alone, but they do a large 
wholesale business, shipping stock to St. Paul 
and Minneapolis. Mr. Eames is a successful 
business man and is alive to everything that 
tends to build up tlie fiiianciitl interests of 
Fero'us Pails. 



-<5»- 



.-.^- 



■'"^HARLES PULLMAN, tlie efficient and 
accommodating hotel proprietor and 
livery man at TIernian, Grant county, ]\Iin- 
nesota, is a native of tlie State of Michigan. 
He was boi-n in Niles on tlie 8th day 
of July, 18-il, and is a son of Nathaniel 
and Nancy (Smallmaii) Pullman, who were 
natives of New York State. The parents of 
our subject were married in New York 
State on the Gtii of JMarch, 1828, and 
remained in tiiat State until 1835, when they 
removed to the State of Michigan, where 
they remained for about ten years. In 1855 
they I'emoved to Iowa, and later settled at 
Colesburg, Iowa, where the father was 
engaged in the hotel business. From the 
lattei- place they went to Howard county, 
in tiie same State, where Mr. Pullman, Sr., 
engaged in the mercantile business, and was 



one of the earliest settlers in that rejrion of 
the country. He had to have his stock of 
goods hauled from Dubuque, a distance of 
125 miles. He inoved from Howard county, 
Iowa, to New Oregon, Iowa, and there 
engaged in the same business until, finally, 
on account of old age, he gave; up active life, 
and soon went on a visit to their son, our 
suljject, where the mother died in 1SS4 and 
the father in 1887. They were members of 
the Baptist ciiurch, and were the parents of 
the following children — Frances, born Nov- 
emljer 25, 1831; Eveline and Emeline, twins, 
born in 1828; Tiieodore, born July 4, 18P.0 ; 
Elizebeth, born December 22, 183-t; George, 
born March 4,1837; ^Sfinerva, born Octo- 
ber 22, 1838, and Charles, born July 8, 1841. 
Frances, Elizebeth, ]\Iinerva and the subject 
of this sketch are the only ones remaining. 
Frances is the wife of Dr. J. H. Powers, of 
Wisconsin ; Elizebeth married Dr. C. O. 
Pacjuin, of Pine Cit}', Minnesota, and Minerva 
is now Mrs. J. H. Powell,of Appleton. Afinne- 
sota. Her husband was sheriff of Ilowai'd 
county, Iowa, for eight years, and is now 
cng'as'ed in farmino:. 

Mr. Charles Pullman, llic subject of this 
biographical sketch, spent his school-days 
principally in Michigan, and at the age of ten 
years moved to Ilowartl count}', Iowa, 
where he attended school until he was nine- 
teen years of age. He then was employed 
by Mr. Johnson, of Rochester, Minnesota, 
and drove a " four horse Yankee notion 
wagon " througii Minnesota, Iowa and Wis- 
consin. After working three years at this 
occupation, he went to Wisconsin, where 
he was superintendent of the stage route 
beween Durand and Eau Claire, for tliree 
years. He then removed to St. Paul, Min- 
nesota, where he was employed as agent for 
tiie ^Minnesota Stage Com])any. for fouryears, 
the last two between Breckenridge and Win- 
nipeg. At the expiration of the four years 
he removed to Grant county, Minnesota, set- 



PARK' UEG/ONS OF MIiV.VESOTA. 



3S5 



tling at Herman in 1873. At that time there 
was only one store in the village, and he at 
once commenced to handle wheat. From 
1873 until 1877 he carried on this occn])ation 
and in connection ran a machine shop; he 
also operated a farm of 320 acres near the 
village. In the year 1881 Mr. Pullman 
opened up the hotel which bears his name, 
and in connection he runs a iirst-class livery 
stable. He has since carried on the dual 
business and is one of the best and most 
favoi'al)ly known business men of Grant 
county. 

Mr. Pullman was joined in marriage on the 
Sth day of December, 1873, to Mrs. Bertha 
Elmer, and this union has been blessed with 
the following named children — Yiva F., 
born November 17, 1875; Nina, born Sep- 
tember 28, 1877; and Minnie A., born Novem- 
ber 4, 1882. Mrs. Pulhnan is a native of 
"Wisconsin, born at Oshkosh. Her ])arents, 
who are now dead, were Germans, and the 
father was in the War of 1812. He was in 
the battle of Waterloo and also in the late 
Civil War, and a man of much more than 
ordinary ability. Pie was eighty-nine years 
old at the time of his death. 

]VIr. Pullman is a democrat in his political 
affiliations and is a member of the ]\fitsonic 
fraternity. The well-known Pullman of 
Pullman Palace car fame is a cousin of our 
subject. Our subject has held the offices of 
school director and menibei- of the village 
council, and is one of the representative men 
of Grant count v. 



-4»- 



^^^ 



1^ OBERT COULTER. No class of men 
JS^tV nor family have done more toward 
the settlement, progress and development of 
the western part of Polk county and the 
Tied River Valley, nor figured more promi- 
nently in the history of the progress of that 
county than the Coulters, and a well-known 



and highly respected member of this family 
is Eobert Coulter, the sul)ject of our present 
sketch, who resides on section 27, Hunts- 
ville township, Polk country, Minnesota. 

Robert Coulter was born in Ontario, Can- 
ada, June 14, 1844, and is a son of Christo- 
pher and Elizabeth Ann (Lee) Coulter, who 
were natives of Scotland. He grew to man- 
hood and received his education in the Prov- 
ince of his birth. Early in life a man's labor 
devolved upon him, and since that time he 
has been the architect of his own fortune, 
being a self-made man in every particular. 
He made his home with his parents, "off and 
on," as the e.xpression goes, until after his 
marriage. In March, 1866, he came to Min- 
nesota and located in AVinona county. He 
was employed at woi'king for farmers and 
lumbering in the woods. In 1871, in com- 
pany with William Fleming and T. L. Mc- 
Veet}', he came to Polk count}', Minnesota, 
and the}'^ made their way to Iluntsville 
township. The party drove thi-ough with 
ox teams and were the first settlers in the 
western part of Polk county. Times were 
very hard with the pioneers for a time and 
they endured many har(lshij)s and disadvan- 
tages. At that time, during the winter the 
mails were carried on sledges di'awn by dog 
teams ; and when many of the old settlers 
did any traveling in the winter it was with 
dog teams. When Eobert Coulter came 
here his earthly possessions in the live stock 
line consisted of an ox team and one cow, 
and duiing the first year he earned the most 
of his living with his gun and his traps. He 
has attended closely to business, however, 
and his excellent management and energy 
.have placed him in excellent financial cir- 
cumstances. He now owns 300 aci-es of land, 
which is ujider a high state of cultivation, 
forty acres of which is good timber land. 
He has a fine residence and other building 
improvements located in a substantial oak 
grove on the banks of Tied Lake river, and 



386 



JiED KIVKK VALLEY A XD 



also owns a store buiklino;in ilallorv village. 
A portion of that villago is phittcd on his 
land. 

Mr. Coulter Avas married on the 13th of 
April, 18G9, to Eli/.abotli McVeety, a daugh- 
ter of James and Jessie (McLane) McYeety. 
Tiieir marriage has been blessed bv the fol- 
io wiiig-ii am ed cliildron — James, Christopher, 
Anna, Ida, William, J.,aura and Jessie. 



«^^ 



-♦-I 



jfVLVA H. KIRK is the proprietor of the 
Jj^^^ Tark lioller Flouring Mills at Fergus 
Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He is 
a native of Eroora county. New York, and 
was boi-n in 1817. His parents, Heniy and 
Fannie M. (Osl)orn) Kirk, were also natives 
of New York State. The father was a skilled 
boat builder and carpenter. He came west 
to Minneapolis in 1878 and commenced the 
manufacture of the "adjustable hinge" 
cracker box, of which he was the inventor. 
He was very successful in Ijusincss and laid 
by a snug little fortune. He has now retired 
from active life, confining his attention 
mainh' to the management of a block of 
buildings which he owns in West Superior, 
Minnesota. His father was Henry Kirk, 
whose native State was New York, where he 
was engaged in the business of farming. 

The mother of the subject of our sketch 
died in 1861. Her father was Franklin 
Osborn, of New York. He was a man of 
excellent general business cpialities and 
attained to considerable prominence in his 
native place. For man\' years he was a 
justice, devoting most of his time to cases in 
court. 

The subject of this sketch remained at 
home attending school until he was fifteen 
years of age. One year later he enlisted in 
the Sixteenth Independent Battery, New 
York Volunteers, and served until the close 
of the waj', being in a number of engage- 



ments, among them the seige and capture 
of F'ort Fisiier. After being discharged 
from further duty, he returned to his 
native State and entered the I'ingiiamton 
Commercial College, from whicii insti 
tutiiin he graduated in tlie fall of 
1805. After his graduation he filled 
a position as clerk in one of the business 
houses of Binghamton for some time : tiien 
commenced woi-k at mill-wri<rhtinf;-, follow- 
ing this business in the cities of New York, 
Boston, Buffalo and many other Eastern 
))laces. In 1871 he turned his face westwar<l, 
coming to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he 
accepted a position as foreman with <). A. 
Praj', for whom he worked three years. 
He then entered the North Star Iron Works 
as draughtsman and foreman of the wood 
department, in which position lie remained 
until 1878. After this, for seven years, he 
engaged in the mill furnishing business in 
Minneapolis. At the end of this period he 
sold out his business interests in th;it city, 
came to Fergus Falls and i)urchased wiiat 
was then called the Farmers and Mechanics' 
Mill, now the Park Eoller Mills. He has 
made this one of the most popular mills in 
the country, by jnitting in the jiacent roller 
]irocess and adding all moilern improvements. 
In capacit}' and for water-power tliis mill is 
one of the very best in ail the Bed Biver 
country. The mill is on the table-land just 
east of the main i)art of the city, and still 
within the citv limits. Within a short dis- 
tance stands his handsome I'esidence, beauti- 
fully located on a rise of ground overlooking- 
the Bed river as it winds its way down the 
valley through the city of Fergus Falls, 
making as grand a picture as ever tem])ted 
the genius of an artist. 

Mr. Kirk was wedded in May, 1872, to 
Miss Nettie M. Strong, daughter of C. D. 
Strong, of St. Paul, Minnesota. This union 
was blessed with three children, only one of 
whom is now living — Zoe S. Mrs. Kirk 



P.-tA'A' KECrOA'S OF M/XXESOTA 



387 



died in 1878. Mr. Ivirk's second marriage 
was to Mrs. Regina Browniie, of Minneapo- 
lis, by \Yliom he has one child living — 
Albei't IT. 

Mr. Kirk is a prosperous, enterprising cit- 
izen and business man, and takes an active 
interest in the prosperity and growth of his 
city and county. lie is one of the finest 
mechanics in the Northwest, and in the past 
ten years has taken out fifteen ])atents for 
improvements on mill machinery. In poli- 
tics he affiliates with the republican party, 
and is at present president of the city coun- 
cil of Fergus Falls. 



--*" 



tlWAN E. EASTLAND, one of Clay 
i) county's most thoroughgoing farmers 
and stock-breeders, has been assigned a bio- 
grajihical space in this volume, which treats 
of the personal life of those best and most 
favorably known in the Eed Eiver country 
of the North. 

Our subject, a native of Sweden, was born 
in 1846, and is the only son of Erick and 
Mary Oleson, who followed farm life. The 
father died in 1S58, and in 1869 the family 
came to America, settling in Goodhue 
county, Minnesota, where they bought 
eiffhtv acres of land and remained for four- 
teen years. The mother died in 1887 in 
Goodhue count}'. In 1883 they moved to 
Clay county, purchasing 160 acres of land 
in Moland township, where they lived for 
three years, then moved into Moorhead, 
entracrine; in the meat business. He has 
since then farmed. He now has, upon his 
farm, sixteen head of cattle, five horses and 
a large number of hogs. He makes a spe- 
cialty of breeding fine blooded swine, and has 
succeeded remarkably well. 

He was married in 1871 to Miss Emma 
F. Johnson, daughter of Carl Johnson, a 
native of Sweden. Thev have a family of 



ten children — Ida M., Minnie A., Leonard 
P., Waltei-, Herman, Martin, Godfred, 
Arthur, Erick and Elof T. The name of 
the deceased child was Ernest A. 

In his political views, Mr. Eastland is a 
firm believer in the principles of the repub- 
lican party. He has frequently been pressed 
to hold office of a local nature. He was 
steward of the Poor Farm in Goodhue 
county, when a resident there, also held the 
office of assessor and district clerk, besides 
taking an active interest in all public 
matters. 

The family all belong to the Swedish 
Lutheran church, Mr. Eastland being both 
deacon and treasurer of the church to which 
he belongs. 



M^DOLPH A. JUST, M. D., the only repre- 
J^>^ sentative of the homeopathic school 
of medicine in the city of Crookston, Min- 
nesota, located in that place in 1882, since 
which time he has been closely identified 
with its interests, and steadily continued in 
the practice of his chosen profession. As a 
man and a citizen he ranks high in the 
respect and esteem of th^ peo])le of the com- 
munity, and his skill and success in baffling 
the demons of disease and death have won 
him an enviable position and a large and 
daily growing practice. 

Dr. Just was born in the county of Dodge, 
in the State of Wisconsin, November 23, 
1851, and is the son of Carl and Helen Just, 
natives of German}-. His boyhood and 
youth were passed upon the farm of his 
father, and the foundation of his education 
was laid in the common schools of the 
district, " those I'ough cradles of learning, to 
whose halcyon walls the memory of so many 
of our eminent men revert in fond remem- 
brance." At the age of seventeen he entered 
the State Normal School, at Mankato, Min- 



388 



RED Rn'ER VALLEY A XD 



nesota, his parents having removed to Blue 
Eartl) county iintl settled on a farm. Several 
years woi'e passed in attention to iiis stndies 
in tliat noljJe institution of tliis State. At 
the expiration of wiiicli. not having, as yet, 
decided njion bis future course in life, he 
went to Milwaulcee, Wisconsin, where he 
devoted some time to a course in one of the 
noted commercial colleges of tliat city. 
"VVliile tiiere, as by an inspiration, came tlie 
desire to become a physician, and on reflec- 
tion adopted tbe hoineopiithic school by 
conviction. Entering the Hahnemann Med- 
ical College, one of the noblest institutions 
of tiie kind in tlie country and one which 
confeis distinction upon its graduates, he 
devoted tiie sti'ictest attention to tlie studies 
of its curriciihini. Anatomy, sui'gery, tiier- 
apeutics and materia niedica, with the 
Organum of Hahnemann, the founder of 
that school of jiractice, received from the 
young studentatliouglitful and conscientious 
investigation. His graduation witli a high 
class diploma from that institution in 1881, 
after a most vigorous examination, attests 
his industry in study and devotion to the 
principles of his profession which his after- 
life has not contradicted. 

Ileturning to Blue Earth county, Minne- 
sota, at the conclusion of his education, and 
locating at Good Tiiunder, he assumed tlie 
charge of tiie medical practice of Dr. A. C. 
Weilicke. of tiiat place, and continued in his 
ciiosen profession there until June. 1882, 
when, with admirable foresight, lie came to 
Crookston, and opened an ottice. 

V'oltairc lias truly said tlia*^ a piiysician is 
the most iiiifortuiiate of men. as lie is 
expectcnl to cure men, and keep them well, 
when tliey violate tiie very laws of their 
existence every day. This is as true to-day 
as it was of the time he wrote, as any prac- 
titioner can testify, undoing the medical ])ro- 
fession no sinecure. J'ut witli a concientious 
regard for his mission. Dr. Just has bravely 



battled with this weakness of his fellow-man 

and met with great success in curing the 
ailments of his numerous patients. Pleas- 
antly affable in the sick-room, with a con- 
scious knowledge of the depths of his 
research and ability, Ik; has won for him- 
self a large place in the hearts of the citi- 
zens of Crookston and the contiguous 
country, and his merited success in the treat- 
ment of disease has bi'ought him already a 
lucrative i-eward for his labors, as well as a 
satisfaction in the rectitude of his choice of 
a ]irofession. 

Steadily devoting his entire energies to 
the duties of his practice, the doctor has had 
no time to devote to any outside business or 
to]K)litical preferment, but pursues the ''even 
tenor of his way" in the |)atli he has chosen 
with admirable assiduitv. 



i^ARRIS K. HARRISON. The subject of 
/'tiL this biograiihical sketch is a resident 
of section 25, romme De Terre township, 
Grant count}', Minnesota, where he ' is 
engaged in a general farnnng and stock- 
raising business. He is a native of Wisconsin, 
i)orn in Winchester, Winnebago county, on 
the 2iHhday of November, 1855, and is a son 
of Kittle and Helga (Langrud) Harrison, 
natives of Xorway. The father of our 
subject emigrated to the United States in 
1850 and the mother in 1851. They settled 
in AVisconsin, where they are still residing, 
engaoed in farmino-. Tliev are the parents 
of the following-named children — Kacliel, 
Samuel, Ole. Kittle. Henry L., John and 
Harris K. 

The subject of this sketch received his 
education in Winchester, Winnebago count}-, 
and attended school until he was sixteen 
j'earsof age. From that ])eiiod until he was 
twenty-one he remained at home and assisted 
his father on the home farm. He remained 



PARK REGIONS OF MTNNESO TA. 



389 



[AWSON BELL is the proprietor of 
the Headquarters Hotel, Wahpeton, 
Ricliland county, Xortli DaUota. He is a 
native of West Virginia, where he was bora 
September 25, 1829. 

Mr. Ik'lTs parents were James and Mar- 
garet (Vasbinder) Bell, natives of New Jer- 
sey. The fatlier was a miller, and owned a 
large mill in Stark county, Ohio, where he 
died in 1838. Some time after the father's 
death the mother moved to De Kalb county, 



in Wisconsin inilil 1883, and on March 25th 
of that y(?ar left for Minnesota, settling in 
Grant county, \vhere he bought land on 
section 2."), and where he lias since made his 
home. His farm lies at the head of the 
beautiful sheet of water Lake Pomme I)e 
Teri'e, and comprises one hundred and si.xty 
acres of well cultivated land, with good 
building improvements. He is engaged in a 
general farming and stock-i'aising business 
and is one of the most successful farmers in 
the township. In addition he is engaged in 
the carpentering trade, stone mason's work,' 
etc., being a natural mechanic. 

In November, 187(i, Mr. Harrison was 
married to Miss Cornelia Johnson, and this 
union has been blessed with the following- 
named children — Hellena T., Carl J., Ilenrj^ 
G. and Emma A. Mrs. Harrison is a native ■ 
of Norwa}^ and came to the United States in 
1869. Mr. Harrison has been supervisor of 
his townsiiip, also justice of the peace, 
school clerk, etc. He is one <jf the prominent 
and representative men of his township, 
taking an active part in all local affairs 
whereby tiie general Avclfare may lie 
enhanced. Ilewitiihis family belongs to the 
Lutheran church, of which organization be is 
secretary. \\\ political matters he affiliates 
with the republican party and takes an active 
interest in that ])arty"s campaigns. 



Indiana, and lived with her daughter, Mar- 
garet, until her death. The father's family 
numliered eleven children, all of whom lived 
to mature age, except one, who was drowned 
when two years old. Four of the children 
are now living — James C. Ephriam, Mar- 
garet, now Mrs. Coates, of De Kalb county, 
Indiana, and Dawson. James C. lives in 
Mason city, Mason county, Illinois, where 
for years he has been proprietor of a large 
hotel. For twent}' years he was on the road, 
traveling for a Philadelphia house. Ephriam 
is engaged in the manufacture of brick in 
New Philadei])hia, Tuscarawas county, Ohio. 
Dawson Bell remained at home until he 
was fourteen years of age and received a 
good common sciiool education. At that 
age he commenced work in a mill, but re- 
mained only a short time, after which he 
engaeed in clerkino- for three years in the 
employ of his Ijrother. a merchant at Ragers- 
villo, Ohio. From thence he went with his 
brother to Bell's Mills, Stark county, Ohio, 
where he remained eight years as clerk in 
the store. His father was the founder of 
this place and tiie proprietor of the Bell's 
Mills Flouring ^lills, and in connection there- 
with carding and fulling was also done. 
The father was a wealthy man and promi- 
nent in business circles. Concluding his 
clerkship, the subject of our sketch, started a 
mercantile business of his own at Dundee, 
Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he con- 
tinued in trade for about three years. He 
then closed out his goods and returned 
to Bell's Mills, where, in partnership with 
George Hays and Wilson Lineroud, he 
bought a farmer's store. Bunning this 
for two years he sold out and went to Dover, 
Tuscarawas C(junty, engaging in the mercan- 
tile business with his brother James C. for 
two years. At this time he went to the State 
of Minnesota, locating in Rochester, Olmstead 
county, where, for one year, he tried farm- 
ins:. In 1861 he traded the farm for a stock 



3go, 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AKD 



of goods in Rocliester, and with liis hrother- 
in-law, J. W. Everstene, engaged in business. 
Eigliteen montiis later he sold out to Mr. 
Everstene, and Mf. Eell associated himself 
with Mr. George Head, with whom he con- 
tinued in the mercantile business for seven 
years. In the spring of 1871 he sold out and 
removed to Fergus Falls, settling on the 
banks of the Tied lliver, where he built wiiat 
is now known as the Park Hotel, formerly 
the liell House, and the first American hotel 
at that place. He i"ui the Bell House witii 
fine success until 1SS4. when he sold and 
removed to Wahpeton in February, 1885. 
He purciiased the Headquarters Hotel from 
D. H. Smitii and has continued its proprietor 
ever since. The building is four stories high, 
is So.xlOS feet and is fitted with all mod- 
ern improvements. This house is known 
far and near as the leading iiotel in this 
countiT and enjoj's a steadily increasing 
popularity. 

In 1855 Mr. Bell was wedded to Miss Mar- 
garet Fleck, a native of Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, and daughter of Jacob and 
Catharine (Brown) Fleck, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Her father was one of the wealthy 
farmers of his State and reared a large famih" 
of fifteen children. Nine of these are living — 
Mrs. Sarah Hay, Mrs. Adeline Morri- 
son, Mrs. llebecca Everstene, Alexander, 
Mrs. Ann E. Messersmith, Mrs. Margaret 
Bell, Mrs. Pi-iscilla Pollack, INfrs. Ann M. 
Brown and Mi's. Amanda Smith. Jacob 
Fleck came to Minnesota and settled in 
Eochester, Olmstead county, in 1857. He 
purciiased a hotel and run the same for 
ten years, and tiien removed to Austin, 
Mower county, Minnesota. In that city 
he built tlie famous Fleck House in 1872, 
but ho did not live to run the hotel 
himself, death carrying him away in 1873, 
and his son, Alexander, took charge of the 
house. In 1877 he sold out. The Fleck 
family have been one of high standing in 



.society, and have all accumulated much 
wealth. Jacob Fleck was a lepublican in 
politics, and in botli public and private life 
was esteemed by all who knew him. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bell have a family of five 
children — Charles F.,nuirried to Miss Annie 
Davenport, by whom he has three children — 
Ida, Xellie and Grace; Calvin C, wedded to 
Kellie Allen, by whom there is one child — 
Alice; Lulu, now ]\Irs. Wallace; James I), 
and Catharine. All of the children reside in 
AValipet(>n. 

In pnlitics Air. Bell is a loyal republican, 
aiul was fornicrly an old line whig. He is a 
jMason and an Odd-Fellow, and is one of the 
leading citizens of Wahjieton. Mr. Bell is a 
model hotel ])roprietoi'. Every convenience 
of modern invention finds him a ready 
purchaser, if, by it, he can minister to the 
comforts of his numerous guests. His hotel 
is always full of travelers, who find a genial 
i landlord, a bright, cheerful hotel, and a table 
I loaded with the best viands the markets 
afford. Mr. Bell has interested himself 
somewhat in real estate here, and also at 
Fergus Falls. 



-•^►^ 



J^RED H. LAKE does an extensive busi- 
\P~ ness in real estate, loans and insurance 
at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He is a native 
of North Easton, Massachusetts, anil was 
born in the year 1855. 

Mr. Lake's parents were Jeremy and 
Charity (Gleason) Lake, the foruu;r a native 
of the town of Jay, Maine, and the latter of 
Massachusetts. The father lived in Massa- 
chusetts for some time before his mari'iage, 
and for some years cariied on a blacksmitli- 
ing business, but has now retired, having 
accumulated a competency during his earlier 
years. They had a family of four children, 
two of whom are now living — Jennie, now 
Mrs. L. AV. Clniicli. of Great Bend, I'ennsvl- 



PARK kEGiCNS Of MINNESOTA. 



391 



vania and Fred H. The mother died in 
1S60. The father was (iiiite a genius in iiis 
way, and was the inveiitoi' of a number of 
patents. lie is still living- at a iiale old age. 
Ill politics he is a republican. Jeremy's 
father was John Lake, and liis mother was 
Betsey (Johnson) Lake. Botli of these were 
natives of Maine. Tlie father was b\'^ occu- 
pation a farmer. They had a large family, 
nuinl)ering in all twelve children, of whom 
five are now living — John, Josiah, Jeren^y, 
Arthur, and Lizie A. 

The subject of our sketch remained 
beneath tiie parental roof, attending school 
until he was fifteen years of age, at which 
time he commenced to learn the silver[)]at- 
ing trade at Taunton, Massachusetts. In 
1877 lie came westward, settling in Aurora, 
Illinois, where he worked for some time 
at his trade ; thence he' removed to llacine, 
Wisconsin, continuing to work at his trade, 
and remained until 1880. In this year he 
came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and ac- 
cepted a jiosition in the United States land 
office, as clerk, where he remained for 
eighteen months. At the end of this time, 
having, by his business qualifications, formed 
many acquaintances and opened the way for 
personal business relations, he established his 
present office, in which he has since con- 
tinued. 

He is the agent for the Minnesota Loan 
and Trust Company and other large loan- 
ing companies for this part of the State, and 
loans a large amount of mone\^ annually for 
these companies and for private parties 
residing in the Eastern States. 

He has been a careful, conservative pur- 
chaser of lands in this and other counties, 
and is at present successfully carrying on the 
business of several farms in Otter Tail and 
adjoining counties. On these farms he is 
eiii;aged laim'lv in raisin": wheat. Ilis busi- 
ness investments in the city have resulted 
cpiite favorably to his financial interest. He 



owns a number of tenement houses, and has 
a fine cottage on Union avenue, in which he 
now resides. 

In 1883 Mr. Lake was united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony to Miss Seba Brig-g's, of 
Alcove, New York, daughter of "William S. 



Briggs. 



Mrs. Lake is a graduate of Fort 



Edward Institute, Fort Edward, Kew York. 
They have one daughter, now four years of 
age, whose name is Linnfred Eusebia. 

In politics Mr. Lake affiliates with the 
republican party and takes an active inter- 
est in all things that pertain to its local wel- 
fare. He is a leading member of the Order 
of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Lake, in his 
business relations, has proven himself to be 
a careful, conservative man, and has gained 
the confidence of those with whom he has 
had business transactions. 



^■1^-^ 



JOHN KYED is a member of the firm of 
^ Sutton & Kyed, harness makers and 
manufacturers of horse furnishing goods, 
Alexandria. Minnesota. Mr. Kyed is a native 
of Denmark, and was born in 1840. His 
parents, John and Johanna (Back) Kyed, 
were natives of Denmark. The father is still 
living in Denmark, but the mother died in 
1875. They had three children— John, Cath- 
erina, now Mrs. Marcusen. and Simon. The 
first, John, is the oiih' one of the family who 
lives in America. The father was a soldier 
in the war between Schleswig and Holstein 
in the j'ear 1848,1849 and 1850. He was 
ca{)tured by the enemy at one time and held 
prisoner for twenty-four hours, but was then 
exchanged and returned to his own army. 
He performed valuable service during these 
three years of war. The father and mother 
belong to the Lutheran church. 

John K^'ed, the subject of this sketch, 
lived at home serving his parents until 
twenty-three years of age, when he was 



392 



JiED KIVKK VALLEY A. \'D 



drafted into the regular army of Denmark 
under tlio administration of Frederick VII. 
Tiie next .year, 1864, war was declared by 
Prussia and Austria ngainst Denmark, and j 
the subject of our sketch was in the first bat- , 
tie fouglit at JVfesonde in Schieswig. The | 
army of Denmark was victoi'ious. ]\[r. Kyed 
was in Company !Six Heavy Artih-ry, and hekl 
'the rank of corporal. On the IStii of April, 
1804, ho was taken prisoner and lield in dur- . 
aiice foi- four montiis. This war ended in 
18r>4. and during its continuance llr. K\'ed 
saw much severe service, being engaged in 
five of tlie severest l)attles. Ti-evious to ins 
ca])ture, of wliich we have made mention, he 
was undei'lieavy Ijomljardment from tlie 28th 
of Marcii until tiie IStli of April, wlien tlie 
whole fortification was captured and all the 
occupants, 4,000 in number, taken jirison- 
ers and kept in ])rison for a, period of four 
months. 

Jlr. Kyed received seven years' schooling 
before he entered tlie service, and at four- 
teen years of age commenced worlcing out 
for farmers, at which business he was en- 
gaged lietween the times of his active service 
in the regular army. After his service in 
the army he continued at farm labor until 
twenty -eight years of age, and in 1808 he 
left his native land and came to America, 
coming dii-ectly t(j Alexandria, Minnesota, 
where he commenced work for a farmer,with 
whom he continued for two years. In 1870 
lie took a homestead in the township of 
Alexandria, Douglas county. This was five 
miles from the village of Alexandria, and 
the farm contained eighty acres. On this 
land he iiuilt a log house, 12x10 feet, 
did consid(!rable breaking, and continued 
improving it, living thereon until 18T5. He 
then moved into Alexandria, and woi'ked at 
anything lie found to do for five years. In 
1880 he started a dray business with (me 
team of horses, following tiiis line of work 
for eight years, dui-ing a portion of which 



time he ran two teams and employed one 
man. The 1st of Xovember, 1888, he pur- 
chased a part interest in the harness business 
of Mr. Sutton, witli whom he formed a part- 
nershi]), and witli whom lie has l)een in busi- 
ness ever since. He owns his j)i'esent neat 
residence on E street. 

Ml'. Kyed was married in 1871 to ]\[iss 
Annie Matson, of Denmark, who was the 
daughter of Xelson ilatson. Two children 
have blessed this union — Jolin and Carolina. 

ilr. Kyed is a rejjresentative citizen and 
is thoroughly interested in the financial wel- 
fare of Alexandria. He owns an interest in 
the Alexandria ^Manufacturing Company. 
has Ijeen a member of the village council for 
three years, and shows an increased activity 
in all matters pertaining to the growth of 
the business interests of his' adopted town. 
In politics Mr. Kyed is a democrat. He i.s 
also a member of the I. O. (). F. and the 
Knights of Honor. lie ami his wife and 
family are members of the Lutheran church. 



=■''<•'''' O L. WARREN O N A N, a highly 
esteemed citizen of iloorhead. ^Minne- 
sota, who now lives a retired life, is a native 
of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, born .Inly 20, 
1818. His parents were James ;ind Mary 
(Collins) Onan, natives of Ireland and Wil- 
mington, Delaware, resiiectivelv. The father 
was a boot and shoe manufacturer the first 
fift}' \'ears of his life, when he turned his 
attention to farming in Cattaraugus county. 
New York, where he died in IS.jS. The 
mother died in 1868. They had a family of 
eight children, four of whom are now living — 
Charles, John, Marcus H. and our subject, 
Warren, who was the eldest of the children. 
James, the father, served for three years in 
the British navy, having been ]n'essed into 
such service while on his way to America. 
He left home when he was twenty-one years 
old, purposing to seek a new liome for his 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



393 



father's family. Jaines' father was Alex- 
ander, and after his son was pressed into the 
English ai-mv he came, with his familj', to 
America. He settled at Dryden. Tompkins 
county, Is^ew York, where lie bought a large 
tract of land and engaged in e.xtensive farm- 
inir; he srave to each of his children a large 
farm. His children's names were — Samuel, 
Alexander, Charles, John, James, Elizebeth, 
Marv and Sarah. James tinally deserted 
the army at Kio Janeiro, going back into 
the mountains from where his ship lay 
anchored, and after hiding for three months 
took ship for America, stopped at Key West, 
Florida, about a yeai", then joined his father 
in Tompkins count}', '^aw York, where he 
remained a short time, then went to Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, where he married, 
when, as before stated, he engaged in boot 
and shoe manufacturing ; he also lived some 
time at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then moved 
to Tompkins county, New York. 

Our subject, Warren Onan, was reared to 
farm life and attended school until he was 
twenty-one years of age and then began 
farming foi- himself in the county in which 
his father lived. He continued seven years 
upon the place he bought when eighteen 
3' ears old. He then sold out and went into 
the lumber business on the Alleghany river, 
which calhnghe followed untilisoo. He then 
lielped raise a company of 104 men. who 
were taken to Washington, District of Col- 
umbia, and made one of the ten companies 
which constituted the One Hundred and Fifty- 
fourth New York Infantry Volunteers. After 
going to Washington, District of Columbia, he 
desig-ned returninffhome, but he found it was 
expected of him to remain and help "fight it 
out on that line." He consequently accepted 
the office of second-lieutenant. His regiment 
was taken into the Eleventh Army Corps, 
and after arriving at the citv of Washington 
our subject was detailed as brigade cpiarter- 
master for the? Second Division of said corps. 



He held this place a year, and was promoted 
to chief of ambulance and quartermaster of 
the Second Division, Eleventh Army Corps. 
After one year in this position, in September 
1SG4, at Atlanta, Georgia, he was detailed as 
quartermaster and commissary of the Twen- 
tieth Corps hospital, which gave him the 
rank of colonel, which beheld until the close 
of the rebellion. He was wounded in Georgia 
and had a severe attack of typhoid fever. 
He saw many hard-fought fields, participating 
in the historic battles of Chancellorsville, Get- 
tj'sburg,Wauliatchie, Chattanooga, Ringgold, 
Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, and tlie l)attles 
fought en route to Atlanta, Georgia, lie ac» 
companied Sherman on his famous •' march 
to the sea," and his — the Second Division — 
received the surrender at Savannah. After 
the war ended he came to Allegany, New 
York, and engaged in the oil business some 
three years, and was associate judge of Cat- 
taraugus county, New York, for four years, 
and justice of the peace twelve years, coroner 
six years, besides many offices of a local 
nature. While he lived in Allegany, New 
York, he ^rved <as postmaster two years 
under President Pierce, and eight years under 
President Grant. It may l)e said that his 
home was in Allegany, New York, from 
IS-It! until 1879. 

In 1879, during the mouth of June, he came 
to Minnesota as agent for the New York 
Mills Land Company, settling at Moorhead, 
transacting business in Otter Tail county. 
Fie has been city justice of Moorhead for 
four years. After coming to Mooi-head he 
took a soldier's homestead in Ransom county, 
Dakota. This he improved and still owns. 
Fie has done a general land business for the 
Northern Paciffc Railway Company, and has 
identified himself with Moorhead in buying 
and selling property. He built on the corner 
of Sixth and Garoway streets, and owns two 
hundred acres of land in Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. 



394 



KED RIVKK VALLEY AND 



lie was inan-ied in 1842 to Miss Margret 
Austin, a native of Scotland, and a dauglitcr 
of Adam Austin. 

^\y. and Mrs. Onan arc the parents of live 
eiiiidren — Eiizebetli. died wiien aged eighteen 
years; Elzoni, now Mrs. Charles IT. Sikes, of 
Dakota, wiio has one child — Maud; VinaM.. 
<lied at the age of twenty-five; Clara C, wife 
of Charles W. McKay, died at Fergus Falls 
in 18SS, leaving a family of three children — 
Grace, Blancheand Georgia; and Edwai'd M., 
now married to Miss Ella Morris, who has 
three children — Samuel, Warren and Morris. 

Our subject is a strong believer in repub- 
lican princi])les, belongs to the Grand Arm\^ 
of the Ke]iublic, and also is a member of the 
OddFellows Order at Tartville, New York. 
He is a thorough tempei-ance advocate, also. 



•«-S^{^«»' 



/^lIlr^lLBERT GILBERTSON, one of the 
v(i^ leading general merchandise dealers in 
the village ol' Ada, Alinnesota, is the oldest 
resident business man of that flourishing 
place, having located there in the spring of 
1880; at that early date there were but two 
stores there and some four or five residences. 
Mr. Gilbertson was born in the kingdom 
of Norway, on the 28th day of June, 1850, 
and is the son of Gilbert and Marthe (Erik- 
son) (iilbertson. lie was reared and edu- 
cated in his native land until he had attained 
his eighteenth year, when with a natural de- 
sire to the betterment of his fortune, he 
crossetl the ocean to the United States. lie 
located at first iji Ossian. Winneshiek county, 
Iowa, i)ut shortly after removed to the neigh- 
borhood of Decorah. and was employed in 
fai'ming, on Wasiiington Prairie, for two 
years. At the expiration of that period he 
entered the employ of the Chicago. ]\[ilwau- 
kee i^' St. Paul Raili'oad Company, who were 
then building tlieii- l)ranch from Calmai- to 
Decorah, and was enmiireil in ialior on the 



grade, and afterward as brakeman on the 
train that was •"ravelin"- tiie road from Clear 
Lake to Algona. After laying off to do gen- 
ei'al harvest work dui-ing that season, and 
after a short spell of work afterward on the 
road, he retuined to Decorah. In spite of 
the ivmonstrance fif John ^FcKey, tiie farmer 
for whom he had t'oi'niei'ly worked, who 
wanted him to again cmter his employ, he 
had formed the intention of entering mer- 
cantile life, so,ai'med with an excellent recom- 
mendation from th(! latter gentleman, he 
sought employment in some of the stores of 
Decoi-ah. Making an engagement with the 
hardware firm of Finn Eros., he there 
learned the first principles of trade, and re- 
mained with them until the following harvest 
time, when, his salary being merely nominal, 
he left them to work in the harvest field. 
While waiting for an engagement, Mr. Gib- 
son, of the firm of Gib>;on & Co., gen- 
eral merchants of th.at city, made him an 
offer of ^IT) per n)ontli salary and his board, 
for a yeai', and having really a desire to 
continue in that line of business, he a,ccepted 
it, and entered their store as clei'k. For six 
years h(> fultilled all his duties there, being 
gradually jiromoted from one place of honor 
and trust to anothei', until linally, in 1877, he 
was placed in charge of a branch store, which 
they owned at Plymouth Kock, in the same 
county. Six months later, having accu- 
mulated some capital by his industry and 
economy, he purchased tiie stock where he 
was, and entered upon a mercantile career 
for himself. 

The business being too limited in that 
locality, in the spring of 1880 Mr. (Tilbertson 
sold out and moved to Ada, a new village 
in Norman county, Minnnesota. but witii 
full ]iromise of future growth and import- 
ance. On his arrival in that place he ])ur- 
eliased a lot and ]mt up a suitable building 
in wliicli to carry on business, which now 
forms part of his present store, and |)lacing 



PARK REGION.^ OF MINNESOTA. 



395 



therein a new stock, opened business. Ilei'e 
lie lias been ever since, and the only mer- 
chant of that time still resident in the place. 
He carries a full line of dry goods, ready- 
made clothino-, boots, shoes, groceries and 
all the various articles that go to make up 
what is known as a general stock, and is 
doing the largest trade in that line in Ada. 

Coming to America with no capital but a 
stout heart, a jKiir (jf willing hands and a 
strong determination to succeed in life, Mr. 
Gilbei-tson can feel justly proud of the result 
of his own efforts, which have raised him 
from ])overt3' ^*^ comparative aflluence, and a 
])osition among the heaviest merchants of 
Ada. 

While devoted to his business Mr. Gilbert- 
.son has not neglected his duties as a citizen, 
or failed to take an interest in public affairs. 
In the fall of 1881 he took a prominent part 
in the division of Polk county, and in the 
organization of Norman county, although 
having no aspirations. When the village 
was incorporated in February of the same 
year, he was elected one of the first council. 
In his religious views he is a Lutheran, as 
most of his counti-ymen are, and was one of 
the original members that organized the 
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of 
Ada. 

Mr. Gilbertson was united in marriage 
January 7. 1882, with Miss Alice H. Aaker, a 
native of Norway, anil the daughter of 
Hans O. and Rachael Aakei-, of AVinneshiek 
county. Iowa. 



-«"i 



»-^» 



[OHN OHLSSON, ii prominent member of 
the farming community of the famous 
Park Kegions of Minnesota, is a resident of 
section 18, Maxsville township, Grant county 
Minnesota. lie is a native of Sweden, born 
in Lund on the loth day of March, 1833, and 
is a son of Oluf :iiul Kjerstin (Anders Datter) 



Jonson, natives also of Sweden. The father 
and mother of our subject spent their lives 
in their native land, the father dying in the 
city of Lund in 1851. They were the 
parents of three children whose names were 
— Andrew. Elne, and John, the subject of 
this biographical sketch. 

John Ohlsson attended scliool in the city 
of his bii'th until he was eleven years of age. 
From this j)erio(l of his life until he had 
reached twenty-one he was in attendance 
at the excellent schools of Malmo, in 
his native kingdom. While there he studied 
navigation for two years, and upon his leav- 
ino- school he followed a sea-faring life. In 
1862 he took charge of an inland steamboat 
in the northern part of Sweden, and after 
eight years of this employment emigrated to 
the United States. After landing on Amer- 
ica's shores he went to Minneapolis, Min- 
nesota, where he remained fourteen months, 
in charge of a boarding-house. In 1871 he 
moved to Grant county, Minnesota, and 
located in Maxsville township, where he 
homesteaded 16U acres of land on section 18. 
He at once commenced to make iiiqirove- 
ments u]>on his place, setting out trees and 
cultivating his land. Since that time Mr. 
Ohlsson has added to his place until he now 
owns 270 acres of well-tilled land with the 
best of building improvements. He tievotes 
his attention to general farming and stock- 
raising. In connection with his farm he 
operates a flouring- mi 11 by wind power, and 
the two industries have placed him in the 
most desirable circumstances. 

Mr. Ohlsson was united in marriage 
August 2, 1859, to Miss Johanna Hall, a 
native of Southern Sweden, and now the 
mother of three children— Olaf, Gustaf W. 
and Christena. Olaf is fireman on the St. 
Paul Division of the Manitoba Eailroad. 
Mr, Ohlsson has held many offices in his 
town and county. He has held numy local 
positions, such as justice of the peace, 



396 



RIP KIVKR VALLEY AND 



assessor, etc., and was register of deeds 
for two years, and county auditor tor a 
period of six 3'ears. In ])olitical matters he 
affiliates with the republican party. He is 
one of tiie representative men of his town 
and county, ever taking a deep interest in 
all public and educational matters. Mr. 
Ohls.son is a citizen of the utmost lionor and 
integrity, higiih' esteemed by all who bear 
liis ac(|Uaintance. 



Fames B. BLANCHARD, who now lives 
a retired life at .Mooriiead. ^[innesoia, 
forms tlie subject of this jiersonal sketch. 
His birthi>lace was Dexter. ]V[ain(;, and the 
date of tiiat event was February ">, 1821. 
His parents w'ere James and Susan (John- 
ston) Tiianchard, natives of ^faine, also. The 
father was a farmer, f<illo\ving tiie same 
until his death, in 1S2I. His forepiirents 
were from Fi'ance, on his father's side, and 
on his mother's side i)is grandfather was 
from Scotland, and his grandmother a native 
of ^'assalboro, Maine. Joiinston, the grand- 
father, was a soldier of tiie Revolutionaiy 
War, coming to America about the time the 
war Avas commenced. He tlrew a pension 
for sucli service, and died in tlie State of 
Maine, being over ninc-ty years old, honored 
by all. Tlic wife lived to be over ninety 
y(;ars old. Tiiey had a large family, all liv- 
ing to be old peoj)le. J'otli died at ^[ilf(jrd, 
Maine. 

Our subject was reared on a fai-ni until 
fifteen years of age, receiving his educatit)n 
in the common schools. He was engaged in 
the hunber business in Maine until 1857, 
then came to Minnesota, si)cnding the lirst 
winter in ^linneapolis, where he was em- 
j)loyed by the Washburn Company in l)uild- 
ing the famous dam across the falls. On the 
3d of April, the following year, he went to 
i[f)nticell(j, forty miles u]) the Mississippi 



river from Minneapolis, wliere he worked at 
cutting and sawing hunber. remaining until 
1871, when he came to Moorhead with a 
two-horse wagon load of groceries and drv- 
goods, which he readily sold out from his 
wagon to the i-ailroad ]ieople and few set- 
tlers. He camped out dui-ing his trij) and 
sojourn there. At that date Moorhead con- 
sisted of two small tents. He remained 
there, however wild things appeai'ed, and 
tiie following year, 1872, he was apjiointed 
sheriff, during the month of April, holding 
the same under his ap])oiiitment for one 
year, and was then elected to tlie same 
office for four years. He was first in many 
things, as he was also ajipointed the first 
assessor. While he was shei-iff he received 
the appointment of deputy I'nited States 
marshal, and w as made special agent to look 
after the whisky cases. He served for four- 
teen years in the capacity of marshal, lie 
has been coronor, deputy coronor, and cc^ii- 
stable, Ijesides various other local offices. 

In 1862 oui- subject raised a company of 
soldiers at Monticelio. Minnesota, consisting 
of twenty-live men, as volunteers, to go out 
and ])rotect the settlers against the Indians, 
who were at that time in general warfare in 
the Northwestern country. He was made 
lieutenant of the company, and went to 
Forest City, Vaynesville and Kingston, and 
had fortifieii lic;id(|uarters at Maine Prairie. 
They were out some five or six weeks. A 
good deal has been said and written con- 
cerning exploits during the Indian outbreak, 
and much of it is false. As an instance of 
this, the following is related : 

An article appeared, hs way of a per.sonal 
"puff," in the Minneapulis TrUnuu:. in Sep- 
tember, 1888, in which the exploits of Major 
Adams were told — what he had done during 
the Indian War, etc.; but the fact is, he 
was at his home, in Monticelio, Wright 
county, Minnesota. Our subject was well 
ac(juainted with him. and vouches for the 



PARK A'EGWXS OF M/XA'F.SO TA. 



397 



statomerit that he was in nowise connected 
witii tiiat warfare, and that he openetl liis 
own liouse himself, and there provided 
lodgings and meals for very manv persons. 
He left the famil}' with these refugee settlers 
and went on to protect the remainder from 
invasion. 

The date of Mi'. Elanciiard's marriage was 
lSi3, when he was united to Miss Sarah M. 
Gerrish,a native of Maine and the daughter 
of George Gerrish. They have six children, 
three of whom are now alive — Charles A., 
married and living in California, in the 
luniher trade (he married Emma Powell, of 
Monticello, Minnesota, and they have one 
son — Albei't) : Ernest married Mary Miller, 
and is now in the real estate business at 
Minneapolis; Al)ner G. married i\Ia,ry 
Williston (they have one child). Abner is 
a railroad man at Moorhead. 

Mrs. Blanchard died April", 1868, and for 
his second wife Mr. Blanchard married Mrs. 
Minerva Norton, who was a native of Maine. 
Her parents were A. S. and Lydia (Staples) 
Gatchell. The father was a shoemaker, and 
settled in Black Biver Falls, Wisconsin. 
They had five children — Livonia, Minerva, 
Prince A., Ellen S. and Jeremiah. In 1854 
Minerva married Geoi'ge B. Norton, a native 
of ]\raine, enjjao-ed in the lumber business. 
He came to Wisconsin in 1868, and to 
Stillwater, IMinnesota. in 1870, where in a 
short time he was accidently killed bv the 
falling of a tree. By this mari'iage there 
were five children born — Fernando W.; Carrie 
M., now Mrs. A. Rich, of Stillwater, whose 
husband is a lumberman (George, May, 
Frank and Bei'nice are their children's 
names); Albert ; May, now Mrs. Lewis W. 
Clark, whose husband is city engineer of 
Stillwater. The other child's name is Lizzie 
E., wiio is spending her third year in the 
normal school at St. Clouil, Minnesota. 

Mr. Blanchard is a republican in politics 
and belonjfs to the Masonic Order. He and 



his family all attend the Presbyterian church. 
It may here be stated that our subject has 
seen an eventful life and been a pronounced 
success in all his undertakings. Amongother 
valuable property owned by him may be 
mentioned the two-acre plat north of the 
Grand Pacilic Hotel in Moorhead. On this 
he has erected four houses, one he occu])ies 
and the remaining tliree he rents. He built 
the first wooden store buildmg in Moorhead, 
and sold the first goods here from a wagon, 
as above mentioned, under which he 
camped. Be has seen vast changes since 
pioneer days. 

An interesting epis(jde in Mr. Blanchard's 
life historv is the following ; Wl)ile livino- 
at Milfoi'd, Maine, in 1838, he enlisted in the 
company called '■ Rackeree Boys," under 
Capt. Stover Bines. This was the first 
company to proceed to the northern part of 
Maine, where trouble existed between the 
United States and England concerning the 
international boundary line. The affair was 
known as the "Aroostook War." Mr. 
Blanchard served about two months when 
the drafted men took the place of the vol- 
unteers. He received $1 per day for the 
time served. The trouble was settled by 
arbitration by Ashburton and AVelwter. 

Ml'. Blanchard has always taken an active 
interest in public affairs. While living in 
Wright county he was elected to the (jffice 
of county commissioner. He also served 
on the school boai'd of the high school of 
District No. 1. 



-^-S€}^-«^ 



J^ATHER SEBASTIAN SCHELS, pastor 
W^ of the Catholic church in the village 
of Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Germany. He was born in Bavaria, 
on the 7tli day of August, 1855. 

Father Schels remained in his native land, 
attending the different educational institu- 



398 



KED KIVER VALLEY Aj\n 



tions of that country, xmtil he was eighteen 
years of age. In 1874 he emigrated to the 
United States and settled in Pennsylvania, 
wiiere lie entered tlie St. Vincent College, in 
Westmoreland county, which institution he 
attended for five years. At the e.\|)i!'ation 
of tiiat time he i-emoved to Atchison, Kansas, 
where he attended the Atchison College for 
three years. After completing his coni'se in 
that college, he went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, 
where he attended the College of St. John, 
for two years. On the 29th of June, 1884, 
he was ordained at that college and for the 
next three months was traveling through 
different parts of Europe. After his return 
to the United States, he took charge of a 
congregation at Hush City, Chisago count}', 
Minnesota, where he remained two years. 
He built a church at that place, and materi- 
ally improved the charge. In August, 1886, 
Father Schels removed to Fergus Falls, 
Minnesota, where he located and took charge 
of three missions, Barnesville, Elizaijeth and 
Fergus Falls. In the fall of 1887 he moved 
to Barnesville. where he was stationed and 
has since resided. He erected the present 
parsonage, enlarged the church and refitted 
the Catholic sciiool at tluit place. The church 
has a membership of over 100 families, and 
the school employs three teachers and is in 
a pros[)erouscon(htion. The original church 
was built by Rev. Bowen, now of Sauk Cen- 
ter, who had charge of the Barnesville con- 
gregation for three years. The subject of 
this sketch is a man of the highest character 
and honor, and is one of the most powerful 
pulpit orators in the Red River Valley. 



-.«►► 



[ACOB J. FREY was one of the first set- 
tiers in Otter Tail county, Minnesota. 
He is at present engaged in the wholesale 
and retail butcher business, located on Lin- 
coln avenue, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. 



The place of Mr. Frey's nativity was 
Wurtenburg, Germany, where he was born 
on the 28th day of March, 1846. He is the 
son of Jacob and Elizabeth Frey. The father 
was a farmer by occupation and iuid a family 
of five children. 

Mr. Frey received his early education in 
his native land, and at the age of fourteen 
years commenced to learn the butcher's busi- 
ness, at which he served some two years. 
After completing his apprenticeship he con- 
tinued in this same line of work untd he was 
twenty-two 3'ears of age. At this age he 
came to the United States and first settled 
in Oseo, twelve miles from Minneapolis. 
While there he was engaged in butchering 
and also in taking care of hoi-ses, remaining 
in that line for about one year. In 1869 he 
came to Elizabeth, Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota, and settled on 160 acres of Gov- 
ernment land. He commenced im])roving 
this farm, buiMing a log house 14.x20 feet, 
and remained improving this place for per- 
haps six months. Thence he removed to 
Austin, Slower county. Minnesota, where he 
engaged in working at liis old trade. After 
six months in Austin he went to St. Paul, 
where foi- three months he worked at the 
same business. Kext he returned to Elizabeth, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he again 
ensfasred in work on his farm, remaining there 
for a few months ; he then started out with 
a Government corps of surveyors, surveying 
land in the Northwest. After five months 
spent in the Government employ he then re- 
turned to his farm, which he continued to 
improve, occupying a portion of his time in 
cutting rails. Six months later he com- 
menced driving stage from Fergus Falls to 
Benson, and after some time spent in this 
line of work, engaged in the grocery business 
at Elizabeth. He continued in this business 
from November until the next June, at which 
time he sold out and again turned his atten- 
tion to surveying for perhaps four months. 



PARK REGIONS OF MIiV-VKSOTA. 



399 



At this time he came to Fergus Falls and 
engaged in butchering, which he lias con- 
tinned most of the time since. He lias the oIu_- 
est butchering establishment in the city, and 
constantl}' keeps at work from four to six 
men. In ISSO he purchased his office and 
store, and hiter lias made other fortunate 
investments of propert\^ in the city. He 
owns a fine residence on Lincoln avenue, also 
one on Union avenue and on Lakeside drive. 
In the latter place he now lives. He owns a 
farm of 120 acres, half of which is within the 
city limits. In politics Mr. Frey is an inde- 
pendent, affiliating with no particular party, 
but at all time supporting the man he thinks 
to be best adapted for the position. He does 
a large and growing business in buying and 
selling cattle. He is one of the leading and 
most enterprising citizens of Fergus Falls. 
In 1874: Mr. Frey was united in marriage 
to Miss Serena Osmanson, a native of Nor- 
way. Four children have blessed this union 
—Jacob A., May, Catharine and Clara. 



J^OSES P. PROPPER is a farmer by 
.^S:tr'^ occupation, and lives in the city of 
Wahpeton, Itichland county, North Dakota. 
He is a native of Otsego county, New York, 
where he was born June 20, 1840. His 
parents were Nelson and Kuth (Graves) 
Propper, natives of New York. 

The father was a hotel proprietor for some 
years in New York State, and in an early 
day removed to Genesee countv, Michigan, 
where he engaged extensively in farming. 
He remained in Genesee county until his 
death, which occurred in 1880. The mother 
is still livinji; in Michii^an. Thev had a 
family of twelve children, eleven of whom 
are now living- — George N., Abram, Daniel, 
Laura (now Mrs. Bevis), William, Moses P., 
John, Frederick, Erastus, Louisa (now Mrs. 
J. C. Carpenter) and Morgan. 



The subject of our sketch spent a portion 
of his younger days on the farm, and a part 
of the time in the village, receiving a good 
common school education. For about two 
years he was engaged in the livery business 
at Fentonville, Michigan. In 186.") he came 
West, locating in Yankton, Dakota, where 
for two and one-half years he held the posi- 
tion of superintendent of the Crow Creek 
agencN'. After this he entered the Govern- 
ment employ as one of a surveying corps, 
and continued at that business for perhaps 
two years. In 1871 he removed to Richland 
county, Dakota, where he located land 
on the present site of Wahpeton. He owns 
460 acres, about half of which is under 
cultivation. He built his present fine resi- 
dence in 1885, and has surrounded himself 
and family with all the comforts that mod- 
ern improvements can give. 

February 24, 1875, Mr. Propper was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Thomjison, of Genesee 
county, Michigan, daughter of John and 
Tryphosa (White) Thompson, natives of 
New York. Her father was a mason l)y 
trade, but engaged largely in farming. \\\ 
an early day Mr. Thompson came with his 
famil}'' to Michigan, and in 1881 removed to 
Dakota, whei'e he died in 1882 at the home 
of his daughter, Mrs. Propper. The motlier 
is still living in Michigan. Mr. Thompson 
had a family of seven children, six of whom 
are now living — Mary, Thomas, S;irah 
(now Mrs. Propper), Frances (now Mrs. 
Case), Belle (now Mrs. Moody) and Harry. 
Mr. and Mrs. Propper have one child — 
Maud S. 

Mr. Propper is one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of the town and county and has 
held numerous offices of responsibility in 
county affairs. In 1874 he was appointed to 
the office of sheriff of Richland count}', and 
held it until the next election when he was 
elected thereto. For nine years he was con- 
nected with that office as sheriff or deputy. 



400 



RED A-/r/:A' VALI.KY AXn 



For two years lie was chief of police in 
"Wahpetoii. In politics Mr. Propper affili- 
ates witli lli(^ repiil)lican party. He is also 
a nieinljer of the ^Masonic anil I. O. O. F. 
fraternities. lie lias hi-eii liighly successful 
in all his business ventures and has accumu- 
laleil c()nsideral)le propei'ty. He ])ossosses 
excellent business abilities aiui iioids the 
esteem' of his fellow-townsmen. 

T^RANK JEROME, one of tlie wealthy 
Jtp^ and influential citizens of Crookston, 
Minnesota, is one of the earliest settlers of 
that portion of the far-famed lied Itiver 
Valley, having made his appearance in this 
locality on the 15th of May, 1872. He is 
what may truly be termed a self-made man, 
having been the unaided architect of his 
present comfortable fortune, and after years 
of toil deserves the ease he takes in these 
latter days. 

Mr. Jerome was born in Montreal, Canada, 
January 24, 1848, and is of CJallic ancestry, the 
original settlers and possessors of the soil of 
that Province,and is the son of Petei- and Esca- 
lictic (Stamour) Jerome. Peceiving his edu- 
cation in the city of his birth, at the early 
age of fifteen our subject entered upon mer- 
cantile life as a clerk in a store and renuiined 
at home until early in June, 1S69, when he 
came to the United States, landing in St. 
Paul, Minnesota. Having come to stay, the 
next day after his arrival he took the oath 
of allegiance to our Government and took 
out his first papers of naturalization. For 
some six months he was employed as clerk 
and salesman in a boot and shoe store in St. 
Paul, but at the end of that time, as the rate 
of wages was higher, and he was young and 
vigorous, he bravely shouldered a ])ick and 
shovel and found work on the construction 
of the Lake Superior railroad and followed 
that employment for a time. In the s])ring 



of 1871 he commenced as cook for a gang of 
graders on the construction of the Xortbern 
Pacific Railway and followed them to the 
Missouri river. Having now accumulated a 
little capital, in the fall of the same year he 
retui-ned to the second crossing of the Crow 
Wing river and ])ut in a small slock of 
general merchandise and erected a hotel — 
such as was used in those days — a primitive 
bark shanty. There he remained until 
April. 1872, when he gave up the venture 
and I'cmoved to Glyndon, where he entered 
into an ene'ag'ement with the contractors on 
the railroad to act as cook at Buffalo river, 
three miles north of Glyndon and was there 
until the middle of May, following. In com- 
pany with P. G. and A. J. LaChapelle and 
Charles Clouth, he then came with a team 
to where the surve}' of the railroad crossed 
the river, about a mile and a half east of the 
site of Crookston, and having hired the sur- 
veyor to put them across the stream, the 
party took up claims and then returned to 
camp. Two weeks later they all returned to 
this county and erected log cabins, which 
they finished with sod roofs, upon their 
respective claims. These were the first 
houses, rough as they were, ])ut up on Ped 
Lake river. 

Mr. Jerome commenced farming at once, 
and has lived uptm his place ever since Ids 
first location. In the year 1882 he opened 
a meat market in Crookston, which he carried 
on until 1886. The village growing, in the 
summer of 1884 Mr. Jerome surveyed and 
platted some sevent\' eight acres of his farm, 
which adjoined the city and river as Jer- 
ome's addition to Crcjokston, which in the 
following year he disposed of to other 
parties, onl\' reserving one block ujotu which 
stands his residence. In 188(5, with true 
public spiritedness he erected the St. Louis 
Hotel at a cost of $9,000, and furnished it at 
a cost of l!4,000. This edifice is a handsome 
three-stoiy brick building, the main part 



PARK KF.G/OA'S OF Ml. WMF. SOT A. 



401 



l)oino 31x60 feet on the£:ronnd and the "L" 
22x2S feet. After running tlie hotel a few 
(lays Mr. Jerome rented it, and has done so 
ever since. He is also the owner of the livery 
barn and grounds adjoining the hotel ; a 
building and lot on Broadway, now occupied 
as a meat market ; two houses and twelve 
vacant lots on Hunter's avenue, and some 
sixty acres of his farm adjoining the town. 

The subject of this personal history has 
always taken a deep interest in the growth 
and welfare of Crookston and lias done his 
share toward its development and upbuilding. 
He was first elected a member of the city 
council in 1885, and has filled that position 
ever since, his constituents re-electing him 
his own successor each year in appreciation 
of his services in their behalf. He devotes 
his time to his large interests in the com- 
munity, the su]iervision and management of 
his farm and his official duties, and finds in 
them the necessary outlet for his superabun- 
dant energy and activity. 

Mr. Jerome was united in marriage with 
Miss Georgiana Wilkins, October 15, 18T3. 
The lady is the daughter of D. J. "Wilkins, 
who took up a claim here in 1872, but now 
a stock-raiser at Livingstone, Montana. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jerome are the parents of six chil- 
dren, named as follows — Daniel P., George 
E., F. X., Cora G., x\rthur and Kosalie. 



•RENTON H. PHINNEY, one of the 
prominent and infiuential members of 
the farming community of the Ked River 
Valley and Park Regions of Minnesota, is a 
native of Wisconsin. He was l)orn in Dodge 
county, o'J the 8th of July, 1857, and is the son 
of Lindley M. and Elizabeth M. (Tupper) 
Phinney, natives of Nova Scotia. The 
))arents of our subject were married in their 
native land and remained there twelve years 
afterward. Thev then removed to Dodge 



county, Wisconsin, where they staid until 
1862, when they went to St. Croix county, 
Wisconsin, and remained there seven years. 
At the expiration of that time they went to 
Grant county, Minnesota, and settled in 
Pellican, Lake township, where the father 
homesteaded 160 acres of land. They 
continued to reside there until 1888, when 
they moved to Herman Village, Grant 
county^ and retired from active life. Tliey 
are sympathizers with the Presbyterian 
church and are excellent citizens highly 
esteemed by all. The father was county 
coroner for Grant county for twelve years 
and also justice of the peace for some time. 
They are the parents of the following-named 
children — Mary E., now Mrs. John 
Houston; Williminah, the wife of George 
F. Burns, of Pellican Lake township; Maggie 
A., married to W. D. Brackin, of Traverse 
county, Minnesota ; Agnes M., married to 
Mr. George I. Hinkley, of Herman, Grant 
county, Minnesota ; Frankie J., now the 
wife of Mr. J. A. Palin, of Lisbon, Dakota 
Territory ; Charles H., who is married to 
Miss Hodgson, of Grant county, Minnesota, 
and the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. Phinney, the subject of this article, 
spent his boyhood days principally in Grant 
count}^, Minnesota, and in that region 
attended school until he entered the Min- 
neapolis Business College, at which he 
completed his course in 1883. During his 
attendance at this college he was engaged 
in handling stock on his own account, buying 
and selling horses and also engaged in the 
machinery business at Herman, with his 
brother, under the firm name of Phinney 
Brothers. Since the time of leaving college 
Mr. Phinney has been engaged extensively 
in general farming and stock-raising on his 
fine farm in Maxsville township. The farm 
lies about three miles from the village of 
Herman and comprises 1,800 acres of Avell- 
improved land, with the best of building 



402 



HED KIVKK VALLEY AND 



inipro^eiiients. He lias a fine grove of 
fifteen acres of maple, box elder, cotton- 
wood, etc. Pie deals in Durham and Polled- 
xVngus cattle and owns 100 head. His horses 
are of the English Shire, Norman and Ham- 
bletonian stocks, and his is one of the most 
extensive stock farms in the county. Mr. 
rhinne\^ is one of the representative and 
influential citizens of Grant county, always 
taking an active interest in all public and 
local affairs. In political matters he affili- 
ates with the democratic party and takes a 
deep interest in the party's campaigns. 



V"; 



— «-; 



^HOMAS L. McVEETY, a prominent 
and successful farmer residing on sec- 
tion 26, Iluntsville township, Polk county, 
Minnesota, is one of the "old timers" and 
pioneers of the Iletl Iliver Valley. He is one 
of the most substantial and highly. respected 
farmers of that locality, and justly I'anks as 
one of the truly representative citizens of 
Polk county. I lis many 3'ears of residence 
here have made him well and favorably 
known antl he lujlds the respect and esteem 
of all. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on 
the 15th of June, 1S50, and is a son of James 
and Jennette (McLane) McVeety, who are 
noticed at length elsewhere in this Album. 
Thomas McVeety received his education and 
was reared to manhood in the Province of 
his birth. He remained at home until he 
was about fifteen years old, and since that 
time has de])ended upon his own resources 
and efforts. After leaving home for about 
three years he was employed at lumbering 
and also worked on the Mississippi river. At 
the expiration of that time he went to Win- 
ona count}'', Minnesota, and two months later 
went to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he 
secured woi'k in the w'oods. After spending 
some six months in that manner he returned 
to Winona, and shortly afterward went to 



Minneapolis. From there he went to work 
on the Northei-n Paeilic Raili-oad, between 
Brainerd and Duluth, as that road was then 
being graded. For thi-ee months he was 
employed there, anil then went to Gull Lake, 
and worked in the woods for J. Planchard 
during the winter of 1870-71. In the follow- 
ing spring, in company with William Flem- 
ing and Robert Coulter, he came to Ilunts- 
ville township, Polk county, Jlinnesota. 
They drove through from Winona county, 
Minnesota, with ox teams. They were the 
first settlers in this neighborhood, and during 
pioneer days they were obliged to endure 
many disadvantages and hardships. Upon 
his arrival Mr. McA^eety took a homestead 
on section 2(i, Huntsville township, where he 
has since lived. He now owns 400 acres in 
all, 160 acres of it, however, are located in 
Dakota. The farm is well improved, and is 
one of the most valuable in the locality. He 
has comfortable building improvements, and 
is in excellent circumstances, all the result 
of liis own successful management, tog-ether 
with liis energy and industry. 

Mr. ]\rc;Veety was married in Ontario. 
Canada, January 15, 1S79, to Miss Mary Ann 
Burns, a daughter of Walter and Mary Ann 
(Roberts) Burns. Their marriage has been 
blessed with the following children — Jessie 
A., May E., Maud and Lawrence W. 



JACOB KIEWEL is one of the leading citi- 
^ zens of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in the brew- 
ery business. Mr. Kiewel is a native of 
Prussia, Germany, where he was born in the 
year 1846. His parents were John and I<]liz- 
abeth (Ash) Kiewel, natives of Prussia. The 
parents emigrated to America in about 1856, 
settling first in St. Paul, Minnesota. For 
many years in his native land he followed 
his trade, which was that of carpenter and 



PARK RF.GIOXS Or MINNESOTA. 



403 



builder, Init on coming to this country he 
began to turn his attention to fanning. 
After remaining a short time in St. Paul, he 
removed to Carver county, Minnesota, 
where he purchased land and where, for ten 
years, he engaged in farming. At the end 
of this period he removed to St. Cloud, Min- 
nesota, where he became an extensive farmer 
and stock-raiser. Here he made his home 
until his death in 1871. He was a consist en 
member of the Catholic church and was uni- 
versally respected. In] politics lie affiliates 
with the democratic party, and, being a man 
of wealth and large influence, took a prom- 
inent place in the aifairs of the county in 
which he lived. His family numbered eight 
children — Angeline, now Mrs. Artz; Jacob 
John, Katie, now ilrs. Lare;Mai'v, deceased; 
Lizzie, now Mrs. Madevet; Peter and Theresa. 
The suljject of our sketch received his edu- 
cation in Germany and in Minnesota, while 
living with his parents. His early days saw 
much hard work on liis father's farm and 
working on the river, boating. In 1S6T he 
tui'ued his steps westward, and in 1868 con- 
cluded to locate in Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota. He became the pioneer of Carlisle 
township, where he settled on 160 acres of 
wild prairie land. He helped organize the 
township and was appointed justice of the 
peace, but refused to qualify. He continued 
his residence tliere until 1872, improving his 
farm and erecting line buildings thereon. In 
the fall of that year he removed to Moor- 
head, Minnesota, where for about three 
3'earshe engaged in the butcher business, re- 
turning at the end of that time to his farm 
in Otter Tail county. He remained on the 
farm about tliree years and then removed to 
Alexandria, Douglas county, Minnesota, 
where he engaged in the hotel and butcher 
business. After eleven months in that place, 
in the year 1880 he went to Fergus Falls 
and purchased a large brewery. Tnis plant 
was destroved bv fire in 1883, Mr. Kiewel 



sustaining severe financial loss, there being 
no insurance on the property. That same 
summer he bought one acre of ground nearer 
town where lie rebuilt his brewery and 
where he now carries on the business, con- 
stantly employing five men. He owns a 
beautiful residence property, there being two 
acres of land laid off" in beautiful grounds. 

An important feature in the histor}' of Mr. 
Kiewel is the fact that he was an active 
participant in the famous Sioux Indian out- 
break. He enlisted and served all throuo-h 
the frontier movements. The command with 
which he was connected went IS'orthwest 
from Mankato — and he saw the refugees and 
those massacred in the regions of Lake Shetek 
and Big Stone — and on to Fort Thompson 
and return. On this expedition the\' were 
attacked three times by the Indians. 

In 1871 Mr Kiewel was united in matri- 
mony to Miss Rosa Niggler, of Minnesota. 
By this marriage there have been eight 
children — John, Charles, George, Frank, 
Fred, Benjamin, Lizzie and Louise. 

Mr. Kiewel has by dint of perseverance 
and hard labor built up a fine business. His 
farm and other projects too have been man- 
aged most successfully and have all proven 
good investments. Politically, Mr. Kiewel 
believes in the principles of the democratic 
party and is a member of the Trueden. In 
every way he is one of the foremost busi- 
ness men of the cit}^ and is deeplv inter- 
ested in its financial welfare and commercial 
prosperity. 



^^USTAF A. LINDQUIST is the present 
\^^ treasurer of Otter Tail count}', Min- 
nesota, and resides at Fergus Falls. He is a 
native of Smaland, Sweden, and was born 
on the 30th day of October, 1837. 

Mr. Lindquist's parents were Jonas and 
Kate (Nelson) Lindquist, both of whom were 



404 



HED RIVER VALLEY AND 



natives of Sweden. Mr. Lindquist senior was 
a glass cutter by trade and also did consider- 
able lanniny, continuingin these occupations 
in his native country until he came to Amer- 
ica in ISGS. Ills first settlement was made 
in Chisago Lake, Chisago county, Minne- 
sota, where he purchased lOO acres of land, 
renuiiningon this farm until October, 1869. 
At this time he sold his farm and moved to 
Parker's Prairie, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota, where he took a homestead of 160 acres. 
He lias continued improving on this farm 
and is at present residing thereon. Pie lias a 
familv of six children — Gustaf A., Caroline, 
now Mrs. .1. G. Nelson, Peter X., a farmer 
by occupation, Charlotte A., now Mrs. P. O. 
Xelson, Fi'ank A., a farmer, and Christina, 
now Mrs. A. Oleson, The father and family 
are ail membei's of the Lutheran church. 
Mr. Lindquist senor is a prominent citizen of 
the town in which he lives, and is a repub- 
lican in ])olitics. 

The subject of our sketch was reared 
on tiie farm until seventeen years of 
asre. and received a common school edu- 
cation in his native land. At seventeen 
years of age he engaged as a clerk in 
a general store, at which business he contin- 
ued until he left Sweden in 1867, in which 
vear he came to America, settling in Chisago 
county, Minnesota. For four months he 
attended school at Sunrise City, after which 
he returned to Sweden, remaining six weeks. 
At the end of this time the entire family 
came to America. His ti'ip to Sweden was 
made for the purpose of assisting his family 
in migrating to America. They all settled in 
Chisago county. In 1868 Mr. Linchpiist came 
to Otter Tail county with his brotiier-in-law, 
John (t. Nelson, looking for a location. 
They located their claims on the iTth day of 
August, 1868, on what is known as Parker's 
prairie, each taking 160 acres of land. On 
the 18tli of September Mr. Lindquist moved 
upon his land, built a log house, and contin- 



ued improving the farm until 1882. Prior 
to this, in 1881, he was elected to his present 
otHce, that of Treasurer of Otter Tail county, 
which office he has continued to hold up to 
the present date. While residing in Parker's 
])rairie he held the office of town clei-k for 
three years, was justice of the peace for two 
years, and held the position of chairman of 
the board of supervisors for one year. He 
was also assessor for one 3'ear, and in 1880 
was census enumerator for three townships. 
For two years he held the office of deputy 
tax collector for Otter Tail county. Mi'. 
Lindquist has made a marked success in 
farming, having added to his original home- 
stead a tract of sixty acres. lie has a fine 
farm with excellent improvements, and of 
late years has been turning his attention 
very largely to line stock. In politics he is 
thoroughly re[)ublican, and has always taken 
a deep interest in tlie workings of his party. 
He has proven himself a valuable factor in 
making the township and county what they 
are today. 

In 1871 Mr. Lindquist was married to 
Mrs. Johanna Leffler, a native of Sweden 
and daughter of Swen and Christina Nelson. 
Her father came to America in 1853, settling 
in Chisago countj', Minnesota, and engaging 
in farming. On the breaking out of the 
wai' he enlisted in a Minnesota regiment and 
was sent South. He died in a hospital in 
1864. Mr. and Mrs. Lindquist have a family 
of eight children — Fred Leffler, a step- 
son ; Albert J., Carl O., Henry E., Walter 
A., Emily C. E., and Ililma and Hilda, 
twins. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lindquist are leading mem- 
bers of the Lutheran ciiuirh. ]\Ir. Limlcpiist 
has been very fortunate in his business in- 
vestments, o\vns a number of city lots, and 
has a tine residence in which he lives on 
Yasa Avenue. He is one of the substantial 
and prosperous citizens of the town and 
countv. 



PARK REGIOXS OF MINNESOTA 



405 



^^IMON D. SIMONSON, the proprietor 
''^P of the Key City Hotel of Moorlietid, 
Minnesota, is a native of Waukesha county, 
Wisconsin, born May 3, 1849. He is a son 
of Daniel and Enga (Tufta) Simonson, 
natives of Nor\va\'. They came to Wiscon- 
sin in the early settlement of that State, and 
at that time were both single. The father's 
early years were spent in his native land, on 
a farm, coming to America when he was 
twenty-two years old and located in Wiscon- 
sin, taking up 120 acres of land from the 
Government — the same being wood land. 
This has all been cleared off. except about 
twenty acres. There he still lives, in his old 
age, on the same tract of land taken up 
when a young man. It is here he was mar- 
ried, and here his family have been reared 
and cared for. This spot is indeed a sacred 
one to the family, for around it linger fond 
memories of other, earlier days. The father 
is about seventy years of age ; the mother 
died in 185G. It may be still further said of 
the father that he is a member of the Luth- 
eran church and one of the prominent and 
■wealthy men of Waukesha. 

Our subject, Simon D. Simonson, was 
reared on his father s farm and received a 
common school edcation, remaining at home 
until seventeen years of age, then worked at 
the lumber business in the big woods of 
Michigan; he also did farming. He came 
to Clay county, Minnesota in 1878, having 
lived the two years previous in Fillmore 
coimty, being engaged in the saloon busi- 
ness at Lanesboro for a time. He came to 
Fargo, Dakota Territory, where he worked 
as a common laborer for about two years, 
then went to Cla}'^ county and took up land 
in Morken township — a tree claim and 
homestead, each 160 acres in size. After 
having lived on and improved his land two 
years he came to Moorhead and kept the 
Western Hotel, on Front street, following 
this five and a half years, until 1888, then 



took the Key City House, where he is now 
located. He is doing a large hotel and saloon 
business and commands commercial trade 
as well as local boarders. 

Mr. Simonson was married in 1880 to Miss 
Annie Hamstad, a native of Norway and a 
daughter of Lars Ramstad. Mr. and Mrs. 
Simonson have four living children — Henry, 
Clarence, William and Oscar. Mrs. Simon- 
son died February 6, 1888. Politically^ our 
subject is a democrat, and he is accounted 
among the representative men of his county 
as well as the citv of Moorhead. 



— — ««S: 



ELS O. PAULSRUD, the present able 
and efficient sheriff of Polk county, 
Minnesota, is one of Crookston's most valued 
ard respected citizens. Strict integrity in 
the discharge of his official functions and 
his industry, energy' and excellent abilities 
have raised him in the estimation of the 
community to a high point. 

Mr. Paulsrud is a native of Norway, born 
amid its wild and rugged scenery, July 22, 
18-47, and is the son of Ole and Else C-Tohn- 
son) Nelson. He received in early youtli the 
education which is the birthright of every 
Norse child. When he was about eight 
3'ears of age his father was carried by death 
to that land " from whose bourn no traveler 
ever returns," and our subject remained 
beneath the jiarental roof with his mother, 
on their farm, until he was sixteen years old, 
when he assumed a part in life's battle. 
For six years he was employed in farm 
labor in the land of his birth, but in 1869 he 
sought on the free soil of this republic the 
chance for advancement and financial compe- 
tency denied him in the home of his ancestors. 
Crossing the stormy Atlantic, on landing on 
American shores he started for Minnesota, 
and settled at Zumbrota, Goodhue county. 
For the succeeding three years he made his 



4o6 



RED RIVER VALLEY AX 11 



homo there, but in the fall of 1871 removed 
to WilUen county, with the intention of tak- 
ing up a homestead in that part of the State, 
hut after spending one winter there con- 
cluded to come to the fai'-famed Ked Kiver 
Valley. Accordingly settingout with his wife 
and family in the wajron, which was drawn 
by patriarchal oxen, and attended by a small 
herd of other cattle, he reached Polk county, 
Minnesota, in May, 1872, and settled in the 
town of llubbanl. At that time the popula- 
tion of the entii-e county consisted of but 
some twenty-five families, most of whom had 
settled along the lied and Sand Hill rivers. 
Mr. Paulsnid at once took up a claim, 
upon which, by his . own labor, he put up 
a log cabin, 12x14 feet in area, finish- 
ing it in the course of a week. His fam- 
ily thus being protected from the ele- 
ments, after breaking up a small piece 
of ground for n gai'den, he went to work 
freighting with his team, to support his wife 
and childi'en. Through poverty and the 
hardships ever attendent ujion life in a new 
country, lit> and his family pushed on toward 
the goal, laboring on his farm, gradually 
raising themselves in the world and sur- 
rounding themselves with comforts imtil 
Januaiy. 1887. when he removed to Crooks- 
ton. His original farm, which by industry 
and hard work he has increased to 360 acres, 
and upon which he has a neat and tasty 
modern residence and comfortable outbuild- 
ings, he still retains and carries on. 

Mr. Paulsrud has been identified with the 
official life of the county to a gratifying de- 
gree since coming here. In 1875 he was first 
elected treasurer of the town of Hubbard, 
and held that ])osition for three years. At 
the ex])ii'atK)n of that period he was elected 
chairman of the town board, the township 
then embracing all tiie territory now known 
as Hubbard and N'ineland, and when the lat- 
ter was set off and organized, in 1882, still re- 
tained that office in the former, which he 



did until 18S5, when he was honored with 
the postion of justice of the peace in and for 
that town. In tiie fall of 1886, having met 
with the favor of tlie ])eople f)f the county, 
who adniii'ing his uprigiit inde|)endence of 
spii'it, so characteristic of his race, he was 
elected to the ])()st of sheriff of tiie countv, 
and was nominatetl and electeil his own suc- 
cessor in 1888. Always identified with the 
republican party, Mr. Paulsrud has always 
been a consistent supporter of the principles 
of that organization, and in the discharge of 
the duties devolving upon him in his office 
has tempered justice with lenitmcy and 
mercy. As a man and a citizen he stands de- 
servedly high in the estimation of the peo])le 
of the county, and is regarded as one of the 
leading men in the community. 

Mr. Paulsrud was united in marriage, in 
Norway, January 10. 1868, witii Miss Petsey 
Amundson, a native of that kingdom, and is 
the parent of the following children — • Olaf 
Albert, Ennna C. Gina Bertha, John AiTit, 
Edwin Jidius and Xiciiohiv I'eriuird. 



«^^ 



examining the 



^IVEN JORGENS. In 
'^^' biographies of many of the jn-omi- 
nent memijers of the farming community of 
Grant county, Minnesota, it will be noticed 
that the ?sorwegian race furnishes many of 
the most industrious, thrifty and frugal 
citizens of this section of the State. The 
subject of this biographical memoir is a 
native of Norway, born on the 18th of 
March, 1858, and is a son of Jorgen Svenson 
and Aslong (Thovsen), whose biography 
a]i]iears in another jiart of this Alhum. 

Mr. .lorgens spent his younger days in 
the land of his birth in attending the 
common schools of that land. At the age 
of twelve years became with his parents to 
the United States, and. after landing, moved 
at once to Red Wing, Goodhue county. 



PARK REG [OX S OF MlXh'ESOTA. 



407 



Minnesota, and attended school for anumber 
of yeai's. lie then removed to Grant county, 
Minnesota, whei'e he completed his 
education at the age of twenty-one years. 
During tin's time he had worked out a good 
deal and nuxde his own way and depended 
largely on his own efforts. lie now owns a 
beautiful farm of 2-10 ucres in Pomme I)e 
Terre township, on section 31, where he is 
engaged in general faruiingand stock-raising. 
He has a well-improved farm with neat and 
commodious buildings. He is one of the 
successful and ]ir()minent farmers of Pomme 
De Terre township and is highly esteemed 
by all who bear his acquaintance. 

Mr. Jorgens was united in marriage in 
1880 to Mrs. Olson, a native of Norway and 
the widow of Kittle Olson. Her former 
name was Miss Eashild Amundson and she 
was married to her first husl)and in 1878. 
They came to the United States and settled 
in Becker county, Minnesota, where he died. 
After his death she removed to Grant 
county, Minnesota, met our subject and was 
soon after married to him. She ]mssed 
away from the scenes of earth and to her 
reward March 5, 1887, leaving a large circle 
of friends, her bereaved husband and the 
following-named children to mourn her loss 
— Samuel, Alice, Clara, Jorgen and Eashild. 
Our subject, with his family, belongs to the 
Lutheran church and is an active sympa- 
thizer of the same. He is a member of the 
republican club in Elbow Lake, Grant 
county, and takes an active interest in all 
local affairs. 






NTON MIKSCHE is one of the leading 
j£-^S^ business men of AVahpeton, Richland 
county, North Dakota, and has a large trade 
in the genera! merciiandise line. He is a 
native of Austi-ia. where he was born July 
10, 1839. 



Mr. Miksche's parents were Anton and 
Mary (Penjen) Miksche, both natives of Aus- 
tria. The father was a leather merchant and 
contractor for Government bridges through- 
out the province in which he lived. The 
father died in 1860 ; the mother is still living 
and a resident of Austria. The}' had a famil \' 
of live children, three of wliom are now liv- 
ing — Anton, Mary and Leo. 

The subject of our sketch spent his younger 
days in school in his native country, and 
when seventeen commenced to learn the 
leatlier business, remaining away from home 
for a period of three years. At the end of 
that time he engaged in the manufacture of 
leather, in which business he continued until 
1867, when he emigrated to America, settling- 
first in Chicago, Illinois. He went to work 
for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway 
Company, at $1.75 per day, and followed this 
emploj'ment for several months, until he had 
saved $150. He then purchased an out- 
fit of Yankee notions, and peddled them 
through Illinois until 1868, when he came to 
St. Paul, Minnesota, and continued peddling 
untilJanuai-y 1, 1869. He then purchased a 
house and forty acres of land at St. Martin, 
Stearns countv, Minnesota, and eno-aged in 
the mercantile business, starting in with a 
capital of $200. He ran this business for 
about eighteen months and then sold out,real- 
izingabout $2,000. At this time he removed 
to Elizabeth, Otter Tail count}', Minnesota, 
where he purchased a store and stock of goods 
for $3,000. Within a few days after this trade 
was consummated the grasshoppers came 
in swarms and settled all over the country. 
Hard times came apace and in three years 
Mr. Miksche had lost all his hard-earned 
means and was in debt over $5,000. He 
continued the business, however, and better 
times came at last, and those he had helped 
during the grasshopper raids returned the 
favors and he got on his feet ag;iin. In 1877 
he opened a branch store at Manson, Min- 



4o8 



RED KIVKK VALLEY . I XD 



nesota. but this was not a success, so he 
returned to Wahpeton, North Dakota, in 
187S, and liis partner's son conducted tlie 
business. In 1S82 Mr. ^liksclie moved his 
family to the last named town where he has 
since resided. Again ill fortune ciinie uj)on 
him in the shape of the loss of a young .son, 
Anton, two years old — the child was 
drowned in a bari'cl of water. During 
the ne.xt year he lost three children by 
diphtheria — Marcus, Sophia and Matilda, 
and three other children were dangerously 
sick. In lSS4his daughter Annie died under 
painful circumstances. His daughter Mary 
was to be married and the wedding day 
dawned. The invited guests arrived and 
everything went merry as a marriage bell, 
when, suddenly, the daughter Annie was 
taken sick and died the same night. There 
was a funeral instead of a marriage, and the 
wedding tlid jiot take place till a month 
later. The lines, in this regard, have fallen 
in many bitter places for Mr. Miksche. 

On moving to "Wahpeton Mr. Miksche at 
once took charge of his business, and has 
met with unbounded success. He built the 
second store in the village, and has built sev- 
eral other buildings. He is a large land- 
holder and owns thirteen hundred acres of 
land in the count}'. He has improved his 
land with good houses and barns, and has 
two farms, on each of which there are five 
acres of timber, planted by his own hands. 
He is an extensive horse and cattle grower 
and has some fine blooded stock — Hamble- 
tonian and Ked Clvde horses, and Durham 
and Jersey cattle. In his business lines he 
has been very successful, and some years has 
taken in as high as ^40,000. 

In 1S61 Ml'. Miksche was married to 
Miss Mary Foks, of Au.stria. Three liv- 
ing children are in the family — Frank, 
Leo and Mary. Frank was married in 18S4 
to Paulina Mai'sh, by whom he has one 
son — Anton. ]\Iary mariied Matheias Kre- 



ker by whom she has had two children — 
Matheias and Marcus. Leo is with his father 
as his l)ook-keeper and buyer. 

Mr. Mdische is one of the foremost citi- 
zens and has always been one of the moving 
s|)irits in town and county matters. Being 
eminently successful in the management of 
his own finances, his advice and counsel is 
sought by his friends, who have honored him 
with many positions of trust and responsi- 
bility. In Minnesota he was postmaster for 
twelve years ; has been a member of the 
citv' council since its organization and was 
elected president of the same in 18SS, besides 
holding many other minor offices. He has 
been president of the St. John's Society. 
In politics Jfr. ]\[iksche is a democrat and, 
with his wife and children, belongs to the 
Catholic church. He is at the head of the 
mercantile business at Wahpeton and as a 
progressive citizen has no peer. 



-«•- 



««►► 



/^HARLES L. LEWIS is at present the 
^^^y* county attorney of Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, with headquarters at Fergus 
Falls, the county seat of said county. ]\[r. 
Lewis is a native of Ottawa, Illinois, and was 
born on the 8th of March, 1852. He is 
the son of Hon. Samuel K. and Ann (Har- 
ley) Lewis who were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Samuel K. Lewis came to Illinois when 
fourteen years of age with his parents, who 
were Jehu and Rachel Lewis, both of whom 
were natives of Pennsylvania. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and on coming to Ill- 
inois settled in Putnam county. He had a 
family of three children — Joseph, Elizabeth 
and Samuel R. Jehu Lewis, the grandfather 
of the subject of our sketch, died in Putnam 
county, Illinois. The grandmother died in 
Ottawa, La Salle county, of that State. The 
Lewis family is of Welsh and Englisii 



PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



409 



descent. Hon. Samuel R. Lewis was reared 
on a farm in his early life, and has 
followed that occupation ever since. He is 
now located at Ottawa, Illinois. He is an 
extensive farmer, and deals largely in blooded 
stocli, principally horses. From 1856 to 1860 
he held the office of treasurer of La Salle 
county, and from 1879 to 1883 was State 
senator. He had four sons — William II., 
a farmer living in La Salle county, Illinois; 
Edward C, early in life a lawyer, but for the 
last ten years engaged in raising blooded 
stock, horses and cattle ; Charles L. and 
Samuel ]\[., a farmer who runs the home 
farm. The father's family being in good 
circumstances, the children were all well 
educated. The father is still living, is a 
republican in politics, and is one of the prom- 
inent men in that party in the State of Illi- 
nois. 

Charles L. Lewis, the subject of our sketch, 
remained under the parental I'oof until he 
was eighteen years of age. Up to this time 
he hatl attended school during the wintei'sand 
worked upon the farm during the summer 
months. On reaching the age of eighteen 
he attended the high school at Ottawa, Illi- 
nois, for one year, after which he spent four 
years in the University of Chicago, then two 
yeare at Oberlin College in Ohio, from 
which institution he graduated in 1876. He 
then spent one year at home on the farm, 
after which he read law in the office of 
Judge Charles B. Lawrence, of Chicago, 
continuing his reading through the years 
1878 and 1879. In 1879 he was admitted to 
the bar in Chicago, and in the fall of that 
year moved to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, where he tried his first 
case in a justice's court. During the year 
1882 he was associated with M. R. Tyler. 
This partnership was dissolved in 1883. Mr. 
Lewis has followed his j)rofession with good 
results throughout his entire career in Fer- 
gus Fails. In 1880 he was elected clerk of 



the school board, which position he held for 
three years. He was elected county attorney 
in 188-1 and re-elected in 1886,beingtliepresent 
incumbent of that office. He is one of the 
stockholders and a director in the Otter Tail 
Flouring Mill; is president of the Fergus Falls 
Electric Light and Power Company. He has 
made numerous investments in real estate in 
the city and county, owning several valuable 
farms and considerable village property. 

Mr. Lewis has always been a stanch 
republican, was a delegate to the Chicago 
(ionvention in 1888, an<l was one of the 
supporters of the i)resent president of 
the United States. He has been an 
important factor in local and State politics 
and has been a delegate to the State con- 
vention several times. 

Mr. Lewis was married in 1880 to Miss 
Jennie D. Moore, the daughter of Charles D. 
Moore, of Minneapolis. Three children 
have blessed this union — one daughter and 
two sons. Their names are — Laiu-a, William 
M. and Charles L., Jr. 

The subject of our sketch has been very 
successful in all his business and professional 
transactions in Fergus Falls. He has been 
prominent in politics, careful in his profession, 
and has rendered valuable aid in all that has 
tended to the improvement of his adopted 
city. He owns a fine cottage residence 
which he built in 1880 in the western part of 
the cit3'. His property is beautifully located 
on a rise of ground overlooking the city. 

iR. G. VIVIAN is one of the leading 
physicians in the city of Alexandria, 
Minnesota. He came to this place in 1869, 
and is the oldest physician now a resident of 
Douglas county. When he settled here 
tiiere were only two other physicians in the 
county, since which time these two have 
or died. Coming to the countv 



410 



RED h'lVER VALLEY A XD 



in an early day the Doctor has had ample 
opportunity to see the growth and improve 
ment that has taken place, and has himself 
been a factor in the buihiing up of tlie city 
and county. 

Dr. Vivian is a native of Wales. He was 
born on the 7th of March, 1839, and is the 
son of Nicholas and ^Marguerite (Godfrey) 
A'^ivian, the former a native of England, and 
the latter of the island of Serk, one of the 
British possessions. The grandfather's 
name was Nicholas, and the grandmother's, 
Eleanor (Duncan) Vivian, both of whom 
wei'e natives of Cornwall, England. The 
grandfather was a geologist and an expert 
miner, and in that capacity visited manv of 
the different countries in Europe. lie raised 
a large family, lived to a ripe old age and 
<lied in England, ilucli of his early life was 
spent in the Bi'itisli navy. The father of 
the subject of our sketch was a civil and 
mining engineer and followed this business 
throughout most of his life. He came to 
America m 1847 or 18-48 and settled in 
Pittsburgh. I'ennsylvania. His jirofession 
called for considerable travel, and while 
engaged in it he visited and was employed 
in many parts of the United States. He 
came to Alexandria, Minnesota, in 1869 and 
died there in 1880. Dr. Vivian's mother 
died in Michigan in 1864. There were only 
two children in this family, one of whom died 
in early childhood, and the other is the 
subject of this sketch. 

The Doctor spent his younger days at a 
school in Pittsl)urgh. Pennsylvania, com- 
inenced the study of medicine at Ontonag'on 
on Lake Superior, in 18r)6. Here he remained 
for live and a half years, in the meantime 
attending the University of Michigan for 
two terms, and graduated in 1862. He also 
attended Hellevue Hospital Medical Col- 
lege, New York City in 1875 and 1876 and 
received a second diploma. He comm(>iu'ed 
the practice of his profession on Lake Super- 



ior, in Ontonagon county and soon after- 
wai'd removed to Keweenaw county where 
he remained until 1869. During this time 
he held the position of mining surgeon for 
several copper mines. In 1869 he came to 
Doufdas countv. Minnesota, settlintj at Alex- 
andria, where he has since been engaged in 
active practice. Tiie Doctor belongs to the 
Minnesota State Medical Society and is also 
a member of the American Meilical Associa- 
tion. In the government of the county he 
has held several positions of trust. He was 
coroner and county physician for some ten 
years, anil in the first few years of his resi- 
dence here was overseer of the poor ; and 
for fifteen or sixteen years was United States 
examining surgeon for pensions. He was 
also employed by the Manitoba liailroad 
C()m])any as theii- physician and surgeon, 
having held that position while the road was 
liuilding and ever since. Di'.A'ivian is known 
all over Douglas and the adjacent counties, 
and his professional trips have extended for 
a radius of over fifty miles from Alexandria. 
This applies more especially to an early day 
when such trips were generally difficult ami 
sometimes dangerous. He has purcliased 
land and improved it, and set out the first 
ami only vineyard in this vicinity. He 
built and owns his office ojiposite the Letson 
House, and also a modest residence on 
Eighth avenue and D street. 

Dr. Vivian was nuirrietl in 1861 to Miss 
Clara E. Merry weather, of Lake Superior, 
Michigan. They have five children living — 
the eldest Frederick G., being one of the 
editors of tlie Alexandria Pasf ,■ ]\[arguer- 
ite C, Mary C, Ellen A. and Clara A. 

Dr. Vivian holds the office of ])ostmaster 
of Alexandria, and is a memi)or of the Min- 
nesota State board of coirections and chari- 
ties. He was first appointed to the latter 
position by Governor Hubbard and re-aj)- 
pointed by Governor Mc(Till. lie is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal church. 



PARK REGION'S OF MIiVNESOTA. 



411 



Tn politics the Doctor has been and is now 
a democrat, liberal in all things and free 
from partisan bigotiy. He has many friends 
among the republicans, as shown by the 
"rami test — votes — liaviny obtained laroe 
majorities in towns almost entirely T'epulj- 
lican. 



-«" 



WILLIAM W. CAMPBELL. A good 
citizen is not only he that is obedi- 
ent to the laws, discharges his elective fran- 
ciiise and adds to his own material fortune, 
but rather he that helps build up the com- 
munity in which he lives, seeking the welfare 
of his fellow-men, and ever ready with purse 
or personal endeavor to advance the interest 
of the town or village, where he makes his 
home. In this sense of the word, perhaps, 
there is no one in the village of xVda that has 
earned tiie title of one of its best citizens, 
more than has the gentleman whose name 
heads this memoir. 

Mr. Campbell is a native of Cattaraugus 
county. New York, born February 22, 1S.32, 
and is the son of James and Maria (Jacpies) 
Campbell. At tiie early age of thirteen he 
was left an or]ihan. Three years later, in 
company with his brotiiei', James V., the 
two being the only ones left of a family of 
eight children, he started for Wisconsin, and 
on reaching tliat State, took up claims in Port- 
age county. That section of country, then 
a part of the vast wilderness of the North- 
west, had been but a short time before an 
Indian reservation, but had been bought by 
the Government. The land liad not been 
ojiened for settlers, and but a small part of 
it was. as yet, surveyed. On the piece of 
land (in which ho had settled, Mr Campbell 
opened up a farm, and there made his home 
until ^^(A■ember, LSt!!, when, tired with a hoi}' 
patriotism and a lofty desire to defend the 
principals of the republican form of govern- 



ment, he left his wife and family and all the 
ties of home, to enroll himself among the 
heroic " boys in blue " that sprang to the 
defense of country and flag. Enlisting in 
Company E, Eighteenth Wisconsin Infanti'v,' 
he was mustered into the United States ser- 
vice in the early part of 18f)2, at IMilwaukee, 
and remained with tiie regiment in that city 
until March 30, when tiie command was 
ordered to St. Louis, wiiere they expected to 
go into camp and tli'ill in the manual of arms, 
they having, as yet, no experience in that 
respect. On their arrival in that city, how- 
ever, their officers, being afraid that the reg- 
iment would not receive their share of the 
glories of the war, reported the command as 
ready for duty, and they wei'e at once for- 
warded to the front, arriving at Pittsburg 
Landing on the afternoon of April 4th. After 
unloading their equipage they moved a few 
miles from the Tennessee river and went 
into camp, having no suspicion of an attack 
from the enemv. Durino- the nig-ht the 
rebels formed their line of I>attie in front of 
the unsuspecting federals, and before day- 
break, attacked the sleeping cam])s. Then 
followed the sanguinary conflict, known to 
histor}' as that of Shiloh or Pittsburg Land- 
ing, the annals of which have been most 
fully written. During that direful and 
bloody day, Mr. Campbell, who Avas color 
bearer, and in the first charge of the rebels 
the entire color-guard, eight men, were shot 
down except himself, so starting with the 
colors to the rear he soon found himself sur- 
rounded by his comrades, who had been 
compelled to fall back. 

The regiment passed through that awful 
baptism of fire, being in the battle all day, 
and as night was about falling, after having 
lost their colonel and most of the field staflf 
and line officers, in one fierce charge tlie 
rebels swept off some 2,200 prisoners, among 
whom were about 250 of the Eighteenth 
Wisconsin. Mr. Campbell was one of the 



412 



KEIi klVKR VALLEY AND 



unluck}' ones, and with his fellow prisoners 
was inarched to the rear of tlie rebel lines, 
and were camped that night in a pl(.)wed 
iii'ld, with notiiing to eat. Just a week since 
they had left tiie (piiet North. The follow- 
ing morning they wei'e marched through the 
mud and rain to Corinth, and there loaded 
into ho.x cars so thick that they could 
scarcely move, and could not sit down, and 
taken to Memphis. On their arrival in that 
])lace, on the 8th, they were ])laced in an 
old stone warehouse, but were not given any- 
thing to eat, notwithstanding the fact that 
they had been without food since the 5th. 
On the next morning, after being furnished 
with some crackers and raw corn meal they 
they were again placed on the cars and taken 
to Mobile, and from that point to Tuscaloosa, 
on barges, arriving at the latter jilace on the 
16th. There some 400 j)risonei-s were put 
into close confinement in an old paper mill, 
without blankets and with notiiing to eat 
e.\ce])t corn bread and putrid mule meat- 
They were under the charge of the afterward 
notorious Captain Wirz, who was tried and 
hung at the close of the war for cruelty to 
prisoners at Andersonville, and who gave 
orders to the guards to shoot any prisoner 
who put his head out of the window. Here 
the unhappy men were compelled to stay for 
six weeks, enduring many hardships and 
privations, under which many of them sunk 
into untimely graves. The\' were then sent 
to Montgomery, Alabama, but three weeks 
later were taken to IMacon, Georgia, where 
Mr. Campbell was kept in confinement until 
October 9th. While there he employed his 
time in making rings and trinkets from bones, 
Avhich, finding a ready sale among their 
guards, procured provisions of a better 
(jualily, and delicacies for his sick comrades. 
During their incarceration in that place some 
250 of their number died, succumbing to the 
heartless treatmentof their inhuman captors. 
After suffering untold hardships, on the 17th 



of October Mr. Cami>bell was taken to Rich- 
mond. Virginia, and exchanged, and on his 
arrival in Washington was forwarded to St. 
Louis in the latter ])art of December. Pro- 
curing a furlough of thirty days, he went 
home to recuperate, antl on tiie expiration 
of his leave rejoined his regiment at Lake 
I'rovidence. Louisiana. He remained in that 
locality until :\[arch31, 18G3, and from then 
until the middle of May the command was 
on the move up and down the river in the 
neighborhood of Yicksburg. (doming on 
the rebel forces near tlie city of Jackson, 
they chased them through the streets of 
that place, capturing some artillery and 
small arms, and went into camp in tliat 
city. On the 15th of ]\Iarch he par- 
ticipated in the battle of Champion Hill, 
where some twenty-five of his regiment bit 
the dust, but took a number of guns and 
1,500 prisoners. The command to which 
our subject belonged lay for forty-eight days 
in front of A^icksburg, so close to the rebel 
works that their sharpshooters could hit the 
gunners when the latter attempted to load 
their pieces. On the 4th of J iily he took part 
in the ceremonies attending the surrender of 
A^icksburg, being one of those on duty that 
day, guarding prisoners, etc. Eeing a prey 
to rheumatism, our subject remained at 
Vicksburg until September 27tli, when, with 
the regiment, he went to Memphis and.tiiere 
went into camp. On the 17th of October they 
were again ))iit on the march and continued 
in active duty until winter. During this 
time he participated in the battle of Mission 
Ridge and Lookout Mountain. His regiment 
led the charge, crossing the Tennessee on 
pontoon boats, and in the charge on Mission 
Ridge. 

During the winter ilr. Campbell served 

as one of the provost guard at Huntsville, 

I Alabama. In the spring of 1864, he vet- 

; eranized and marched with Sherman 

throughout the campaign that ended at 



PARK- REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



413 



Altoona Pass, Georgia, participating iu all 
the engagements that marked its course. 
Three companies — D, E and F — were left to 
guard the railroad bridges, but while here 
Mr. Campbell, with the whole attachment, 
Avas again captured b}'^ the rebels, under 
Hood, and sent to the prison-pen at Ander- 
sonville. On his arrival at that point, in 
company with some of the Andersonville 
prisoners and all of the new ones, he was 
taken to Millen, Geoi-gia, and there incar- 
cerated for sevei'al months. As some of the 
sick pi'isoners were about to Ije paroled, the 
examining physician informed Mr. Campl)ell 
that he would ]iass several others as nui'ses 
if they would ])ay him $50 apiece, and, hav- 
ing secreted his money, he paid it over 
cheerfully and was transported to Annapolis, 
Maryland, under parole. 

After a furlough of thirty days the subject 
of this sketch joined his regiment at Gains- 
boro, South Carolina, on the 3d of April, 
1865, being the only representative of Com- 
pany E in the regiment. At the close of the 
war, and after participating in the grand 
review at Washington, Mr. Campbell was 
honorably discharged in August, 1865, and 
went to Brown county, Illinois, where his 
family were then living, and with them 
returned to his old home. Purchasing some 
property in the village of Plovei', he lived 
there for a few years, and then exchanged 
for a farm, where lie carried on agi'iculture 
until 1874, where his wife died, after whicli, 
after spending a year in the village, at tiie 
soUcitation of friemis, he returned to the 
Empire State, Avhere he made his home until 
1878. AVhile there hisj eldest tlaughter was 
married, and leaving his other cliildren with 
her he started for the West, coming to Ada, 
Minnesota, where he settled. He had im- 
paired his health in the service and during 
his double imprisonment, and being much 
incapacitated for work for some time, he 
was. financially, in bad shape. Arriving in 



Ada, February, 1879, he soon took up a 
claim within two miles of the village, put up 
•a log cai)in, and made such improvements as 
he could, and then hired out in the town at 
whatever work he could find to do. That 
fall he started a small restaurant, with a 
capital of $27.50, which he had borrowed, on 
the site of Thompson's billiard hall. This 
venture proved an amazing success, and by 
Christmas he returned to New York and 
brought on his children. He continued in 
the restaurant business until the fall of 1881, 
when he was appointed agent for the St. 
Paul I't Pacific liailroad Company's lands, 
and devoted his attention to them for the 
next four years. He invested quite largely 
in village property, putting up good, service- 
able buildings to rent to such as could not 
bu}', in which to do business, drawing a 
number of merchants to this place, and 
selling lots at a low figure to induce settlers. 
He has ever striven to increase tiie town's 
advantages, and takes a front rank among 
its active and public-spirited citizens. He 
has met with but one serious loss, a livery 
barn and his own three horses, but has 
generally succeeded well in a monetary 
point of view, and is ranked among the well- 
to-do members of tlie community. 

Mr. Campbell was marrietl in 1854, to 
Miss Mary Squire, of Frankenfield, Catta- 
raugus county. New York, who died, leaving 
three children. 

Our subject is an active and ]ironiinent 
memljer of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
of Ada. 

BANIEL W. KREIDLER. Among the 
prosperous a rul intluential members of 
the farming community of the Park 
Regions is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article, a resident of section 
12, Maxsville township. Grant county, 
Minnesota. He is a native of Pennsylvania, 



414 



KF.li KTTF.k VAl LEY A X D 



born in Butler county, December 25, 1842. 
and is tiie son of Daniel and Susannali (Mc- 
Colloug'li) Kreidler, also iiativ(!S of Pennsyl- 
vania. The mother died in that State in 
1854, and in 1850 the father moved to Wis- 
consin where he remained one year, then 
removing to Stillwater, Washington county, 
Minnesota. In 1858 he settled in llockford 
townshij), Wright county, Minnesota. The 
father died in August, 1873. They w6re in 
Wright county all through the terrible 
Indian outbreak of 18t)2-()3. Twice they 
were driven off the fai-m by the Indians. 
Once the father took the family to Minne- 
apolis, and at another time to llockford, 
leavin": everything until the scare w.as over. 
Tiie parents had a family of the following 
childi-en — John, Maria, Samuel, Mary A., 
Daniel W., (ieorge, David C, and Joseph. 
Anna, John and Maria are dead. 

Daniel W. Kreidler, the subject of this 
l)iography, spent his school days ])rincipally 
in Stillwater, leaving the school-room at the 
age of seventeen. From this period until he 
hail reached the age of twenty-one he helped 
his father on the home farm. On the 22d of 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 
Eighth Minnesota Infantrv, Twentv-eiffhth 
Army Corps, serving until July, 18(55, 
when ho was honorably discharged at St. 
Paul, Minnesota. He was under Captain 
lleartly and afterward under the command of 
Captain Brookings. He was with General 
Sully on his expedition across the plains, 
battling with Indians. He was in the battle 
of Cedai', which lasted sixteen or eighteen 
days, and in various battles and skirmishes 
in North Carolina. After his discharge Mr. 
Kreid !er settled in Wi'ight county, Minnesota, 
where he engaged in farming until 1880, 
when he moved to Grant county, Minnesota. 
He pre-empted a tract of land comprising IGO 
acres, on section 12, Maxsville township, and 
has since resided upon it, engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. 



Mr. Kreidler was married on the 21st of 
August, 1807, to Mrs. Bounds, fornieily the 
wife of Jerome Bounds, deceased. By her 
first husbaiul Mrs. Kreidler had two children 
— Charles and Anna. The fruits of the sec- ] 
ond marriage have been the following-named 
children — Frank, Luna B., Adelbert, David 
D., Iva W., Delia I., and Kittle M. ]\[r. 
Kreidler is one of the I'epi'esentative men of 
his townsliip and is an active worker in all 
public enterprises, whereby his town or coun- 
ty may receive benefit. He is a man of the 
utmost honor and integrity and his word is as 
good as a bond. In political matters he allil- 
iates with the republican ]mrty and takes an 
active part in all that ])arty's campaigns. 



jLE E. FLATEN, one of the nio.-it 
■'"-' prominent business men, and the lead- 
ing photogra])her at IMoorhead, IVfinnesota, 
is a native of Norway, born Novendjcr 0, 
1854. His parents were Erick and Mary 
(Gilbertson)Oleson. also natives of Norway. 
The father was a farmer and still i-esides in 
the old country. Their family had ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom are still living. Eight 
of the number are in America — Jannie, Ole 
E., Gilbert, Erick, George, Ove, Ole B. and 
Annie. The other two children are named 
Mary and John. The i)arents are devout 
members of the Lutheran church, and edu- 
cated the children in a fair manner in 
Norway. 

Our subject, Ole E., was rearetl to farm 
labor in Norway, remaining at honu' until 
fifteen years of age. The next three years 
he worked for himself away from home on a 
farm. When the three years Avere u]) he 
came to America, settling first in Goodhue 
county, Minnesota, arriving in 1872. The 
next six years of his life were spent oil and 
on at farm work in that county. He went 
to Northtield to learn the art of photograph- 



PARK h'PAUONS OF Mj.MVASOTA, 



415 



ing, and in 1878 went to Minneapolis to 
finish ills study in tliat profession. He 
remained there for ten montlis, and in 1879 
came to Moorhead, Minnesota, in the interest 
of his preceptor, John Oleson, and started a 
photographic gallery, wliere he is now 
located. He operated the business on per- 
centage for seven montiis, then formed a 
partnership with J. L. Skrevseth and ])ur- 
chased John Oleson's interest in the lousiness. 
This firm lasted about two years, and tlien 
the business all came into the hands of our 
subject. The art gallery is on the corner of 
Fourth and Front sti'eets, and is 30x70 feet, 
two stories high, equipped with all the latest 
modern improvements for doing first-class 
work in all branches. He has a large busi- 
ness, many coming over from the city of 
Fargo to get work executed at this gallery. 
He has made a financial success of his busi- 
ness, as is evinced by the property he now 
owns. He built a fine residence on lots 
adjoining his gallery in 1881. 

Mr. Flaten was married in 1885 to Miss 
Clara Schow, a native of Norway and the 
daughter of Martin Schow. This union has 
been blessed by two children — Emil L. and 
Mamie D. 

In politics oni- sul)ject is a democrat. He 
belongs to tiieOdd-Fellows Order, and is one 
of Moorhead's most popular, thorough-going 
men. 



Mr. Packard remained at home attendine: 
school until he was fifteen vears of a^-e. 
At that period in life, he was thrown upon 
his own resources, and for tliree vears 
worked out among the farmei's during the 
summer and attended school in the winter. 
He then secured a position in a general 
store as clei'k and worked at that until 1883. 
In the spring of 1883 he removed to the lied 
t River Eegion and located at Fargo, Dakota 
Territory, wiiere he made threshing his busi- 
ness until 1884. In 1884 he took charge of 
the elevator at Larimore, Dakota Territory, 
where lie remained one year. In 1885 Mr. 
Packard removed to Barnesville, Clay 
county, Minnesota, where he has since 
remained in the employ of the, Minnesota 
and jSTorthern Elevator Company. In addi- 
tion to his business in the elevator, he deals 
in wood and coal, owning the only "coal 
market" in the villaee. 

Mr. Packard was married on the 29th of 
December, 1886, to Miss Maggie Clone, a 
native of New York, and the ilaugliter of 
John and Kate Clone. Mr. Packard, since 
his residence here, has taken an active intei'- 
est in all matters of a local nature, and is an 
active business man of the village. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity of Barnes- 
ville, having joined the Pierson Lodge A. F. 
& A. M., in 1885. Mr. Packard affiliates 
with the repul)lican party and is one of the 
rising young business men of Clay county. 



F. PACKARD. Prominent 
among the business men of the Red 
River Valley and Park Regions of Minnesota, 
is the gentleman whose name heads this arti- 
cle,the agent for the Minneapolis and North- 
ern Elevator Company, at Barnesville, Clay 
county, Minnesota. He is a native of Iowa, 
born in Frankville, Winnesheik county, on 
the 1st of February, 1860, and is the son 
of Lafayette and Amelia (Doty) Packard, 
natives of New York. 



-«- 



^-»- 



j^. NUTE O. HARRIS is the manager and 

P.2L treasurer of the Otter Tail Flour 

Mills, located at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. 

He is a native of Norway, and was born 

June 15, 1836. 

Mr. Harris is the son of Ole L. and Caro- 
line (Thompson) Harris, natives of Norway. 
Throughout his life the father engaged in 
farming, leaving the old country in 1850, lie 



4i6 



JiF.n KIVER VALLEY AXh 



came to America and settled in Dane 
county, Wisconsin. In 1854 he removed to 
Adams county, in the same State, where he 
settled upon eighty acres of Government 
land. He died in 1860; the motlier died in 
1862. They had a family of ten children, 
five sons and live daughters; only four of 
the children are now living —Thcmas O., 
now in lied wood county, ]\Iinnesota; Esther, 
now Mrs. AVilliam Oleson. of Red AVing, 
Minnesota ; Martlui, now Mrs. Lee, of Colum- 
bia county, Wisconsin ; and Knute O., 
whose name appears at the head of this 

article. 

The subject of our sketch was i-eared on 
the home farm, receiving a comi)aratively 
good education in his native county, Nor. 
wav. He came with his parents to Amei"- 
ica' in 1850, and the tirst employment he 
eno-aged at here was to work with a thresh- 
ino- machine crew at 25 cents a day. He 
continued to work at farming for about 
seven years, after whicii he went to work 
in the pineries on the Wisconsin riverj 
which lines he followed for four years. 
During this time he had laid up consider- 
able money and he now purchased an inter- 
est in a flouring mill at Arkdale, Wiscon- 
sin. After remaining four years in this busi- 
ness he sold out and turned his attention to 
speculating in beef, pork and other articles, 
and in 1871 came to Fergus Falls, Minne- 
sota. Here he opened a flour and feed busi- 
ness, and m connection therewith ])urc]iased 
furs and hides. Afterward, with George E. 
Hammer as partner, he engaged in the hard- 
ware business for a period of eight years. 
He then sold his interest in the hardware 
business and engaged in handling machinery, 
principally for the Piano ^Machinery Com- 
pany. He continued in this line until 1886, 
and in 1887 accepted his present position. 
He has been very fortunate in his real estate 
investments in the town and vicinity; owns 
some land, and is engaged in raising horses. 



He owns several fine houses and lots in the 

city of Fergus Falls. 

Mr. Harris was married in 1863, on tiie 
23d of November, to Miss J5erta Johnson, a 
native of Norway, [daughter of John and 
Susanna (Peterson) Johnson. This union 
has been blessed with seven children — Ole 
J.. Charles S., Selena S., Alfred, who died 
in Wisconsin; Alfred, Eugeiu' and Pertrani. 

Ml'. Harris is a man of business qualities, 
and has been honored in vai'iousways by bis 
fellow townsmen. He has been a member 
of the city council, and is at present receiver 
of the United States land office at Fergus 
Falls. He built a line residence on Union 
avenue in 1SS3, in which he has placed all 
modern improvements, fitting up his grounds 
with ornamental trees, making a beautiful 
and commodious home. In politics he affil- 
iates with the democratic pai'ty. He with 
his wife and children are members of the 
Lutheran cliurch. Mr. Harris is connected 
in a business way with many financial enter- 
prises in Fergus Falls, and in everj' way has 
pi'oven himself a valuable and im]iortant 
factor in the business improvement of Fergus 
Falls and vicinitv. 



-^fS^-«&- 



IbSEPH W. BLANDING, county surveyor 
^ of Richland county, North Dakota, is 
also an attornej'-at-law, with headquarters at 
Wahjieton, the county seat. He is a native 
of Susquehanna count}-, Pennsylvania, where 
he was born March 10, 1819. ' His parents 
were Joseph and Elizabeth (Moxley) Pland- 
ing. 

The ])arents were natives of Connecticut, 
where the father was engaged in tilling the 
soil. He died when about thirty yeais old. 
His father was Jose])li Blanding, a native of 
Massachusetts and a farmer by occupation. 
He was a soldier in the Eevolutionary War 
and was of French descent. The parents of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



417 



our subject had but two children, himself 
and James, now dead. The mother was the 
daii<;liter of Jonathan Moxley, a native of 
Connecticut. He was a ship carpenter by 
trade and served in the Revolutionary War. 
He was a member of wliat is sometimes 
called the Ilard-Sliell Baptist church. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on 
the home farm and received his education at 
the Franldin Institute at Hartford, Pennsyl- 
vania. When seventeen years of age he 
commenced teaching school and made that 
his chief occupation for ten 3'ears. He then 
came West and settled in Lancaster, Grant 
county, Wisconsin, where he was a sur- 
veyor for several years for the Gov- 
ernment, anil for ten years held the 
office of clerk of the court. He occu- 
pied a prominent j'lfice in the affairs of 
that town and county, and held the posi- 
tion of justice of the peace for some time, 
as well as being president of the village 
council for several years. He was also 
county surveyor, and was engaged somewhat 
in land speculation. In May, 1872, Mr. 
Blanding came to Ilicliland county, Dakota, 
and at that time there were but three or 
four persons living in the vicinity of where 
Wahpeton now stands. He purchased 800 
acres of land of theNortliern Pacific Railway 
Company, now joining the city limits. He 
at once commenced making improvements 
on his farm, built a house tlie same year, and 
broke up fifty acres of land. He has now 
between 300 and 400 acres under cultivation, 
and has good, comfortable buildings. Mr. 
Blanding has been a leader in the affairs of 
the county. He was tlie first county attor- 
ney, being also one of the first commission- 
ers at the organization of the county, in 1873, 
and having been the first and only county 
surveyor, being the present incumbent of 
that office. He has surveyed all the addi- 
tions to Wahpeton, save the first one, and 
has also laid out and platted eight other 



towns, two of which are in Wilkin count}', 
Minnesota. Mr. Blanding is a stanch de- 
fender of the principles of the republican 
party, and had the honor of casting his first 
presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. 
He is a leading member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. He has been identified with the best 
interests, of Richland county since its first 
settlement, and in every way he has been 
the friend of improvement and prosperity, 
and while his official record is without stain, 
so his private life and business connections 
have been of such a high character as to 
make him one of the most highly respected 
men in the town and countv. 



►H^^ 



?.TANHOPE L. COLLINS, who is 
engaged in carrying on the livery 
and sale stable at Crookston, Minnesota, as 
well as the sale of mowing machines, self- 
binding reapers and tlireshing machines, is 
one of the early settlers of Polk count}^ and 
a leading business man in the community in 
which he lives. 

The subject of this sketch was born in 
Bellevue, Jackson county, June 9, 1858, and 
is the son of Myron and Elizabeth (Miller) 
Collins, of that village. His early youth was 
spent in attendance upon the schools of his 
native town, in which he received the ele- 
ments of an excellent education. In the 
fall of 1876 he entered Bayles' Business or 
Commercial College, at Dubuque, Iowa, 
where, following the full course, he acquired 
a thorough knowledge of book-keeping and 
all business forms and transactions. The 
following spring he accepted the position of 
book-keeper and cashier in a large farm 
implement establishment in the town of liis 
birth, in which he remained until the sum- 
mer of 1879. In the latter year he came to 
Polk county and took up a homestead claim 
of 160 acres of land in the town of Euclid, 



4i8 



KEP JkIvek valley ax n 



and, liaving a cash capital of $450, hired 
some eiglity acres of tlic prairie sod broken, 
and put up liis claim shanty. In the fall of 
that year ho returned to liis lioine in Iowa, 
and during' the winter, by close a])plication 
and prudential economy, acquired ^■,utHcient 
money with wliich he purchased a team, 
wliicli liis father,wiio wasengaged inshipping 
horses to tliis part of tlie country, brouglit 
here for him. Early in the spring of ISSO 
our subject came here and settled on his 
farm, and putting in a crop of wheat on tiie 
eighty acres of land he had had broken the 
previous year, commenced breaking the bal- 
ance of the land, and when that was finished, 
taking contracts for breaking for other 
parties. By industry and energy, wiiich 
are iniierent in his nature, he found 
that from the proceeds of the sale of 
his crop in the fall and the result of 
his labors that he had cleared some $1,200 in 
cash. lie renuiined, engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, n})on his farm until the fall of 1881, 
when selling out li(> removed to the village 
of Crookston, antl in company with D. C. 
Terry, he j)ut in a livery stable. His father 
was engaged in the purchase of horses in 
Iowa and shipping them to this jiart of the 
country for sale, and in 1883 put up theliv- 
erj'' barn now occui)ied by Mr. Collins as a 
place in which to put his own stock as well 
as to accommodate his son and his partner, 
and into this building the latter moved their 
stock as soon as it was comjileted. In 1886 
the subject of our memoir purchased the 
interest of his partner and ran the business 
until the spring of 1887, when he formed a 
co-partnership with George II. Tunell, but in 
the following fidl, again bought out that 
gentleman, since which time he has been 
alone in the management of the business, 
and is doing an extensive trade. 

In 1882 Mr. (Collins purchased and |ilaced 
in his stable a handsome hearse, the first and 
only one in this portion of the lied Tliver 



Valley, and isthusenabled to properly attend 
to all funerals. His stock is valued at some 
$4,500, all of which has been accumulated 
entirely by his (;wn energy, industry and at- 
tention t(j his business, and he occupies a 
prominent place in the business circles of the 
city. In addition to his livery he devotes 
considerable attention to the sale of agricult- 
ural machinci-y in the way of mowers, reaj)- 
ers, self-binders and threshers, and has met 
with a merited success in this direction. A 
man of sterling integrity, excellent business 
tact and indomitable energy, his success in 
lite is already insured, and he merits and 
receives the fullest esteem and respect of the 
whole community in which he lives. 

Mr. Collins was united in marriage, 
December 7, 1886, with Miss Minnie Jlentzel. 
of Polk county, and this was the first cere- 
mony of that character in Fanny township, 
of this conntv. They have two childien. 



J^EaRTSON F. WOODARD is a member 
JL-^ of the law firm of Clapp & Woodard , 
with offices at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. i\Ir. Woodard is a native 
of Caiuula antl was born in 1847. 

Mr. Woodard's paients were Captain Uriin 
and Eliza M. (Thompson) "Woodard, the 
former a native of Canada and the latter of 
Massachusetts. The father was engaged 
extensively in farming and also in stock-rais- 
ing and the dairy business. II is father was 
Samuel Woodard, a native of Canada and of 
English descent, b}' occupation a fai'mer. 
Samuel Woodard was a soldier in the Canada 
militia and served in the War of ISl'J; and 
( )rlin, the father of the subject of our sketch, 
was a soldier in the Canada militia in 1837. 
Eliza j\I. Thompson's father was Franklin 
Thompson, a native of Massachusetts. He 
was engaged extensively in farming, and in 
earlv life moved to Xorthern Vermont, where 



I- ARK KLGIONS OF MIXNESOTA. 



419 



he remained until he died. He reared a hirge 
family of children and held many positions 
of trust in the county in wliieli he lived. lie 
was one of tlie prominent men of tiiat place 
and was of Scotch and English ilescent. 
Samuel Woodard reared a large family of 
children, and was one of the early settlers of 
the province of Quebec, Canada. Orlin, his 
son, reared a family of seven children, six of 
whom are now living, one having died in 
infancy. The names of these chiklren are as 
follows — Louise E., now Mrs. J. I. Kimball; 
Orlando H., a merchant in Boston, Massa- 
chusetts ; Oscar B., a merchant at St. Albans, 
Vermont ; Susan M., now Mrs. G. W. Miller, 
of Otter Tail county, Minnesota; Harriet E., 
now Mrs. G. G. Clement, of the same 
county, and H. F. 

The subject of our sketcli spent his 
younger days at home, attending school, 
receiving an academic education. He was 
admitted to the bar in Franklin county, Ver- 
mont, at twent\'-one years of age, and 
remained in the practice of his profession in 
that county for five years. Leaving that place 
he removed to St. Croix county, Wisconsin, 
where, for eight and one-half years he 
engaged actively' in the practice of his profes- 
sion. In February, 1882, he came to Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota, and formed a partnership 
with M. E. Clap}), now the attorney general 
of Minnesota. This partnership iias con- 
tinued until the present time. Wiiile living 
in St. Croix count}', Wisconsin, Mr. Woodard 
was prosecuting attorney for three years, and 
while living in Fergus Falls has been the 
attorney for the Fergus Falls National Bank. 

Mr. Woodard was united in marriage in 
1871 to Miss Eunice E. Whitney, of Frank- 
lin county, Vermont, daughter of Alloway 
Whitney, and extensive farmer of that State. 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have been blessed 
with one child, a girl, whose name is May A. 

Attorney Woodard has been eminently 
successful in the practice of law since resid- 



ing in this place. In all ways he has proven 
himself a careful, painstaking lawyer, an 
expei-t triei- of cases, and a man whose sound 
judgment has made \\m\ man}' business 
friends. He has been a life-long republican, 
and has at all times been a stanch supporter 
of tlie principles promulgated by that party. 
For the last live years he has held the office 
of chief of the Fergus Falls fire department. 
He purchased a fine residence in which he 
now lives on Junius avenue, Fergus Falls — a 
beautiful home, fitted with all modern im- 
provements. Mr. Woodard is one of the lead- 
ing citizens of Fergus Falls and vicinity, and 
has a large and increasing practice. 



JOSEPH WARD REYNOLDS, attorney- 
>fa/ at-law, and also editor and proprietor of 
the Herman Enterjmse, is one of the most 
prominent citizens in the western part of the 
State. He was born, June 2U, 1859, near 
Millbrook, Canada, his parents being farmers. 
He lived on the farm until ten years old, 
when he removed with his parents to Battle 
Creek, Michigan. He received his education 
there, and resided there until 1878, when, 
having finished the preparatory course for 
the Michigan University in the Battle Creek 
high school, and received diploma as a grad- 
uate in the classical course, he came to Min- 
nesota, and taught school at Minneapolis for 
one year. 

In 1879 he came to Norris, was examined 
by a duly appointed committee, and admitted 
to the bar June 20, ISSO, upon the day of 
majoritj'. 

Since then he has practiced law at Her- 
man. He was count}' attorney of Arrant 
county from 1881 to 1883, since when he has 
never been a candidate for any office, and 
holds no official position now except as 
attorney for the State and certain settlers in 
respect to railroad land grants ; has farmed 



420 



.RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



continually since residing at Herman, most 
of the time on a very extensive scale, and now 
owns and cultivates several improved farms. 
His next older brother is a ]ihysician at 
Battle Creek. Another brotiier is a mer- 
chant at Dallas, Texas. The third, a lawyer 
at Elkhart, Indiana. Tiie motlier is now 
living at Dallas, Texas. One sister is resid- 
ing at Battle Creek. 

Mr. Reynolds is the present proprietor and 
editor of Herman Enterprise. His law prac- 
tice extends over the State, and frequently 
takes him to Dakota, and he is recognized as 
one of the most successful lawyers in the 
western part of the State. 



JOHN COULTER, a farmer residing on 
section 27, Huntsville township, is one 
of the oldest settlers and one of the most 
prominent and highly respected citizens of 
Polk county. Minnesota. He has taken an 
active part in ail pul)lic and educational 
affairs, and is recognized as one of the lead- 
ins' and most substantial citizens of the local- 
ity in wliich he lives. A man of the strictest 
integrity, untiring energy and enterprise, he 
stands 4iigh both as a neighbor and an ex- 
emplary citizen. 

Mr. Coulter was born in Ontario, Canada, 
on the 15th of April, 18-47, and is a son of 
Christopher and Elizabeth (Lee) Coulter, who 
were natives of Scotland. John Coulter 
was raised and educated in the Province of 
his birth. He began a life of hard work, 
when he was quite young, but did not leave 
home for good until he was about twenty- 
six years of age. In the fall of 1S66 he 
came to Winona county, Minnesota, and 
remained for about one year working on a 
farm for a man named James Robinson. 
He then went to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 
where he engaged in the lumber business and 
remained until the spring of 1872. During 



the summer of that year, 1872, he came to 
Polk county, Minnesotn, and secured work 
with McCormick. (^riggs and Walsh, at log- 
"■injT on Red Lake river. The same fall he 
returned to Canada, and in the following- 
January again went to Wisconsin to follow 
lumbering. On tiie 4tii of J illy, 1S73, he 
made another move and on tiiat day he 
landed at Grand Forks. He came at once 
to Huntsville townshi]), and i'oi- ii^l.") he pur- 
chased a squattei''s rigiil for a j)iece of land 
and entered it as a pre-emption. The railroad 
company " beat'' liim out of that j)laco, and 
he then purchased land where he now lives. 
He now owns one of the most valuable farms 
in the county, couq)rising in ail t520 acres. 
For 120 acres of this he \ym<\ $23.2() per acre, 
and for the balance $15 per acre. His build- 
ings and other improvements are a credit to 
the township, ami are located in a large oak 
grove on the banks of Red Lake river. 

Mr. Coulter was married at Grand Forks 
on the 23d of July, 1873, to Miss Catharine 
McVeety, a daughter of James and Jessie 
(McLane) McVeety. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter 
are the parents of the following-named 
children — Jennette E., Christopher C, Jauu^s 
A., Elizabeth, John L., Cora E., Mabel M. 
and William Alfred. 



•«-S^^"^- 



^^LMER ADAMS, editor of the Fergus 
^^^ Falls Journal^ is one of the best known 
newspaper men in the Park Regions. He is a 
native of AVaterbury, Vermont, born Decem- 
ber 31, 1861, and is a son of Daniel K. and 
Annie (Hale) Adams. The parents were 
also natives of Vermont. The father, who 
was originally an iron manufacturer, came 
to Minneapolis in 1879, and engaged in con- 
tracting and building, and still makes that 
city his home. The parents had a family of 
four children,"who are now living — Dayton, 
Elmer, Wilbur AV. and Alice. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



421 



Elmer Adams, whose name heads this 
article, finished his education at the Minne- 
sota State University, graduating from that 
institution in the Class of 1884. He came to 
Fergus Falls on the ITtli of February, 1884-, 
and became the editor of the Fergus Falls 
Daihj Telegram. In March, 1885, the Tele- 
gram was consolidated witli tiie^o(«7(a(^and 
Mr. Adams became editor of that paper, and 
has since retained that position. Tiie weekly 
has a circulation of 2,300, and the daily <i 
circulation of 650. The office employs about 
twenty-two hands. 

Mr. Adams is a gentleman of witle infor- 
mation, and a thorough newspaper man. 
lie is recognized as one of the most forcible 
editorial writers in the northern part of the 
State. 



-^— ; 



— **^ 



^ll'HOMAS S. MORRISEY, the junior 
ui7 member of the firm of Morrisey Eros., 
of Crookston, proprietors of the foundry and 
machine shop of that place, is a native of 
Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was born Febru- 
ary 13, 1855. Four years later he was taken 
by his parents, Edward and Martha Mor- 
risey, to Prince Edward's Island, where he 
was reared to manhood. In his youth he 
drew his education from the schools of that 
portion of the Dominion, and in early man- 
hood assisted his father in his foundry and 
machine shop, tiius acquiring a full knowl- 
edge of that business and becoming thor- 
oughly proficient in all of its branches. At 
the age of twenty years he left home and 
was in the employ of his brother at Summer- 
side, in the same island, where he remained 
about a year, and from there removed to St. 
John, New Brunswick. Eight or nine months 
he stayed in the latter place following his 
trade, and then started on a tour through 
the United States. After spending a short 



time in Boston, New York and other points 
East, he went to Tennessee, and, after seeing 
a considerable portion of that State, engaged 
at his trade in St. Louis, Missouri. A year 
later he returned to New York where he 
rejoined his brother, James E., and remained 
there about a month. At the end of that 
time he again started West, going to 
Colorado, where, after visiting the various 
cities and towns, he entered a mining claim at 
Kokomo, and after remaining in that local- 
ity for some time, went to Texas and spent 
several months in looking at the countrj'. 
The climate of that portion of the South 
not agreeing with his health he removed to 
Little Kock, Arkansas, and after several 
months to St. Louis. From the latter city 
he came to Minnesota, and, at Willmar, 
rejoined his brother James, who had located 
at that place. With him he remained until 
the -ith of November, 18S0, when he started 
South once more and was employed for some 
months in the construction of a Government 
steamer at Mound City, Illinois. From there, 
after a visit to Northern Missouri, he settled 
in Beardstown, Illinois, whei-e he remained 
until the following fall, and then returned 
to his boyhood's home. Keturning to Beards- 
town, he was there united in marriage with 
Miss Adeline Benjamin, and lived thereuntil 
May, 1882, when he again came to Will- 
mar, Minnesota, and entered into partner- 
ship with his brother, with whom he has 
since remained. At that time they removed 
to Crookston, and founded their present 
place of business, and ne has been a resident 
of that city ever since. A sketch of their 
business, etc., is given in connection with 
that of his brother and partner in the pages 
of this volume, to which the reader is 
referred. 

[Since the above was written, in the fall 
of 1S8S, Mr. IVIorrisey sold his interest in 
their business at Crookston to his brother 
James E. Morrise\'. — EnrroR.] 



42 2 



HED JilVKR VALLEY AND 



^pHRlS HOLBECK, the 
N^i^ iiroprietor of tlie Farm 



gentlemanly 
>prietor of the i''armers' Hotel, sit- 
uated on tlio corner of James and Broadway 
streets, Moorhead, Minnesota, will form tlie 
subject of the biographical sketch herewith 
subjoined. 

ifr. llolbcck is a native of Denmark, born 
February 14, 1845. His jiarents were Nels 
and Karn (Oleson) Holbeck, natives of Den- 
mark, also. The}' emigrated to America in 
1870, settling in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
where they took a homestead of forty acres. 
The mother died in 1873, and the father in 
1887. Tlieyhad a family of four children — 
Chris, Kastena, Jens P. and Nels. 

Chris, who is the person specially to be 
treated of in this connection, was reared on 
his father's farm, and obtained a good com- 
mon school education. When eleven years 
of age he went out to work on a farm and 
herd cattle, for which he received his board 
and clothes. He remained there for seven 
long years, and then went into a city, where 
he worked at whatever his hands could find 
to do. He followed this for six years. The 
first two years he received but |50 per year, 
and during the third and fourth years his 
wages amounted to $100 i)er year, while the 
last two of the six years' service he received 
$212 per year. Having seen a pretty hard 
time in his native land, he thought well to 
come to Amei-ica, so in the spring of iSfiS 
he left his native land and crossed the ocean. 
He came to Winona, Minnesota, and went 
to work on the Southern Minnesota Kaihvav. 
He then spent some time in Wisconsin and 
Iowa, working at haying and harvesting 
during the summer and fall of 18G8. He 
then purchased a claim of IGO acres in Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota, which he improved, 
and while doing so worked out and remained 
on the same until 1S75, raising grain, cattle 
and horses. He then exchanged his farm 
for another, two miles distant; this he kept 
two years, when he sold in 1878 and came to 



Clay county and took a pre-emption in 
Worken township; this he improved and 
remained on seven years, and then traded 
the farm for the hotel he now operates in 
!\roorhead, together with a store building 
adjoining. 

, Politically, he is an independent voter. 
He was treasurer of Worken townshi)i when 
he lived in that precinct, and was elected 
alderman from the third ward in the city of 
]\loorhead in 1888. 

He was married in l>i70 to Miss Karn U. 
Jensen, daughter of Jens Larson, natives of 
Denmark. The father was enj^'at'ed in 
butchering in that country until 1883, when 
he came to America, remained one year and 
returned to his native place, and there died 
in 1884. The mother died in ^linnesota in 
1887. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holbeck belong to the 
Lutheran church. Their family consists of 
five children — Herman, Agnes, Walter, Dag- 
mer and William. Mr. Holbeck is an upright 
man, a good citizen, and has the respect of 
all who know him. 



^' 



^^EORGE G. HENAULT, the leading 
^^X dentist of Northwestern Minnesota, 
and the adjoining portion of Dakota, is a 
resident of the city of Ci'ookston, born in 
Canada, October 31, 1853. Ho is the son of 
George H. and Ruth llenault, and is of 
French extraction. In early youth he 
received his education in the schools of his 
native land, and a the age of thirteen entered 
the dental office of his uncle. Dr. L. Clem- 
ents, at Kingston, Canada, where he served 
an apprenticeshi}) at the profession for a 
period of three years. When sixteen years 
of age, abandoning, for a time, the practice 
of dentistry, he engaged as a salesman in a 
large dr}' goods emporium in the same city, 
and followed that line of l)usincss as a clerk 



]\iRh' RECrOXS OF M/X/V ESOT.I . 



423 



or salasmen until he had attained tiie age of 
twenty. Having come to the determination 
to pursue the study of dentistry, he again 
resumed his ]ilace with his uncle and devoted 
some four years to the mysteries and science 
of tiiat difficult profession. After full}' con- 
(jueriiig all its intricacies, for a ))eriod coyer- 
ine: some si.x: vears tiie Doctoi' was not en- 
gaged in anv permanent employment, but 
in 1882 came to Faribault, ^linnesota, where 
anotlier uncle, S. T. Clements, was located 
in the pursuit of dental surgery, and entered 
into partnership with that gentleman. He 
remained in that cit}' making many friends, 
and acquiring a more tliorough knowledge 
of his business until May 1885, when, appre- 
ciating the wide tield for his future efforts 
that lay in the great and growing North- 
west, he came to the Ked River Valley in 
search of a promising point. On looking the 
country over he located in Crookston and 
opened liis rooms, rightlj^ foreseeing its future 
prosperity and growth. Here he has rapidly 
won golilen opinions for himself and attained 
a high position, botii as a professional man 
and as a citizen. The aljsolute rectitude of 
his life, the integrit}'^ of his motives, and the 
energy and public-spirited ness of his charac- 
ter has exalted him in the opinions of his 
fellow-citizens, while his thorough knowl- 
edge of his profession and liis eas\' and 
affable manners have brought him alargeand 
lucrative business, wliich is extending exery 
dav. 



-«- 



-«►► 



lACOB OLSON. Among the most 
tiirifty and industrious farmers of tlie 
famous Red River and Park Regions is the 
gentleman whose name iieads this article, a 
prominent agriculturist of Grant county, 
Minnesota, i-esiding on section 5, Erdahl 
township. He is a native of Norway, born 
on the r2th of July, 182!), and is a son of 
Ole Nelson and Marit (Jacobs Datter) Nel- 



son, natives of Norway. The father of ou 
suijject devoted his life to farming, and died 
in his native land. The father and mother 
of Jacob were the parents of the following 
named children - — Nels, Ole, Jacob, Carrie, 
Julia, Mary (deceased) and Mary. Nels, 
Jacob and Mary are still living. 

Jacob Olson, the jierson of Avhom this 
article treats, spent his boyhood days in the 
land of his birth, and left the sch ol-room at 
the age of sixteen years. Ke then leai-ned 
the shoemaker's trade and followed the same 
until 185(3. In 185G he emigrated to the 
United States, and in June landed on xVmer- 
ica's shores. After landing he went to 
Decorah, Iowa, ami remained there until 
1859, working a farm on shares. He then 
went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where 
lie remained until 1868, engaged in farming. 
In 18(18 IMr. Olson removed to Grant 
county, Minnesota, and settled on his farm 
in Erdahl township, section 5, which he had 
liomesteaded in 186(3. He has since resided 
there, engao-ed extensiveiv and successfullv 

TOO »- ^ 

in general farming and stock-raising. He is 
one of the most successful farmers in the 
county, and was the first settler in the town- 
ship of Erdahl. 

Mr. Olson was united in marriage July 24, 
1856,to Miss Anna Anders Datter, a native of 
Norway. Their marriage has been blessed 
with eight children — Betsie, Anna,Christena, 
Isabelle, Ole, Andrew, Jacob and Joini. 
Betsie is now Mrs. Johnson. Anna is mar- 
ried to Mr. Holt and the remainder are 
single. Mary, who was the wife of Mr. 
Anton Holt, died at the age of twenty-eight 
years. Air. Olson, with his family, belong- 
to the Lutheran church, and has iield the 
offices of trustee and ti'casurerof that organ- 
ization. He has held the offices of school 
director, scho(jl treasurer, chairman of the 
board of supervisors, etc. In political mat- 
ters he is an adherent to the principals of the 
republican party. He is one of the repre- 



4 24 



RED KIVEK VALLEY J. YD 



sentative men of the countj% and is highly 
esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Olson 
■was one of the three appraisers who 
appraised or fixed the values on tlie State 
and school lands in Grant countv. 



'«- 



^»^ 



R. J. E. METCALF, dentist and doctor 
of dental surgery, is located at Fergus 
Falls. Olter Tail county. Minnesota. He is 
one of the leading dentists of this place, and 
has built up an extensive practice. The 
Doctor is a native of Orleans county, Ver- 
mont, where he was l)orn on tiie ITtii of 
Auf'ust. lSr)(t. lie is the son of Johnathan 
and Didania (Bickford) Metcaif. 

The father was a miller l)y occupation and 
owned a large mill in the State of Vermont. 
He came AVest in 1S65 and settled in St. 
Charles, "Winona county, Minnesota. Later 
he removed to Clairmont. Dodge county, 
and thence went to Fergus Falls, where he 
remained until his death, which occurred in 
1884. The mother died on the 14th of 
December, 1887. They had a family of ten 
ciiildren, three of whom are now living — 
Orpha P., now Mrs. Randall; Eugenia, and 
the subject of our sketch. 

Tiie Doctor spent his younger days on tjje 
farm, attemling the district school until 
eighteen years of a£?e. At that time he 
commenced tlie study of dentistry at St. 
Paul, in the office of Dr. Connance. In 
ISSl lie removed to Fergus Falls and con- 
tinued his study under the direction of Dr. 
Pholen, of that city. In October, 1883. he 
commenced to practice his profession at 
Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, where he 
remained in active work for about one year. 
At the end of this period he returned to 
Fergus Falls, where he has since remained, 
doing an excellent business. 

Dr. Metcaif was united in marriage in 
1884 to Miss Carrie Ford, the daughter of 



Patrick Ford, of Conneautville, Pennsyl- 
vania. Two children iiave blessed this 
union— Paymond F. and William C. 

Mrs. Metcalf's parents were Patrick and 
Mar}' (Ward) Ford, the former a native of 
Ireland, and the latter of England. Her 
father's occupation was that of a molder, 
and later in life he became an extensive 
farmer in Pennsylvania. He came to Amer- 
ica in 1849, and settled in Conneautville, 
Crawford county. Pennsylvania, where he 
purchased a fai'm of IfiO acres. Here he 
engaged in farming, ami continued his resi- 
dence until hisdeath, which occurred in 1880. 
The mother is still living, and resides on tlie 
liome farm in Pennsylvania. They have a 
family of ten living children — Mary, now 
Mrs. William Dorathy ; Margaret, now Mrs. 
P. 15. Ilenretta ; Rosa and Anna, twins (Rosa 
now being Mrs. William llaggarty, and 
Anna, now Mrs. Moses Crapes) ; Lizzie, now 
Mrs. Boatman ; Thomas C, John W., Mrs. 
Metcaif; Ella, who lives with Mrs. Dr. Met- 
caif; and Sarah, now Mrs. William Steele. 
Mrs. Metcalf's father was one of the wealthy 
prominent men of the county in which he 
lived. He was a democrat in politics, and 
for some years held the office of mayor of 

j Conneautville, and also held the office of 
justice of the peace. After he retired from 
active business life he held various offices of 
trust. He was a man who took great ]iride 

! in raising fine stock, and owned tlie famed 
horse called Blazing Star, a race horse which 
sold for $1,0(10. He had many other very 
fine specimens of blooded stock. He died 
at the age of seventy -five years. lie was a 
man loved and I'cspected by all who knew 
him. His son Thomas C, is superintendent 
of the largest salt works in Michigan ; and 
John W., another son, is at present engaged 
in manasino- the home farm. While the 
father was engaged in the foundry business 
he held the ])osition of foreman in a large 
foundry at Conneautville. for twenty j'ears. 



PARK REGIOtV^ OF MINXESOTA. 



425 



Mrs. Metcalf is a member of the Catholic 
ciuirch, and is a lady who holds the esteem 
of a large circle of friends in Fergus Falls. 

The Doctor's oflRce is located on Lincoln 
avenue. In politics Dr. Metcalf is a loyal 
llepublican, having affiliated with that 
party for many years. 



OSEPH A. COLBY is engaged in the liv- 



i 



^ ei-y business in Alexandria, Minnesota. 
He is a native of Erie county, New York, 
and was born on the 6th of April, 1820. 

Mr. Colby's parents were Jonathan and 
Hannah (Cooper) Colby. This family has 
been noted for its loyalty to the countrj', 
indeed, every male member in every genera- 
tion has served his country more or less in 
the wars which have been inflicted upon this 
land. Mr. Colby's grandfather, Ezekial was 
born in New Hampshire, and moved to Ver- 
mont, whence he came to the State of 
New York, settling in Erie county in 1S08. 
He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. On coming to Erie count}'. New York, 
the country was wild, and they were among 
the very first pioneers who settled in and 
began the improvement of that county. 
Jonathan, the father of our subject, served 
in the War of 1812, and for honorable serv- 
ice attained the rank of lieutenant and 
finally received a colonel's commission. 

Hannah Cooper, the mother of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was the daughter of 
Joseph Cooper, who was born in New 
Hampshire, and came to Erie county where 
he settled in 1810. He was a soldier in the 
Eevolutionary War, and was in the famous 
battle of Brandywine. He held a captain's 
commission during the entire service. 

Jonathan Colby's family numbered eight 
children, three of whom are now living in 
Erie county, New York, and two in Douglas 
county, Minnesota. 



Joseph A. Colby, of whom we write, 
received his early training on a farm, I'e- 
maining in that business until he was seven- 
teen years of age. At that time he came 
west, spending a short period in Indiana, 
whence he went to Chicago. Here he re- 
mained three years, at the end of which 
time he returned to Aurora, Erie county, 
New York. Desiring to l)etter prepare him- 
self for life's duties, he comraeivced a course 
at the Aurora academy, where he studied 
for two years. He then engaged in the 
study of law, entering the law office of his 
brother-in-law, P. M. Yosburgh. Tlien he 
engaged in the mercantile business, forming 
a partnership with C. J. Hamlin, running 
for a time what was known as the citj' store. 
His firm had three branch stores, also, and 
did a large business for a number of years. 
Mr. Colby continued in this line from 1844 
to 1856, at which time he sold out and came 
west, settling in Hastings, Minnesota. Here 
he eneaffed in farming- and also in the wheat 
business. Still later he engaged in the gro- 
cery trade, until the breaking out of the war 
in 1861. At this time he turned his atten- 
tion to raising volunteers to enter the union 
army. He helped to recruit a company of 
troops with Marshall, of St. Paul, and this 
company" was finally consolidated and called 
Company K, Eighth Eegiment Minnesota 
Volunteers. This company came west to 
Alexandria, Douglas county, ami built a 
stockade, where they remained in the service 
until 1863. 

In this year the company was disbanded, 
part of them going with General Sibley's 
command and part with General Sully. 
During this time Mr. Colby was on duty at 
St. Paul, purchasing for the Government 
different supplies. He bought horses with 
saddles and bridles and necessary trappings 
He was in the service of the Government for 
four years. In 18.56 Mr. Colby came to 
Alexandria, settling on a farm five miles 



426 



KKD mVER VALLE Y AND 



south of the village on the shores of Lake 
Mary. He took about 400 acres, and 
engaged in farming until 1882. However, 
])rior to this time, in 1875, he moved his 
family into Alexandria, where he engaged 
in the hvery business, also running a stage 
line to Morris, Parker's Prairie and Pomme 
de Terre. During this time he worked up 
(|uite a business, employing, continually, four 
or five men. The stage line business was 
kejit u]i by him until he was vii-tu;illy frozen 
out l)y the advent of the railroads. Ho has 
made consi(leral)l(> uinnev in buying and 
selling horses. He bougiit the livery build- 
ing, which he now occn]ues. in 1880, keeps 
twenty horses, atul su])plies tourists with 
teams during the siiniincr nu)ntlis. He owns 
a good residence on H street, where he now 
lives. 

Mr. Colby was married in the year 1848 
to Miss Cyrena H. McKillips, of Erie count}', 
New York. They have now three living 
children — Frank, Eosa and Fred. Frank 
Colby was married in 1865 to Lizzie Thom- 
son, b}' whom he has had three daughters — 
Rosa, Lena and Abbie. Frank enlisted in 
the Third Minnesota Regiment of Volun- 
teers in 1S(>1 as a ])rivate. rising to the rank 
of corporal. He served in the war until its 
close, losing his health from exposure and 
hard service. He is now a resident of Alex- 
andria. Rosa, now Mrs. Truax, formerly 
Mrs. Stone, was first married to Mi-. Stone, 
by M'hom she had one child — Archie. In 
1870 she married Mr. Truax, by wlmni she 
has had two children — Joseph aiul 'J'hura. 
Fi'etl married Miss Anna Siples in 18o7, by 
■whom he has had one child — Ailluu-. Fred 
Colby is a resident of Hastings, ^Minnesota, 
and is agent for the St. Paul and Milwaukee 
Railroad Comi)any. 

Joseph A. Colby has been identified with 
the interests of Douglas county for many 
years, coming here in an early day, and 
becoming one of its lirst citizens. He helped 



to organize the county in 18(56, and for years 
held the office of justice of the peace in Lake 
Mary township. He also held the office of 
town clerk foi' three years, and was con- 
nected with the board of school directors. 
Mr. Colby affiliates with the republican jwrty 
in ])olitics, and with his wife and fam- 
ily l)elongs to the Episcopal church of Alex- 
aiulria. 



-«-J€^*-<^- 



^X#1LL1AM L. COE, who has charge of 
JpW the elevator at Ada, belonging to 
the Red River Valley Elevator Company, is | 
one of the most ])opular citizens of that vil- 
lage. He is a native of Durham county, or 
shire, England, the son of Joseph and Ann 
(Grice) Coe, and was born Xovemiier •!', 
1844. In the year 1854, when he was about 
ten years of age, he crossed the wide Atlan- 
tic with his parents and for about a year re- 
sided in Virginia. From there the family 
.removed to Michigan and two years later to 
Wisconsin. While a resident of the latter 
State the Civil War broke out and the gov- 
erniuent was threatened with subversion. 
A mong ottiers, August 27, 1861, the subject of 
this sketch enlisted in the First Wisconsin 
Pattery of Light Artillery, and was mustered 
into the service of the United States at 
Racine, Sejitember 16th, following. Aftei' 
waitinu' about two weeks the command was 
ordered to (^umlierland (iap, Tennessee, 
where it was attached to thecorpsof General 
A. J. Smith. Acting to the north and rear 
of Vicksburg, the battery helped open the 
blockade to that ])lace, and participated 
thi'oughout the entire siege of that forti- 
fied cit\-, losing some three men. This 
small loss is surprising, as the battery 
was close up to the rebel works, and 
the section of which Mr. Coe was a mem- 
ber, not more than eighty j'ards from 



PARK REGIONS OF MI.VNESOrA. 



427 



the line of their entrencliraents, from May 
18th, until the surrender of the place, July 
4th. From that place Mr. Coe went with the 
command to Jackson, Mississippi, to force 
the position held hy General Joe Johnston, 
and after the latter had evacuated that city 
proceeded with the corps to which tiie 
l)attery was attached, up the Tied river to 
reinforce Genei-al K. P. Banks. Mr. Coe 
participated for five weeks in tiiat ill-judged 
expedition, which, but for the assistance car- 
ried him by General Smith, would have 
resulted in the entire destruction of General 
Banks' army. On returning to the Missis- 
sippi river Mr. Coe was sent with the battery 
to New Orleans, where he was stationed 
until the fall of 18G-t, when, his time having 
expired, he was discharged and returned to 
his home. 

From the latter he came the same fall to 
Winona, and in 186."> engaged in the wheat 
business in wiiich he has been ever since. 
The last six years previous to his coming 
here was spent in Minneapolis, four years in 
the employ of the ]\[illers" Association of 
that city and two years in that of the Red 
Eiver Valley Elevator Company. In 1886 
he came to Ada in the interest of the latter 
company and has been a resident here ever 
since. Mr. Coe takes an active interest in all 
G. A. II. matters and is the present com- 
mander of William Ketchum Post, No. 62, 
of Ada, and is a menibci' of the I. O. O. F. 
fraternity. 

He is, socially, one of the most popular 
citizens of the village, and one of its most 
active ;\nd public-spirited business men. He, 
stands high in the estimation of his fellow- 
citizens as a straightfoi-ward business man, en- 
joying a high degree of I'cspect and esteem. 

Mr. Coe was married September 10, 1875, 
to Miss Pose Durkee. Her father was a 
speculator and farmer. "Mr. and Mrs. Coe are 
the parents of three children, as follows- — 
Clarence Hector, Harry Victor and Ella Belle. 



HARLES B. KLOOS, a respected and 
i^^ industrious husbandman of Grant 
county, ilinnesota, is a resident of section 24, 
Maxsville township. He is a native of Ger- 
man}', born in Maintzler, in the town of 
Grossiierzogtluim Ilesser on the 2Uth day of 
February, 1848, and is the son of Henry 
and I'horatea (Keliei) Kloos, natives of the 
same kingdom. The i'iither came to the 
United States in 1859 and settled in Carver 
county, Minnesota, where he died March 27, 
1881. His occupation through active life 
was farming. There was a family of seven 
children, named as follows— Catharine, 
Henry, Ludwig, Elizabeth, Charles, John 
andT3aniel. Daniel died in Carver county, 
Minnesota, in his sixteenth year. Ludwig 
died in the late war. He was taken prisoner 
and confined in Andersonville prison, where 
he died from cruel treatment and starvation. 
Charles B. Kloos, the subject of this bio- 
graphical review spent the younger days of 
his life in attending school in his native land, 
and at about twelve yeai's of age came with 
his parents to America's shores. After a 
vovage of forty -two days the family landed 
in New York City, from which place they 
went to St. Paul, Minnesota. After remain- 
ing there for six weeks they moved to the 
farm which the father had purchased in 
Carver county. Charles, our subject, at- 
tended the high school in St. Paul, and after 
completing his course there, attended a com- 
mercial college. During the interim which 
separated his high school attendance and his 
course at the commercial college, he was em- 
ployed in a steamboat office, to which position 
he was I'einstated after leaving the business 
college. This position he held for twelve 
years and after leaving he removed to Grant 
county, Minnesota, where lie bought 640 
acres— all of section 2.3, Dela'vare township. 
After improving 250 acres of tiie farm, 
building a good house and barn, he sold the 
entire tract of land, in lsS2. Mr. Kloos 



-)2S 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



then hoiiglit his present place on section 24: 
in Maxsville township. He bought 80 
acres, honiesteaded 80 acres and took a 
tree chiiin of IfiO acres. Since then lie has 
ailded to his property until he now owns one 
of tlie most desirable farms in the county, 
com]irising 050 acres, all well improved. He 
is engaged in general fanning anil stock- 
raising and has the best of building im- 
provements. 

]\Ir. Kloos was married July 29, 1875, to 
IMiss J[argrette Eichmitter, and they have 
been blessed with the following-named chil- 
dren — Anna, Lewis, Willie (deceased), Ora 
and Cora (twins), Prettyman and Mabel. 
Mrs. Kloos is a native of Minnesota, born in 
Carver county January 4, 1856, and educated 
there. Mr. Kloos is one of the representa- 
tive men of the town of Maxsville, and has 
held the offices of justice of the peace, school 
clerk, etc. lie, with his family, belong to 
the Lutheran church. He is a man of the 
utmost honor and integrity, and is highly 
esteemed by all, l)oth as a neighbor and an 
exemplary citizen. 



-*«; 



D. FRANCIS, the photo- 
graphic artist of Crookston, Minne- 
sota, and one of its prominent business men, 
is a native of Enfield, Penobscot county, 
Maine, where he first saw the light on the 
Ittth of April, 1861. When three or four 
years old his parents, Elias R. and Mary 
Francis, moved to Lincoln, whei'e he en- 
joyed tiie advantages of the excellent educa- 
tional institutions of that town until he iiad 
reached his eighteenth year. At that time 
lie attended Eastman's Commercial College, 
Poughkeepsie, Kew York. On completing 
the course of that institution he went to the 
"Centennial State," Colorado, whither his 
parents had gone while he was in college. 
About one vear after arriving in Silver Clitf, 



Colorado, he entered the photograph gallery 
of Charles E. Emery, where he learned the 
mysteries of the photographic art. He 
closely pursued this business in that jilace 
until Issir, when he removed to JMiller, 
Dakota, and there established a gallery of 
his own. In the spring of the following 
year, however, he removed to Crookston, and 
followed his profession for a year or so in 
the establishment of H. J. Kertson. After a 
visit to his Colorado home, which extended 
over a period of six months, on returning to 
Crookston, Mr. Francis ])urchased the busi- 
ness and outfit of his former emjiloyer, and 
has conducted the establishment ever since. 

Mr. Francis is a thorough master of his 
art, and the work turned out at his gallerv 
is the equal to the best in any of the larger 
cities, and the finish superior to many. In 
addition to the mechanical jiart of his busi- 
ness he carries in stock a full and complete 
line of picture-frame molding, and is pre- 
pared to furnish frames in any (piaiitity. He 
makes a specialty of enlarging and reprint- 
ing old and faded photographs, making them 
as good and fresh as new. 

The subject of this sketch was united in 
marriage, at Crookston, Minnesota, with 
Miss Ella Adams, of Miller, Dakota, on the 
9th of September, 1885. 



,ENRY F. EDWARDS, who is jiroprie- 
tor of the City Dair^' at Moorhead, 
Minnesota, finds place in this work for a 
biographical sketch, which, from the best 
data possible to collect, the writer has been 
able to formulate the following bit of ])er- 
sonal history, concerning a highly respected 
business man and citizen. 

He is a native of St. Lawrence county, 
Xew York, born in 1853. His parents were 
George and Charlotte (Mears) Edwards, 
natives of England and Veriiiont,respectively. 



PAKK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



429 



The father came to America in 1840, set- 
tlin<; in New York State, where he engajjed 
at boot and shoe making, continuing the 
same until his deatli, which took place. in 
1S78. He had a family of eight children, 
five of whom are now living — Henry F., 
Sarah J., Agnes E., Charles H. and Lillie C. 
The father Avas a republican in his politics. 
He had l)een a British soldier for seven 
years, being drafted in for life, but made his 
escape after seven years. 

Our subject, Henry F. Edwards, remained 
at home until twelve years of age, up to 
which time he attended the common schools. 
At that age he engaged at work on a farm, 
attending school winters, and followed this 
for twenty years. He followed farm life in 
the East until he was twenty-nine years of 
age, having bought him a good farm when 
he was twenty-five years old — the place be- 
ing in his native county. In 1882, he sold 
the farm and came to Fargo, Dakota, where 
he purchased a dairy and continued to oper- 
ate the same for a j'ear where it was, and 
then moved the plant to Moorhead, Minne- 
sota, where he is still situated. His brother, 
Charles H., was his partner until 1888, when 
he purchased his interest. Mr. Edwards was 
married in 1888 to Miss Annie E.Chase, from 
Michigan. Her people were L. G. and Sarah 
(Menzies) Chase. The father was born in 
London, England, and the mother at Detroit, 
Michigan. The father came to America 
when he was eighteen years of age, follow- 
ing farming and fruit growing. He now 
resides at Manistee, Michigan. They had a 
family of eleven children, six of whom are 
now living — Edgar, Louisa, now Mrs. 
Thomas Solley; James, Charles, Annie E., 
now Mrs. H. F. Edwards, and Edwin. The 
father is a republican and a man who is full 
of public spirit. The mother belongs to the 
Church of England. 

Our subject believes in the principles of 
the prohibition party, and is an upright man 



who deals square with everyone. His place 
of business is on the east side of the Mani- 
toba railway track and south of the North- 
ern Pacific line. He keeps fifty cows and 
sells his product at wholesale, to parties in 
both Fargo and Moorhead. 



j^V SOLEM, the subject of our present 
-ts^^%^ article, is the editor and publisher of 
the Fergus Falls Ugehlad, the only Scandi- 
navian journal published in the Park 
Regions. Mr. Solem was born near Trond- 
hjem, Norway, on the 27th of April, 1850. 
His parents were EUef and Inger (Lerine) 
Solem, farmers, who still live where our 
subject was born, although the}' were natives 
of other parts of that kingdom. A. Solem 
was the oldest in a family of two sons and 
four daughters. When our subject was a 
boy — from seven to eleven years of age — 
he was sick a good deal, having an ailment 
in one of his legs which confined him to the 
bed for months at a time every year. He 
therefore could not go to school very much, 
but was a great reader and studied all the 
books he could borrow. In 1868 he secured 
a loan of $100 and attended a seminary for 
teachers not far from his native town, and 
graduated from this institution with honors, 
receiving an excellent testimonial. While 
attending school, during the first year, he 
was sick for several weeks Avith rheumatic 
fever, which proved a serious set back to 
him. Early in 1871 he went to the northern 
part of Norway, near Tromso, and began 
teaching the children in a family, which 
vocation he followed for five years. Besides 
that he secured a position much like a count}' 
treasurer m this country, but his salary was 
very small as compared with the salary for 
such an office here. He had paid his debt 
and commenced to think of going to school 
again. He got another loan — $500 — and 



43C 



Ki-n KivKK r,iL/./:y AW 



went to a school for engineers and architects 
in Troiuliijeiii. The course \v;is tiirce j'ears, 
and when that time was up he cauie to 
America in September, 1879. He iiad rela- 
tives here at several places, hut did not iviiow 
wjiere, except tliat some iiveil in ( »ttertail 
county, Minnesota, and there he came early 
in October. He was well received l)y his 
relatives, but had a liard time getting- some 
thing to do. To work in some office with- 
drawing and the like was what he wanted, 
but could get nothing of the kind. He tlien 
worked at anytliing he could get — on the 
farm, in the school (Norwegian), in the store, 
and as carpenter, but felt he was not in the 
rightplace, and was rather low spirited. He 
was not a very great hand on tliis kind of 
work either. After having been here nearly 
a vear every tiling seemed to go right against 
I'im, and lie had a iiard time of it. J'ut late in 
tlie spring 1H81 there came a change all 
througli. In the spring of, 1880 his betrotiied 
came over from Norway, and tiiey werenuir- 
ried in the fall of the same year. In tjie spring 
of 1881 tiiey luoved to Fergus Falls. Minne- 
sota, and he offered to take any kind of work, 
but could get nothing until he finally was 
offered a plnce setting type in a newspaper 
office which had just been opened. It was 
something entirely new to him, l)ut he 
thought, "it must be steadv work, if he could 
learn." This was a Norwegian [)aper, but 
it was rather hard to get what little money 
he earned, and therefore, after about half a 
year, he went to the Fergus Falls Journal 
and got a job there. He asked the })rivilege 
of setting by the 1,000 (ems) as with the 
other paper, and that was granted. This 
was in January or February, 1882. He was 
a rather poor hand at the type case yet, and 
his English was jnst as ]ioor. He made 
small waees but gi'aduallv came to realize 
that h(^ was outgrowing his former ideas of 
being an architect, and that some sort of a 
j)rinter loomed up in its itlace. It was (juite 



a change. About five years of hard school 
work seemed almost lost, and he had 
started on something entirely new. He 
worked in the JoudkiJ office till alter Xew 
Years' Day, 1883. when the ])roprietor of the 
■hnirnal bought the Norwegian paper he iiad 
worked on before, and which had now been 
suspended. Being a little modest, he refused 
to be its editor, but !Mr. Underwood, the 
owner of both papers, would not listen to 
this, and Mr. Solem finally had to yield. For- 
tunately, however, at about this time another 
man offered his services, and glad was ]\[r. 
Solem to be relieved of the responsibility. 
After this our subject worked as foreman on 
the paper, and. in fact, for some time did 
everything that belonged to the mechanical 
department. But the paper did not pay, and 
was then sold to a stoclc company, Mr. Under- 
wood, however, I'etaining a controlling inter- 
est. Still it did not prove a financial success, 
and Mr. Solem concluded that could he get 
full control of the paj)er, edit it himself and 
reduce the expenses, the enterprise could be 
made a success. Accordingly he secured a 
loan, and in July, 1884, jnirchased the office, 
and is now editor and sole proprietor. He 
is meeting with merited success and the 
paper has now an extensive circulation. 

OHN WEST is the popular landlord of 
the hotel which bears his well-known 
name in the busy and active village of 
Barnesville, Clay county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of England, born in "Warickshire, on 
the 7th day of October, 1847, and is the son 
of Richard and Mary West, natives of Eng- 
land. The parents of our subject emigrated 
to the United States in 1854, and settled in 
Michigan, where thev have since remained. 
They are the parents of the following named 
children — Thomas, Sarah, Caroline, Annie, 
Ilobert, George, William and John, our sub- 
ject. 



PARK Rl-.GIOXS Ol- .}f / XXF.SOT.I . 



431 



John West, the subject of this biographical | 
sketcli, remained in his native land until he 
was seven years of age, and at that period he \ 
came to tiie United States witii his parents. 
After landing he settled in Michigan at tiie 
village of Stiirges. He remained there, 
attending the common schools of that )ilace, 
until he was about fifteen years old. In 
lSti'2 he entered the employ of the Great 
Western Railroad Company, and remained , 
with them for over twenty-three years. 
Eighteen years of that time he was an 
engineer, and on the 1st day of Novembei-. 
18S3, he removed to the State of Minnesota 
and settled at St. Paul. There he secured a 
position as engineer on the St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis 6c Manitoba line, and made; a regular 
run from St. Paul to St. Cloud and to Will- 
mar. This route jtassed through St. Cloud, 
and while sto})ping there on the 14th of 
April, 1SS6, a day of horror, never to be for- 
gotten by those who were there and passed 
through the danger of that cyclone, 
which spread desolation and I'uin over 
that fair city. Our subject barely 
escaped with his life. He was in i>ed and 
hearing the approaching storm, got u]i, ]iar- 
tially dressed, and just stepped through the 
door leading to another room, when the , 
house was caught up in the vorte.K of the ' 
whirlwind and completely demolished. Mr. 
West was hurled through the air, and 
although carried over fifty feet, received no 
serious injury. The laily of the house was 1 
whirled up into the aii", carried a short dis- 
tance, and Wiis slightly injured, while the ; 
lady and her sei'vant, with whom ^Ii'. AYest 
was boarding, were instantly killed. Mr. \ 
West received severe wounds and bruises on 
account of which he was unable to do any 
work for six weeks. He then took his old 
position as engineer on the road, but found 
himself too much disabled to do service in 
his old line, engineering. He therefore 
removed to Barnesville, Clay county, Minne- 



sota, where he purchased his present prop- 
erty and engaged in the hotel business. He 
has since resided there engaged in the busi- 
ness, and is one of the most popular and 
highly esteemed hotel men in the Red Eiver 
Valley. 

Mr. AVest was united in marriage in Jul}', 
1868, to Miss Rachel Penman, a native of 
the State of New York. This union has 
been blessed with the following named child- 
ren — William R. and Bert W., who are liv- 
ing, and three others deceased. 

Mr. West takes an active interest in all mat- 
ters of a local nature, pertaining to town or 
county. In political matters he affiliates with 
the democratic part}'. He is one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of the county ; a man of 
the highest honor and integrity; his word is 
considered as g-ood as his bond. 



'^^'^' 



T^lON. WILLIAM E. PURCELL is a 
JL'^-jL leading attorney of Wahpeton, Rich- 
land county, North Dakota. He is a native 
of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where 
he was born August ;!. 1858. The parents of 
the subject of our sketch were Joseph and 
Johannah (Dugan) Purcell, natives of Ireland. 
They came to America in 1863 and settled at 
Fleming-ton, New Jersey, where the father 
engaged in farming. 

The younger days of the subject of this 
sketch were spent at work on the farm. He 
received a good common school education, 
and in 1870 commenced the study of law in 
the office of Hon. John N. Voorhees, of 
Fleniington. New Jersey, continuing his 
studies until 1880, when he was admitted to 
the bar, and in the same year removed to 
AVahpeton, Richland county. North Dakota, 
where he has since been engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession. In 188-1: he was 
elected county attorney, and in ISSfi entered 
upon the duties of city attorney of AVahpe- 



432 



KED A'/r/:A' VALrj-.y AXD 



ton. In 1888 he was appointed United 
States district attorney by President Cleve- 
land, his field of duties taking in the entire 
Territory. There are eight districts in 
Dakota, and Mr. Purcell, as district attorney, 
must visit tliem all to attend to the legal 
duties of his office. This necessitates a vast 
amount of ti-avei and absence from home. 
He is a memlier of the hoard of education 
and a member of the agricultural board of 
North Dakota. In politics Mr. Purcell affili- 
ates with the democratic Jiarty, in defense of 
whose ))rincii)ies he often takes the stump. 
He has been successful in a financial way, 
and owns a tiiousand acres of land and con- 
siderable city propert}^ in Wahpeton. Mr. 
Purcell is a lawyer of excellent legal attain- 
ments, and is highly respected h\ his fellow- 
townsmen. Having thoroughly prepared him- 
self for his profession, he has risen to be the 
leading attorney in the county. His brother, 
Kicliard 11., who has been studying law with 
him for some time, was admitted to the bar 
in 1888, and is still in his office attending to 
legal matters during his absence on district 
business. 

^M^NDREW GUNDERSON, one of the 
Jp^^ enterprising farmers of Clay county, 
Minnesota, has. through hard labor and fru- 
gality, situated himself in the midst of a fine 
comfortable home at Moorhead. 

He was born in Norway, March IG, 1821. 
His father was Gunder Christofferson, a 
farmer, who had four children — Chris- 
tofifer, Jeris, Andrew and Annie. Tiie par- 
ents were faitliful Lutlierans, and died in 
the land of their birth. 

Our subject, Andrew, was raised at home 
to farm life and 'duties, but when sixteen 
years old he went to work on a farm with 
his brother, where he remained for eighteen 
years. Then he was married, and worked 
five years on what is known as the Soldier's 



Home. He then came to America, in 1872, 
stopping in Cass county, Dakota, where he 
' worked on the railroad six months, after 
I whicli lie came to Moorhead, which at that 
I time only presented some four or five liouses, 
' the balance of tiie places of inhabitation 
) being mere shanties. He found work in the 
, round house, across the river from ^loor- 
head in Fargo, for six months. lie then put 
in several months at any kind of labor tliat 
■ he could lintl to do — not bein<r afraid of 
hard labor, he always found somt; soit of 
employment. He purchased a lot and built 
the house in which he now lives, and also pre- 
empted a quarter section of land, six miles 
out from Moorhead, in Oak Park township. 
He improved this and then bought an ecjual 
amount which adjoined the former piece. 

The date of his marriage was November 
1, 18G3; he married Miss Mary H. Feltmann, 
a native of Norway, and the daughter of 
Peter Feltmann. Her mother's name was 
Martha Nelson. Her father was a sea caj)- 
tain, and also farmed in Norway, in which 
land they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Gunder- 
son's children nowlivingare — Matilda, who 
is a clerk in Sharp's dry goods store at 
IMoorhead; and Annie, who is a student in 
the high school atMoorliead. 

In politics Mr. Gunderson is a republican, 
thinking that the true theory is not to tie 
one's faith to party, but see that good men 
are placed in office. 



LEXANDER H. DUNLAP, M. D., one 
j^^ of the brightest ornaments of the 
medical profession of the city of Crookston, 
Minnesota, is a native of Canada, having 
been born at Pembroke, in the })rovince of 
Ontario, September 14, 1857, and is the son 
of John and Julia (Ellis) Dunlap. In his 
earliest youth he sought his education in the 
ordinary primary schools, and after that at 
the Kingston preparatory college. In 1S76, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



433 



at the a^e of nineteen, having come to the 
determination to adopt the medical profes- 
sion as a life's work, with that intention lie 
matriculated at the celebrated McGill ifed- 
ical College, located at Montreal, than which 
there is none better on this continent, and 
after diligently pursuing his studies, both in 
siirgerj', therapeutics and matei'ia medica, 
was finally graduated with honor at the com- 
mencement in March, 1882. 

The young doctor on looking around him 
for a location in which to settle, where his 
talents and training would be of benefit to 
himself and humanity, felt that in the newer 
countries of the "West he would find a greater 
fiekl for his efforts, and therefore in Septem- 
ber following his graduation, after resting 
during the summer, he came to the far-famed 
Eed Eiver Valley, and perceiving the grow- 
ing im]>ortance of the then flourishing village 
of Crookston, he settled in that place. Open- 
ing an office for the practice of the profession 
to which he had devoted his attention, and 
hanging "his banner on the outward walls," 
tha.t all might know that he was a disciple 
of Galen and master of the healing art, com- 
menced practice. By strictly attending to 
the duties devolving upon him, a conscien- 
tious discharge of the obligations laid upon 
him by his profession, and his close study of 
the cases submitted to his care, he has built 
up a most excellent, extended, and lucrative 
practice. Although the youngest member 
of the medical fraternity in the city, Dr. 
Dunlap already occupies a prominent posi- 
tion therein, and is regarded in an estimable 
light by his coadjutors in the profession. 

The Doctor is an active and zealous mem- 
mer of the Masonic fraternity, having been 
made a Mason in Crookston Lodge, ]Sfo. 141, 
A. F. & A. M., with which he still continues to 
be connected. He is also a member of Hiram 
Lodge, No. 78, A. O. U. W., of Crookston. 

Dr. Dunlap is as yet a single man, not hav- 
ing assumed the yoke matrimonial. 



#1LBERT OLSON, one of Grant 
countv's most liighly respected citi- 
zens, is residing on section 22, Erdahl town- 
ship, where he is carrying on an extensive 
farminij and stock-raisino: business. He is a 
native of Norway, born on the 28th of July, 
1836, and is a son of Ole Munson and Guri 
(Gilbertson) Munson, natives also of the king- 
dom of Norway. The father, who was a 
farmer, died at the advanced age of ninety- 
two years. The mother died in 1885, at the 
age of sevent}' years. They were the parents 
of the following named children — Anton, 
Gilbert, John, Ole, Ingebar, and one who 
died in infancy. 

Gilbert Olson, the subject of this memior, 
spent his early days in attending the excel- 
lent common schools of his native land. 
When he Avas fifteen years old, he left the 
school-room and learned the shoemaker's 
trade. In 185-1, or when he was eighteen 
years of age, he emigrated to the United 
States, and after a voyage of seven weeks, 
landed at Quebec, Canada, where he was 
forced to remain for some time on account of 
sickness. As soon as health permitted, he 
removed to AVisconsin, between Waupon and 
Fond du Lac, where he was again assailed 
by sickness and confined for six months. As 
soon as he had recovered his health, he 
engaffed work of a farmer in that localitv, 
and remained with him for two years. At 
the expiration of that time he removed to 
Madison, Wisconsin, where he remained about 
six months, then going to Whitewater, Wal- 
worth county, Wisconsin. He remained 
there until the outbreak of the Civil War, 
and in 1862 enlisted in the Twenty-eighth 
Wisconsin Infantry, entering as a private 
and being discharged as corporal. He was 
under Capt. E. S. Redington for three 
years and participated in the following 
battles : Helena, Arkansas ; Vicksburg, Lit- 
tle Rock, Spanish Fort, Mobile and Pine 
Bluff, besides a great many skirmishes 



434 



RED K/r/:A' VALLEY AND 



and scouting expeditions. He was lionor- 
abl}' discharged at Brownsville, Texas, 
August 2."), isr.5. After liis discbarge, Mr. 
Olson returned to Madison, Wisconsin, 
where he was jiaid oif. He then went to 
Iowa, where he remained for one winter, 
and then left for Menominee, "Wisconsin, 
where he worked in a saw mill for three 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
removed to Grant county, Minnesota. In 
1870 he homesteaded a tract of land on 
section 22, Erdahl township, where he has 
since continued to reside, engaged extens- 
ively and successfully in general fai-ming 
operations. Ilis well-improved farm now 
comprises .■!2o acres of excellent land, and 
Mr. Olson is one of tlie oldest settlers and 
most highly esteemed citizens in Grant 
county. 

Mr. Olson was married April 1>>, 1871, to 
Miss Anna Johnson, a native of Norway. 
Their mari'iage has been blessed with nine 
children — Gena, Oden (deceased), Malinda, 
Adolph, Josephine, Odena, Oden, Freeman 
and Axel. Mr. Olson has been supervisor of 
his townshi]), sclioul director, and lielil other 
ofHces of a local nature. ^Ir. Olson, with his 
family, belongs to the Lutheran chui-ch. In 
political niatters he attiliates with the repub- 
lican party. He is an honored member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, holding a 
membership in Ilcynolds Post No. 51, of 
Alexandi'ia, Minnesota. 



,,E)UDOLPH C. BURKHARDT, the gen- 
JPIV eral landlord at the Cleveland House, 
at Crookstim. ^linnesota, came to that city 
in .lannary, ISSO, and since that time has 
been identified with the growth and pros- 
peri t}' of the place. 

The subject of this ])ersonal narrative was 
born at Marine, Madison count}', Illinois, 
December 27, 1857, and is the son of Hon. 



Henry and Elizabeth (Burgher) Burkhardt. 
Ilis father was a man of energy, industry 
and excellent business talents, and in 1850, 
with a view to the betterment of his for- 
tune, removed to Wabasha, "Wabasha county, 
Minnesota, where he end)arked in business, 
carrying on a meat )narket, wiiich he still 
continues. In the public life of that ])ortion 
of the State he has been an important fac- 
tor, having served for live years as sheriff of 
the county, and was elected, in 1880, to rep- 
resent the district in the State senate. In 
1878 he came to Crookston and ]nircliased 
the lots and laid the fountlation and plans for 
the ))resent brewery, operated by Burk- 
hardt k. Co., but returned to "Wabasha, 
where he makes his home. 

Rudolph C. Burkhardt received from his 
parents full facilities for availing himself of 
the excellent ediicati(jnal ad vantagesatforded 
by the place of their residence, and remained 
with them until 1880, assisting his father 
somewhat in his business. In the last 
named year he went to La Crosse, Wiscon- 
sin, and spent one term in the Commercial 
College, after which he came to Crookston, 
and had charge of the books of the brewer\'. 
In this employment he remained live years, 
at the expiration of which he inirchased the 
Cleveland House and end)ai-ketl in his pres- 
ent business. The hotel is a neat and con- 
venient one of some eighteen rooms, and has 
a handsome bar-room and saloon in connec- 
tion. Beside this property Mr. Burkhardt 
has considerable real estate in the city, and 
is one of the solid men of the city in a finan- 
cial sense. 

Mr. Burkhardt is an active meml>er of 
Crookston Lodge, No. 7it. I. O. O. F., and is 
the district deputv grand master of the 
order in this place. He was united in mar- 
riage, June 22, 1882, with Miss I'.ertlia Hoel- 
ker, of Mazeppa, Wabasha county, this 
State, and a native of Canada. Tliey have 
two children — LeRoy and Raymonil. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



435 



^LONZO BRANDENBURG is the pres- 
1®^ ent sheriff of Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of the city of Dayton, 
Ohio, and was born on the 1st of November, 
1849. 

His parents were Alpheus M. and Catha- 
rine Brandenburg, who were both natives of 
Dayton, Ohio. Tiie father moved to Musca- 
tine, Iowa, and while there was engaged in 
the mercantile business and followed the 
same until in 1S58, when he went to Trem- 
paleau, Wisconsin. Here he engaged in the 
mercantile business, in which line he con- 
tinued for a number of years. He has now 
retired from active business and is still living 
at Trempaleau. The mother died in 1881. 
They had a family of six children, the fol- 
lowing of whom are now living — Esther, 
now Mrs. Grover; Maria, now Mrs. Elkins; 
Mary, Alonzo and Oscar. 

The younger days of the subject of our 
sketch were spent in attending school in 
Wisconsin. After com])leting his scholastic 
course, he then, for some time, clerked in a 
general store at Trempaleau. After continu- 
ing in this line for four years he went to 
Ivansas where he remained six months. In 

1870 he came nortinvard, stopping at Troy, 
Winona county, Minnesota, where he clerked 
in a hotel for some time. In the spring of 

1871 he came to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, and at once turned his 
attention to the manufacture of lime. He 
burned the lii'st lime at Fergus Falls, and 
followed that business for one year. He 
then learned the trade of plastering, in which 
business he continued for four years, taking a 
great many contracts for that kind of work, 
and employing continually from four to six 
men. He then engaged in selling agricult- 
viral machinery, and followed that business 
for eight years, and in 1881 was elected sher- 
iff of Otter Tail countv. His first term was 
under the old law and lasted three j'ears. 
Since that date, every succeeding two years, 



he has been re-elected to the office of sheriff. 
Mr. Brandenburg has been a man of consid- 
erable prominence in local politics, and has 
been honored in many ways by his fellow 
citizens. He was the first marshal of the 
cit\', holding that office for two years, and for 
some years was alderman of the third ward. 
In the business improvements of Fergus 
Falls he has proven himself to be a progress- 
ive citizen. He has built four dwelling: 
houses besides his own residence on Cavour 
avenue. He is one of the directors of the 
Citizens' National Bank, and is a stock-holder 
in the Otter Tail flouring mill. In politics 
he is a loyal republican, having affiliated 
with that party for many years. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and is 
one of the solid and substantial men of the 
city and county. 

Mr. Brandenburg was married in 1874 to 
Miss Alice Faber, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. 
Brandenburg is the daughter of George M. 
Faber. 



.^^ 



«4^^^ 



M 



^ARRY M. WHEELOCK, the local 
editor of the Fergus Falls Journal, 
was born at Fredonia, New York, on the 
14th of June, 1859. His parents, Theodore 
and Eva (Jennings) Wheelock, were natives, 
respectively, of Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut. The father is now a resident of 
St. Paul. The mother died at Duluth in 
1880. The parents had a familv of two sons 
— Harry M. and Leland L. 

Harry M. Wheelock, our present subject, 
received his education in the Normal School 
at Fredonia, New York, and at an early age 
began learning the printer's trade — " the 
art preservative of all arts." After finishing 
his apprenticeship he worked at his ti'ade in 
various portions of the East and West. In 
1882 he came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, 
and aided in the establishment of the Daily 
Telegram. For two years he was connected 



436 



REI) KIl'EK VALLEY AXJ) 



with that paper, and then in company with 
Capt. J. D. "Wood established the Democrat. 
A few months later he became connected 
with the Fergus Falls Journal, and is now 
local and associate editor on that paper. 
From his many j'ears exjierience in active 
news])aper work he understands the business 
thoroughly, and is rated as one of the best 
newspaper men in the Park Regions. 

Mr. Wheelock was married, in 1882, to 
Miss .Josephine A. Buck, of St. Paul. 



[bSEPH B. HODGSON, who is engage^ 
in the collection and agricultural imple- 
ment business, at Ilerman, Grant county, 
Minnesota, is one of the most intelligent and 
])est posted citizens of his locality. A genial, 
well informed and courteous gentleman, he 
has made many warm friends, and is highly 
regarded both as a business man and an 
exemplary citizen. 

Mr. Hodgson is a native of Minnesota, boi'n 
in Dakota county, on the 5th of April, 1857, 
and a son of Thomas [and Charlotte Lenora 
(Corran) Hodgson. His ])arents were natives 
of England. They were married in the land 
of their birth, and at an early day came to 
the United States, locating at Galena, Hlinois. 
From there they removed to Dakota county, 
Minnesota, in lS5-i, and there the father died 
in 187i. He was a member of the Methodist 
church, and man of high christian character. 
The widow has lived in St. Paul since 1882, 
being now about 74 years of age. Thomas 
Hodgson and wife were the parents of seven 
children — five boys and two girls — all of 
whom grew to manhooil and womanhood — 
Kate, Susan, Edward J.,Thomas C, "William, 
James,and Joseph B. Kate became the wife of 
B. H. Phinney, and died in 1887. Susan is the 
Avife of C. H. Phinney, one of Grant county's 
■leading farmers. Edward J. married Miss 
Maiy Staples, and is now a lawyer in St. 



Paul. Thomas C, is a resident of Delaware 
township. Grant county. He held the office 
of county superintendent of Grant county for 
many years, and is now one of the State gi'ain 
inspectors. "William is an attorney at Hast- 
ings, Minnesota. James is a lawyer at Ben- 
son, Minnesota. 

Joseph B. Hodgson, whose name heads this 
article, grew to manhood in his native county. 
He received a good practical education, and 
supplemented this witii a tlior'ough course at 
the St. Paul Business College, finishing his 
studies in ISSl. After leaving: colloije he 
clerked in his brother's law office for two 
years and then came to Herman, Grant 
county, Minnesota, and since that time has 
devoted his attention to the machine business, 
and also to collecting. 

Mr. Hodgson is a capable and careful busi- 
ness man, anil a gentleman of wide general 
information. During his residence inSt.Paul, 
for nearly a year, he was a reporter on the 
Minneapolis Evenimtj Journal, being con- 
nected witii the St.Paul department. In politi- 
cal matters he is a republican, and has always 
been an active and zealous worker for the suc- 
cess of that organization. 

OHN A. HANNAH, a well-to-do and suc- 
^'^ cessful farmer residing on section 28, 
Nisbet township, Polk county, Minnesota, is 
one of the leading citizens of the locality in 
which he lives. He was born in Ontario, 
Canada, on the 11th of April, 1851, and was 
a son of "William and Charlotte (McDonald) 
Hannah, who were also natives of the same 
Province. Both of the parents are now 
deceased. They had a family of thirteen 
children, eight boys and five girls — John A., 
"William, Maggie, Isabella, Dan (deceased), 
Eose Ann (deceased), Charles Albert, James, 
Ellen Alice, Henry, Lottie, Allan (deceased), 
and Andrew Ernest. AVilliam married 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



437 



Isabella M. Brownlee (deceased), and is living 
in Nisbet township with Anch'ew anil Ernest, 
their sister Ellen Alice keeping house for 
tliein. Maggie inaniod Alexander Kelley. 
and thev are livino- in Michi^ian. Isabella 
mai-ried John liilfer, and tliey are still resi- 
<lents of Ontario. The youngest sister, Lot- 
tie, lives in Ontario with her brothei's. James 
and Henry. Rose Ann married Kenneth 
McCharles, and died, l(>a\'ing two cliildi'en — 
Bertie, a girl, and William. The girl lives 
with James Hannah and the boy is with an 
aunt of his mother's. 

John A. Hannah, the principal subject of 
our present sketch, was reared and educated 
in the Province of his birth, receiving the 
same training as to industry and integrity 
which is characteristic of the race from 
which he springs. At an early age he began 
work, and while still living at home for 
about eight years he worketl in the lumber 
camps and on the river. In 1877 he was 
married, and remained in his native land 
until the following iVIarch (of 1878), when 
he came to Polk county, Minnesota, and 
selected a home neai- the village of Fisher, 
where he has since lived. He took 80 
acres as a pre-emption, and a tree claim of 
160 acres, so that he has a good-sized farm. 
His improvements are comfortable and tasty, 
and the farm is under a good state of culti- 
vation. Mr. Hannah is rated as one of the 
most substantial citizens of the locality in 
which he lives ; he is a man (jf the strictest 
integrity and is highly esteemed, both as a 
neighbor and an exemplary citizen. 

The date of Mr. IlannaiTs marriage was 
March 23, 1877, and he and his wife are the 
parents of the following-named children — 
William J., Mary It., Lottie M., Robert L. 
and Nettie E. Mrs. Hannah was formei'ly 
Miss Jennette Brownlee, a daughter of 
Robeit aiui Mary (Dunlap) Brownlee. She 
Avas born in Ontario, but iier parents were 
natives of Scotland. 



Ig) OBERT J. McNElL is one of the 
j^J^ leading harness makers of Alexandria, 
Minnesota. He is a native of Canada, and 
was born February 8, 1857. 

Mr. McNeil is the son of Robert C. and 
Mary (McCallum) McNeil, the former a 
native of New York, and the latter a native 
of Canada. Robei't C. IVIcNeil was a harness- 
maker by trade, and followed this business 
through most of his life in Canada and in 
Elk River, Minnesota, to which ])lace he 
came in 1867. He remained in Elk River 
for two years, and in 186it canve to Alexan- 
dria, settled on lands within the village 
limits and lived there until his death in 
1874. Mrs. McNeil, the mother of the sub- 
ject of our sketch, died in 1875. Mr. McNeil 
opened the tirst harness shop in Alexandria. 
His establishment was known from Alexan- 
dria to Fort Gerry, and for many miles 
around in the vicinity of these places. 
People came from tiie fort and from long 
distances to buy harness of Mr. McNeil, in 
whom tiiey had much conlldence. JNfr. McNeil 
continued in the harness business until 
his death. He enjoyed the (>steem and con- 
lldence of his fellow townsmen, was road 
supervisor for some years, and helped to lay 
out the road running to Hudson township. 
The father had a family of nine children, 
six of whom are now living — Robert J., 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. T. Robards; Walter, 
William, Frank and Cora, the last adopted 
by Mr. Sims, a leading hardware merchant 
of Alexandria. Mary died at the age of 
eighteen and two others, Ijoys, died in child- 
hood. 

The subject of our sketch received his 
education in Alexandria, and after leaving 
school he worked at the ])rintiiig business for 
nineteen months for W. E. Hicks, who then 
owned and edited the Alexandria Pud. He 
then learned the harness business oC his 
father and uncle, W. L. McCalhnn, and 
opened a shop of his own in 1878. He located 



438 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



his sliop on Main street, from Avhich 
place he has not removed, but has continued 
business in the old stand from the first. He 
purcliased his present business building in 
1881. lie has tiie pioneer shop of the vil- 
lage, his fatlier having established the busi- 
ness in 1809. Mr. McNeil keeps from two 
to four men emjiloyed all tiie time, and lias a 
large business, and also carries a large stock 
of horse fui'iiishing goods. 

Mr. ]\[cNoil was married in 1879 to Miss 
Alice E. Hill, daughter of Lewis Hill, of 
Alexandria. Four children have blessed 
this union — Walter H., Edwin C, Edna and 
Nina. Mr. McNeil is one of the enterprising 
business men of the village and county, is 
interested as a stockholder in the Douglas 
County Bank and Alexandria Manufactur- 
ing Company, owns over 400 acres of 
land, and is otherwise financially interested 
in the welfare of city and county. He is 
independent in politics, is an Odd-Fellow, 
and is also a member of the Knights of 
Honor fraternitv. 



AMES D. PARK, who follows black- 
smithing at Moorhead, INIinnesota, is 
the subject of the following sketch : 

He is a Canadian by birth ; was born 
August 24, 184-t, and is the son of William 
and Ann (Dinwoodie) Piirk, natives of Eng- 
land and Scotland, respectively. The father 
was reared at Carlisle and the mother near 
Glasgow. The father was a farmer anil he 
came to Canada in 1842, engaging in farm- 
ing, until his death, which took place in 1870 ; 
he left a wife and nine children. The mother 
still lives in Canada, near Chatam, with her 
son Henry, who is one of the seven children. 
They are named — Jane, afterward j\Irs. 
Sutherland, deceased ; Andrew, now in Idaho 
Territory ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Taylor : Agnes, 
Mrs. Tiiddell ; Isabella, deceased ; James D. 



and Henry and John, twins. The father 
was a drummer boy at the battle of Water- 
loo. He belono:ed to the Englisli chuich. 
while his jrood wife belontjed to tli<' Pi-esbv- 
terian church. 

Oai- subject Avas raised on a farm, receiv- 
ing a common-school education. When he 
was thirteen years of age he went to learn 
till' trade of a blacksmith, but only worked 
at it a year with the first man, and then went 
to Ogdensburgh, State of New York, in 
1858, serving full three years. He then 
worked from that time on until 18r>3, when 
he retui'ned to Canada, working there until 
1866. After spending a short time in New 
York State he again went back to Canada, 
remained a while, but in 1808 went to San 
Francisco, California, where he remained for 
three years and a half. After his trip to the 
Pacific coast he returned to Canada, but 
shortly came to Fargo, Dakota Territory, 
arriving in 1879, and took a claim of 160 
acres. He im))rove(l and resided on this 
land for two years, then came to Moor- 
head, where he pui'chased a shop and home 
residence. 

He was married, in 1865, to Miss Derretta 
Weston, a native of Canada, and the daughter 
of John Weston. Mr. and ^Mrs. Park have 
a famil}' of eight children, six of whom are 
now living — Rebecca, Ida E., William, John 
W. (deceased), James D., Andrew T. and 
Edward D. 

Mi's. Park's parents were John and Esther 
Ann (Pitt) Weston, natives of England and 
Canada, respectively. The father came to 
Canada when a young man. When he was 
married he was doing an extensive business, 
raising hoi'ses, cattle and grain. He remained 
there until his death, January 17, 18(;9. The 
mother died August 3, 1877. They had a 
family of thirteen chiklren, ten daughters 
and three sons — Mary, Mrs. Ilutchcroft; 
Sarah, Mrs. Ilutchcroft ; Elizabeth Mrs. 
Purnside; Caroline, Mrs. Riddell ; Jane, ^Irs. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINXESOTA. 



439 



Kiddell ; Esther A., Mrs. Ranns ; Adeline' 
Mrs. Froom ; John ; Derretta, Mrs. Park, and 
Rebecca, Mrs. Hutchcroft. Those deceased 
are Richard, George and Alice A. The 
father and mother were members of the 
church of England and wavo, wealthy, influ- 
ential ])eoiile, who gave tlieir children a lib- 
eral education. 

Our subject is a democrat in his political 
belief. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, 
Knights of Labor and Druids, lie is coni- 
fortably situated, having a fine house on 
Third street, wliich cost upward of $3,000, 
and is said to be the best residence on that 
street. 



•UCKLEY D. CATLIN, contractor in 
brick, stone and general building, has 
his headquarters at Fergus Fails, Minnesota. 
He is a native of Tioga count}', Pennsylvania, 
where he was born January 20, 1835. His 
parents were AVilliam and Sophia (Kelley) 
X^atlin, the former a native of Connecticut 
and the latter of Vermont. His parents were 
pioneer settlers in Catlin Hollow, Tioga 
county, Pennsylvania. They were large 
farmers and stock-raisers, and the father 
lived to the ripe old age of ninety- -four years. 
The mother is still living in her eighty-eighth 
year. The father was a democrat in politics. 
The grandfather was Jesse Catlin, a native 
of Connecticut, and by occupation a farmer. 
He lived to be one hundred and 
four years old, and his wife, Betsey 
(Ratlin, lived to the age of eighty-four 
years. Sophia (^Kelley) Catlin was the 
daughter of Thomas Kelley, a native of Ver- 
mont and a soldier in the War of 1812. 
William Catlin, the father of tiie subject of 
our sketch, had a family of nine sons and 
four daughters, all of whom lived to mature 
age. Nine of these children are now living — 
Wells G., Wright B., AVilliam L., Buckley D., 



Merrit M., Robert W., Elmira M., Sophia 
and Menerva H. 

The subject of our sketch remained at 
home, attending school during the winter 
months until thirteen years of age. At this 
early age he engaged in the lumber business, 
continuing in that line until twenty-eight 
years old, tluring a poi-tion of this time 
being a jobber in the lumber business in 
Cameron county, Pennsylvania. August 18, 
1SC2, he enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in -\vhat 
was then known as the "buck-tail" regi- 
ment. He enlisted as a private, and was dis- 
charged as fourth serjjeant at the close of 
the war. He saw much hard service, and 
was engaged in the following battles : 
Hooker's first battle, Gettysburg and all of 
the battles before Petersburg. He was in 
the Third Division. Warren's Fifth Corps, and 
Bragg's Third Brigade. After leaving the 
service he came to New York State and en- 
gaged in farming, which business he con- 
tinued for four years. Then, in 1869, became 
to Iowa, stopping at Clear Lake, where he 
remained eleven years engaged in dairying. 
In that city he built the Clear Lake cheese 
factory, of which he was sole proprietor. 
He built up an e.vtensive business in that 
line, the factory being supplied by 300 cows, 
and after carrying on this business for three 
years he sold out. He purchased village 
property in Clear Lake and remained there 
until 1882, at which time he sold out and 
came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in which 
place he has continued to reside ever since. 
He has been engaged very extensively in 
contracting and building, and has run at 
times as many as forty men and sixteen 
teams. 

Mr. Catlin was married February 8, 
lSfi3, to Miss Diana A. Cook, of McKean 
county, Pennsylvania, by whom he has three 
living children — Ella E., Albertus W. and 
Edward L. Ella E. is now ilrs. J. J. Ken- 



440 



RED RIVEK VALLE V AND 



dull, of Winona county, Minnesota. Ilcr 
husband is engaged in tlie wholesale drug 
business. She has two sons — John C. and 
Guy. Albertus W. is now a United States 
naval cadet at Annapolis, JFaryland, where 
he lias been for three years. Edwani L. is a 
student. The mother died in 1S72 in Clear 
Lake, Iowa. Mr. Catlin's second wife was 
Laura M. Wells, a native of Fairfield, Ver- 
mont. Tiiis marriage took place in ISTi, and 
the wife died ten j'ears later in Fergus Falls, 
Minnesota. In 1888 Mr. Catlin was married 
to Rachel A. J'ei'rv, of tiie city of Home, 
Oneida county, New York. 

The subject of our sketch is a loyal su])- 
porter of the I'epublican party, and belongs 
to the G. A. II., being a charter member of 
Stanton post, No. 73, Department of Minne- 
sota, lie built his line residence, Ko. Hi 
Beach street, in 1884. Mr. Catlin is one of 
the ])rosperous, progressive citizens of Fergus 
Falls. 

J^ETER RAMSTAD, the present register 
-IL"*' of deeds of Norman county, Minne- 
sota, is one of the first of Ada's citizens, as 
well as one of the most popular men in tiiat 
place, lie made his appearance in the vil- 
lage in the spring of ISSO, and commenced 
life there as a clerk in the store of G. S. 
Barnes & Co., of which his brother was man- 
aging ])artner. The following year, in com- 
])any with his brother, L. L., he put up a 
store building, and in partnership with him 
entered into the general merchandise trade, 
under the firm name of L. L. Ramstad k, 
Co. They continued tt) carry on the busi- 
ness until the death of the brother in 1883, 
after which, the estate being settled up, our 
subject opei-ated the store under the name 
of Peter llamstad & Co. In 1885 he gave 
up business entirely to attend to other duties. 
During the winter of 1880-81, while the 
subject of the division and organization of 



the county was in agitation before the legis- 
lature, word came to Ada from the commit- 
tee sent on there to look after their interests, 
that the name of Wheat was chosen for the 
new county. This ajipellation not being in 
consonance with the views of the leading 
spirits of the village, a few of them gathered 
together in the stoi-e of G. S. Barnes & Co., 
and tiie name of Norman was suggested by 
Anthony Scheir as a more suitable sul)sti- 
tute. Thisseemed to strike the t;iste of those 
assembled and it was at once adopted, and 
the following day a ])etition to that effect 
was (li'awn uj) and circulated in their store, 
and l)V niyht had some two hundred sijrna- 
tures. It was sent to the committee at St. 
Paul, and the chosen name given the new 
county, which was ordered to be organized. 
At the first election tiie subject of thissketch 
was chosen chairman of the first board of 
county commissioners, and held that office 
forthe year. After the death of his brother, 
Mr. liamstad was ap})ointed ))ostmaster in 
his stead, and fulfilled the duties of that 
responsible position until the fall of 188G. 
Ever active in all that rehated to the home 
of his adoption he was elected a member of 
the village council, and at onetime was the 
chairman of the board of supervisors of the 
town of McDonaldsville. In tin- autumn of 
1880 Mr. Paiustad was nominated and elected 
to the office of register of deeds, of the 
county, and entered upon the discharge of 
the duties, thereof, in January, 1887. 

Tiie gentleman of whom this memoir is 
written is a native of Norway, born January 
24, 18.")1, and is the son of Lars and Carrie 
(Wauge) llamstad. His earlier education 
was obtained in the land of his birth, but at 
the age of twelve years ^iie left his native 
home with his ])arents and came to the 
United States. The family settled in Vernon 
county, Wisconsin, where Peter remained, 
working on the farm and ])erfecting his 
education, until 1870, when, having a strong 



PARK' KEGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



441 



bias toward a mercantile life, and feeling, 
intuitively, liis talents in that direction, he 
coniinonced life as a clerk in a store in Eau 
Claire. Wisconsin, but, after a year or so spent 
in that eniploynient, in 1872 returned to the 
paternal farm and contented himself there 
until ISSO. "While assistint^ in the agricul- 
tural ])ursuits there, he took an active and 
intelligent interest in political niatt(U's, as far 
as the town's interest was concisrncd, and 
served as treasurer of the townsiiip and 
clerk of the school board until lie left tiiere 
in ISSO. when he came to Ada. 

ill', lianistad was united in marriage, July 
3. ISS-i, with Miss Christine Schriver, a 
native of Norway, and daughter of Nich- 
olay and Netta (Iteutz) Schi'iver. Mr. and 
Mrs. Eamstad are the pai'ents of two chil- 
dren — Ibsen L. and Carrie Y. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamstad are commu- 
nicant members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church, and takes an active interest in all 
religions work. He is one of the present 
board of trustees of the society of that 
dcnoniiiiation in Ada. Mr. llamstad is. also 
a cliarter member of the Knights of Pythias 
Lodge which was organized in that village 
in 1SS2. and was connected with the A. O. 
V . AV. when it had an organization in the 
place, fie is the owner of a line farm of 
520 acres of land, about 350 acres of which 
is under cultivation, to which he gives his 
personal attention, besides another farm of 
200 acres, all lying near the village. 



-«-J^^i 



^'tSm'-.^-^' 



jI.E J. QUALLEY, cashier of the First 
*vU^ National Bank of Moorhead, is one of 
the most prominent business men in the lied 
Kiver Valley, and isa self-made man in evei-y 
sense of that term. 

He is a native of Wiiniesheik county, 
Iowa, born May 31, 1852. His parents are 
Ole O. and Marken Qualley, natives of Nor- 



way. They came to America in 1847 and 
settled on Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin, re- 
maining for two years and then removed to 
Iowa, and there engaged in farming until 
1881. At this date they moved to Grant 
county, Minnesota, where the father farmed 
two years and moved to "Washington Terri- 
tory, where he is still engaged in farming. 
The mother died in "Winnesheik county, 
Iowa, in 1857. Our subject is the only child 
by that marriage. He spent his early days 
at home, working on the farm and attending 
school. He attended the I:i)per Iowa Uni- 
versity six months; then lie taught school 
and farmed for a while, after which he at- 
tended school at Marshall. Dane county, 
"Wisconsin, for a term of thi'ee months. He 
also attended the Northwestern Business 
College at Madison, "Wisconsin, for a year, 
graduating in 1873. In 187-4 he taught in 
the college for three months and then 
returned home, accepting a position as book- 
keeper at Ossian, in a dry goods house, where 
he remained till coming to Moorhead, Minne- 
sota, in 1877. Here he commenced book- 
keeping for John Erickson, dry goods dealer, 
rennuning there fifteen months, then 
accepted a place in the First National Bank 
of Fargo, Dakota Teriitory, which idace he 
held for two years and a half, wlien he 
accepted a position as book-keeper in the law 
firm of Benton & Darling, attorneys-at-law 
in Fargo. After ten months with them he 
accepted a position in the First National 
Bank of Moorhead as assistant cashier. He 
served as such one year. The bank had no 
regular cashier, however, and he did the 
business of that office. The next year he 
was duly elected as cashier of the institution, 
and is still in that position of honor and 
responsibility. He is also one of the stock- 
holders of this l)aiddng house. 

Politically h" says he is a " born repub- 
lican," but also a strong prohibitionist. He 
was married :n 1877 to Miss Florence Glat- 



442 



KKD KIVER ]- ALLEY AND 



hart, daughter of Mary (Long) Glathart, of 
Ohio. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren — Florence M., Mary E. and Earnest D. 
This worthy couple are members of the First 
Presbyterian church of Mooriiead. Our 
subject has bougiit antl traded for land until 
he now owns 4S0 acres; also has city lots 
upon which he has built. It is with much 
pleasure that one looks upon a successful 
business, moi-e especially if he is a self-made 
man, as is the case of our subject. He is 
held in the highest esteem by all, both as an 
exemplary citizen and as a business man. 

T^EV. E. J. LAWLOR, the able pastor 
JP%- of St. Mary's Catholic church, at 
Crookston, Minnesota, is but a late comer 
in that |)art of the State, but has already 
marked, with ids individuality and energy, a 
portion of the community. The large and 
handsome church over which he presides, 
which has a capacity of seating some eight 
hundred people, was erected through iiis 
instrumentality and efficient labor. 

Fatii(>r Lawlor, who is of Celtic descent, 
was born at Ontonagon, Michigan, April 2, 
18.59. At the age of ten j'ears he removed 
Avith ins parents to Duluth, Minnesota. In 
1875 he entered St. Joseph's College, at 
Ottawa, Canada, where he remained for 
about three years, but in 1878 matriculated 
at St. John's University, Collegeville, Min- 
nesota, from wiiich institution of learning he 
was graduated in 1881. Feeling called to 
the ])riestl)ood of his church, he pursued a 
three years' course in the philosophical and 
theological departments of his alma mater, 
and upon the completion of that period was 
ordained priest, on the '29th of June, 1884. 

Upon joining the diocese of Northern 
Minnesota the subject of our sketch was 
given charge of St. Francis church, at 
Fisher's Landing:, with the recommendation 



of his superioT-s toestablish a new congrega- 
tion aiui ciuirch in the "-rowinif town of 
Crookston. The con<!:res:ation at the latter 
place, of mi.xed nationalities and several 
mother tongues, was divided in 1885, and 
Fatlier Lawlor was placed in pastoral charge 
of the English-s]ieakingCatholicsof tiiecom- 
munity. From these elements the Father 
built up a line church witii a membership of 
ujiward of three hundred ami fifty, and 
nuiny of them are among the wealthier and 
more affluent peo])le of the conimunity. 

Of a ]iure and iri-eproachal)le life, of easy 
and affable address and excellent abilities, 
Father Lawlor has conquered a prominent 
place in the iieai'ts of the peo])ie of the com- 
munity, who, without exception, of what- 
ever church or creed, respect and honor him 
as a citizen and a Christian gentleman. His 
work here is but just commenced and life 
with liim is yet close to its fountain head, 
and with liis rare ability and scholarshij), 
will, imder the direction and fostering care 
of the Master he serves so faithfully, 
accomplish much good in the church. His 
many excellent qualities, his purity of life, 
yet modest demeanor, evince a rare disposi- 
tion, and he is bound to reach a higii raidc in 
the church, if spared to fulfil his labors. 



««►► 



/^HARLHS C. PONSOMBV, chief train 
^^y dispatcher and train-master of the 
Northern Division of the St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis »fe Manitoba liailroad, is a n^sident of 
the vdlage of Barnesville, Clay count}', Min- 
nesota, and is one of the prominent and 
respected citizens of that locality. He is a 
native of New York State, born at Niagara 
Falls, on the 9th day of March, 1851, and is 
the son of Charles C. Smith and Abbie L. 
Smith, natives also of New York. 

The early days of Mr. Ponsomby, the 
suljject of this biographical sketch, spent his 



PARK REGIONS OF ATINNESOTA 



443- 



younger days in oI)taining an education, and 
from tiie age of foui'teen on until seventeen, 
he attended college in Racine, Wisconsin. 
At that ])ei'i()(l in life he commenced for him- 
self, and was employed by F. N. N. Fin- 
ne}', chief engineer on the Canada Southern 
Railroad, and our subject i-emained with him 
about six months. From the expiration of 
that time until 1880, Mr. Ponsomby was 
employed by various companies and in vari- 
ous places, chiefly engaged in clerical work. 
In the spring of 1880 he went into the 
employ of the Chicago, Burlington k, Quincy 
Railroad, and was engaged as assistant chief 
train-dispatcher, located at Creston, Jowa. 
Later he was emploj'ed as chief train-dis- 
patcher, which he held until 1881. In that 
year he accepted a position as train-dis- 
patcher on the St. Paul, Minneapolis and 
Manitoba line, and located at St. Paul, 
Minnesota. His headquarters were after- 
ward changed to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and 
then to Crookston, Minnesota. On the 17th 
of January, 1885, the division headquarters 
were removed from Crookston toBarnesville, 
and in May, 1885, Mr. Ponsomby was made 
train-master and chief train-dispatcher of the 
whole northern division of the Manitoba 
line. He has since filled the responsible 
position which he holds, and is one of the 
best and most reliable men in his line to be 
found in the Red River Valley or Park 
Regions of Minnesota. 

Mr. Ponsomby was united in the bonds of 
matrimony on the 12th day of November, 
1875, to Miss Carrie J. Decker, a native of 
the "Empire State," born at Dresden. The 
subject of this article is one of the leading 
citizens of the village of Barnesville, and has 
always taken an active interest in all matters 
pertaining to the county or village. At the 
time of the proposed organization of tiie new 
village, independent of the old Barnesville, 
our suljject was one of the active partici- 
pants in the act of securing a new charter 



and forming a se])arate cor]ioration. He 
was a member of the boai'd of councilmen 
of the "new town" and was the second 
president of the village board. He now 
holds the office of village recorder, and when 
the matter of forming a separate and inde- 
pendent school district was discussed, Mr. 
Ponsomby was a defender and did active 
work in carrying the matter through. The 
"old town people," as they are called, bit- 
terly opposed both the creation of a new 
village and the school district, and at the out- 
set the adherents of the movement had a 
great deal to oppose and hinder them. Mr. 
Ponsomby is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. In pohtical matters he affiliates 
with the republican party, and is one of the 
representative and esteemed citizens of 
Barnesville and vicinity. 

The name of Ponsomljy was given our 
subject by an act of the Minnesota legisla- 
ture, changing it from Smith upon his appli- 
cation. 



JTaSPER W. earl, has a real estate and 
^ loan agency at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, which business he estab- 
lished in 1876. He is a native of Carthage, 
Hancock county, Illinois, and was born in the 
year 18-t9. 

His ]iarents were Harry and Eunice 
(Howd) Earl, who were natives of Camden, 
Oneida county. New York. The father, 
through many years of his life, followed the 
occupation of farming. For some time he 
followed this business in the State of Illinois, 
and in 185t) migrated to Minnesota, settling 
near Mankato. He is now living at Lincoln, 
Nebraska, engaged in the commission busi- 
ness. His father was John Earl, a native of 
Germany, who, on coiuing to America, set- 
tled in New York State,where he followed the 
business of farming. He reared a familv of 



444 



FED KIVER VALLEY AND 



nine children. The mother of the subject of 
our sketch was the daughter of Joel Howd, 

ji native of one of the Eastern States, and by 
occupation a fanner. 

The parents of the subject of our sketch 
reared a family of six chiklron, four of whom 
sire now living — Saraii, now Mrs. Denison; 
Cecelia, now Mrs. Hanson; Theresa, now 
Mrs. Kneutson, and Jasper \V. The father 
was formerly a republican in ])olitics, but 
has of late joined the ]irohibition party. He 
is a member of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
churcli. The motlier tiied August 12,1887. 

The subject of tliis sketch was reared on 
the farm, remaining under the parental roof 
xmtil he was nineteen years of age. He re- 
ceived a good commons chool education, and 
also took a course in the Bryant and Strat- 
ton business college of Chicago, Illinois. 
After completing his course in this institu- 
tion he was engaged as book-keeper for Lloyd 
«fe Hunter for two years. At the end of 
this time he went to Montana Territory, 
where he engaged in book-keeping for three 
3-ears, and during this time was in the employ 
of Dahler, Armstrong it Co. He was also 
the first re])ublican elected to office in Beaver- 
head county, Montana Territory — that of 
county clerk and recorder. In February, 
1876, he came to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, where he opened his 
present business. He has been city clei'kfor 
one term and lias lield tiie office of alderman 
two terms. 

In 1875 Mr. Earl was married to Miss 
Opiielia Stowell, of Fariijault, daugliter of 
Paschal and Minerva (Joslyn) Stowell. 

'\\\\ Earl and his wife are members of the 
Methodist E[)iscopal church, and lie is at 
present one of the official board of that 
society. In })oiitics Mr. Earl is a ])rohibi- 
tionist. He has built uj) a large and lucra- 
tive business, and is one of the prominent 
and rising young business men of tlie city 
and count V. 



ILTON B. HAYS, the efficient chief 
of police of Crookston. is a native 
of Summit county, Ohio, and was boi-n De- 
cember -t, 1843. He is the son of ZoplierB. 
and Melvina (Moses) Hays, who, when the 
subject of this sketch was about six years of 
age, moved with him to Fond du Lac county, 
Wisconsin, where the latter grew to man- 
hood. He received his education in the dis- 
trict schools of the home of his adoption, 
and assisteit liis father in the labor upon his 
farm. 

In the spring of 1861 Mr. Hays, altiiough 
but a boy, offered his services in defense of 
his country. Enlisting in May, of that year, 
he was soon after mustered into the service, 
at Madison, "Wisconsin, as a member of 
Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and 
in a short time was transferred to the seat of 
war in Northern Virginia, where the regi- 
ment was placed in the Third Brigade, Sec- 
ond Division, then under the command of 
Gen. W. S. Hancock. Early in the 
spring of 1862 he went with liis regiment 
with Gen.G. B. McClellan to Yorktown.and 
followed him throughout all the campaign 
in the swamps of tlie Chickahominy. His 
" baptism of fire" was at the battle of Will- 
iamsburg, Virginia, and participated in all 
the engagements of the campaign, including 
the seven days' conflict at Savage Station, 
Fair Oaks, Seven Pines and Malvern Hill, 
and the final movement to Harrison's Land- 
ing, where their ])osition was made terrible 
by the gunl)oats on the river. In August, 
the Fifth Wisconsin was ordered to a jiost 
near Fairfax Court House, where it went into 
camp and remained until after the defeat at 
Bull Ptun. 

Mr. Hays remained with the gallant and 
widely -known regiment until tiie spring of 
1861, having re-enlisted or veteranized, and 
participated in tiie conflicts at Antietam, 
Ciiancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rap[)alianock 
Station and others. Durino; the second dav 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



44S 



of the Battle of the "Wilderness our subject 
was taken prisoner by tlie rebels and, while 
being taken to the rear, near Orange Court 
House, made an attempt at escape, but, being 
pursued and lired on, and one ball passing 
through the Heshy part of his leg and 
another in the hip, he was disabled and recap- 
tured. He was sent to the rebel prison pen 
at Andersonville, and there, under the inhu- 
man and unnatural Wirz, suffered, with 
thousands of otiier brave but unfortu- 
nate men, hardships and torments beyond 
the power of tongue or pen to ))ortray. 
Hunger, exposure to the elements, filth and 
vermin were among the least of the many 
evils that caused the death of thousands of 
the "■ brave boys in blue." There he 
remained, often praying for death to 
relieve his sufferings, until the middle of 
October following, when he was transferred 
to the prison at Florence, South Carolina. 
In the dark nights of November, he deter- 
mined to escape, and succeeding in getting 
out, lie made his way to Savannaii, tramping 
most of the time at night. On reaching 
that city he secreted himself and remained 
hidden for some fourteen days, wlien Gen. 
W. T. Sherman, with his column, entered 
the place. Reporting to that officer, and 
making a statement of tlie facts in the case, 
he was forwarded to Washington, and, after 
rejoining his regiment, was allowed a fur- 
lougli to recruit his health. In the spring of 
1865 Mr. Hays was again among the men 
tliat composed his well-known regiment — 
joining them in front of Petersburg, Virginia, 
and participating in the campaign that 
ended at Appomattox with the surrender of 
General Lee and the army of Northern 
Virginia. 

At the close of hostilities Mr. Hays was 
discharged from the service, after remaining 
in arms some four years, three months and 
fourteen days. In the fall of 1865 he 
removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and, 



procuring a farm, entered upon agricultural 
pursuits. He remained in tliat part of the 
country until the fall of 1878, when he came 
to Crookston, Minnesota, and made arrange- 
ments to go into the livery business, letting 
the contract for tiie building now occupied 
by Thomas Bjorn, for that purpose, and then 
returned to Iowa. In the spring of 1879 lie 
returned to Crookston with a numljer of 
horses, and that season devoted his attention 
to the barter and sale of that class of stock. 
At the same time he took up a claim of 160 
acres of land within four miles of the city, 
which he still owns. In the fall of 1883 he 
was appointed chief of the Crookston Fire 
Department, and went to work to organize 
the necessary companies. This he accom- 
plished, and articles of incorporation were 
adopted November 13th, of the sameyear, and 
he has lield his connection with the original 
company ever since. 

During the fall of 1880 our subject was 
appointed city marshal, and re-appointed to 
the same office in the spring of 1881. He 
was also elected city assessor in the autumn 
of the latter year. In the spring of 1887 he 
received the a})pointment of chief of police, 
and being reappointed in the spring of 1888 
still holds that responsible office. Mr. Hays 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
also of the Col. Cobham Post, No. 90, G. A. 
R., of Crookston. 

On the 9th of July, 1867, M. B. Hays and 
Miss Anna E. Thompson were united in 
marriage. Mrs. Hays, who is an active and 
highly intelligent lady, has been closely 
connected with the schools of Crookston, as 
a teacher, since 1879, until the past fall. 



"■^ "• C^SjZ^ •~*€^ ' 



l^ICHARD E. 



l^\, stock- raiser 



WHITE, a farmer and 
residing on section 30, 
Nisbet township, Polk county, Minnesota, 
is an old settler and a representative citizen 
of the locality in whicii ho lives, and well 



44<J 



RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



deserves creditable mention in a volume 
devoted to the rei)resentiitive citizens of the 
Red liiver Valley. 

Mr. White was born in Untiirio, Canada, on 
tiie Stii day of Feijruary, ISoi, and is a son 
of Richard and Mary (Robinson) White. The 
father was a native of Canada, the mother 
a native of Ireland ; tiiey now live in Canada 
Riciiard E. White, our present subject, was 
i-earcd and educated in tlie Province of his 
birtli, receiving tiic same training and school- 
ine: that is common to tlie vouth of that 
land. After lie iiad attained the age of fif- 
teen he began active labor — working in tlie 
pineries during tlie winter months, iieiping 
on th(( farm in tlic summer, and worlving on 
threshing machines in the fall. In 1S77 he 
was married, and the same year went to Mani- 
toba, I'emained a short time, and then 
returned to his oi'iginal Canadian home. In 
the spring of 1878 he went to Polk county, 
Minnesota, and bought 240 acres of land on 
sections 30 and ;51, in Js^isbet townsliip, and 
has since made that his home. He has since 
purcliased thirty acres more on section 30 
and 160 acres on section 33, so that he now 
has an extensive fai'm. His thrift and enter- 
prise are made manifest by the comfortable 
building improvements wliich are a credit to 
tlic locality in which they are situated. His 
buildings are neatly painted, and are located 
in a, valuable oak grove, on the Ijanks of the 
Morals I'iver. Mr. White is now in excellent 
•circumstances, and it is all the result of his 
own efforts and management. He had 
accumulated a fair start in the world before 
locating here, but has since been, as a rule, 
very successful in all his l)usiness ventures as 
well as his farming interests. He is an intel- 
ligent, well-posted man, and is held in high 
esteem by all who know him. A man of 
the strictest integrity, his word is recognized 
as being as good as a bond. 

The date of our subject's marriage was 
May 7, 1877. Mrs. White was formerly 



Miss Margaret J. Morrow, a daughter of 
John and Agnes (Geddes) Morrow, who are 
still residents of Ontario, Canachi. The mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. White has been 
blessed with the following named children — 
) Edmund R., Ida M., George L., Joim W. 
and Rert W. The family attend the Pres- 
byterian ciiurch. 



<2: HFF JACOBSON is the keeper of the 
vO) county jail at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. Mr. Jacobsonisa native 
of Norway, and was born on the 7th day of 
June, 1854. He is the son of Jacol) and 
Maggie (Olsen) Jacobson, both of whom 
were natives of Norway. 

The father was an extensive farmer in 
Norway, and was also overseer of an 
extensive wood lot. He was a member of 
the Lutiieran churcii, and died in 1870. The 
mother came to America in 1877 and settled 
at Evansville, Douglas county, Minnesota, 
where she is now living with her son Amnis. 
In the father's family there were ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom are now living — Andrew, 
Ole, Martin, Seff, Amnis, Martemus, Olive, 
Martha and Annie. The subject of our 
sketch spent his early days at home attend- 
ing the common schools. Until nineteen 
years of age he worked upon a fai-m, where 
he lived until his coming to America in 1873. 
On coming to this country he went at once 
to Michigan where he settled at Muskegon, 
being employed for about six years in a saw 
mill at that place. At the end of this period 
he came to Minnesota, settling at Fergus 
Falls, where he worked for George B. 
Wright, in the latter's saw mill, for two years. 
At the end of this time he obtained a posi 
tion as watchman at the county jail, and 
after continuing but about a month in that 
place, was then appointed by Gunder Bur- 
toldson, the sheriff, as jailor or keeper of the 



, I 



PARK A'F.G/OA'S OF M/NA'ESOTA. 



447 



Otter Tail county jail. This position he has 
held since 1882. He was also appointed 
<Ieputy sheriff in 1882. 

In ISSO Mr. Jacohson was united in tiie 
bonds of niatriniony to Miss Anna Johnson, 
the daughter of -lolin Johnson. Mrs. Jacob- 
son is a native of Norway. This union has 
been blessed with one child — Mary, 

^[r. Jacobson affiliates with the republican 
])arty, and is one of tlie representative cit- 
izens of Fergus Falls. In 1880 he purchased 
a lot on Junius avenue, and built a ffne resi- 
<lence in wliich he now live. 



.-^^ 



^-^ 



/^J^RIHL C. EATON, a real estate, loan 
^^^ and insurance agent at Herman, is one 
of tlie most capable and thorough business 
men of Grant county, Minnesota. 

Mr. Eaton was born near Newark, Licking 
county, Oliio, May 27. 18.'51, and is a son of 
Joim F. Mary L. (Clai'k) Eaton. His j)ar- 
ents were natives respectively of New York 
and Virginia. They settled in Oiiio at an 
early day, where they were married. The 
father was engaged at farming during his 
early life, but later engaged in the hardware 
business at Marysviiie, Ohio. In about 1868 
they came to Minnesota and settled at Med- 
ford, in Steele county, where the parents 
both died. John F. Eaton and wife were 
the parents of three boys and one girl — 
Oriel C, James II., William F. and Anna B. 
"William is a hardware merchant at Wheaton, 
Minnesota; James II. and Anna B. are 
sintjle, and Anna is a teacher in the High 
School at Herman. 

Oriel C. Eaton, wliose name lieads this 
article, received his education principally at 
Marysviiie, Oiiio, finishing his schooling at 
twenty-one years of age, tiie family in the 
meantime having removed toMedford, Min- 
nesota. Upon attaining his majority, our 
subject, was employed for two years as a 



clerk in stores at Medfordand Faribault, and 
at tlie e.\])iration of tiiat time, in 1878, he 
came to Grant county, Miimesota, and for 
the first two years devoted his attention to 
the sale of agricultural implements. Since 
that time he has carried on a loaning, real 
estate and insurance agency, and is recog- 
nized as one of the leading business men of 
the locality in which he lives. He is a man 
of the strictest integrit3', a tiiorough and 
careful business man, and his word is recog- 
nized as being as good as a bond. He has 
alwa\'S taken an active and prominent part 
in all matters of a public nature, and has 
held various local offices, such as member of 
the school board, village council, etc. 

Mr. Eaton was married May 1, 1882, to 
Mrs. Senath F. Clarke, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. She was formerly a school teachei', 
ant! has taught several terms of school in 
Grant county. 



-«- 



^u^ 



#3HN H. HANSON, of the ffrm of Hanson 
iV- Flaten, dealers in li(juors, wines, beer 
and cigars, on P'ront street, Moorhead, 
Minnesota, came to America from Norway, 
which was liis native land, and being one of 
the representative men of the Red River 
Valley Region, siioukl be given space among 
the biographical sketches of other jn-ominent 
men. 

He was born December 20, 1801. His 
parents were both from Norway. His father 
was Hans Oleson, and he foUowed carpen- 
tering and contracting until his death, wliich 
took ])lace in 1874. The motlu^r died three 
years before the father. The}' had a famil}' 
of eleven children, only five of whom are 
now alive — Paline, Mathea, Annie, Ilelmena 
and John II., our subject. John l\. was 
reared on a farm and attended the common 
schools of that country. After his father's 
death, in 1875, he came to America, going 



448 



J<ED KIVER VALLEY AXD 



direct to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked 
for his brother-in-law, in a fvn-niture shop, 
for six months. From that city he went to 
Crookston, Minnesota. After first visiting 
his sister, on a farm twenty miles from there, 
he returned to Crookston and did fai'm labor 
for a Mr. Sampson for about two months, 
getting ^i) per month. He then went 
back to his sister's and remained for 
two months, attending school there. He 
■went back and worked at |10 per month 
for Sampson, for two months, after 
which he took the position of clerk in a 
general store at Crookston, where he 
remained for a year. He then left the store 
and went on a hunting expedition on the 
Middle River, remaining there five weeks. 
After this successful trip he hired again to 
the same firm, for another year. He then 
went to Douglas county, spending six months 
there, and then to Grant county, where he 
worked a month for 812.50. His next 
trip was with Mr. Thompson from 
Otter Tail county to Fisher's Landing, 
with a drove of cattle. Then he went back 
to Crookston and worked on a farm for a 
Mr.Willson, for four months, after which he 
worked in his butcher shop in Crookston, 
where he iiad two fingers badly smashed, 
which laid him up all winter. In the spring 
of 1880 he came to Moorhead, and for two 
months he worked on a section to Crystal 
Springs. In July of the same year he went 
out with G. G. Beardsle}^ on the Government 
survey, remaining until December 10th. He 
came back to Mooi-liead and chopped wood, 
five miles down the river, until spring. 
When spi'ing had opened up he went to 
Montana, lor the purpose of driving a team 
on grading, working on the line of the 
Northern Pacific. 

He then took a contract in rock work, 
employing seven men. The job called for a 
cut of 200 feet, and he did well at the 
work he undertook. In the winter he 



went into the Bitr Horn tunnel and shoveled 
for three weeks. The same winter he drilled 
for two months, and then, in company with 
five otiiers, took a cotiti'act in rock work for 
1,200-foot cut, in which they employed 
fifteen men to assist them. Each partner 
made 810.80 per day, clear of expenses, and 
the work lasted for six months and ten days. 
After tins job was completed he returned to 
Moorhead and rested for four months, but 
soon his energetic nature demanded work of 
him, so he engaged to tend bar for O. C. 
Dumas, Avith whom he remained five weeks. 
He then went with the firm of Johnson ct 
Larson, where he tended bar a year. From 
that position he went to Casselton, Dakota, 
and there worked for Ed. Cram, at bartend- 
ing. After a short time there he went back 
to Moorhead and hired to do the same busi- 
ness, as bartender for John Erickson, at the 
"Jay Cooke" Hotel. From there he went 
over into Fargo and started a saloon, wliich 
he operated twenty -one months. He went 
back to Moorhead and opened up a similar 
business there, Februar\' 28, 1888. His 
present co-partnership commenced in 1SS7, 
in Fargo. 

He was married in 1886 to ]\[iss Annie 
Thompson, daughter of Andrew Thompson, 
of Otter Tail county, Minnesota. They have 
two children— Millie B. and Ella H. 

Our subject is a republican in politics, and 
one of the go-ahead men, who will push way 
to the front in whatever they undertake. 



.««; 



«^- 



iR. THOMAS N. McLEAN. physician 
and surgeon, is a member of the firm 
of McLean & Duncan, practicing physicians 
of Fergus Falls, ]\[innesota. Dr. McLean is 
a native of Canada, and was born on the 4th 
of June, 1859. He is the son of "VYiUiam J. 
and Margaret (Nicol) McLean, the former a 
native of Canada and the latter of Scotland. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



449 



The Doctor's father is an extensive farmer 
and stock-grower, and is one of the prosperous 
and prominent citizens of his present place 
of residence. The grandfather and mother 
were Dr. John and Mary (Ferguson ) McLean. 
He was a surgeon, and occupied that posi- 
tion in the royal navy of England for some 
forty years. He was a native of Scotland, 
and in about 1830 crossed the ocean and 
settled in Canada, where he lived until his 
death. Margaret Nicol's father and mother 
were Thomas and Janet (Richardson) Nicol, 
natives of Selkirk, Scotland. They were 
farmers by occupation, and came to Canada 
in 1830, there residing until their death. 
William J. McLean, the father of the sub- 
ject of our sketch, had a family of five sons 
and two daughters — John F., Dr. Thomas 
N., David, Adam, Mary H., Janet K. and 
Archibald B. 

Dr. McLean, whose name ajipears at the 
head of this sketch, was reared on the home 
farm until seventeen years of age. At this 
time he was sent to the Perth public schools, 
and later to the Perth college, from which 
institution he graduated in 1878. In that 
year he came to Montreal, and there 
studied medicine in the McGill Medical 
University, graduating therefrom in 1882. 
After his graduation he was appointed house 
surgeon of Montreal general hospital, hold- 
ing that position for one year. In May, 
1883, he came to the Ignited States, locating 
at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he com- 
menced the practice of his profession. He 
entered a partnership with Dr. Duncan, 
which has been continued until the present 
time. The members of this firm have been 
friends and colleagues for a long time, having 
studied together in the hospital of Montreal. 
They came to Minnesota at the same time 
and were admitted to practice in this State. 
The Doctor is vice-president of the Fergus 
F'alls Building Association and is treasurer 
of the board of examining surgeons for pen- 



sions in this district. He also holds the 
otHce of surgeon for the St. Paul, Minnea])olis 
& Manitoba Eailroad Company. In politics 
he affiliates with the democratic partv. He 
is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and takes a deep interest in the financial and 
social welfare of Fergus Falls. He has 
interested himself largely in landed property 
in the city and in the country adjoining, and 
has made numerous fortunate investments. 
Dr. McLean is well up in his profession, and 
is thoroughly posted in all the particulars of 
the many cases which come to his attention, 
and by his care and cautious practice and 
the man\' successes that have come to him in 
his professional life he has formed many 
warm friends. 



M^UGUST WALTERS, the 
J^^jL partner in the firm of Burkhardt & 
Co., the proprietors and operators of the 
Crookston brewery, is one of the representa- 
tive citizens of that city, and a man of 
influence in the county. He is a native of 
Brandenburg, German}^, born April 16, 1844, 
and is the son of John anil Henriette 
(Lehmpol) Walters. He was reared in his 
own sunny land, the "classic Fatherland," 
and there received a portion of his education. 
But in 1859, with his parents, he crossed the 
wide Atlantic to the New World, to seek in a 
freer countr3^ the competence so hard to 
achieve in his own over-crowded native land. 
The family located in the State of AVisconsin, 
and their son, the subject of this narrative, 
remained with them about a year. At the age 
of seventeen, Mr. Walters assumed the duties 
of manhood and commenced the battle of 
life for himself. He had no capital except a 
courageous heart and a stalwart form, and he 
was not dismayed, but knew that under our 
peculiar institutions that they were better to 
a young man than money. He went to 



450 



RED RrrF.R VALLEY AA'D 



work in a brewery, where he continued for 
about a year, when, in res])onse to a call of 
the President for men to fill tiie I'anks of 
the regiin(Mits tii(»ii onnnged in sii[)])ressin(;' 
the unlioly Kebellion of ruthless 
traitors against the Government, he 
enlisted, in ISO.^, in Conipan}^ F, Ninth 
Wisconsin Infantry. After being mustered 
into the service of tiie United States, at La 
Crosse, he was forwarded with the regiment 
to Little Rock, Arkansas, and assigned for 
duty to the Seventh Corps, then under the 
command of tteneral Reynolds. In the 
Soutliwest and along the frontiers of Mis- 
souri, Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska the 
regiment did gallant and effective service, 
and with it Mr. Walters ]iarticipated in all 
the marches, hardships, sufferings, skirmishes 
and hotly contested battles that marked its 
campaigns. On the 23d of February, 18G0, 
he was mustered out at thecajiitalof Arkan- 
sas and discharged fi-om the service, on 
which he I'eturncd to the " Badger State," 
and received his final ])ayment at Madison. 
Resuming his labors in a brewery in that 
State, he there made his home until the year 
1873, when removing to Red Wing, Minne- 
sota, he tilled the position of foreman in the 
brewery there for six years. In the spring 
of 1S79 Mr, Walters came to Crookston, and 
put u]i a j)art of the brewery building he 
now occupies, in company with Mi\ Burk- 
hardt, and has been occupied in cari'ving on 
the business as managing partner ever since, 
Mr. Burkhardt l)eing a resident of W^abasha 
county, this State. 

The bi'ewery, which has been lai'gely in- 
creased since its inception, has now a capac- 
ity of 40,000 barrels of beer per year, and 
consumes about 20,000 bushels of grain in 
the same length of time. A lai-ge exporting 
business is done in addition to the local traf- 
fic. The value of the j)lant, one of the best 
in this portion of the State, can not be less 
than $-f0,0(>0. 



Mr. Walters, who is a much esteemed 
member of Cobham Post, No. 06. G. A. R., 
of the city, is also connected with the A. O. 
V. W. and the I. O. O. K. 



•«--!^i^"^ 



/^ RIK O. WOLD, a prosperous and 
\!^ esteemed citizen of Grant county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of section 12, Erdahl 
township, where he is carrying on an exten- 
sive farming and stock-raising business. lie 
is a native of Norway, born on the 20th day 
of January. 1830, and is a son of ()le Gun- 
dersonand Olia (Erikson) Wold, The father, 
in his early manhood learned the black- 
smith's trade and devoted a good share of 
his life to that avocation. The family came 
to the United States about the year 1862, 
Wisconsin was the State of their choice and 
they remained tiiere for the jieriod of about 
six years, where the father was engaged 
mostly at his trade. At the expiration of 
that time, in 1809. they came to Grant 
county, Minnesota, and located in Pelican 
Lake townshi]). The father d'ed there on 
the 12th of January. ISSS, being eighty-two 
years of age. The mothei- died in April, 
1866, In the family of the parents there 
were seven children — Gander, Erik ()„Mary, 
Betsy. Ole. and two others (twins) who died 
in infancy, 

Erik O, Wold, whose name heads this 
article, spent his earlier boyhood days and 
received his education in the land of liis 
birth, attending school until he was aiiout 
fifteen years of age. He remained at home 
with his parents until he had grown to man- 
hood, learning in the meantime the trade of 
a blacksmith, which he followed, in connec- 
tion with his father for a number of years. 
In 1866 he came to the United States, and 
for about five years was engaged at l)la(k- 
smithingin Rock county, Wisconsin. At the 
ex])iration of that time he came to Grant 



II 



PARK- REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



451 



€ounty, Minnesota, and located in Erdalil 
townsiiip. During the following year, 1872, 
he homesteaded a portion of his present 
place on section 12 of that township. He 
now owns 280 acres in tiiat vicinity, has 
good improvements, one of the largest barns 
in the township, and is rated as one of the 
leading aiul most reliable and substantial 
farmers in Grant county. He also owns 
some timber land in Douglas county. His 
presentcomfortable circumstances are entirely 
<lue to his own thrift, industry and economy. 

In political matters Mr. "Wold is a repub- 
lican. He has always taken a commendable 
interest in all public and etiucatioual matters 
and has held various local offices, such as 
supervisor, school ti'easurer, etc. 

Our subject was mai'ried on the 6th of 
December, 1860, to Miss Hermana Erickson, 
who was also a native of Xorway. They 
have four living children, who bear the 
names of Ellen, Olia, Ole and Gunda. One 
child died in infancy. The family are 
exemplar}' members of the Lutheran church, 
in which organization Mr. "Wold held the 
office of trustee for a number of vears. 



^^^^ 



-^. 



^^RS. EMMA SAWBRIDGE is the 
-/;"~. ■r.V.widow of John C. Sawbridge, who 
died in 1882. She is a resident of Fergus 
Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. Mr. 
Sawbridge was a native of England and was 
born in the year 1831. He came to Amer- 
ica in 1856 and settled in Shakopee, Minne- 
sota, where he lived until the breaking out 
of the Civil "War. On the advent of this 
awful crisis he proved his love for his 
adopted country by enlisting in Company C, 
Hatche's battalion, Minnesota Volunteers. 
He continued in the service for three years, 
fighting the Indians on the frontier. On the 
close of the war he went to Alexandria, 
Douglas county, Minnesota, where he 



accepted a position as clerk in the United 
States land office. On the removal of that 
office to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, he 
retained his position and changed his resi- 
dence to that city. He held his position 
until his death which occurred in 1882. 

In 1852, at Leicestershire, England, Mr. 
Sawbridge ^vas married to Miss Emma 
Robinson. Her parents were Jonathan and 
Emma (Agutter) Eobinson, natives of Eng- 
land, and farmers by occupation. 

Mrs. Sawbridge has one son, Charles J., 
married to Miss Mary Mercer, of the State 
of Massachusetts. He is engaged in the 
real estate business in Minneapolis, Minne- 
sota. 

Mr. Sawbridge was a republican in poli- 
tics and at all times held the esteem and 
respect of all who knew him. He held the 
office of justice of the peace at Alexandria 
and also at Fergus Falls. In 1879 he built 
a fine residence in the north part of the 
city on "Whitford street where his widow 
now lives. He was an upright Christian 
gentleman and was a member of the Episco- 
pal church, as was also his wife who is held 
in high esteem by the people of Fergus 
Falls. 



Id^^R. HARLOW J. BOYD, physician and 
surgeon, is a member of the firm of 
Vivian & Eo^nl, of Alexandria, Minnesota. 
Dr. Boyd is a native of Chautauqua county, 
New York. His birth occurred on the 30th 
of July, 1852. 

Dr. Boyd was the son of Hollis S. and 
Mervana (Moore) Boyd, natives respectively 
of Vermont and Massachusetts. Mr. Boyd, 
the father of the subject of our sketch, was 
engaged in the business of farming for numy 
years in the State of New York, to whicli 
place he came with liis parents at ten years 
of age. In 1860 he came "West and settled in 



452 



KED KIVKR i'.-U.LEV .l.VD 



St. Croix county, Wisconsin. Here he en- 
gaged in farming and remained until 18GS, 
in whicli year he came to Doughis count\% 
Minnesota, and settled in the town of Hud- 
son. Mr. Boyd was among the first settlers 
of the town of Hudson, and took up a home- 
stead of 160 acres, ])ut u]) a log house 
thereon, covered it with elm bark and lived, 
surrounded by hard times, for some j-ears. 
But he kept steadil}' and stui'dily at work 
improving the farm. He planted many 
fruit and ornamental ti-ees, and later built a 
line farm Iiouse and barn and other out- 
buildings. After many years of hardships 
he is now comfortably situated in his new 
house on one of the best farms in Douglas 
county. He was the first judge of probate 
in this county, was elected to this office in 
1868, holding that position for four years. 
Mr. Boyd has been a justice of the peace for 
some years, which office he still retains. He 
enlisted in the Thirty-Seventh "Wisconsin 
Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, but was 
rejected on account of physical disabilities. 
Mr. Boyd in politics is at present a prohibi- 
tionist, but was formerly a re))ublican. He 
is one of the prominent citizens of the county, 
a thoroughly honest, upright citizen. He is 
one of the leading members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and is known as a thorough 
Christian man. He is the father of six chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living — Henry 
L., Harlow J., Emma (now Mrs.A'an Loon, of 
Hudson, Minnesota) and Plerb^rt M. 

Dr. Boyd spent his younger days on a 
farm, attending winter school at every 
opportunity. His early life was spent 
mainly at Jamestown, Xew York, River 
Falls, Wisconsin, and near Alexandria, Min- 
nesota. He commenced the study of medi- 
cine in 1872 with Dr. Vivian, of Alexandria. 
After studj'ing a short time with Dr. Vivian, 
who is one of the leading physicians of that 
city, he removed to Sherman, New^ York, 
where he studied with Dr. H. B. Osborn. 



He attended medical lectures in the Cincin- 
nati College, Ohio, and was admitted house 
physician in 1877. He retained that j)osi- 
tion for one year, after which time he went to 
Columbus. Here he attended the Columbia 
Medical College, and was graduated in 1879. 
He then commenced the practice of medi- 
cine in Cliautau(itia county. New York, 
where he remained until 1886. At this 
time he came to Alexandria. Minnesota, 
wliere he has l)een in active practice since. 
He purchasetl an interest in tiie business of 
Dr. Vivian, with whom he has been in ])art- 
nership ever since. Dr. Boyd is a mendjer 
of the Chautauqua county (New York) Med- 
ical Society. He is a member of the I. (). 
O. F., and also of the Order of the Druids. 
Dr. Boyd entered the happy state of matri- 
mony in 1882, in which year he married 
Miss Lillian Rexford, a daughter of Lorenza 
and Rlioda Rexford, of Chautauqua county. 
New York. One son has blessed this 
union, Leon M. Mrs. Dr. Boyd was edu- 
cated at the Jamestown Collegiate Institute. 
She taught school for some time in Chau- 
tauqua county. New York. 

Dr. Boyd enjoys a large ]iractice in the 
village of Alexandria and vicinity. He is 
known to be an able physician and a hard 
student in his profession. His worth is 
acknowledged in the fact that he is a phy- 
sician and surgeon forthe Manitoba Railroad 
Company, and he and his partner are the 
village physicians. In politics the Doctor is 
a stanch democrat. 



L. RAMSTAD, deceased, one of the old- 
l||^^, ggj j^Q^ most prominent business men 
of the village of Ada, in his time, located in 
that place in 1877, being one of the firm of 
G. S. Barnes & Co., dealers in general mer- 
chandise. He was the managing partner 
and had full control of the establishment and 



41 



PARK REGIONS OF MIA'NESO T.4 



453 



continued in that connection until 1881. 
During the summer of that year, in com- 
pany witli his brotlier, Peter, now register 
of deeds of Norman county, he erected the 
store building at present occupied by An- 
drews tfe Co., and the two brothers, under the 
firm name and style, opened a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. lie remained a partner in 
that estabhshment until the day of his death, 
July li, 1883, anil took a front rank in the 
business circles of the place. He was ap- 
pointed postmaster of Ada in 1879, and ful- 
filled, to the utmost satisfaction of the citiz- 
ens, the duties of that office until death. 

Mr. Ramstad was born in the kingdom of 
Norway, in 18-17, and was the son of Lars 
and Carrie (Wauge) Ramstad. He received 
in his native land the education to which 
every Norwegian youth is entitled, and at the 
age of seventeen, in search of a home and a 
competence, came to America. lie settled in 
Vernon count}', Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained until about the time the Northern 
Pacific Railroad was built, when he came to 
Minnesota and took a claim in Becker county. 
Not being content with farm life, and feeling 
that his abilities, which were of no mean 
order, were more in the direction of mercan- 
tile ]mrsuits, he found employment in various 
stores as clerk, at Audubon, Lake Park and 
other places along the line of tlie railroad. 
While thus engaged he became acijuainted 
with G. S. Barnes, and when the village of 
Ada was started, came to that place and 
opened a store for that gentleman, as a 
partner. 

The subject of our sketch was a thorough 
business man and took an active interest in 
the growth and development of the village 
and county, and was largely instrumental in 
the division and organization of the county, 
and to him and his brother is due the choice 
of the name that it i)ears. Upright and hon- 
orable in all bis dealings with his fellow-man, 
genial and affable in all his intercourse with 



them, and active and energetic in all matters 
relating to the welfare of the community in 
which he made his home, it is no wonder 
that he possessed, in the highest respect, the 
esteem and confidence of everybody, or that 
he was deeply regretted by all at hisuntimeh' 
demise. 



•«"J€}g^'-»' 



PETER GOTH! A, the well-known 
furniture dealer and broker in second- 
hand goods, in the city of Crookston, Min- 
nesota, is a native of Kt. Aisainte, in the 
Province of Quebec, Canada, and was born 
October 21, 1S13. Reared among the familiar 
scenes of the land of his birtii, and educated 
in its schools, he grew to manhood in the 
home of his parents, Cerille and Pauline 
Gothia. When he was about thirteen years 
old his father and mother removed with their 
family to Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, where 
the elder Mr. Gothia took up a farm in the 
heavy timber that covered the face of that 
country at that time. After living there for 
some five years the family migrated to the 
neighborhood of Portage, Wisconsin. In 
after years the parents of our subject came 
across the Mississippi river, and settled in 
("hickasaw county, Iowa, where they now 
live. 

Tlie suliject of this sketch remained under 
the parental roof until he was nearly nine- 
teen years of age, when, marrying, he started 
out with his young bride to battle for him- 
self. He made his home in the vicinity of 
Fox Lake, Wisconsin, following farming for 
some four or five years, after which, in 1866, 
he removed to near Charles City, Iowa, and 
there engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
several years. One year he spent in Nashua, 
Iowa, carrying on the butcher business, but 
not liking the locality, returned to Wisconsin, 
settled at Stevens' Point, where he lived 
until the fall of 1885. At that time he removed 



454 



RKD KIVKK V.I/ LEY J. YD 



to Crookston, and finding a good opening, 
established liis present business. lie carries 
a full line of new furniture of every kind and 
description, and does a large and increasing 
business in secondhand good s-beinfjeverreadv 
to either bu}' or sell. His capital, on coining 
here, was represented by but §350; invest- 
ing but $80 in second-hand household stuff, 
by industry and shrewd tact so increased his 
business and means that he soon found it 
necessary to seek in a larger market the goods 
demanded by his trade connections. He now 
carries a stock that will invoice some $3,000, 
and lie has as active and lucrative a trade as 
can be desired. 

Mr. Gothia was united in marriage Mai-ch 
1, 1861, witli Jliss Eleanor Goolei-, a native 
of Canada, and is the parent of two children 
— Charles, niari'ied and in lousiness at Merrill, 
Wisconsin ; and ]S'ora, now Mi's. George 
Paron, of Stevens Point, in the same State. 




EV. FATHER AUGUSTINE BROCK- 
-H>- MEYER, resident priest of the Koman 
Catholic church at Moorhead, Minnesota, is 
a native of Germany, born in 1853. He was 
a student in Germany and a graduate from a 
Prussian gymnasium, in 1873. He came to 
America in 1874, and at once entered the St. 
John's University as a theological student, 
graduating in 1876. He then took a position 
as professor in tlie university, holding the 
same two years ; he was then stationed as 
cha})lain at St. Josepli, Stearns county, Min- 
nesota, for a term of three years. He was 
then made resident priest at New Munich, of 
the same count\', remaining there for five 
years. At the last nanu'd jjlace he built a 
Sisters' Convent and repairetl the churcii, by 
building a new steeple, etc. In 1885 he was 
transferred to Moorhead, where he has built a 
Sisters' Convent. He has a parochial scliool 
with an average attendance of si.xty pupils 



under three teachers. He has three missions 
outside of the cit\' proper. The building of 
a new church at Georgetown is due to his 
efforts, too. Through iiis personal effort the 
church at Mary, Norman county, has been 
completed. He has a membersliip of 11'2 
families, lilty of these families belong to the 
city clnn-ch. Tiie church. Sisters' Convent and 
school are all located on Fourth street, where 
thev own eifj^iit line lots. 

Father Augustine is strict in all church 
matters, kind, but verj' firm and determined 
in his convictions and actions. No one can 
say less to so worthy a Christian woi'ker than 
"godspeed" in all ins labor in trying U\ 
elevate mankind to a iiiijher moral and 
Christian mode of living. It matters not 
where one goes, they will lind the faithful 
Catholic doino- his work, and none do it l)et- 
ter than our worthy subject. 



-«"J^^-4- 



J^RANK D. BELL is the efficient and 
JP^ accommodating depot agent for tlie St. 
Paul, Minneapolis tt Manitoba line at Barnes- 
ville, Cla}' county, Minnesota. He is a native 
of New York State, born in Havana, Schuyler 
county, on the 9th of October. 1852, and is 
the son of William F. and Martha A. (Dates) 
Bell, natives of England and New York, 
respectively. At the age of six years the sub- 
ject of this article removed with his parents 
to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he remained 
attending school until he was sixteen years 
of age. At that period in life he was em- 
ployed by the railroad company at that place 
as stationary switchman, being j)laced at a 
crossing to warn the approach of trains. 
From this he worked his way up, llrst in the 
warehouse, then office clerk and head clerk. 
In the fall of 1875, he left Ypsilanti and 
removed to West Detroit, and secured work as 
clerk in the Michigan Central offices, and 
remained in clerical work until April. 1876. 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXNESOTA. 



455 



In that month he removed to Hillsdale, Mich- 
ii^iiii, where he was employeil as station 
jigent of tlie Detroit, Tlillsdale I't Southwest- 
ern lino at tliat place. He I'eniiiined at that 
town for five years, and in ISSO went to 
(^hicago, Illinois, whoi'e he was offered a 
])osition in tiie Union Stock Yards for the 
Michigan Central Railroad. Later, he Avas 
]iroinoted to the position of chief clerk in 
the freight depot, and in. the •summer of 1881 
removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He 
secured the position of clerk for Superinten- 
dent Wheeler, at Fergus Falls, the superin- 
tendent of the Northern Division of the St. 
Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Ilailroad Com- 
pany. He was thus employed until Octo- 
iier of the same year, and he then removed 
to Barnesvdle, Clay county, Minnesota. 
The station building at that time was noth- 
ing more than a small village depot, and 
there was little or no business. The heavy 
emigrations of the \'ears 1881, 1882, and 
1883, saw a revolution in the transac- 
tions of the road at Earnesville. "Where 
the ti'ains had almost been a novelty, 
they, at that time, increased to as high as 
thirty-five and forty in one day. Those who 
understand railroad matters will recognize 
the vast amount of work and responsibility 
devolving upon a single agent in sole charge 
of ticket, freight and other matters. Our 
subject proved himself equal to the work, 
and when the new and commodious depot 
building was erected, he was tendered the 
full control of the business. He has since 
filled the ])osition with satisfaction to every 
one and credit to himself. 

Mr. Bell was united in mari-iage on the 
lyth of April, 1881, to Miss Katherine A. 
Miller, a native of Hillsdale, Michigan. Mr. 
liell identifies himself with all matters of a 
local nature pertaining to the benefit and 
welfare of his village or county, and has 
held the office of president of the village 
board for two years, and took a prominent 



part in the matter of gaining a charter for a 
new village, also of creating a new and inde- 
pendent school district. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Pierson 
Lodge, No. 169, A. F. Ar A. M. He is a 
respected and jirominent citizen, a man of 
the strictest integrity, and is highly esteemed 
both as a citizen and a business man. 

In political matters Mr. Bell is a repub- 
lican. 



-•«►- 



-«- 



tvlDREW HAUGEN. The subject of 
our present article, although a young 
man in years, is one of the leading and rep- 
resentative farmers of Grant county, Minne- 
sota, having a fine farm on section 10, Elbow 
Lake township. He carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising (juite extensively', and 
the general condition of the farm improve- 
ments speak well for the industry and enter- 
prise of the family. 

Our subject was born in the southern part 
of Norway, on the 20th of Jul}', 1859, and 
is a son of Iver and Ingebar Haugen. The 
family came to the United States in 1869, 
and came direct to Minnesota, settling on a 
farm in Houston county. About three years 
later, in 1872, they came to Grant county, 
and took a homestead on section 10, Elbow 
Lake township, where they still live. The 
parents are now living a retired life, but 
make their home with their son. The par- 
ents had a family of six children — Halvor, 
Klemet, Jennie, Bertha, Andrew and Anna. 
Halvor was a farmer near the old homestead, 
and died in 1886, leaving a family consisting 
of a wife and three children, named Gina B., 
Ida C. and Henrietta I. The last-named 
died in 1887. 

Andrew Haugen, whose name heads this 
article, received his education mostly in 
Houston county, Minnesota, attending school 
there until about thirteen years of age, when 
he came with his parents to Grant count}'. 



456 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



lie finished his education by taking a course 
of study at Decoi-ali, Iowa, closing in 1878. 
He tlien came bade to tlie family iioniestead 
in Grant county, and lias since made this his 
homo. The f;irm consists of 360 acres, 
whicli is well adapted to grain and stock- 
raising, and a good share of it is under a high 
state of cultivation. Mr. Ilaugen has taken 
an active interest in all matters of a public 
natui-e, and is one of the leading voung farm- 
ers in the county. He was elected town 
clerk of Elbow Lake township in 1882, which 
office he still holds, and has otherwise been 
closely identified with official matters. 



-«"J^}^"«- 



WILLIAM KiSTENMACHER. Among 
the early settlers of this portion of 
the far-famed Eed River Valley there are per- 
ha])s none who occupy a more prominent 
place than tiie gentlenum, whose name heads 
this sketch. He is a native of Prussia, Ger- 
many, born July 2, 1834, and is the son of 
"William and Bertha (Hoeber) Kistenmacher. 
He received his education in the Fatherland, 
and there made his home until reaching his 
twenty-first year when he determined to seek 
his fortune in the great repul)lic of tiie West, 
■where his efforts towards independence 
would not be crushed beneath tlie iron heel 
of a military despotism. Crossing the wild 
and stormy Atlantic, on landing he came at 
once to Minnesota, and woi-ked around in 
various places in the soulhci'ii part of Minne- 
sota until 1861. 

The hands of unscrupulous jilotters being 
lifted against the Government of his adopted 
country, oui' subject, in the summer of that 
yeai', enrolled himself among its brave 
defenders, in Company F, Third Minnesota 
Infantry. That fall, with the regiment to 
wliicii he belonged, lie was trans])orted to 
Kentucky and from there to Tennessee. In 
1862 he Avas discharged, for disabilitj', at 



Nashville, and returned to Minnesota. "When 
the unfortunate Third liegiment, who had 
been taken prisonei-siu Murfreesboro's bloody 
field, were returned to this State on parole, 
and ordered against the Indians, then en- 
gaged in massacring the whites, our subject 
rejoined them and participated in the whole 
campaign, and was jiresent with them at the 
battle of "Wood Lake. On his return to St. 
Paul, his former disability being removed, 
he went with the regiment, now exciianged, 
to tiie front in the South. He endured the 
hardsliips and e.xposure, the perils of the 
field ;iihI the bullets of the enemy until late 
in the summer of 1864, when, being seized 
with the swamp fever, he was iirought to 
Fort Snelling where he remained until dis- 
charged in July, 1865. In the spring of 
1866, on going to Minneapolis, he there en- 
listed in the Ignited States Itegular Infan- 
try and was sent to Newpot't, Kentucky. 
From there the}' were removed to Rich- 
mond, Virginia, where thej^ were assigned 
to Company E, Second Battalion United 
States Infantry, and while there that 
city was swept by that dread scourge, 
cholera. In the spring of 1867 the regiment 
was re-organized as the Twentieth United 
States Infantry, and ordered to Xew Orleans; 
from there to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and 
served there until April, 186!). At that time 
the regiment, of which he was a member, was 
transferred to Fort Snelling ami thei'e he 
was discharged. 

Entering the emiiloy of the Lake SuiJcrior 
Railroad, then in the courseuf construction, he 
remained with that corporation until its 
completion, in the fall of 1870, when he went 
to work on the railroad between White Bear 
and Stillwater, and w;is employed there 
until it was finished, about the close of the 
year. 

After working on the Northern racitic 
Railroad as far as (41yndon, he located in the 
latter place and j)ut up a hotel or boarding 



PARK REClOXS OF MINNESOTA, 



457 



house, which he ran for a time. In the 
summer of 1ST3 lie operated the boarding car 
for the carpenters and bridge builders on 
that road until work stop]ied in the fall. In 
the spring of 1874 Mr. Kistenuiacher was 
given charge of Sand Hill secti<»n oti the St. 
Paul ife Pacific Pailroad, and continued in 
that employment until the fail of 1878. As 
the trains only ran during the suiiunei' 
months, he engaged in trajiping in the 
winters, and traded with the Iiulians. llis 
cabin was the only one between the then 
small village of Crookston and AVild river 
station. Indians by the score would come 
to his house, and in his absence his wife 
would trade with the redskins without any 
fear or damage. In May, 1S7S, Mr. Kisten- 
maclier purchased a lot in Crookston and, 
erecting a building, entered into the business 
of saloon keeping. In December, 1879, his 
property was entirely destroyed by tire, but 
with the enei'gy characteristic of the man, he 
opened in another building before noon the 
next day, and rebuilt his old stand the follow- 
ing spring. On account of failing health, 
caused by exposure while a soldier, in 1886 
Mr. Kistenuiacher was compelled to give up 
business, and is now living a quiet and 
retired life on the interest oC the little he 
accumulated throughout an active and bus}' 
life. He is one of the few men who have 
passed many of their years upon the frontier, 
and was through this part of the country 
previousto the Rebellion. He is an honored 
member of Cobham Post, No. 90, G. A. R., 
and a respected citizen of the community. 

Mr. Kistenmacher was married in ]8()9 to 
Miss Brigjtta Gallagher, but lias no children. 

JOHN PETERS. Among the successful 
and enterprising business men of the 
famous Park Ilegions of Minnesota is the 
gentleman whose name heads this article, a 
lifjUDr dealer of Herman, Grant county, Min- 



nesota. Mr. Peters is a native of Germany, 
born on the 15th of July, 1853, and a son 
of John and So])hia ("Weiher) Peters, both 
natives of Germany. Tlie fatherand mother 
of our subject caun; to the United States at 
an early day, and settled in AVright county, 
Minnesota, where they have since continued 
to reside. They are the jiarents of the fol- 
lowing-named children — Rebecca, John and 
Liz/.ie. 

The sulijectof this biographical sketch sjient 
his 3'ounger da^'s in New York State, where 
he had been taken when he was one year old. 
He attended scliool in Chautaucjua count}'. 
New York, until he was sixteen years old, 
also taking a course at the college in P>uifalo, 
New York. After leaving the school-room, 
he was employed on the I'ailroad for a period 
of six years. In 1871 he went to "Wright 
county, Minnesota, with his jiarents. He 
there engaged in farming on his own account, 
and after six years removed to Delano, 
Wright county, and engaged in manufactur- 
ing pop at that place for two years. In 
1884 Ml-. Peters removed to Grant county, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in the furni- 
ture business for two years, when he sold 
out to Wells Brothers. During this time he 
was also engaged in his present lousiness, and 
since that time has devoted his attention to 
the liquor trade, handling all grades of fine 
liquors and cigars. He has one of the finest 
equipped establishments in the village of 
Herman, and is classed as one of the promi- 
nent business men of Grant county. 

Mr. Peters was united in marriage on the 
14th day of November, 1873, to Miss Anna 
Loppnow, a native of Germany, and now the 
mother of the following children — Frank, 
Lucy, Lydia and Ernest, ilr. Peters is an 
active participant in all public and local 
matters anil is an adherent to the ])rinciples 
of the republican party. While in Wright 
county, he served two years as the town 
clerk. 



45S 



/iV;/) icn-l:k' VAIJ.I-.Y AXD 



JTaMES McVEETY, who resides on section' 
f^ 12, Iluntsville township, is one of tlie 
most substantial and successful farmers in 
the western part of Polk county, Minnesota. 
He comes of a nationality tliat has furnished 
Minnesota with many of the most thrift}' 
and enterprisintr citizens of which it boasts. 
He was born in Upper Canada on the 2Sth 
of December, 1821, and is a son of Tliomas 
and Catliai'ine McVeety. who were natives of 
Ireland. His parents were among the first 
settlers in Upper Canada having left their 
native land while the}' were still young. In 
their new home they encountere<l many dan- 
gers and endured many privations, for they 
were pioneer.s. There were no roads even 
and trees were blazed to mark the way. The 
father dicil wlicn our sul)ject was only a 
child, and a man's work devolved u]ion him 
early in life. He remained on the home 
farm with his motiiei' until he was about fif- 
teen years of age, and then began learning 
the tailor's trade in the town of Perth, Lan- 
ark county, Canada. He served an , appren- 
ticeship of six years, and then for nearly two 
years worked as a journe^'inan at Smith's 
Falls. At the expiration of that time he 
gave up his trade and engaged in farming 
near Oliver's Ferry, and followed that voca- 
tion until the spring of ISSl. He then came 
to Polk county, Minnesota, and took a home- 
stead of ino acres on section 12, Huntsville 
township, where he has since lived. He 
owns a valuable farm, has comfortable 
building improvements anil is recognized as 
one of tiie most solid and substantial citizens 
of the locality in which he lives. 

Mr. McVeety was married in Canada on 
the Ifith of June, 1848, to Miss Jennette 
McLane, a daughter of William and Mrs. 
(Eudsdell) McLane, wlio were natives of 
Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. McVeety have 
been the parents of the following named 
children ^Thomas, Elizabeth, Catharine, 
Ellen, Wdliam J., David II., James A., Anna, 



Margaret J., Belle, Jennette E. and Francis, 
all of whom areli ving except James, Jennette, 
David and Anna. Thomas married ^fary 
A. Purns and lives in the same township as 
his father; Elizabeth married Robert Coul- 
ter, of Huntsville townshi]); Catharine nuir- 
ried John Coulter, (;f the same township; 
Ellen married Benjamin Avery, of Canada ; 
Anna married Thomas Jopling, of Ingster, 
Dakota Territory, and died two years after 
her marriage ; Belle uuirried Mathew 
McDonald and resides near Ardoch, Dakota 
Territory ; William married Miss Mary 
Currie, of Upper Canada, and owns a farm 
about a mile and a half froni.Vrdoch village, 
Dakota Territory. 

The family attend the ^[ethodist Episco- 
pal church, of which the parents are exem- 
])laiT members. 

l^RED W. BURNHAM, financial agent, 
W^ and enffaffed in the real estate and loan 
business at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, is a native of Bangor, Penobscot 
county, Maine, and was born in the year 
1853. His jiarents were Asa M. and Susan 
(Hines) Burnham, both of whom were natives 
of the State of Maine. The father was a 
photographer while in the East, but in 1SS3, 
on coming West, he engaged in the occupa- 
tion of farming. He settled in Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, where he purchased land, 
and is now farming 320 acres in Fergus 
Falls township. He is extensivel}' engaged 
in the laising of fine gi-aded cattle and 
horses. He is at present running a dairy of 
thirty cows. Tlie grandparents of the sub- 
ject of oui- sketch were Asa and Lydia 
(Parsons) Burnham. natives of the Eastern 
States, and by occupation farmers. The 
grandfather served his country in the War of 
1812. He was a prominent ])olitician aiul a 
consistent member of the Conirre'-ational 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



45>.)- 



church. He had a family of eight children. 
The father of tiie subject of our sUetcii is a 
republican in politics and has become a 
])roniiiiont citizen of the town and county in 
which he lives. He has a family of four 
sons — Fred W., Charles E., Frank U. and 
Tri. 

The subject of our sketch spent his 
younger days on the farm, receiving a good 
common school education. He was a grad- 
uate of the high school of Bangor, Maine, 
and at seventeen \'ears of age left home 
and went to Delaware county, New York. 
In this place he obtained employment 
as book-keeper and paymaster for a 
railroad contracting company', in whose 
employ he continued for eighteen months. 
Later he went to New York City and con- 
tinued with the same emploj'ers for another 
eighteen moths. After this period he was 
engaged in the general offices of the North- 
ern Pacific Railroad Com])any, holding a 
position as clerk in the treasury department. 
After six months spent in the employ of the 
Northern Pacific he came West to Minnesota, 
landing m Minneapolis in 1874. After 
remaining in that city during the summer 
he then taught school on the Lake Superior 
Tvoad durinfT the winter. He turned his 
attention after this to speculating in Minne- 
aj)olis and in 1875 came to Fergus Falls, Min- 
nesota, where the first permanent business 
was as clerk in the First National Bank. 
After some months he accepted a position as 
liook-keeper and cashier for George B. 
Wright, in whose office he continued for three 
years. After severing his connection with_ 
the business of Mr. AV' right he was employed 
by Henry G. Page as book-keeper and 
secretary for two years. After this for two 
years he held the postion of deputy county 
auditor, this being from 1880 to 1882. In the 
latter year he was elected to that office and 
liekl the same for one term. After the close 
of his official duties he was emploj'ed b^' the 



Scotch Syndicate in loaning money and buy- 
ing and selling real estate, which l)usiness 
connection he still retains. He handles- 
money for non-residents in different counties 
in the West. He has held the olfice of city 
clerk for several terms, and holds a commis- 
sion as captain in the State militia. He is a 
vice-president of the Fergus Falls Water Com- 
pany, and for some years has held the office 
of general manager of the Fergus Falls Gas 
and Mill Compan}". 

In 1877 Mr. Burnham was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Fannie S. Jordan of Bangor, 
Maine, the daughter of Joshua Joi'dan. This 
union has been blessed with two children — 
Edith M. and Ralph J. 

Mr. Burnham affiliates with the republican 
party, and is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He is one of the solid business men 
of the city and county. 



-««: 



^ *-*&■- 



^IH'^MOTHY BEACH. In reviewing the 
Ml lives of many of the prominent mem- 
bers of the farming community in the famous 
Park Regions of Minnesota, none deserve 
better mention than the gentleman whose 
name heads this article. Mr. Beach is a resi- 
dent of section 15, Lein township. Grant 
county, Minnesota, where he has carried on 
agricultural operations for eight years. He 
is a native of Missouri, born in Scotland 
county, on the 2d day of April, 1859, and is- 
a son of Amos and Susanna (Milligan) Beach, 
natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. 
They wei'e of Welsh and Scotch descent, and 
after their marriage settled in Decatur, Illi- 
nois, whei'e they lived ten years, engaged in 
farminii-. Fi'om there they moved to Walnut 
Grove, Iowa, ami after living there one year 
moved to Scotland county, Missouri, remain- 
ing in that locality from 1858 until 1865, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1861 
Amos Beach enlisted in the Second Missouri 



460 



RED Kn'EK fALLEV AXD 



Infantry, and at the expiration of six months 
entered the Twenty-second Missouri Cavalry 
and participated in active service until the 
fall of 1864, when he was honorably dis- 
charged at St. Louis, ilissouri. lie partici- 
pated in many engagements and skirmishes, 
includingthe battlesof Kirksville and Pierce's 
!Mill. The C'onfedei'ute soldiers of that region 
were very much incensed against Mr. Beach 
for enlisting in the Union ranks and many 
times tried to amhusii him ami take his life, 
and even entlangered the life of Mrs. Beach. 
While her husband was at the front she was 
taking care of tlie farm, and while going out 
one morning to cultivate corn was intercepted 
by the rebels. She was riding a horse and 
was commanded to dismount, after which the 
rebel soldiers removed the saddle, remarking 
as they secured the horse : '' There, you 

<l d abolitionist, you may have tiie saddle, 

we have better of our own." Had it not been 
that Mrs. Beach had her baby child in her 
arms she would have, perhaps, met a terrible 
fate at their hands, but moved by the happ\' 
chatter of the childish tongue, they left her 
to pursue her way in ])eace and safety. 

Timothy Beach, the subject of this article, 
remained in Missouri until he was seven 
years old, when the family removed to 01m- 
stead county, Minnesota, where he received 
his education. At the age of twenty-one he 
settled in Grant countv, IMinnesota ; takiuir 
a tract of land in Lein township, where he 
has since continued to reside. He has a 
well-improved farm of SO acres, with good 
building inij)rovenients, and is successfully 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
He is one of the well-to-do farmers of his 
township and is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 

Mr. Beach was united in marriage to Miss 
Anna Rounds, a native of Minnesota, and the 
iiaughter of Jerome and Cordela (Beardsley) 
Hounds. Thev were married November 15, 
1882. The mother of Mrs. Beach was mar- 



ried to Mr. Eounds on the 4th of March, 
1861, and was the mother of two children — 
Charles J. and Anna. The father of Mrs. 
Beach was a paintci- by trade and died in 
1866. 

Timothy Beach, the subject of this article, 
is first lieutenant of the Sons of Veterans in 
Elbow Lake, and was the main worker in 
organizing that body in Elbow Lake. He 
has held the office of constable of his town- 
ship one term, antl in political matters is a 
stanch adherent to the principles of tlie 
republican party. 



-«-S€^-^> 



JOSEPH HANSMAN, leading contractor 
and builder of Moorhead, Minnesota, will 
form the subject of the following biogi'aph- 
ical sketch. He is a German by birth, born 
August 24, 1852, the son of Mathias and 
Margret (Kendler) Hansman. The father 
was a farmer and emigrated to this county, 
with his family in 1854, settling near the 
city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he 
took up a pre-emption of 160 acres of land, 
upon which he moved and there remained 
until his death. Jidy 27. 1SS7. The mother 
is now living with our sul)ject, her son Joseph. 
The family had four sons — Joseiih. Matiiias 
A., Edward and Michael. The father was a 
democrat and was a irpi'esentative man of 
his count}' and frequently held local offices. 
He was a Roman Catholic in his religious 
belief and church membership. 

Our subject, Josej)li, remained at home 
until he reached the age of seventeen years, 
receiving a common school education. After 
he Jeft school he learned the trade of harness- 
maker, serving for three years, after which 
he worked as a journeyman for about five 
3'ears. He abandoneil that trade and took 
up carpentering, going West to Bismarck 
and from there to the Black Llills, where he 
labored both at carpentering and harness- 



FAKK KEGJOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



461 



making. He followed this for three years 
and in 1879 went to Glyndon and opened a 
hardwarestore, which heoperated six months, 
since which time he has engaoed in con- 
tracting and building. He built the court 
liouse and jail at Moorhead, also a large 
school house and a fine church at Hawley, 
besides a church edifice at Moland. At this 
writing (1888) he has just completed the 
normal school building at Moorhead. He 
employs all the way from live to thirty-five 
men, and may well be classed as one of the 
most prominent contracters and builders in 
the Red River ValIe\^ He took a home- 
stead in 1884, upon which he has made good 
imjirovcments. He has other property, both 
in Moorhead and Gl3'ndon. 

He was married in 1879 to Miss Bertha 
Hanson, daughter of Hans and Annie C. 
(Johnson) Hanson, who had nine children, 
four of whom are now living — Mary, now 
Mrs. Johnson ; Nels H.; Annie, now Mrs. E. 
Erickson, and Bertha, now Mrs. Hansman. 
The parents came to America in 1864, set- 
tling in Allamakee county, Iowa, where they 
were engaged at farming until they removed 
to CTl3'mlon, Minnesota, where the father 
died in 1879. The mother still resides at 
that place. The father was a republican in 
his political belief and held various local 
offices while in Iowa. Both he and his wife 
were devout Methodists. 

Our subject and his wife are blessed with 
three children — Joseph H., Peter E. and 
Mathias B. In political belief he is an inde- 
pendent, yet has ever been very active in 
public matters. 



^^LLSWORTH D. CHILDS is a mem- 
^S ber of the firm of E. D. Childs & Co., 
who are the largest and most extensive 
farmers in Polk county, Minnesota, also 
general merchants, real estate dealers and 



grain buyers, at Crookston. He is one of 
the most honored and respected citizens of 
that city. He is a native of "Westborough, 
Worcester county, Massachusetts, and first 
saw the light, April 7, 1843, in the home of 
his parents, Ellsworth and Eliza (Marshall) 
Chiids. He received the rudiments of his 
education in the schools of the " Old Bay 
State," but at the age of thirteen was re- 
moved by his parents to the new countrv of 
the Northwest. The family settled at Pres- 
cott, Pierce county, Wisconsin, where thev 
were numbered among the pioneers who first 
])enetrated into that region. On his father's 
farm our subject passed the intervening 3'ears, 
until " the boy was sprung to manhood." 
and was early inducted into a knowledije of 
the art of agriculture. About the time of 
attaining his majority, he lost his father bv 
an accidental death, but he still remained 
with the balance of the family in that part 
of the country until about 1873, when he 
embarked in the agricultural implement busi- 
ness both in Prescott and in Hainmond, and 
continued in that trade until the fall of 1877. 
In the previous spring, in company with 
James Hill, of Roberts, St. Croix county, 
Wisconsin, he purchased of the St. Paul & 
Pacific Railroad Company some 10,000 acres 
of land, all located in the county of Polk, 
Minnesota, and returning to his home, sent 
up teams and men to break up some 300 
acres of the land, which were as yet in their 
primitive condition. 

At that time the village of Crookston had 
hardly a population of 100 people, and but 
very little of the land was as yet taken up in 
the county. In the spring of 1878, with the 
return of the season for planting and sowing, 
Mr. Chiids came in person to look after his 
magnificent farm, and with him brought all 
the necessary means of carrying it on prop- 
erly. His first work was the erection of a 
house, 26x30 feet in area, one and a half 
stories high, and a barn with accommodation 



a62 



KI-.D RH'ER VALLEY AND 



for sixteen horses, and at the same time 

commenced seeding and otlier work. In the 
succeedinii' fall he erected two otiier separate 
sets of farm buildings on tlie place, and, as 
one of the lirm of E. D. Cliilds& Co., erected 
a part of what is now the lied liiver Elevator, 
the lirst one north of Glyndon. In 1880 
3[r. Childs laid out tiie village of Carman, 
on land belonging to the company, and 
erected several store buildings to rent to 
parties desirous of doing business in the 
])lace, and has always taken a great interest 
in the welfare of that thriving and enter])ris- 
ing hamlet. 

By active business energy Mr. Childs has 
brought- some 4,500 acres of their large 
farm in subjection to the uses of civilization, 
a portion of which is rented out to tenant 
farmers, and a portion of which is devoted 
to tame grass. The balance is as yet in 
pasture. Messrs. Childs & Co.'s share of 
the grain raised on the place during the 
year 1887 was 30,000 bushels. During the 
harvest season they find it necessary to 
operate some thirteen self-binders and two 
threshing machines, the latter driven by 
steam. On their immense place they have, 
also, 160 head of thorough-bred and high- 
grade cattle ; 200 head of line sheep, and 
seventy -five head of horses, most of which 
are of excellent strains, ^even sets of farm 
buildings adorn the ])lace in different locali- 
ties, and on these and their other structures, 
in various places, the iirm carry about $25,- 
■oOO insurance alone. 

Politically, Mr. Childs has always been a 
warm advocate of the principles formulated 
in tlie platforms of the I'epublican i)arty, and 
has taken an active part in all local cam- 
paigns. He lias an active, enterprising spirit 
and one that has stamped his individuality 
and character to a marked degree upon this 
■community. But little desire for office has 
lie had, still he has been induced to act as 
member of the council of Crookston. He is 



also one of the board of directors of the 
Duluth and "Winnipeg Railroad. 

ilr. Childs has been twice married, the 
first time in 18*)"), when he wedded iliss 
Esther Hamblin, but who was carried awaj!- 
by the death angel in ISGfi. Appreciating 
the Divine injunction that "man should not 
live alone," July 7, 1873, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Eliza JfcLorinan, a 
native of Dublin, Ireland, and daughter of T. 
J. and Sarah McLorinan. By this union 
they have had four children, of whom three 
are living — Jesse C, Italiih D. and Iluth E. 



.^^ 



«4^^ 



JTOSEPH GILPIN, of Alexandria, is tiie ' 
^ editor and proprietor of the Douglas 
county Neios^ one of the leading republican 
newspapers in the northern jiart of the 
State. Mr. Gilpin is a native of Lockport, j 
New York, born October -1, 1 842, and a son 
of Thomas and Elisabeth (Featherston) Gil- 
pin, who were natives of Ireland. Early in 
life the father learned the stone-cutter's 
trade and followed that avocation for 
many years. At an early day he removed 
to Canada and became a foreman on the 
work of constructing the Welland Canal. 
He died in the spring of 1888 and his widow • 
still lives in Canada. Thomas Gilpin and 
wife were the parents of five children — 
Sarah A., Joseph, Mary J., Eliza and 
Hannah. 

Joseph Gilpin, whose name heads this 
article, received his education in IS'ew York 
State. He began learning the printing busi- 
ness at between thirteen and fourteen years 
of age, and finished his aj)prenticeship at 
Buffalo, New York. In 1864 he enlisted in ■ 
Company E, Sixtieth Massachusetts Infantry, 
and remained in the service for six months, 
doing provost duty most of the time. In 
July, 1867, he came to Douglas county, Min- 
nesota, and took a homestead in Alexandria 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



463 



township. He began improvements and 
remained there for a time, and then, in ISTC, 
he traded the place to William E. Hicks, 
proprietor of the Alexandria town site, for 
the Alexandria Pod. For iive years he con- 
tinued the .publication of this paper, when 
he sold out. On the 1st of August, 1878, he 
established the Douglas count}' News^ and has 
since conducted that journal. Mr. Gilpin 
has built up ;i lucrative business. Tiie ])aper 
has an extensive circulation and is regarded 
as one of the most influential republican 
j(^urnals in the Park Regions. 

Mr. Gilpin was married in 1869 to Miss 
Sarah Walker, a daughter of Daniel Walker, 
of Alexandria. Their marriage has been 
blessed with three children — William S., 
Mary T. and Nellie B. 

Mr. Gilpin has always taken an active 
interest in all public afl'airs and ever}' enter- 
prise calculated to benefit either his town or 
county receives his earnest support and 
encouragement. He is an honored member 
of the i\[asonic fraternity and also of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. 



^.^^ 



/^^"^^LIVER H. PHILLIPS, the editor and 
V^ix proprietor of the Norman county 
Herald, came to the Red River Valley in 
April, 1888, and located at Ada, Minnesota, 
where he established his paper. He was 
born in Rochester, Monroe county, New 
York, July 26, lS3-t, and is the son of Israel 
and Fidelia (Goodale) Phillips, both of whom 
were natives of the State of Massachusetts. 
His pai-ents had settled at Rochester in 1811, 
wlien that city, which now can boast of its 
100,000 inhabitants, contained but two houses. 
His father was a boat builder by trade, 
and followed that business in that locality, 
where he passed the rest of his days, for 
manv vears. 



Oliver H. was the youngest of a family of 
eleven children born to his parents. He was 
given the advantages of the schools common 
to that district in its early day, and so fitted 
himself, that at the age of seventeen he com- 
menced teaching in the country schools. 
During the time tliat he was devoting his 
attention to the instruction of the rising- 
generation, he did not neglect his self-educa- 
tion, but giving up his leisure moments 
to study, recited to the professors of the 
Rochester University, and during one 
winter attended the Chirksou Academy. 

In 1855, having attained his majority, he 
came to Minnesota, and, settling in the 
neighborhood of Wasioja. Dodge county, he 
there took a claim and opened a farm. He 
remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits 
in that place, until the railroad passing 
through the county, the village of Dodge 
Center was instituted, when he removed 
thither. He entered into the sale of farm- 
ing implements, and for some time was the 
county agent for the "Grange," or Patrons 
of Husbandry, for the purchase and sale of 
that machinery. He continued in that line 
of business until 1876, at which time he 
bought the journal known as the Dodge 
Center Precg, of which he was the editor 
and ])roprietor for three years, developing 
a natural tact and fitness for the busi- 
ness, surprising in one having no ]n'evious 
training. 

In 1879 Mr. Phillij)s removed to Goodwin, 
Deuel county, Dakota, in the neighborhood 
of which he took up a claim, and entei'ed 
into the meicantile trade in the village. 
Tills lalter he continued for about a year, 
the balance of the time he devoted to his 
farm until 1883, when he returned to Dodge 
county. On his arrival there he ]iurchased 
the Dodge Center Indix, and once more 
occupied the editorial chaii-. After two 
years' editing and publishing that independ- 
ent sheet, he consolidated it with the 



464 



KED lilVER VALLEY AND 



Kasson Vindicator, and clianged the name 
to that of Dodge County Record. 

Tn tlio spring of 18S8 our subject disposed 
of his journahstic business at that jwint, and 
in search of a more ehgible site for business, 
came to Alia witli liis material and estab- 
lislied the Herald, an active supporter of 
democratic principles — especially tariff 
reform. 

During his residence in Dodge count}', ]V[r. 
Phillips was cpiite active in behalf of educa- 
tional interests, and took a prominent part 
in local politics. lie filled the office of 
justice of the peace during his residence in 
Dodge Center. On coming to Ada he 
bought the building where he transacts, busi- 
ness, and besides his property in Dodge 
Center, owns some 500 acres of excellent 
arable land in the neighborhood of Water- 
town, Dakota, which is partially improved. 

Mr. Phillips is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, having been made a Mason in 
Washington Lodge, No. 38, of Wasioja, 
Dodge county, was made a Eoyal Arch 
Mason in Tabernacle Chaptei-, No. 18, K. A. 
M., of Kasson, but was afterward one of 
the charter members of Eelief Lodge, No. 
108. In both lodges he was an active worker 
and served as worshipful master of both. 
He still holds his connection with the Dodsre 
county lodges. Is a member, also, of the 
A. O.'U. W. 

Besides the office of justice of the peace, 
Mr. Phillips has filled most of the township 
offices in Dodge county, and that of assessor 
in Deuel count\', Dakota, and has been the 
candidate of a party hopelessly in the minor- 
ity in Dodge county for most of tlie county 
offices, legislature and the State senate, and 
occupied a prominent place in the com- 
munity. 

Mr. Philli])s was united in marriage April 
9, 1863, with Miss Marietta Walkup, a native 
of Chautauqua county, New York, and daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Amarilla (Andrews) 



Walkup, and by this union they are the 
parents of five children, four of whom are 
livinff. The latter are — George, the teller of 
the First National Bank at Fergus Falls; 
Fannie, a teacher in the public schools at the 
same|)lace; Helen a typewriter and sten- 
ographer in C. L. Lewis" law office in 
Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Harry wlio is 
in business with his father. 



-«" 



«4i.> 



ILLIAM E. WALKER, the proprie- 
i^-M. tor of the Crookston j)laning mill, 
sash and door factory, is one of that city's 
most active and enterprising citizens. He is 
a native of Toronto, Canada, i)orn June It?, 
1862, and is the son of Walter and Elizabeth 
(Gibson) Walker. 

The father of our subject came to Crook- 
ston from Toronto, where he liad l>een 
engaffed in the buildinir and contractino- line 
for years, and, in 1882, forming a copartner- 
ship with W. J. Bailey, purchased the ground 
and erected the planing mill where his son 
carries on business. Mr. Bailey retiring 
about one year later, Joseph Netzer went 
into partnership with ]\rr. Walker, and the 
firm name was changed to that of Walker 
& Netzer. At the expiration of another 
twelvemonth the latter gentleman retired, 
and William being taken into partnership, 
the firm became that of Walker »t Son. It 
was operated under this name and style for 
a period of three years, but in the spring of 
the current year (1888) the father i-etiring, 
the i)roprietorship of the establishment 
passed to our subject. About the same time 
the latter added the building in which he 
has his office — a frame structure 20x68 
feet in size, two stories high, the lower one 
used as a Avarehouse as well as office, the 
second story as a carpenter shop. About 
the same time was added a dry kiln in 
the rear of the mill, some 10x30 feet in 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



465 



area on the ground. The mill proper is 
a substantial edifice. 30x60 feet in size, 
two stories in height. In this building 
is found all the necessary machinery to carry 
on the business, and all driven by a thirty- 
horse-power engine. The institution, which 
is one of the leading industrial establishments 
of Crookston, and this part of the Red River 
Valle}', makes a specialty of sash, doors, 
molding, general building material, etc., and 
gives employment to from sixteen to twenty 
men and boys. Mr. Walker does a general 
contracting and building business, also, and 
the firm of which he has been a member, and 
is tlit3 successor, has put up l)y contract a 
large number of the better class of buildings 
in the city, both public and private. In addi- 
tion to the mill business Mr. AValker is 
engaged quite extensively in the sale of cedar 
posts, telegrajih and telephone poles, and tim- 
ber of a like nature. 

The subject of this personal memoir is one 
of the most active, stirring young business 
men of Crookston, and is rapidly winning his 
way to a prominent place in the community. 
Energy, industry and business tact are, in his 
case, accomplishing what they always have 
done in this world, and are elevating him to a 
recognized place, both in trade ;ind social 
circles. 



LE MOSNESS, one of the most able 
and finely-educated attorneys located 
at Moorhead, Minnesota, forms the subject 
of this sketch. 

He was born in Norway in 1843. His 
parents are Ole and Malinda (Chrestesen) 
Mosness, who were also natives of Norway. 
The father is a very extensive farmer in 
Norway. The mother died in 18S1. They 
had a family of eleven children, live of 
whom came to America — Christen, Ole, 
Caroline, John and Olive. Those remain- 



ing in Norway are — Malinda, Martha and 
Peter. 

Our subject spent his younger days in 
Norway on his father's farm, and then three 
years in mercantile business. Wlien he 
attained the age of twenty-one years he 
sailed for America, settling at Leland, La 
Salle count}', Illinois. When there came a 
call for one year's troops to aid in ])utting 
down the Rebellion our subject enlisted in 
the Sixth Illinois Light Artillery, or Han- 
shaw's Battery. He was in the service eleven 
months, till the end of the wai-, and was in 
the battle at Nashville, between Generals 
Hood and Thomas. In this engagement 
they were used as infantry. From there 
they went to London, Tennesee, where they 
guarded a fort. Our subject was jjromoted 
to the office of sergeant toward the close of 
his service. At the expiration of his army 
service he returned to Illinois, where he 
engaged at farming, continuing for four 
years. He then went to Calhoun county, 
Iowa, where he purchased a farm and 
remained for two years. After disposing of 
his farm at that point he moved to Fort 
Dodge, Iowa, and read law with W. H. John- 
ston, and afterward graduated from the 
Chicago Law School, in 1872, and was 
admitted to practice by the Supreme Court 
of Illinois in September of that year. He 
at once commenced practice in the city of 
Chicago, where he remained for some years. 
In all, he practiced his profession in Chicago 
seven j'ears. From that cit}^ he went to 
Albert Lea, Minnesota, arriving there in 
1878. There he practiced for three years, 
then had his office in Minneapolis for three 
months. In September, 1881, he came to 
Moorhead, where he has been since engaged 
at law practice, and where he has won the 
reputation of being one of the ablest crimi- 
nal lawyers in the State. He is also an 
extensive farmer, having a farm of 800 acres 
within thirteen miles of Moorhead devoted 



466 



RED RIVER }-ALLI:Y AND 



to stock-raising — principally Hereford cattle. 
The farm contains two large barns, resi- 
dence and numerous out-buiklings. Our 
subject has expended several thousand dol- 
lars in buil<lii)gs there, lie erected a fine 
home residence in ifoorhead, in 1882, at 
Woodland Park, which cost him 85,000. 
He was county attorney of Clay county in 
1884. 

Mr. ^losness formerly belonged to the 
republican jiarty, l)ut now gives his support 
to tariff reform ideas. 

Mr. Mosness was married in 1881 to Miss 
Harriett J. Fralick, daughter of J. H. Fralick, 
of Lyons, Iowa. 



«^- 



S.''c^HARLES ELG is the proprietor of the 
machine and boiler works establish- 
ment at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In con- 
nection with his machine and boiler works 
>he also does blacksmithing of all kintls. 

Mr. Elg is a native of Sweden and was 
born February 8, 1859. His parents, Gustaf 
and Mary (Bork) Elg, were both natives of 
Sweden. The father is a machinist by trade, 
in which line he has been engaged ever since 
he was twelve years old. He is now fore- 
man in a rolling mill in Sweden. At twelve 
years of age he commenced work in this 
line and continued it throughout his life until 
the present time. The works in which he is 
now engaged as foi'eman employ between 
live and six hundred men. In the father's 
family tiiereai'e twelve living children ; four 
sons ai'e now in America — Charles, Aaron, 
John and Adolf. 

The subject ol' our sketch received his 
education in his native land, and at twelve 
years of age, when out of school would work 
at the blacksmithing business. He continued 
attending school and working at odd times, 
until he was fifteen years old, when he went 
into the iron works where he was emj^lo^'ed 



as an apprentice. At seventeen years of age 
he commenced work in an establishment 
where steam hammers were repaired, con- 
tinuing in that line of business for three 
years. He improved his time, and on leav- 
ing his native land had become a skilled 
mechanic. On coming to this country he 
stopped at Worcester, Massachusetts, where 
he worked in the machine shop owned by 
Washburn Moen, remaining in their emplo}-^ 
for eight months. At the end of this 
time he went to Pennsylvania, engaged 
in a steel roller mill at Braddock's Field. 
At this time lie went to Garrett, Indiana, 
and for six months worked in the V>. & O. 
Railroad machine shops as machinist. He 
next went to Elkhart, Indiana, wiiere he 
worketl as a machinest in the L. S. & M. S. 
Railrcjad shops for three months, after which 
he went to Chicago where he remained but 
a, short time. Next he went to Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, where he engaged for a month 
at work in a foundry and machine shop. 
Thence he removed to Omaha, and after 
working in the Union Pacific Railroad shops 
for a short time returned to Elkhai't, Iiuliana, 
where he found em])lo3'ment in the same 
establishment where he had worked before. 
His next move was to Fort Worth, Texas, 
where he remained a siiort time, and 
from there to the Southern pai-t of Kansas, 
where for two months he was employed in 
the M. K. & T. Railway shops, lie then 
went to Topeka, and worked as a machinest, 
in the Santa Fs- shops. His next move was 
to Creston, Iowa, where he remained a year 
in the C. B. ix. Q. Railway shops. At the 
expiration of that time he went to S])ring- 
field, Illinois, where for three months he 
worked in the W. St. L. it P. Railway shops, 
and then he came North and found work in 
the OuKiha Railway shops for two months. 
He then found employment in the Manitoba 
railroad shops at Fergus Falls, and later at 
Barnesville. His experience in working at 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



467 



his trade had by tliis time given him the 
proficiency necessary for him to proceed 
alone in this kind of work. So he hired his 
present phice of bnsiness, whicli was in the 
year ISSG, and put men to work therein, 
wliile he continued in the employ of the 
Manitoba shops until 1887. Since that time 
he lias given his whole attention to his 
present business. 

Mr. Eig was married in 1884 to Miss 
Jennie Johnson, of Fergus Falls, a native of 
Norwa\" and daughter of John Johnson. 
Two children have blessed this union — ^Emma 
and Oscar. 

Mr. Elg is a republican in politics, and is 
rajiidly becoming one of the substantial and 
leading men of Fergus Falls. He with his 
■wife and family, belong to the Lutheran 
church. He has a fine residence on Vernon 
jivenue, Xo. 41fi. 



F. FISK, of the firm of E. Smith & Co. 

general merchants in the village of Car- 
man, Minnesota, came to the Red River Val- 
ley in the fall of 1884, and located in that 
place, and is one of the most active and 
enei'getic citizens of that thriving little 
*' burg."' 

Mr. Fisk was born in Springfield, llamp- 
•den county, Massachusetts, December 17, 
1850, and is the son of Howard and Emily 
(Upton) Fisk. At the age of fourteen he left 
the home of his father, and having, like so 
many of the boys of New England, a liking 
for the sea, he entered upon a seafaring 
life. From that time until the spring of 
1877, a period covering some seven years, 
he followed the "raging main," and as boy, 
ordinary and able seaman, was ever found at 
his post. Gi'owing weary at last of the 
" bounding billow and the springing deck," 
he bade adieu to that mode of life, and 
sought upon terra firma the means of exist- 



ence. For the succeeding seven years, and 
until September, 1884, he was engaged in 
mining, chiefly in Northern New York and 
in Michigan, and while thus employed, by 
excellent business management and pru- 
dential economy, he laid the real foundation 
of his present fortune. 

On his first appearance in the village of 
Carman, Mr. Fisk ojiened a hardware store 
and carried on that business alone, until the 
summer of 1885. when he added groceries to 
his stock in trade. In January', 1887, the 
present firm was formed, and now carry full 
and assorted lines of the various kinds of 
goods that go to make up what is called the 
stock of a general merchandise store. The 
business is managed and controlled entirely 
by Mr. Fisk, his partner being engaged in 
operating the elevator. 

In July, 1888, Mr. Fisk received the ap- 
pointment of deputy or assistant postmaster 
of Carman, his partner, Mr. Smith having 
been chosen postmaster, and our subject car- 
ries on the business of the ofiice. This, to- 
gether with his attention to the extensive 
trade enjoyed by this popular and esteemed 
firm, fills up all his time, he having but little 
leisure to devote to local politics. His ster- 
ling integrity and native nobility of character 
have already won him a higli place in the 
minds of his fellow-citizens and those with 
whom he comes in contact in the affairs of 
life. A self-made man, in the truest sense of 
the word, Mr. Fisk has been the sole archi- 
tect of his own fortune. Dark have been 
some portions of it, with hard life and harder 
fare, but with the rugged daring, born of his 
New England parentage and training, he has 
never despaired, and can now look back from 
his present vantage ground with natural pride. 

The subject of this memoir was united in 
marriage. May 8, 1885, with Miss Annie 
Cairns, a native of the Province of Quebec, 
Canada, daughter of James and Mary (ifoore) 
Cairns, of Orinstown in that Dominion. 



468 



RED JilVER VALLEY AND 



SJ'fJ^HARLES p. MALLORY. Among the 
most liighly esteemed and successful 
lumber merchants of the famous Red Iliver 
and Park Regions of INIinncsota is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this ailicle, a resi- 
dent of the village of Fisher, Polk county, 
Minnesota, where he is extensively engaged 
in the lumber business. He is a native of 
the province of Quebec, Canada, born March 
7, 1844, and is tiie son of Caleb P. ancl Maria 
(Farwell) Mallory, also natives of the Prov- 
ince of Quebec. The father owned and 
operated a saw mill, grist mill and farm in 
his native land, and was one of the prominent 
citizens in the locality in which he lived. 
The father and mother of our subject Avere 
the parents of the following named children 
— Charles P., Maria A., John C, William N., 
Albert E. and Edward O. Mallory. 

Charles P. ]\Iallory, of whom this memior 
treats, remained in his native land attending 
the common schools of that region until he 
was seventeen years of age. At that period 
in life he removed to Massachusetts, where he 
remained for about six months, but not find- 
ing work which suited him, returned to his 
fathers farm. There he remained, assisting 
his father on the farm and in the mills for a 
number of years. In 1803 Mr. Mallory went 
to Bryan, Williams county, Ohio, and clerked 
in a dry goods store for one year. During 
tliat time he had slight attacks of the fever 
and ague and decided that a more healthy 
place would be more desirable to himself, 
so he moved to his old home and helped his 
father for one year. He then removed to 
Coaticook, Canada, where he opened a 
restaurant and operated it until the spring 
of 1871. He then went to Minneap- 
olis, Minnesota. He was in ill health 
when he went to Minneapolis, and for 
some time could secure no work. At last 
he secured work in a planing mill, but he 
found the woi-k too hard for him, anil was 
obliged to quit after the second day. He 



had but very little monev and was obliired 
to pawn his watcli, and with' the proceeds 
bought a few things and set up a stand at 
the first State fair held in Minneapolis. 
With the gains from this venture he 
redeemed his wiitcli, and tiien remained 
there seeking for woik. He had paid almost 
all of his money for Ijoard, and was one 
morning debating what he could do, w lien 
the night engineer of a mill told him that 
the foreman of the; bag factory had just 
been discharged. Witiiout stopping to eat 
his breakfast Mr. Mallory made an applica- 
tion for the position, and much to his sur- 
prise he got it. lie knew nothing of the 
duties devolving upon the position, but he ' 
succeeded in filling the place with more 
than satisfaction to tiie ein]ilovers. He was 
promoted from one position to another, and 
finally reached the highest jiosition in the 
business. He remaineii with the firm as long 
as they were engaged in business in Minne- 
apolis, and when the firm moved he secured 
work as book-keeper for Witbeck, Potter it 
Co.'s sash and door factory. He received $40 
per month and hired out for one year at 
that salary. After about two months' work 
the foreman was drawn for jury service, 
and did not know where to find a man com- 
petent to fill the position during his absence. 
Mr. Mallory volunteered his services, and 
after talking it over they told him to try it. 
When the workmen saw a foreman pro tem- 
pore they decided to have an easy day of it, 
and accordingly allowed several of the planes 
to clog and stop, or burn the cylinders out. 
Mr. Mallory at once stojiped the machinery 
and discharged two of the men and went out 
on the street and hired others to fill their 
places. When the proprietors returiKnl and 
heard of it from some of the men, they called 
Mr. Mallory into the office. He expected his 
discharge, but was surprised when they tokl 
him that they were pleased with one who 
would take such an interest in their work 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



469 



and business, and that they desired him to 
remain with them at a salary of $60 per 
inontli. And when his year was up tiiey 
hired him for another year at $80 per month. 
The company' then took a partner in tlie 
building business, and owing to the bad 
management they failed, and our subject 
was again out of work. About that time he 
received an offer to return to Canada and 
take charge of a store at a good salary. He 
decided to accept the position and moved his 
goods, but after arriving there decided not 
to take the place, and, after visiting old 
friends for some time, returned to Minne- 
apolis. Mr. Mallory then went to a sash 
and door factory and told them that he 
would work one month for nothing, and 
after Avorking that time was hired for one 
year. At the expiration of that time he was 
given the position of traveling agent, and 
Avas on the road until the spring of 1878. He 
was then sent to Winnipeg, but not liking 
the idea of staging^ it from P'isher to Winni- 
peg, settled at Fisher, where he engaged in 
the lumber business, in which he has since 
been engaged. During his fii-st settlement 
there they had a terrible time with the 
small-pox, it having been brought there by a 
lady from "Winnipeg. A number of the rail- 
road men were taken with it, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Mallory were also afflicted, but by the 
best of medical aid from Minneapolis recov- 
ered. In those days Mr. Mallory ran a 
hotel, and being the onl}' one there made 
money. He is one of the most popular men 
in the county, and carries on an extensive 
business. He has several yards in Dakota, 
and has a very large one in Fisher. 

Mr. Mallory was married in April, 1867, 
to Miss Eva Aldrich, a native of Canada, and 
the daughter of Asael and Eva (Libby) 
Aldrich. Mrs. Mallory passed away from 
the scenes of earth to her final reward in 
1871. She was an excellent lady, and left a 
large circle of friends to mourn her loss. Mr. 



Mallory was united in marriage, the second 
time, to Miss Anna Whiteman on the 21st 
of September, 187-1, and this union has been 
blessed with four children, three of whom 
are now dead. Charles is the onl}'- one liv- 
ing. Mrs. Anna (Whiteman) Mallory is a 
daughter of R. and Mary (Cheever) White- 
man, and was a resident of Anoka, Minne- 
sota. Mr. Mallory and his family belong 
to the Universalist church. He is a member 
of Ascott Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., and 
Knights of Pythias. In political matters he 
affiliates with the republican party. 



W ALTER D. BAILEY, one of the 
most enter])i'ising, thoroughgoing 
and energetic business men of Crookston, 
Minnesota, was one of the early settlers at 
that point, locating there in 1874, and enter- 
ing its mercantile circles, and has since been 
identified with its interests. He was born 
in Lowell, Massachusetts, December 1, 1835, 
and is the son of Roderick and Charlotte 
(Peabody) Bailej^ who were of Puritan stock. 
Lie received his education in the "old Bay 
State," and in 1859 removed to Dunn county, 
Wisconsin, where he was engaged in lum- 
bering until 1863. During that year, in 
response to the call of the President for more 
men to fill up the depleted ranks of the 
regiments engaged in the suppression of the 
rebellion, he enlisted in Company H, of the 
Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and, joining 
the command, participated in all the suffer- 
ings, hardships and sanguinary conflicts 
that marked the campaigns under Sherman. 
Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Jackson, all the 
battles around Atlanta, the seige of that 
cit}', the grand march to the sea under that 
matchless leader — W. T. Sherman — all were 
a portion of his military career, of which he 
may well be proud. On the ce.ssation of 
hostilities, in 1865, Mr. Bailey received his 



470 



RED RTVF.R VALLEY AND 



discliai'ge from tlie service, and returned to 
Eau (ialla, "Wisconsin, and there entering 
into trade, began his successful career as a 
merchant. 

The subject of our sketch remained in the 
last named village for two years, at the end 
of which time lie closed out his stock, and 
purchasing a farm near Ellsworth, the county 
seat of Pierce county, Wisconsin, for two 
years he was employed in agriculture. 
Eemoviug to Rush Eiver, in the same sub- 
division of the State, he there bought a saw- 
mill and operated the same for some five 
years, but im]xiir('(l health, caused by expos- 
ure and hai(lslii])s during his army life, 
necessitated his relinquishment of the busi- 
ness. Selling out the jilant, he engaged in 
traveling and buying furs and ginseng, pass- 
ing, in the course of his journeys throughout 
the entire Nortinvest, to AVinnipeg, Rat Por- 
tage, etc. "While on his way tiirough the 
Red River Valley he came to Crookston, in 
the fall of 1874, and found but a small 
village, but which had bright prospects. 
There were but two stores there at the time, 
one of them kept b}' L. Larivere, and that 
was soon purchased b}^ Mr. Bailey. Again 
entering into trade he carried it on, in con- 
nection with his fur business, until 1881. 
He had also established trading posts located 
at Thief River, Lake of the AVoods, and at 
Turtle Mountain from 1874 until 1877, but 
these he gave up during the latter year, and 
in 1878 purciiased the farm where he 
now resides, adjoining the city limits. 
This place, which contains some 180 
acres of excellent land, is under a high state 
of culture, and is carried on under his con- 
trol, in connection witii his other business. 

In the winter of 1881-82 Mr. Bailey again 
entered into lumbering operations, ten miles 
south of Northei'n Pacific Junction, on Black 
Hoof Creek, where he carried on business 
for two years. During the winter of 1884-85 
he commenced contracting for lumber with 



the Red River Lumber C'om])any. and 
remained with that corporation for three sea- 
sons. In the fall of 1887 he entered into a 
contract with the Duluth I't Iron Range Rail- 
road Company, to cut off the timljer from 
their right of way and to get out and place 
on the ground the ties, telegraph ])oles, etc., 
on their road between Uulutli and Vermilion 
Lake, and is at present engaged in that 
undertaking. He is also the owner of an inter- 
est in a promising iron mine at Tower, on 
the Duluth ct Iron Range Railroad, and the 
owner of a second farm of 320 acres of land 
within three miles of the city of Crookston. 

Since coming to to this section of country, 
Mr. Bailey has been one of the most prompt 
and ready citizens in all efforts of jiuijlic 
spiritedness, and ever willing to enter into 
anything to enhance the interests of the 
town and county. lie has served as one of 
the board of county commissioners, and filled 
that office for two years. He also served as 
justice of the peace for some time, and in 
both positions, as well as in several minor 
ones, reflected honor upon those who had 
placed him there, as well as gained credit for 
himself. 

Mr. Bailey was married June 16, 1856, to 
Miss Lucy E. Elliott, of Bruce, McComb 
county. Michigan. They have been the par- 
ents of eight children — Delmore and Walter 
D., deceased ; and Charlotte A., Cluvrles D., 
Benton R., Edwin R., Fay W.. and R. I). 



-««; 



-^^ 



[ens p. JENSEN, one of Moorhead's most 
prominent and ''busy business"' men, 
forms the subject of our sketch. He is a 
general dealer in ground feed, cord-wood at 
wholesale and retail, and is agent for several 
excellent lines of farm implements, including 
the celebrated Mandt wagons and bob-sleds. 
His place of business is on James street. 

Mr. Jensen is a native of Denmark, liorn 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



471 



February 11, 1852. Ilis parents are Anton 
and Annie M. Jensen, also natives of Den- 
mark. Tliey were united in marriage in 
1849. Tlie fatlier was a soldier in 184S, under 
the Danish Government, holding the otKce 
of corporal. He remained in the service for 
five years, coming to Amei'ica in 1853, mak- 
ing the vo^'age on a sailing vessel, being 
nine weeks en route. He landed at New 
York harbor and traveled extensively 
through different States, for the purpose of 
finding a. good and suitable location. After 
seven years he returned to Denmark and 
there remained until 1870, when he went to 
Quebec, Canada, and from there he went to 
St. Paul, Minnesota. Here he purchased an 
ox team and wagon, provided a good emi- 
grant outfit and started for the Red River 
Valley country, finally settling in Clay 
count}', Minnesota, at Buffalo River in the 
town of Moland. He there took advan- 
tage of the liberality of the homestead and 
tree claim acts, securing himself 2-10 acres of 
land, on which he settled, building and 
improving the same. He now has come to be 
one of Clay county's best farmers and stands 
high in the estimation of his people, who 
have elected him as one of the supervisors. 
Politically he is a republican, and, with his 
Avife, belongs to the Lutheran church. 

The father of our subject's mother was 
Jorgen and her mother Marie Catharine 
Christenson, natives of Denmark. They were 
the parents of a large family of children. The 
mother still lives, aged eighty-nine years. 
The father died in 1853. Their remaining 
children are Jens 1^. and Jorgen. 

Our subject, Jens P.Jensen, was reared to 
farm li fe until ten years old, when he attended 
high school until sixteen years of age. He 
then left the school-room and leai-ned the 
trade of blacksmithing. After two years 
or so at this, he came, in company with his 
parents, to America, assisting on the farm, in 
Clay county, Minnesota, for ten years ; he 



then procured 400 acres of land, including 
tree claim and homestead, and set about 
making im})rovements — built a good house, 
barn and granary — cai-rying ou a general 
farming and stock-raising business until 1887. 
He was one of the very best farmers in that 
county. 

In politics our subject is independent in 
thought and vote. He held the office of 
justice of the peace four years ; assessor four 
years, and school treasurer six years. 

He was married to Miss AlvinaG. Stener, 
a native of Norway and the daughter of P. 
J. Stener, who is now the mother of five 
children — Anton M. H., JMaria M., Henry 
L., Rodolph and Mabel E. In their religious 
belief, both Mr. and Mrs. Jensen subscribe to 
the faith held by the Lutheran church, to 
which thev belong. 



«.-; 



^^AM OLSON is prominently connected 
^^^) with the growth and progress of the 
farming community of Grant county, Minne- 
sota. He is one of the thrifty and frugal 
farmers in Elk Lake township, and resides 
on s6Jction 26. He is a native of Wisconsin, 
born in Dane county, on the 14th of January, 
1847, and is the son of Ole and Ragnes 
(Sampson) Olson, natives of Norway. The 
father and mother of our subject emigrated 
to the United States in 1845. and settled in 
Wisconsin, where they lived for six or seven 
years. They then removed to Winneshiek 
county, Iowa, and remained there about one 
year, when they removed t(j Houston county, 
Minnesota. In 18(j9, they came to Grant 
county, Minnesota, where they have resided 
ever since. The father was a farmer through 
active life, but is retired now. The parents 



had 



familv consistint'- of the followins: 



named children — Ole, Sam, llans, James, 

Mary, Herman, William, Olena and Johanna. 

Sam Olson, the subject of this article, 



472 



RED Kn'ER VALLEY AXD 



spent his younger da3's in Houston county, 
Minnesota, and attended the excellent com- 
mon schools of that State until he had 
reached the a^e of twentv-one years. He 
then removed to Grant county, Minnesota, 
and in 1868 settled on a homestead of IfiO 
acres, in Elk Lake township, on section 2(1. 
Since that time he has, from time to time, 
added to his jiroperty. until now lie is the 
owner of 320 acres of well-tilled land, and is 
engaged extensively in general farming and 
stock-raising. 

Mr. Olson was united in marriage on the 
7th day of December, 1873, to Miss Eliza 
Thompson, and this union has been blessed 
with the following named children — Olaus, 
Ida, Emil, Amanda, Helmer and Freeman. 
The subject of this sketch is one of the promi- 
nent men of his township, and he is always 
an active worker for the welfare of his town, 
county or State. He is a zealous partisan, 
and is an adherent to the principles of the 
republican party. lie has held numerous 
offices in his township, among which are the 
following — town clerk, school director, etc. 
He and his family are members of the 
Lutheran church, and he is a trustee in that 
organization. 



JAMES MOTT is a member of the firm of 
Evans & Mott, collectors and real estate 
dealers of Alexandria, Minnesota. 

Mr. Mott is a native of Dutchess county. 
New York, and was born December, 18-14. 
He is a son of Thomas and Caroline (Ilorton) 
Mott, both of whom are natives of New 
York. Mr. Mott's father followed the busi- 
ness of farming in New York State, and in 
1856 came to Wisconsin. On reaching Wis- 
consin he purchased land in Columbia county 
where he remained, giving his attention 
entirely to fanning until 1862. He then 
came to Ohnstcad county, Minnesota, and 



spent two years there. Since that time he 
has been in various parts of the State. In 
1886 he came to Dcjuglas county, Minnesota, 
and is now living with his son James Mott. 
Tiie mother of the subject of our sketch 
passed from this life in 1874. She died in 
Dodge county, Minnesota. Thomas and 
Caroline Mott had three children — Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. Seward, of Columbia county, 
Wisconsin ; James, the subject of our sketch ; 
and a younger brother, George. 

James Mott received his early training on 
a farm, and so well did he love his early home 
that he did not break therefrom until twenty- 
three years of age, since which time he has 
been continually traveling. He has been 
engaged principally in the collection busi- 
ness m Iowa and Minnesota. In 1876 he 
located in Swift county, this State, where he 
enoaged in the collection business. Here 
he was deputy sheriff for a period of 
two 3'ears, and was deputy county collector. 
In 1881 he went to Glenwood, where he 
remained two years. Here he followed the 
business of makiu'^ collections and selling 
agricultural implements. He was the con- 
stable for the village of Glenwood for two 
years. In 1883 Mr. Mott came to Alexan- 
dria, and during the first four months of his 
residence here sold machinery. He was then 
appointed deputy sheriff for the county of 
Douglas, and held that office for five months. 
Since that time he has been engaged in the 
collection business. Mr. Mott is the owner 
of considei'aljle property in the village of 
•Alexandria, and has a fine residence on 
Sixth avenue between I and J streets, and 
owns one-half interest in his office on Main 
street. Mr. Mott was wedded in 1867 to 
Miss Abbie Evartts. One child blessed this 
union, the name of which was William. Mr. 
Mott was married the second time to j\liss 
Emma Trank in 1879. They have an 
adopted child, Annie E. Mr. Mott is a 
stanch democrat. He has always adhered 



PARK REGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



473 



to the principles of that party. He is not, 
iiowever, known as an offensive partisan, 
but is known as one of the liberal-minded 
))oliticians, the number of which is so small. 
Mr. Mott is one of the leading business 
men, and one of the ])voMiinent citizens of 
Alexandria. 

As was said in the beginning of this sketch, 
Mr. Mott is a member of the firm of Evans 
& Mott. At their office is the headquarters 
of the Northwestern Collection Agency. 
They have competent and experienced men 
constantly on the road making their collec- 
tions, do a general collection agency, and 
can furnish the best of references. 



/^^Ll B. LARSON, than whom perhaps 
\^^ tiiereisno more popular and esteemed 
member of the legal fraternity in the Red 
River Valley, is engaged in the practice of 
law at Ada, Norman county, Minnesota, 
where he located on the 9th of July, 1886, 
and has followed the duties of his profession 
ever since. 

Mr. Larson first saw the light on the 9th 
of November, 1860, in Fillmore county, 
Minnesota, and is the son of Barney and 
Ingbor (Warren) Larson, natives of Nor- 
way. He was reared beneath the parental 
roof, and acquired in youth the rudiments of 
a good common school education, and which 
he much enriched by liberal reading and 
adequate reflection. At the age of seven- 
teen he commenced teaching school, and for' 
several winters succeeding he was thus 
engaged in training the minds of the young, 
while the summer months were spent in 
arduous labor on the farm. In 1879, with a 
natural and laudable ambition to fit himself 
properly for a higher position in the world, 
and to acquire the knowledge which the 
sage has declared to be " more precious than 
rubies, yea, than fine gold," he entered the 



State University, at Minneapolis. There the 
j'oung student bent his mind to study, 
maste^-ing the classics as well as other 
advanced branches. After a rigid examina- 
tion, he was finally graduated by that Alma 
Mater in the spring of 1884. In search of 
a profession to which he could concentrate 
his energies and devote a life of busy activ- 
ity, he decided for that one so honored in 
our own country bv the names of Webster, 
Clay, Daviess, ciioate, Wirt, Douglas, Taney, 
Lincoln, Marshall and others— the law. With 
the purpose of fully fitting himself for 
his chosen life-duties, he entered the law 
department of the Washington University 
of St. Louis, Missouri, from which he was 
graduated in the spring of 1886, and, on 
being admitted to the bar, came at once to 
Ada, Minnesota, and established himself in 
practice. In the autumn of the same year 
he was chosen to the office of court-commis- 
sioner of Norman county. He takes an 
active interest in the prohibition movement, 
and was nominated by that party for the 
office of county attorney. Like many others 
he can not help but see the evils of the rum 
traffic, and would fain suppress it by the 
strong arm of the law and the Government. 
In his religious views Mr. Larson is quite 
liberal, and attends the Congregational 
church, feeling that " there are many roads 
that lead to Rome, and why not to Heaven," 
as so beautifully said by Montaigne. 
Socially, Mr. Larson is esteemed in the 
highest degree, and merits and receives the 
respect of young and old in tiie community. 



.-^^ 



lOHN G. PETERSON, the prosperous 
^ and enterprising proprietor of the Lake 
View House of Barrett village, is a native 
of Sweden, born at Koisoni, 5s'ovember 15, 
1845, and is a son of John and Mary Ann 
(Mongenson) Peterson, natives of the same 



474 



jRED RrrEK VAIJ.EY A.\D 



kingdom. John remained at home, attend- 
ing school, until he was sixteen years old. 
He then started in life for himself by work- 
ing in the pineries and on his fatiier's farm 
for several years. In the meantime, how- 
ever, when he was but six years of ago. in 
1851, his ])arents came with their family to 
the United States, first settling in Washing- 
ton county, iliunosota, where they have 
since remained, and where the mother now 
lives, the father having died in 1863. Joiin 
bought his father's farm in 1867, and con- 
tinued to resitle there until 1870, when he 
sold out and removed to Otter Tail county, 
and " squatted " on a tract of unsurveyed 
land, anti which proved to be railroad land. 
He then moved to (irant county and liied on 
a homestead of 160 acres, on section 4, Lein 
townsliip, wiiere he remained until 1887, 
when he built his hotel and o])ened his pres- 
ent business, still retaining his homestead. 
Mr. Peterson was joined in mati-imony 
with Miss Martha Johnson, Jul}' 2, 1867. 
She is the daughter of John O. and Catharine 
Peterson, natives of the kingdom of Sweden. 
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of 
the following children — Reta, Gharles, Axel, 
Oscar, Anna, Bennie and John, all of whom 
are living and at home with the parents. 
Mr. Peterson is a man of integrity, and is 
highh' esteemed by all who know him. He 
has held the offices of town treasurer, chair- 
man of board of supervisors, and also the 
important position of county commissioner 
for seven years. 



-■*-: 



-»• 



JOSEPH BEAUDETTE, the pioneer settler 
of the town of Gentilly, Polk county, 
Minnesota, and a prominent member of the 
business circle of Crookston, is a native of 
the province of Quebec, Canada, and was 
born May lo, 18i'9. He is the son of Ama- 
ble and ilary Louise (Turcot) Beaudette, 



and is of French ancestry. At the age of 
eighteen he started out in life for himself, 
going to St. Jolinsbury, N'crmont, where he 
was employed for some eighteen months at 
wagonmaking. On returning to his native 
home he was united in mai-riatre Aujrust 4. 
1851, with Miss Ida Chandonnais, anil two 
months later started for Australia, going to 
Boston, from which port he sailed on Christ- 
mas day of that 3-ear in a sailing vessel 
named the Fanny Hill. After a tedious voy- 
age, which lasted some four months and ten 
days, he reached that island continent and 
proceeding "up-country" engaged in gold 
diggings for ten months. At the end of that 
time, in copipany with twenty -eight others, 
he went to Peru, South America, but, twenty 
of their number succumbino' to the vellow 
fever in that country, ^[r. Beaudette started 
for Panama, on the isthmus. Arriving at 
that point one day too late for the steamer 
which had sailed for San Francisco, California, 
he had to content himself there for two 
weeks. At the end of that time he went to 
California, and after spending three weeks 
at Oakland, across the bay from San Fran- 
cisco, he went to Grass Valley, on the north 
fork of the American river. For five or six 
weeks he was engaged in building flumes, 
after which he went to work in a quartz-mill 
and remained in the latter about eight 
months. Taking a pick and shovel, he next 
was engaged in mining on French creek, 
Avhere he met with very fair success in his 
search for the auriferous dust. Fifteen 
months later lie returned to his native home 
by way of San Francisco, arriving in the place 
of his nativity November 1, 1S54. He was 
fully occupied from that time on. in that 
locality, in farming, lumbering and in mer- 
cantile life for some fifteen years, but in the 
fall of 1870 came to the United States and 
settled at Grand Ilapids,. Michigan. Em- 
plo3'ed in lumbei-ing he remained thei'e until 
June of the following year, when he removed 



FARK RECIOXS OF MIXNESOFA. 



475- 



to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he followed 
the trade of stone mason until the fall of 
1872, at which time he went to St Paid, 
Minnesota. In the latter cit}' he rented a 
stone quarrv and was employed in getting 
out stone for four years. In the spring of 
1876 Mr. Beaudette came to the Eed River 
Valley with some fifteen others, driving a 
team from St. Paul to Red Lake Falls, Minne- 
sota. He took a claim of 16<i acres, in what 
is now the town of Gentilly, and put up the 
first claim shanty therein. 

The subject of this memoir has been one 
of the most active men in ])ublic aifairs in 
the town, and, while Gentilly and Red Lake 
Falls townships were under one civil organ- 
ization served as chairman of the town board 
for three years. Prominently identified 
with the setting off as a separate township, 
that of Gentilly, which was named after his 
native village, he was nuide chairman of the 
board and continued in that office for three 
years. He was also connected with the 
school board for a period of six or seven years, 
consecutively. 

Mr. Beaudette is the owner of a fine farm 
of 200 acres of land, a large share of which 
is under a high state of cultivation. In 1882, 
after having carried on mercantile business 
in (ientilly, and to afford his chiklren the 
advantages of the schools of Crookston, 
removed thither after purchasing his present 
propert}' on Broadway. Here he has spent 
every winter since, although he still carries on 
his farm. In the spring of 1888 he opened 
his present grocer}' business, under the firm 
name of Beainlette A: Son. his son Alexander 
being associated with him in trade. The 
latter was appointed postmaster of the town 
of Gentillv in Septemijer, 18S2,and held that 
olBce until the spring of 1888, when he 
resigned it. 

The large number of all those who have 
the name of Beaudette are, in fact, direct 
descendants of one John Beaudette, who 



was the first of this name that came to 
Canada from France. This John Beaudette 
came from Blanzais, Bishopic of Poictiers, in 
France, in 1070. He was married to Miss 
Marie Grandin, from St. Aul)ert, Bishopic of 
Orleans, France. John Beaudette was boi'n 
in lfi50, his wife in 1051. In which portion 
or ])lace of Canada they settled is not fully 
known, but as near as can be traced out it 
was in the vicinity of Quebec. They were 
blessed with six children, of which number of 
these were boys or girls is not fully known. 
The father of the subject of this memoir 
(Joseph Beaudette), whose name was Aniable 
Beaudette, was a grandson of this John 
Beaudette, and, as record shows us to-day, 
he was the ablest mechanic in the whole prov- 
ince of Quebec. Many machines of general 
usages to the farmer, such as wind-mills, 
portable saw-mills, etc., were inventeil by 
him, and amoni;' this number was the first 
threshing machine ever made in Canada. 

The subject of these memoirs, Joseph Beau- 
dette, was one of his children, and was l)orn 
in 1829 — May 10. He was married to Marie 
Ida Chandonnais. They had a large family 
of eight children, seven boys and one girl. 
The first born was a boy by the name of 
Joseph Albert, and then followed Josephine, 
Alexander, Edmund, Louis, Charles, Ludger 
and the last, Ernest Beaudette, who was born 
on the 29th of June, 1809. 



T^ ODERICK SMITH. Among the more 
_1&^ prominent citizens of the county of 
Polk, Minnesota, is tlie gentleman whose 
name graces the head of this article. He is 
the present postmaster of Carman, the man- 
ager of the Red River Valley Elevator 
Company's business at that point, and one 
of its leading merchants. 

Mr. Smith is a native of the Dominion of 
Canada, having been born September 10, 1855, 



476 



/•/-./> KIl-EK VALLEY AND 



at Perth, in the province of Ontario, and is the 
son of Roderick and Ann (Kirkland) Smith. 
He received his education in tiie land of his 
birth, and in early manhood learned the 
trade of carriage making. Quitting the 
paternal roofat the age of fifteen, hecontinued 
at that line of business for about eight yea.rs, 
at the expiration of wliicli time, having made 
up his mind tiiat in the great Northwest he 
could have a better chance to push his for- 
tunes, and coming to the " States," he settled 
in Wabasha county, Minnesota, where for a 
time he was employed in tlie district schools. 

This work proving too tame and monoto- 
nous for his energetic, active spirit, he finally 
<juitted it and entered into the lumber busi- 
ness, in which he remained about eighteen 
months, and then chano-ed it for the grain busi- 
ness. After carrying on this line of trade at 
Hammond, Wabasha county, until September 
10, 1882, he thto came to Carman to take 
charge of the Red River Valley Elevator 
Company's business. AVhile he was a resi- 
dent in Wabasha county, he entered into a 
partnorsliip with ls\. J. Muldoon, and under 
the firm name and style of Smith cV- Mul- 
doon, carried on tiie hardware business at 
Ilainmond for two years in connection with 
his other business. On leaving there he dis- 
posed of his interest to his partner. 

In the autumn of the first year that Mr. 
Smith spent in this county, he purchased a 
partially improved farm of eighty acres of 
e.xcellent, arable land, within five miles of 
Carman where he carries on farming, super- 
intending and managing it himself. At the 
same time he bought the house and lot in the 
village where he now lives. In January, 
1887, on looking around for a good invest- 
ment for his surplus capital, and entering 
into a copartnership with J. F. Fisk, under 
the firm name of R. Smith & Co., established 
the general merchandise store that leads the 
mercantile circles of the village. 

Our subject was appointed to the office of 



postmaster at Carman in Julv, 1888, and fills 
that position at the present writing. He is 
an active member of the Masonic fraternity, 
having been made a Mason in Crookston 
Lodge, No. 1+1, A. F. it A. M., and is also a 
member of Tierson Chapter, No. 40, R. A. M., 
and of Constantine Commandery, No. 20. all 
of Crookston. and takes a lively interest in 
all the woikings of that order. He is a 
thoroughly wide-awake, energetic bu'siness 
man, foremost in any enterprise that is calcu- 
lated to benefit his locality, and no one stands 
higher in the respect and esteem of this com- 
munity than he. He handles more wheat at 
the elevator where he has charge than any 
other man in this region, and has, by his 
unimpeachable probity and generous treat- 
ment, won many friends in the county. 

Mr. Smith was united in marriage Decem- 
ber 19, 1881, with Miss Lizzie J. Thornton, 
a native, also, of Perth, Ontario, Canada, 
and daughter of John and ]\Iary Ann 
(iladden) Thornton. They are the parents 
of three children — Minnie Ross Katina, 
Bernard Lvnn and Roderick Thornton. 



^M ^LBERIC CHABOT, the popular pro- 
Jp^ prietor of the New York Store, lo- 
cated at Crookston, Minnesota, is a native of 
Montreal, Canada. He is the son of Vital 
and Mary (Domethille) Chabot, and first saw 
the light in April, 1800. He attended school 
in the place of his birth until he had attained 
the age of fifteen vears, when he entered a 
dry goods establishment in the same city as 
clerk and salesman. So well had he chosen 
his ])lace in the " world's broad field of l)at- 
tle" that for four ^^ears he remained with 
the same firm, his talent lying in that direc- 
tion and his enei'gy, activity and ability 
being duly appreciated by his employer. 

But in the overcrowded cities the chances 
of a young man to arrive at a competence 



PARK KEGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



A7T 



are but few, and but little encouragement 
can be lieltl out there to the man of small 
means. Possessed of tliis idea Mr. Chabot 
came to the United States and sought a place 
where he could locate and prosper. This 
was in the spring of 1879. and at that time 
he came to Crookston. Entering the employ 
of Charles Kretzschmar, as clerk in his gen- 
eral merchandise store, he remained there 
some two years. From the expiration of 
that time until March, 1 888, he was variously 
employed in the city, but on the latter date he 
opened his present business stand, where he 
carries a stock of general dry goods, cloaks 
and clothing, gents' funishing goods, carpets, 
trunks, valises, rubber goods, etc., that will 
invoice upward of $12,000. He gives em- 
plo\'ment to four clerks and is doing a large 
and increasing business, and his name is 
beginning to be a household name through- 
out the country surrounding. 

While working here on a salary he had the 
prudence and economy to save his money, and 
sagacity to see that real estate was a paying 
investment to a young man at that time. He 
bought and sold any and all property, both 
real antl personal, and with ability and busi- 
ness tact succeeded in accumulating quite a 
nice little ca]ntal. Besides his mercantile 
venture Mr. Chabot is the present owner of 
two fine farms, one of which is within 
eight miles of Crookston, besides real estate 
in the latter city and in St. Paid. A shrewd, 
keen business man, of the strictest probity, 
he occupies a high place in business circles 
and in social life is a leader. 



«<►► 



BR. CLARENCE S. PUTNAM, physician 
and surgeon at Fergus Falls, Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of Ver- 
mont, and was born in the j'ear 1859. He 
is the son of George B. and C. Eliza (Jones) 
Putnam, both natives of Vermont. 



The Doctor's father was a druggist and for 
many j'ears held the ])()sition of postmaster 
in the place in which he resided. Prior to 
this, however, he was in thegenei-al mercan- 
tile business. He eidisted in tJie United 
States Army, Company G, Eighth Regiment, 
Vermont Volunteers, being one of the musi- 
cians for the regimental band. He was over- 
come hj severe marching, and as a result of 
tliis strain upon his constitution, died in the 
hospital in Baltimore. The mother is still 
living with her son in Fergus Falls. The 
grandfather was Deacon Simon Putnam, a 
lai'ge farmer at West liandolph, Vermont, of 
which State he was a native, and where he 
occupied a prominent position as one of the 
leading wealthy citizens of that section. 
The mother of the subject of our sketch was 
the daughter of Captain Jones, a sea-faring 
man, but in later life engaged in farming in 
the northern part of ^"ermont, where lie lived 
until his death. He reared a family of 
seven children. 

Dr. Putnam was the only child of his 
father's family. His younger days were 
spent at home and in attending district 
school. Later he took an academic cours^ 
and worked on a farm during vacations. He 
also engaged to some extent in clerking. He 
graduated from the Barre Academy, at Barre, 
Vermont. He then spent eighteen months 
clerking in a drug store. Six months there- 
after were spent in the same employment in 
a grocery store. After this he commenced 
the study of medicine, graduating in 1883. 
He attended lectures in Philadelphia and 
New York City, and also a course in Chicago, 
where he graduated. After graduating in 
medicine, he first settled at Moorhead. where 
he remained for nearly two years. Thence 
he removed to Ada, Norman county, Minne- 
sota, remaining in that place for about four 
years. Thence in July, 1888, he removed 
to Fergus Falls. While living at Ada, he 
was county physician for two years, and was 



4-8 



RED KIVER VALLEY AXD 



chairman of the board of liealth until he left 
tiiat place. While there he was the director of 
the Ada band, of which he was the organizer 
and leader. He also organized the Ada 
orchestral club, consisting of fourteen instru- 
ments, organized solely for recreation ; also 
lield the position of captain of Company 
I, Third Regiment, Minnesota National 
Guards ; and for two years \vas foreman of 
•one of tiie fire coinininies. 

Dr. Putnam was married in 1882 to Miss 
■Oelia E. Johnson, of "West Unity, New Hamp- 
shire. This union has been blessed with one 
child, a daughter — Vera M. 

The Doctor is possessed of excellent musical 
abilities, and plays on nearly all kinds of 
instruments. He has led musical conven- 
tions, organized and led orchestras, taught 
-singing school, organized and led church 
choirs, and been at the head of different 
military banils. He is at present the chorister 
•of the First Congregational church of Fergus 
Falls. Tn politics he stands by the princi- 
ples of the re])ub!ican party. He is a mem- 
ber of the State Homoeopathic Medical 
Institute. Di'. Putnam is a genial, warm- 
hearted friend and companion, is an excel- 
lent physician, and is highly esteemed by all 
his fellow-citizens. 

«^J^^-*-— - 

^ AM THORSON. Among the success- 
ful business men and merchants of 
Northern Minnesota is the subject of the 
present biographical memoir, a resident of 
the village of Fisher, Polk county, l^Cinne- 
sota, where he is engaged in the general 
merchandising business. He is a native of 
Norway, born June 9, lS5t!, and is the son 
•of Thoi'bjorn and Liv Svendsen, natives also 
of the kingdom of Norway. 

Mr. Tliorson emigrated to tlie United 
States in 1871, and settled with his parents 
in ^lanitowoc, Wisconsin, where he remained 



and worked for farmers and attended the 
common schools. In 1877 he removed to 
the village of Fisher, and obtained work on 
a steamboat as caljin Ijoy from Fisher to 
Winnipeg during that summer. In the fall 
he hired out to Hugh Thompson as clerk in 
his store. He worked for him three years 
and dui'ing that time took a homestead on 
section ■!, Fisher township, Polk county, 
Minnesota. He sold his farm in 1SS7, and 
during the time of his owning it had im- 
proved and cultivated the land. After leav- 
ing Mr. Thompson ^Ir. Thomson lived on his 
homestead a short time, and after selling his 
farm again engaged in-. Mr. Thompson's 
store. In October. 1S86, he engaged in 
business for himself, in partnership with a Mr. 
Krostue, and has since been engaged in the 
general merchandising: trade. The firm are 
now doing an extensive business and are one 
of the first business firms in the village. 
They carry a full line of goods, all kinds of 
clothing, gents' and ladies' furnishing goods 
and a heavy stock of groceries and notions. 
Mr. Thorson was united in marriage on 
the 1st of November, 1881, to Miss Julia 
Knutson, and she died in Fisher on the '.tth 
of September, 1882, sincerely mourned by all 
who knew her. ]\Ir. Thorson was married 
the second time July 20, ISSS, to Miss Jen- 
nie Knutson, of Wisconsin, a sister of his 
former wife. He and his family belong to 
the Norwegian Lutheran church. In polit- 
ical matters Mr. Thorson affiliates with the 
republican party and takes an active interest 
in all ])ublic and local affairs. He is one of 
the popular men of the village and is highly 
esteemed by his acquaintances. 



,LE TORSTENSON, a prominent and 
^^J well-to-do 'citizen of Grant county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of section 23, Elk 
Lake township. He is a niitive of Norway, 



PABK KEGIOXS OF M IX XESOTA. 



479 



born in Christena Stift, December 31, 1841, 
and is a son of Torsten and Marv (Nils 
Daughter) Torstenson, natives also of tiiat 
kingdom. The latlier of our subject was 
ongaj;ed in agricultural pursuits in the old 
country. He died there in March, 1845. 
The mother came to America, with her son 
Ole. the subject of this present sketch. 
They were the parents of two children — Ole 
and Regnald. 

Ole Torstenson, the person of whom this 
article treats, remained in the kingdom of 
Norway until 1862, when he with his mother 
and sister emigrated to the United States. 
After a voyage of twelve weeks they landed 
at Quebec. Canada, and at once went to 
Detroit, Michigan. From that place the 
party, composed of our subject, his mother 
and sister, went to Lansing, Iowa, via Chi- 
cago, Illinois, and Galena, stopping a few 
(lays in each of the places mentioned. From 
Lansing they went overland to Spring 
Grove, Houston county, Minnesota, and on 
arriving there rented a tract of land, and 
for the next four years were engaged in 
farming near that place. They then removed 
to Grant county, Minnesota, where Ole, 
the subject of this biography, filed on a 
homestead and then returned to Houston 
county. After working in the pineries ilur- 
ing the winter he returned to Grant county, 
and took possession of the homestead which 
he had taken the year previous. His land 
lies on section 23, Elk Lake township, and 
comprises 160 acres. He is engaged in a 
general farming and stock-raising business, 
and is one of the oldest settlers in the town- 
ship in which he lives. When he located in 
the township thei-e were but tnree settlers, 
and these have either removed or l)een taken 
away by death, until only Mr. Torstenson 
remains. 

Mr. Torstenson was married on tlie 22d 
of May, 1868, to Miss Julia Olson, and they 
have been blessed with eiirht children, named 



in the following order — Torsten M., Anna 
B., Teolena M., Julia B., Clara O. and Wil- 
liam. Andrew and Charles died in early 
childhood. Mrs. Torstenson is a native of 
Wisconsin and is one of eleven children. 
Mr. Torstenson is one of the representative 
men of Elk Lake township and has held the 
offices of supervisor, assessor and chairman 
of the board of supervisors. He and his 
family are exemplary members of the Luth- 
eran church, of which organization he is a 
trustee. He is a republican in his politi- 
cal faith. 

H. MIX, the affable and accommodating 
station agent of the St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis & Manitolia Railroad at Crookston, is 
one of the earliest settlers in the State of 
Minnesota, having located in what was then 
the Territory in 1852. 

The subject of this personal memoir was 
born in New Haven, Connecticut, December 
30, 1833, and is the son of Charles E. and 
Catharine (Upperman) Mix. Receiving his 
education in the private schools of his native 
citv, at the age> of sixteen he entered the col- 
lege at Georgetown, District Columbia, where 
he remained about a year. The next two 3' ears 
were spent under private tuition at his home, 
giving his attention chiefly to civil engineer- 
ing and drawing. In 1852 he came to Min- 
nesota, arriving in St. Paul on the 1st of 
May, when but a little over nineteen years 
of aee. At that time there wei"e but few 
settlers in the Territory, and the capital was 
but a mere village. From there he went 
to Long Prairie, then the agency for the 
Winnebago Indians, where he was employed 
as clerk for some two years. On his trip 
out to this part of the country he came by 
rail some ten miles west of Chicago, as far 
as the cars then ran, and from there per- 
formed the rest of the wav bv stage. Dur- 



480 



RED RI'.'ER VALLEY AXD 



ing the winter of 1853 Mr. Mix paid a visit 
to his iiiitive land, staging from St. Paul to 
Prairie du Chion, Wisconsin, and from tiiere 
bv rail, the track having readied that point. 

In the aiitiMiin of 1854 Mr. Mix was 
a]i]iointed secretary to Willis A. Gorman, 
then governor of the Territory, and removed 
to St. Paul. In the spring of the following 
year he was sent to transfer the Indians at 
Long Prairie to the new agency in Blue 
Earth county, and in 1856 established him- 
self as an Indian trader at that point ; but 
in 1858 received the appointment of Gov- 
ernment agent at that agency. He con- 
tinued to hold tliat office untillSBl, at which 
time he engaged in the chiim business, set- 
tlino- Government claims, etc. 

While in this line of business the horrible 
u])i'ising of the Sioux Indians, that deluged 
this fair Territory in tiie blood of its de- 
fenseless settlers and swept away their homes 
with fire, broke out in August, 1S()2. The 
country stood aghast at the terrible sight 
but soon recovering themselves, the people 
sought means to put down the uprising and 
take vengeance upon the red fiends. Among 
others Mr. Mix enlisted in company A, First 
Independent Battalion Minnesota Volunteer 
Cavalry, and was commissioned as first- 
lieutenant. In November of that year 
he started with the command for the 
North and West, toward Pembina. At 
that time the outpost of civilization 
■was at Georgetown on the Red Iliver, 
an<l here the troops crossed that stream 
and marched north upon the Dakota side. 
They wintered at Pembina, and in the 
spring of 1864 removed to Fort Aber- 
crombie, where Captain Mix was command- 
ant of the post until the following fall. In 
the s[)ring of 18C5 he was ordered to St. 
Paul to sit upon a court-martial, and when 
that discharged its duties and disbanded the 
subject of this sketch was ajipointed assistant 
inspector-general for the Third Civil District, 



with headquarters at Fort Ridgley. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1866-67 he received the 
appointment of assistant adjutant-genenil on 
the staff of (ion. John M. Corse, who iiad 
his headquarters at St. Paul. After the 
retirement of that officer from the service 
Captain Mix was transferred to the staff of 
General Alexander, at Fort Snelling, with 
the same rank. He remained with the latter 
officer until June, 1867, when he was mus- 
tered out and honorably discharged from the 
I service. 

On coming back to the paths of peace Mr. 
Mix engaged in farming in the neighboriiood 
of St. Paul and followed that business until 
1877. In the latter year he entered the 
employ of the St. Paul, Minneajiolis & 
Manitoba Railroad Compan\' as clerk in the 
freight depot at St. Paul. In September, 
1879, he was a])pointed station agent for the 
same corporation at Crookston and located 
at that point, where he has remained ever 
since in cliarge of the railroad business. 

The subject of this sketch has passed 
through many troublesome experiences with 
the Indians in this Territory ami State, a full 
detail of which would be be3'ond tlie scope 
of this work. In 1854 he was appointed to 
take the Chippewas of Red Lake and Pem- 
bina to Washington, but the Indians refused 
to go. During the winter of 1863-64, while 
in winter quarters at Pembina, Captain Mix 
was selected by the commanding officer to 
go to Fort Garry and confer with Little 
Crow's band of Indians, and to him some 
150 of them surrendered themselves and 
were sent to Rock Island. He also took 
Little Six and Jledicine Bottle, two noted 
chiefs, from Pembina to Fort Snelling, where 
they were hung in the spring of 1864. In 
August, 1862, a trader at St. Paul wanted 
to return to Yellow Medicine, and fearing 
trouble induced Mr. Mix to return with him, 
as a witness as to any conversation between 
him and the Indian agent. On their waA' to 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



48r 



Fort Ridgely they met tlie messenger carry- 
ing tlie news of the outbreak to the governor, 
but pushed on. They arrived in the neigh- 
borhood of tlie fort about sundown just as 
the Indians were retreating froui tlie attack 
on the post, and our two friends, being per- 
ceived by the redskins, retreated, but were 
chased for some sixteen miles by the mur- 
derous fiends. The}' met Sibley's column at 
St. Peter and returned to Ridgely with him. 
Mr. Mix, a few da\-s after went out with the 
party sent to bury the dead at Birch Covley, 
and helped inter some sixty victims of that 
massacre. 

In company with Justice Ramsey and Joel 
Bassett, Mr. Mi.x: was apj^ointed commissioner 
to locate what is now White Eartli Reserva- 
tion for the Chippewas, and to appraise the 
value of the old Sioux reservation between 
Redwood Falls and Big Stone lake. He was 
also one of the commissioners who took the 
Sioux delegation to Washington, to make 
the treaty for their present reservation, the 
others being Joseph R. Brown and Benjamin 
Thompson. While at the national capital 
Mr. Mix was appointed special agent to take 
supplies to tlie destitute Indians of the Sioux 
reservation, and remained with that tribe 
some six months. 

Mr. Mix was married July 22, 1856, to 
Miss Helen White, of St. Paul, and is the 
parent of three children — Charles F., cashier 
of the freight de])ot in Crookston, and Cath- 
oran and Caroline, who now i-eside with him_ 

The subject of this history is one of the 
activ3 citizens of the city and county ; is 
president of the Cemetery Association ; is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity having 
been made a Mason in Ancient Landmark 
Lodge, Xo. 5, in St. Paul, in lSr.6, exalted 
in Royal Arch Chapter jSTo. 3, in the same 
city, and joined Damacene Commandery, ^o. 
1, R. A. M. He is still a member of Ancient 
Landmark Lodge of St. Paul, and is a mem- 
ber of Piei"son Chapter and Constantine 



Commandery of Crookston. He is also 
Master of Hiram Lodge, No. 78, A. O. U.W., 
of Crookston. 



WILLIAM G. GOULD, who is en- 
gaged in dairying business at Moor- 
head, Minnesota, came to the place in 1884, 
since which time he has been closely identi- 
fied with the industry and business interests 
of his city and county. 

He is a native of England, born April 9, 
1849. His parents are Abraham and Mary 
(Gould) Gould. His grandfather was John 
Gould. The parents of Mary Gould were 
William and J emimah (Stokes) Gould. Both 
grandfathers were farmers. Abraham had 
a family of nine children, eight of whom are 
now^ living — Mary, AVilliam G., Am}', Ada, 
Edward, Edwin, Harry and Alice. The 
parents belonged to the Episcopal church 
and gave their children a liberal education. 
The father was an extensive farmer and 
handled blooded horses and cattle. He died 
in 1864. His widow still lives near London, 
England, aged sixty-four years. 

Until twenty years of age our subject, 
William G., remained at home, assisting on 
his father's farm and going to school. In 
1869 he thought America afforded better 
and broader fields for a young man starting 
out in life, so he crossed the ocean and 
settled in Ashtabula county, Ohio, remain- 
ing one year, after which he returned to 
England and lived in Loudon five years. He 
traveled two years for a wholesale house, 
and was checker on the railroad three years 
longer. He again came to America in 1875, 
and stopped at Marengo, Illinois, for about a 
year, and then went on a farm and worked 
another year. His next move was to Lake 
City, Wabasha county, Minnesota, where 
he was made foreman on the large farm of 
J. Hagerty ; he remained^with him two or 



482 



RED RIVEK VALLEY AND 



three years, and in 1879 took a homestead of 
160 acres in Cass county, Dakota Territory, 
He partly improved and lived on this land for 
five years, at which time he proved up his 
title, under the homestead act, and in 1884 
came to Moorhead, Minnesota, and in com- 
pany with G. Cooper, purchased a butcher 
shop, which they operated a year. Our sub- 
ject then went into the dairy business, starting 
in with fifty-five head of cattle. lie was 
associated with his brothers Harry and 
Edward for three or four yedrs, and then 
they closed out. In May, 1888, our subject 
atrain started in the same business. He now 
keeps twelve cows, and runs a safe, paying 
business. 

He was married November 19, 188-t, to 
Miss Matilda Ogden, daughter of William 
and Sarah Ann (Eigby) Ogden, natives of 
England. The father was a blacksmith, but 
is now engaged in the real estate business. 
Their children are Kate, William, Matilda 
and Sarah A. Our subject and his wife are 
the parents of three children — Guy O., 
Gilbert L. and Lois K. 

Politically Mr. Gould is a democrat, and 
both he and Mrs. Gould belong to the Episco- 
pal church. 



^^ZRA F. ELLIOT, the county super- 
\^^ intendent of common schools of the 
county of Polk, is a resident of Crookston, 
Minnesota, the seat of justice of that sub- 
division of the State. He is a native of 
Somerset count}', Maine, born July 13, 1852, 
and is the son of .lames and Mary (Mcln- 
tire) Elliot. His childhoocrs days were spent 
in the place of his birth, and he drew his 
primarj' education from the common district 
schools of that locality, whose excellence 
Avas on a par with those of any for which 
New England is noted. In his earlier man- 
hood, after a course of training and disci- 



pline in the Farmington Normal School, he. 
in 1878, entered upon a course of study at 
Colby University, one of the oldest institu- 
tions of learning in the State of Maine. 

Remaining in that ])iirt of our country 
until the spi-ing of ISSl, during tlie long 
vacation of that year he came to Minnesota, 
having decided to take reiterated advice of 
the "Sage of Chappaqua," the able journal- 
ist, Horace Greeley, and come West and gi-ow 
up with the country. He located in Polk 
county and spent the summer upon a farm 
some twentv miles from Crookston, and 
in the fall returned to his alma tnater, and 
his studies, and in the summer of 1SS2 
was graduated with honors by his college. 
On receiving his ieHiamnv or diploma lie 
came at once to Polk county and took up 
the duties of life, farming and teaciiing 
school. His ripe scholarship and able meth- 
ods of imparting knowledge to the rising 
genei'ation drew upon him the attention of 
the discriminating portion of the comiiiunity, 
and in the fall of 1880, while engaged in his 
professional labors he was nominated for the 
office of county superintendent of common 
schools upon the republican ticket and was 
elected with a handsome majority. 

When entering upon the duties of his 
office he at once gave his whole attention to 
the increasing of the educational facilities 
of the county, and the raising of the grade 
of the schools imder his control. Being 
himself a proficient in his profession and an 
active worker in the cause of education, he 
has accomplished much good in this direc- 
tion, inducing the various directors of the 
schools to demand a higher grade of teach- 
ers and a more active interest in the work on 
their part, and bringing the parents of pupils 
to take a greater interest in school matters. 
In his hands the office has been indeed a 
public trust and his efforts being appreci- 
ated by the community, he was renominated 
in the fall of 1888 and re-elected. An ear- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



483 



nest, active worker in the elevation of the 
youtii of the county, lie stamped with his 
individuahty tiie community to a marked 
degree. 



— — -^^ 



.-^~ 



pVER JOHNSON. Among the prominent 
SL members of tlie farming community of 
the famous Pai-k Regions is tiie gentleman 
whose name heads this biograpliical article, 
a resident of section 26, Elk Lake township, 
Grant county, Minnesota. He is a native of 
Norway, born near the city of Tronhjen, on 
the 30th of August, 1839, and is the son 
of John and Anna^Bjorn Daughter) Iverson, 
natives also of that kingdom. The parents 
emigrated to tlie United States in 1866, and 
settled in Spring Grove, Houston county, 
Minnesota, where they remained for two 
years. At the expiration of tliat time they 
removed to Grant county, Minnesota, where 
the father died in 1874. The father devoted 
his life to farming. The mother is still liv- 
ing in Grant county. They were the parents 
of the following-named children — Iver, Inge- 
bar, Anna, Ingebor A. and Bjorn. They 
were faithful members of the Lutheran 
church. 

Iver Johnson, the subject of this sketch, 
spent his younger days in his native land, 
attending the common schools. He left the 
school-room at the age of fifteen years and 
commenced in life for himself. Until he had 
reached the age of twenty-one he worked on 
a farm whicii his father owned, and from that 
time on until he was twenty-seven, worked 
out for different parties. In his twent^'- 
seventh year Mr. Johnson emigrated to the 
United States with his parents. After a 
voyage of seven weeks the party landed at 
Quebec, Canada, and from there at once 
journeyed to Spring Grove, Houston county, 
Minnesota. There our subject worked on a 
farm for two 3'eai's, and in 1868 went to 



Grant county, Minnesota. In the following 
year, 1869, he took a homestead of 160 acres 
on section 26, Elk Lake township, and at once 
began to make improvements. lie planted 
a goodly number of trees whicli have flour- 
ished, until now they serve not only as an 
ornament to his residence, but are valuable 
as a wind-break in winter. Since his first 
settlement here he has gradually added to 
his property and now is the owner of a well- 
cultivated tract of land, comprising 260 acres. 
He devotes his attention, exclusively, to 
general farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. Johnson was married in November, 
1867, to Miss Paulena Hennington, and this 
union has been blessed with the following- 
named children — John F., Andrew, Martha, 
Anna, Bernard, Albert and Freeman. Mrs. 
Johnson is a native of Norway, born near 
Tronhjen, in 1841. They were married in 
Houston county, Minnesota. Mr. Johnson 
has held various offices of his township, 
including supervisor, constable, school clerk, 
and was one of the earliest settlers in the 
township in which he lives. He and his 
family are exemplary members of the Luth- 
eran church, of which organization he is 
secretary. In jjolitics he is an independent, 
thinking that it is better to vote for the best 
man, regardless of party lines. 



^«VH. 



ILLIAM R. L. JENKS. The subject 
of the present article is a member 
of the firm of Jenks & Vivian, editors and 
proprietors of the Alexandria Post, one of 
the leading independent journals in the Park 
Regions. Mr. Jenks is a native of Wright 
county, Minnesota, born June 6, 1861, and 
a son of James and Sarah (Noyes) Jenks, 
who were natives, respectively, of Nova 
Scotia and Maine. The father was for many 
years a traveling collector, and had charge 
of the collection departments for some of 



484 



KED KIVEK rA/J.EV AA'D 



the heaviest ])ublishing firms in the United 
States, inchuling tliat of Colonel Evarts 
& Co., of Philadelphia. The father is now 
a collector for the McCorinick Machine 
Company, and is a resident of St. fMoiul, 
Minnesota. James Jenks and wife are the 
parents of three living <'hildren — Jean E., now 
Mrs. Rannoy; William 11. T.. and James E. 

AVilliam \l. L. JeidvS, whose name heads 
the present sketch, spent his l)oyhood-days 
in AVright county, Minnesota, on a farm, 
and received his earlier education in the com- 
mon schools. In 18S0 he commenced athi'ee 
years' course at Carleton College, in Xorth- 
field, Minnesota, and after the expiration of 
that time he taught for two yeai-s in the 
Minnesota School for the Blind, at Faribault. 
He then returned to Wright county, and 
for two yeare carried on a stock farm. In 
1888 he came tOx\lexandria. and in company 
with F. G. Vivian purchased the Alexandria 
Post, which had been established in 1808, by 
Colonel Hicks. They have since remained at 
the head of the paper and have materiall}' 
increased its circulation and business. They 
are careful business men, hard workers, and 
pungent writers, and their paper is meeting 
with merited success. It is independent in 
political nuitters. 

Mr. Jenks was married in 1887 to Miss 
Marguerite C. Vivian, a daughter of Dr. G. 
Vivian, of Alexandria. 

J3HN P. FARMER. Among the most 
prominent figures in the history of the 
lied Itiver Vallev in Minnesota is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this article. He 
was born in Merrimack county, Kew Hamp- 
shire, on the 24th of September, 1823, and is 
a son of Colonel John and Sarah (Gerrish) 
Farmer. The father was a lumber dealer 
and a farmer and a prominent man in the 
localitv where he lived, havins: served two 



terms as representative in the New Hamp- 
shire legislature. His family consisted of 
four children that grew up, three of whom 
are still living — Prof. Moses G., John V. and 
Sally ^now Mi-s. C. C. Coffin). 

The grandparents of John P. Farmer, on 
his fatlier's side, were John and Sarah (lius- 

i sell) Farmer, who were natives of Massa- 

j chusetts. On his m<)thei'"s side the grand- 
parents of our sul)ject were Moses and Sarah 
(Little) Gerrish, who were natives of New 

I Hampshire. On both sides the grandparents 

, raised large families. 

! John P. Farmer, who is the principal sub- 

i ject of this memoir, was raised on a farm. 

i He received an academical education and 
remained at home until after the death of 
his parents, when he became the owner of 
the old family homestead. There he remained 

i carrying on an extensive farm in connection 
with stock-raising and lumbering until ISGfi, 
when he sold out and went to Brookline, 
Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the 
express business for the period of four yeai-s. 
In June, 1871, he came to Clay county, 
Minnesota, and settled on section 32, 
Moland township. He first took 16(» 
acres as a |)re-empti(>ii. and SO acres 
as a homestead. He at once began improve- 
ments and I'emained on his farm untd 
1878, when he purchased a house and five 
lots in the village of Glyndon, where he re- 
mained until 1888, when he settled at Ada. 
Mr. Farmer was among tiie very first actual 
settlers in Clay county, Minnesota, and it is 
thought he is the oldest American settler 
still living in Clay count}'. This was then a 
vast prairie, with scarcely a sign of improve- 
ment or civilization within the limits of Clay 
county. The settlers used to go seventeen 
miles for mail and provisions, and Mr. Far- 
mer has several times returned from the 
postoffice cari-ying a fifty-])ound sack of flour 
on his back. From the verv first he took 
an active and prominent part in all matters 



PARK' REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



485 



of a jniblic nature. lie aided in the organ- 
ization of that county, and was one of tlie 
three county commissioners, iioiding tlie 
office for tliree years under ap|)ointnient of 
the Governor. In other matters lie also took 
a leading ]mrt. He was appointed president 
of the Clay County Agricultural Society at 
the time of its organization in 1872. He 
taught the first singing school in Clay county 
at Glyndon and Moorhead. 

In 1845 Mr. Farmer was married to Miss 
Martha Locke, a native of Rye, New IIam]i- 
siiire, and their union has been blessetl with 
four children, two of whom are now living — 
Mary W. and Charles R. Mary is now Mrs. 
C. K. Andrews, of Ada, and is the mother of 
three children — Wallace F., Herbert T. and 
Charles li., Jr. 

Mrs. Farmer's parents were Jeremiah and 
Mehitable (Rand) Locke. Her father was 
an extensive farmer. In the family of her 
parents there were six children, four of whom 
are now living — Mrs. Aphia Shapleigh, Mrs. 
Hannah D. Dearborn, Jeremiah and Mrs. 
Martha Farmer. 

Mr. Farmer is a republican. The family 
are members of the Union church at Glvndon. 



.«« 



^^^ 



JIOSEPH LABLANC, the popular and enter. 
^ prising proprietor of one of the meat 
markets of Crookston, Minnesota, is among 
the oldest settlers of that city, having made 
his appearance there in 18T7, when it was 
but an insig-nificant villao-e with but few 
inhabitants. 

Mr. LaBlanc was born in the village of 
St. Dominique, Canaila, September 25, 1859, 
and is the son of Charles and Julie (Jodoin) 
LaBlanc, and is of French ancestry. When 
he was but two months old his father started 
for California, and remained in that modern 
El Dorado for some nineteen years. The 
subject of our sketcii remained at home with 



his mother, who raised him, and in 1873 went 
with her to Rhode Island, where they made 
their home for some four years. In 1877 the 
father sent for his family, he having settled 
in Crookston the previous year, and upon 
their arrival here, Joseph purchased eighty 
acres of railroad land near the town site at 
a cost of $8 per acre. At that time the pop- 
ulation of the town was less than two hun- 
dred, and where the main business portion of 
the city now is was covered with heavy tim- 
ber. The few stores that the village boasted 
then fronted the railroad, and there was not a 
foot of sidewalk in the place or a street cut 
out or graded. The farm which he bought 
adjoined what is now Jerome's Addition. 
The father purchased lOd acres of land near 
by, and with the family oui' subject remained, 
assisting his father in cultivating the soil 
until he was about twenty two years of age. 

At that time, January 30, 1880, Joseph 
was united in marriage with Miss Anais 
Faille, of Clifton, Canada, and, also, of 
Gallic blood, and commenced farming on his 
own account. In 1883, in company with 
Edward Barrette, he established a saloon in 
the city of Crookston, which they carried 
on in partnership for about a year, when 
Mr. LaBlanc disposed of his interest to his 
partner, and removed to Washington Terri- 
tory. There, for nine months, he was engaged 
in the same line of business, after which 
he rented a hotel and acted the ]iart of 
'• mine host " to perfection. Not feeling sat- 
isfied with the country nor his financial pros- 
pects, he returned to Crookston, and a short 
time thereafter, in company with J. E. 
Epton, purchased the meat market of D. 
Ladner, on Broadway, and embarked in his 
present business, which under the manage- 
ment of our subject is rapidly growing into 
great favor with a discriminating public. 

The subject of this sketcli is one of the 
wide-awake, energetic and public spirited 
business men of Crookston, who have estab- 



486 



RED RIVER VALLEY A XD 



lished such a reputation for their town and 
country. Beside his hicrative and increas- 
ing business, lie still owns the eightj'-acre 
farm adjoining the town site, a very valuable 
piece of ])roperty, ami liis present prosperous 
condition is entirely due to his own energy, 
industry and natural business tact. 

Mr. and Mrs. LaBlanc are the parents of 
three children — Eegina, George and Artliur. 

— — «-JSt^-«^ 

TgrON. HENRY G. PAGE, the president 
Ja"^ of the Fergus Falls National Bank, 
at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota, is a native of New Hampshire, anil was 
born in the year 1832. His parents were 
Hon. George and Elizabeth (Ethridge)Page, 
natives of Rochester, New Hampshire. His 
grandfather was David C. and his grand- 
mother Sallie Page. David C.'s early days 
■were spent on a farm in New Hampshire, 
and later in life he retired from active work, 
giving himself up to the care of his proper- 
ties. He held various State offices and posi- 
tions of trust in the government of his native 
town and county. Political!}' he was a whig. 
He reared a family of six children. The 
latter's father was Joseph Page, a native of 
New Hampshire. Elizabeth ( Ethridge) Page, 
the mother of the subject of our sketch, was 
the daughter of Josiah Ethridge, who was a 
native of New Hampshire and a prominent 
man — by occupation a farmer. He reared a 
large family, and was a respected citizen in 
the town in which he lived. 

George Page, the father of the subject of 
our sketch, had a famdy of two children, of 
which the Hon. Henry G. is the only one 
surviving. The parents came to Illinois in 
the spring of 1855, settling in Carroll county, 
■where tliej'^ lived until the fathers death in 
1867. The mother died in 1865. He was 
respected and esteemed by all his country- 
men, and was honored by them in being 



placed in numerous positions of trust. 
He was a representative in the New 
Hampshire legislature for two terms; was a 
man of large influence, and was respected in 
life and lamented in death. We and ids 
wife were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal chuivh, and ilr. Page at all times held 
im])ortant church offices. 

Hon. Henry G. Page spent his younger da\'s 
working hard on the farin, and attendinjj 
school at such times as he could be spared 
from the farm work. He attended an acad- 
emy in his own county and the North field 
Seminary in Merrimack county. New Hamp- 
shire. He returned to the farm and later 
came West with his father, renniining on the 
farm for some time after his fatlier's death. 
After his father's decease he commenced in 
the banking business in Lanark, Hlinois, in 
which business he was associated with his 
brother-in-law, Mr. Tan ^'echter. This busi- 
ness was continued until 1S70, when Mr. 
Page's health became })oor, and he withdrew 
from the banking inisiness, coming to Minne- 
ajiolis, Minnesota, where he spent two years. 
At the end of tliis period he came to Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota, and orgiinized the First 
National Bank of that place, of which he was 
made president, and Mr. Compton was 
elected cashier. He continued his connec- 
tion with this bank until 1883, at which 
time he formed a stock company and built 
what is known as the Page Flouring 
Mills, two miles up the I'iver from Fergus 
Falls on a i)ranch of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad. Prior to this date he had, 
in 1872, built the first flouring mill in 
Fergus Falls, with R. H. Scott as a part- 
ner. The surrounding countr\' was supplied 
with the commodity made at this mdl, and 
calls for Hour came from exceedingly long 
distances, much of it being carried tlown the 
Retl river on flat boats to Winnipeg. In 
1881 he was one of the stock company that 
built the Fergus Flour Mills. In 1883 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



487 



he jnirchased a controlling interest in the 
Fergus Falls Bank. He has interestetl him- 
self to a considerable extent in tiie lands of 
this Western country, and at this writing 
owns over 1,500 acres near the city. lie 
raises a large number of cattle and horses 
and has some good specimens of Ilolstein, 
yiiort-horn, and Polled-Angus cattle and 
Hambletonian horses. 

Mr. Page was married in 1867 to Miss 
Alice Humphre\', a native of New York. She 
was the daughter of Horace and Johanna 
Humphrey. Mr. and Mrs. Page have had 
one child — Henry G. 

Mr. Page has held many important posi- 
tions in the government of his town and 
county, and has also been honored b}' offices 
of trust in the government of the State. He 
has held the office of ma^'or of the city of 
Fergus Falls for three years; has been 
treasurer of the independent school board 
and a member of the same since 1873. From 
lS7-f to 1879 lie served in the senate of the 
legislature of Minnesota. In politics he has 
alwaj's been a warm republican, and, in all 
the counsels of that party in his county, and 
in the State as well, has proven himself to 
be an intelligent and liberal su])porter. He 
holds the position of treasurer of the Fergus 
Flour Mills, and also of the Page Flour Mills, 
and is president of the Page Milling Com- 
pany. In every way he has been interested 
in the growth of the city, and has at all 
times been willing and able to push her 
interests to the front. Mr. Page enjoys the 
esteem, respect and confidence of all his 
townsmen. 



•♦-f^^*-*- 



^gg,. EORGE C. WILDE, who is engaged 
x[^ in the insurance business i^i tlievillao^e 
of Carman, is one of the most active business 
men of Polk county, Minnesota. He was 
born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, 



December 7, 18-12, and is the son of Andrew 
and Catharine (Carscallen ) Wilde. His boy- 
hood, youth and early manhood were spent 
upon the farm, and he received a most excel- 
lent education, laying its foundation in the 
common schools of his native land, and in 
the grammar school, and finishing with a 
full course at a commercial college. He 
remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
upon the paternal acres until he was some 
twenty-six years of age, when he entered a 
clothing store, and there, for a year, filled 
the position of clerk. At the end of that 
time he was employed by a wholesale con- 
fectionery house as their traveling salesman, 
and carried their samples throughout his 
native Province. In 187-1 he abandoned the 
" oi^'P)" '''"^'i coming to Manitoba, took up a 
farm near Morris, and during the succeeding 
twelve years made agriculture his chief busi- 
ness. During the exciting daA's of the boom 
in Manitoba Mr. Wilde, in company with a 
Mr. Nugent, went to Emerson, in that 
Province, and purchased two farms adjoining 
that town. By the first of the following 
year they had their land surveyed and 
platted into city lots and placed on the 
market. During the months of January and 
February their sale of lots amounted to 
$30,000, and they closed out the balance at a 
later date, for $45,000 more. This was while 
he was still on his farm. He remained on 
the latter until 1886, when he rented his 
])lace, and removed to Devil's Lake, Dakota, 
and there, first, engaged in the insurance 
business, making that his headquarters until 
the fall of 1SS7. On the latter date he 
came to Carman, and now lias charge of this 
district as special agent of the Minnesota 
Fire Insurance Association. He is a most 
active and honorable business man, and 
thoroughly understands his calling, having 
given the subject much study, and in the 
work in which he is engaged is giving infi- 
nite satisfaction to the company and his 



4SS 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



patrons as Avell as being prolitable to him- 
self, lie still holds his farm of 320 acres 
near ^Morris, and retains an interest in 400 
lots in tiie town of Emei'son, on which the 
new Red River Valley Railroad has just built 
its depot. 

Mr. Wilde is a member of the ilasoiiic 
fraternity, having been made a Mason in 
Iliram Lodge, A. F. and A. M.,of Kildonan, 
Canada, but is now a member of King Solo- 
mon Lodge, of Morris. 

Mr. Wilde was first married in April, 
1878, to Miss Eliza J. McLeod, an English 
lady, and a daughter of James and Grace 
McLeod, of Canada. She died in 1880, 
leaving one child • — Lome. Mr. Wilde was 
again married September 27, 1883, to Miss 
Ida G. Smith, a native of Forest, Ontario, 
Canada, and the daughter of Thomas and 
Hannah (Adams) Smith. By this marriage 
they are the parents of three children — 
Thomas E., Edna and Karl J. 



^«« 



-^- 



T^ EV. SAMUEL H. KING, the pastor of tlie 
J^^ Presbyterian church at Fisher, Polk 
county, Minnnesota, is one of tlie ablest pul- 
]nt orators in the famous Red River Valley. 
He is a native of Indiana, born at Fort 
Wayne, Indiana, on the 28th day of April 
1861, and is the son of George E. and Eliza 
M. (Kraft) King, natives of the State of Ohio. 
The father was a railroad engineer and set- 
tled in Fort Wayne, in 1860. The father 
and mother of our sul)ject were the parents 
of the following-named children — Samuel 
H. King, George E. King, Fi-anklin Gorham 
King, Ida C. King, Edward King and Chailes 
King. 

Mr. King, the gentleman of wliom this 
sketch treats, lived with his parents and 
attended the excellent public schools in the 
city of iiis birth until he had attained tlie age 
of twenty years. In 1881 he entered the 



Blackburn University at Carlinville, Illinois, 
and from whicii lie graduated with hig-h 
honors, takino- tlie dejrree 'of A. B. After 
leaving tlie college at Carlinville, Mr. King 
entered the Presbyterian Seminary at Chi- 
cago, Illinois, and in A])ril, 18S6. graduated 
from the same. In the fall of the same year 
he removed to the village of Fisher. Polk 
county, Minnesota, wliere he took charge of 
the Presbyterian church. He also iias charge 
of the Presbyterian church at Marias. On 
the 30th of May, 1887, Reverend King was 
installed and ordained by the Red River 
Presbvterv, and has since had charge of the 
congregation in Fisher. 

Reverend King was united in marriage on 
the 19th of April, 1886 to Miss Gertrude Dorn, 
the daughter of B. O. Dorn and Lizzie (Riggs) 
Dorn, natives of Ohio. Mr. Dorn is a com- 
mission merchant in Chicago, Illinois, to 
which city he removed in 1882. Reverend 
King is a man of extensive learnincr and excel- 
lent abilitj". He is one of the most forcible 
speakers in the northwestern part of the 
State, and is universally esteemed and appre- 
ciated by his acquaintances. He has a large 
circle of warm friends both in and out of tlie 
church, and is popular with all. In political 
matters he is an adherent to the principles 
of the prohibition })arty. He is actively 
engaged in the work of the I. O. O. F. of 
this village, and a memlier of the Sons of 
Temperance. 



.«^ 



►^^ 



WDRBERT BARRETT, of the city of 
Crookston, ]\Iinnesota. is one of the 
earliest settlers of that place, having located 
in that vicinity in 1876. A native of the 
Dominion of Canada, he was born in the city 
of Quebec in 1853, and until 1870 made his 
home in the land of his birth, where he 
availed himself of the excellent educational 
advantages offered to the vouth of that 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



489 



countrv. At the age of seventeen he emi- 
jrrateil to the United States and after about 
a montli passed in Duluth, located at St. 
Paul. Being entirely dependent upon his 
own energy and ability for his maintenance 
and success in life he adopted the trade of 
shoeniaking, which he followed closel}' for 
some six j'ears in that city. His devotion to 
business and commendable industry brought 
Its accustomed reward and he slowly accum- 
ulated the nucleus of his ]}resent fortune. 
In the centennial year, 1870, in company 
with his father-in-law, Joseph Beaudette, and 
a part}' consisting of some tliirteen or four- 
teen otiiers, with over twenty teams, horses 
and cattle,- -be came to Polk county, Minne- 
sota, and shortly after their arrival, made a 
homestead claim in what is now the town of 
Gentilly, in which subdivision of the county 
he put up one of the first cabins between 
Crookston and Red Lake. His wife join- 
ing him here shortly after he made his 
home upon his claim until the autumn of 
the same year, when he removed to the tiien 
infant village of Crookston, and having pur- 
chased a lot which fronted upon Roberts 
street, and erected the necessary building, 
opened the pioneer shoemaking establish- 
ment of the place. In tlie spring of 1877 
he returned to his farm and devoted his 
attention to agricultural pursuits with his 
accustomed energy. Bringing to his busi- 
ness an ability and tact superior to the ordi- 
nary farmer, by the exercise of these and 
the close adherence to the rules of prudence 
and economy he soon acquired a sufficient 
competence for all his wants. He is the 
present owner of a fine store building in the 
business portion of the city, two fine resi- 
dences, all of wiiicli are let to good tenants. 
In 1882 he disposed of liis farm and removed 
to Crookston. where he has since made his 
residence, although not actively engaged in 
the business circles of tlie place. 

A man of sterling character and impeach- 



able integrity', Mr. Bari-ett occupies a high 
place in the esteem and regard of his fellow- 
citizens, and Avith his family enjoys the 
respect of all. 

While a resident of St. Paul the subject 
of this sketch was united in marriage with 
Miss Josephine Beaudette, the daughter of 
Joseph Beaudette, formerly of that city but 
later of Polk county, Minnesota. By this 
union there has been born a family of nine 
children, only four of whom are now living* 
— Stephen, Jeannette, Arthur and Margaret, 
all of whom still reside with their parents. 



^^. 



JOHN G. BERGQUIST is an enterpris- 
ing citizen of Moorhead, Minnesota, and 
a successful fai-mer and brick manufacturer. 
He has the honor of being the second one to 
locate in Moorhead. 

He is a native of Sweden, born January 
11, 1849. His parents are Magnus and 
Carrie (Peterson) Bergcjuist, of Sweden. The 
father was a farmer and also worked at 
carpentering. He died in 1887. The mother 
still lives in the land of her birth. They 
were the parents of seven children — Johan- 
nah, Maea, Mary, Sarah L., John G., Peter 
J. and Emmie C. John G. and Peter J. are 
the only children in America, the last men- 
tioned is a merchant at Fargo, Dakota Ter- 
ritqry. The parents were prominent people 
in their country and lived faithful lives, 
according to the Lutheran faith. 

Our subject remained at home with his 
parents until eighteen years of age attending- 
school and helping his father. He came to 
America in 1868, settling at Janesville, Wis- 
consin, where he only remained for a short 
time and then came to Goodhue county, 
Minnesota, working on a farm until 1870, 
when he took a homestead, where the court 
house and jail now stands, in Moorhead, 
comprising 146 acres. He made improve- 



49° 



KED Kli'I-.K VAL/.F.Y A.VD 



ments, including the erection of a log house. 
He afterward purchased fifty acres adjoin- 
ing this homestead. He lived there until 
1885, when he bought his present place, 
upon which he built a frame house, filling 
the walls with brick, thus well providing 
iigainst the cold wintry blasts of this latitude. 
He also built a good {iranarv and barn. He 
started his brick yard in Comstock Place, 
where he purchased two blocks, in 1S81, and 
operated the same for two years. In 1883 
he started a brick yard on his own place of 
eighty acres. He makes a fine grade of 
cream-colored brick and does an extensive 
and paying business, usually working' 
eighteen men in his yard. 

He is a single man, and in his political 
views is a republican, and takes much interest 
in all things connected with the count}' and 
State ill which he lives. As has been stated 
in the first lines of this sketch, Mr. Berg- 
quist was the second man to settle at Moor- 
head. He first stopped with Job Smith, in 
the old Stage House. He was in Smith's 
employ at $1 ])er day, and used his oxen to 
draw logs with which he built his house 
upon his homestead, above spoken of, giving 
the same price per day- for the use of the ox 
teams, which he received from Smith as 
wages. He has seen the then wild romantic 
scenes of Moorhead and the great Red River 
Valley of tiie North changed to a perfect 
gartlen spot and grain field. 

Mr. Bergquist has been jirominently iden- 
tified with the progress and development of 
Moorhead and vicinity. In 1882 he erected 
the bank ijlock at Moorhead, and in company 
witii others erected the building now 
occujiied by the Cavallin College. The bank 
block cost about $40,000, and is four stories 
high — 75x90 feet in size. He also erected a 
store building north of the bank block, 
which is now used as a harness shop. He 
has also built a dwelling-house near the 
t)avallin College. 



'ELIX FOURNET, a wholesale dealer in 
IL'^ wines and liquors at Crookston, Polk 
county, Minnesota, came to that place in 
1878, and openeil a saloon. This he oper- 
ated' until the following year when he rented 
the Central House and became its landlord. 
In 1880 he purchased the projierty and at 
once reljuilt it, enlarging and improving it 
considerably. He carried on the hotel until 
1885, when he sold and removed the build- 
ing, and on its site erected the edifice known 
as Fournet's Block. This is a handsome 
brick structure 50x75 feet in ai-ea, three 
stories high with a basement beneath. Upon 
the first or ground fioor are two fine store 
rooms; on the second are oHices, and the 
third is occupied as the Masonic lodge room. 
This property was put up at an expense of 
§15,000, and is one of the finest in the city. 
For about two years Mr. Fournet was not 
engaffed in business, but in 1887 he initiated 
his present establishment in a building which 
he also owns besides his residence. 

When our subject came here the population 
of Crookston consisted of but about three 
hundred people, and where the block named 
after him stands was occupied by staniling 
timber. He has been a witness of the rapid 
growth of the city, and the settling up. of 
the surrounding country, and has here found 
the fortune that he enjoys at the present. He 
came to this part of the State with but little 
capital, and his handsome competence is the 
result of his labors in the community in 
which he lives. 

Mr. Fournet is a native of France, born in 
1853. He remained in the land of his birth, 
learning the trade of liricklayer and mason 
in his youth, until the close of the war be- 
tween the empire of Germany and France 
in 1870, when he left his home and sought 
within the United States a new home. 
Landing in the City of New York, he there 
commenced work at his trade and followed 
it there and in other localities until 1878, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



4ql 



when he came to Cniokston and settled as 
related above, and has been a resident here 
ever since. 

The subject of our sketcli and Miss Fiorina 
Ijertliiaume were united in marriage, in Jan- 
uary, 1881. 



lAMES E. O'BRIEN, the senior of the firm 
of J. E. O'Brien & Co., hardware dealers 
of the cit\' of Crookston Minnesota, is among 
the leading and influential members of the 
business circles of that community. He is a 
native of Belvidere. I'oone county, Illinois, 
born May 10, 1860. At the age of sixteen 
years he commenced to learn the trade of 
tinsmith, in Belvidere, and remaineti in that 
place, following that avocation, both as 
apprentice and as journevman until the 
spring of 1883. At that time, being 
impressed with the necessity of a 3'oung 
man's going West if he would succeed in 
life, he came to Crookston and engaged at 
his trade while looking around for a suitable 
location, where his chances would be good 
of starting an establishment of his own. In 
this way passed tlie fall and winter of that 
yeai' and the spring of 1884, but the follow- 
ing summer he and D. S. Bi'ay formed a 
coparUiership, and u ruler the firm name and 
style of Bray tfe O'Brien put in a stock of 
hardware, in Crookston. P'or about eigh- 
teen months they carried on this business, 
when the subject of this sketch purchased 
the interest of his partner and the present 
firm was formed. Tliey carry a large and 
well-assorted stock of heavy and shelf hard- 
ware and its usual concomitants, that will 
invoice from $12,000 to $15,000, and are 
doing an extensive business over a wide 
expanse of country. The known integrity 
of the firm, their painstaking and obliging 
manner together with the quality and prices 
of their goods have built up for tliem a 



lucrative connection, and they enjoy the 
esteem and respect of all with whom they 
come in contact, either in business or social 
circles. 

Mr. O'Brien is more or less interested in 
city real estate, and in whatever promises 
to increase the prosperity and welfare of the 
people of the community as well as himself. 
He has been an active and zealous member of 
the fire department ever since its organiza- 
tion, and was the chief engineer for one year. 



-♦- 



»-^. 



iJjI^HOMAS A. THOMPSON. Among the 



ylU most enterprising and respected mem- 
bers of the farming community of the famous 
Ked Eiver Valley and Park liegions of Min- 
nesota is the gentleman, whose name heads 
this biographical sketch. He is a resident of 
section 7, Elk Lake township. Grant county, 
Minnesota, and is a native of the State of 
Minnesota. He was born in Winona county, 
on the 7th of December, 1855, and is the 
son of 01^ and Sophia (Weak) Hinge. They 
were the parents of eight children, named in 
the following order — Thomas, Martin E., 
Alfred, Maggie, Martha, Olavos, Oiiarley, 
Mann and Beroy (deceased.) 

The subject of the present article received 
his education and grew to manhood in Min- 
nesota. He attended school until he had 
reached the age of twenty -one years. He 
then remained at home for two or three 
years and in about 1878, bought a farm on 
section 7 in Elk Lake township. Grant 
county, Minnesota. He has smce remained 
on this place engaged, extensively ami suc- 
cessfully, in a general farming and stock- 
raising business. He is one of the influen- 
tial and prominent farmers of that section 
and has one of the most desirable farms in 
Grant county. He has the best of building- 
improvements and his farm is supplied with 
a dense growth of heavy and light timber, 



492 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



besides tlie beautiful grove which surrounds 
his buildings. lie has a large barn and a 
coniiiKKbous residence. His farm (■oni])rises 
165 aci'es of good rich land, about eighty 
cacres of which is under cultivation. 

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage 
on the 29th of December. 1S7S, to Miss 
Caroline Teterson and tiiis union has been 
blessed with six children — Martha, Clara, 
Oscar, Josephine. John and Maggie. Mrs. 
Thompson is a native of Sweden and emi- 
grated to the United States with her parents 
in ISCS. They are residing in Grant county, 
engaged in farming in Elk Lake township. 
Mr. Thompson is a republican in his political 
affiliations and takes an active interest in all 
public and educational matters. He has 
held the office of justice of the peace for two 
years, also supervisor for two or three years. 
He and iiis family are exemplary members 
of tlie Lutheran church, of which organiza- 
tion he is a deacon. 



l^UDOLF WEGENER is the proprietor 
M^y^ of the Alexandria Steam Brewery. 
He resides and has his business located in 
Alexandria, Minnesota. He is a native of 
Germany, and was born in the year 1844. 
Mr. Wegener is the son of Frederick and 
Augusta (Otto) Wegener. Her father was 
the owner of Frederick Huh in Germany, 
and was one of the very wealthy men of that 
country'. Frederick was in the employ of 
the Government throughout his life. He had 
a family of sixteen cliildren, ten of wliom 
are now living — Doretta, Louise. Fredericka, 
Otto, Rudolf, Carl, Gustaf, Beate, Ilichard 
and JMargarite. Tliree sisters, with our sub- 
ject, came to America — Doretta, Fredericka 
and Margarite. all of whom are in the West. 
Ml". AVegoner spent liis early life at home, 
attending school until he was seventeen years 
of age. Before this time he was apprenticed 



to learn the brewery business and worked in 
that line for two and a half years. He then 
enlisted as a soldier, and spent tliree years 
in the German army, and was in tiie war 
between Prussia and Austria. He held the 
position of corporal. Later he remained at 
home with his parents for one and a ha If years, 
ami in 1870 came to America, landing in 
New York City. From thence he came to 
AVisconsin, where he worked at his trade in 
Milwaukee, and for a part of the time in 
Chicago. In 1876 he came to Minnesota and 
located at Alexandria, where he built his 
tine stone brewerv. which isoneof tlielare:est 
buildings in the city. It covers an area of 
over 160x75 feet, with numerous additions 
to this main building. His bottling estab- 
lishment is 20x21 feet. He owns a fine 
dwelling near the brewery, where he 
now resides. He owns much other city 
property, having j)urcliased two other dwell- 
ing houses. He also owns a business house 
at Evansville. He is one of the l)usiest men 
in Alexandria.and constantly keeps employed 
eight men in his brewer\', besides others to 
attend to other lines. He is a stockli<:)lder in 
the manufacturing companx' of Alexandria, 
which does a furniture business, and is a 
partner in the city drug store with Baurn- 
bach and Morisse, and is at present county 
commissioner. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and Knights of Honor and of the 
Order of Druids. He affiliates with the dem- 
ocratic party, and has for years been prom- 
inent in the councils of that party. He has 
often been a delegate to county conventions, 
and is looked upon as being one of the 
stanchest democratic politicians in tiie 
county. He is thoroughly identified with 
everything that ])ertains to the financial wel- 
fare of Alexandria. Mr. Wegener was mar- 
ried in 1873 to ;Mis5 Alartha Ilaysen. of 
Chilton, Wisconsin, daugliter of Cap. A. 
G. Haysen. Three children have blesseil this 
union — Mary, John aixl AVilliani. 



P.4KA' KF.C/O.VS OF AT/XXESOTA. 



493 



/^?\\SCAR L. HAMERY, the citj' engineer 
\i^ of Crookston, Minnesota, came totliat 
place on tlic 5tli of June, 1879. and lias been 
identified with its interests and development 
ever since. 

In Bergen. Norway, he was born, Novem- 
ber 19, 1850, and there resided until nine 
years of age. When but three j'ears old liis 
father died, and his mother in 1860 came to 
the United States with five of her seven 
children, the subject of this .sketch among 
them, and settled in Rice county, Minne- 
sota, near Northfield, where they arrived 
July 4, a sister of the subject of this sketch 
having married and settled there. 

Oscar at once found employment on a 
farm, receiving but a pair of overalls and a 
blouse for thi-ee or four months' work, and 
in the fall went to a brotliei-in-law of his 
sister's. Eeing told to go to school he found 
the school-house too far off, so made his 
home with various friends of the family that 
winter and attended the school. The next 
spring he went to work for a man who, at the 
end of the month, paid him half a dollar, the 
first money he had ever earned, and the first 
time he had ever owned so much money. 
He keeps that coin as a relic of those days. 
P^or a year or two ho worked around amoncr 
the farmers, and then went to Koi'thiield 
aiul entered the employ of Dr. Coon. At 
the e.xpiration of that engagement he went 
to Waseca county, and \iorked on a farm all 
summer. 

In the fall of 18t>4 he went to school in 
Fai'ibault, and in spite of hardship, poverty 
and incessant labor acquired considerable 
information. In the following summer he 
went to work in a store in Northfield, and 
l)etueen the time passed there, in the har- 
vest Held and at school, filled out the time 
until January, 1807. Having acquired some 
knowledge of book-keeping, he was then 
taken into the office of the firm with whom 
he was employed, and remained with them 



until they closed out, a year later. From 
that time until the winter of 1871-72 he was 
variously ejnploj'ed, and then went to Min- 
neapolis, and was there and in St. Paul 
engaged in clerical work for five years, and 
in the sewing-machine i)usiness. Having, 
by industry and vital energy, conquered a 
good education, in the fall of 1877 he com- 
menced practical surveying and the study of 
civil engineering, following that profession 
for two years steadily under a thorough 
instructor. 

May 17, 1S79, he left Faribault with a 
horse and buggy containing, besides his wife 
and child, a complete surveying outfit, and 
came to Ada, with a cash capital of $4.50. 
When he started, on his arrival in the lat- 
ter place he liad but 50 cents. He started to 
look upa claim, he found it in the town of Gar- 
field, now inside of thelimitsof the villao-e 
of Fertile, and settled there, one of the first 
families in that part of the country. On the 
organization of the town in 1S80, Mr. Ham- 
ery was chosen town clerk, and held that 
office and that of justice of the peace as 
long as he remained a resident of the town. 
In the fall of 1881 he was a])pointed deputy 
county surveyor, and has since that time 
followed civil engineering as a mode of live- 
lihood. In 1883 he removed to Crookston, 
and that fall was appointed- deputy United 
States surveyor for the district of Minne- 
sota, and held that position for nearly four 
years. In the fall of 1882 he was elected 
to the office of count}' surve3'or, and held 
that office for two years. In April, 1887, 
Mr. Ilamery received his appointment to his 
present position and was re-appointed to the 
same in the spring of 1888 

Mr. Hamery was married September 12, 
1875, to Miss Joanna C. Johnson, a native of 
Dane county, Wisconsin, and daughter of 
Thomas Johnson, the first settler in the town 
of Garfield. By this union there have been 
three children, as follows — Marv Matilda. 



494 



RED KIVEK VALLEY J Xr 



born April 10, 1877; George Thomas, whose 
birth took place April 6, 1881 ; and Stella 
Miranda, born March 23, 1887. 



_^VERY W. HIXSON, who is engaged in 
^^ general farming and stock-raising on 
section 19, Lein township, Grant county, 
Minnesota, is a native of Iowa, i)orn at Bur- 
lington, January 10, 1846, and a son of John 
and Mary (Burnett) Ilixson, natives of Ohio. 
Our subject remained at home until he was 
twenty-one years of age, at which period in 
his life he engaged in fai'ming on his own 
account for a few years. He then purchased 
a saw-mill, whicii he continued to operate for 
about eight year.s, and which he has since 
retained. In 1883 he removed to Grant 
county, Minnesota, and bought 320 acres of 
land on section 10, Lein townshi]), where he 
has since remained. 

Mr. Ilixson was united in marriage Sep- 
tember 17, 1868, to Miss Martha B. Long, 
daughter of Kendall and Macury (Clarkson) 
Long. Mr. and Mrs. Ilixson have been 
blessed with three children — Almont, Eobert 
B. and Bertha. Mr. Hixson has been a mem- 
ber of tiie town board for several years, also 
school director. In political matters he 
affiliates with the republican party, and is a 
member of the Farmers' Alliance. He is a 
gentleman of the strictest honor and integrity, 
a capable and intelligent business man, and 
is highly esteemed both as a neighbor and 
an exemplary citizen. 



--^ 



.^. 



2TOHN H. GRASS is a member of the firm 
^ of Grass, Morrison & Grant, dealers in 
dry goods, clothing, carpets, boots and shoes, 
hats and caps, and all those articles usually 
kept in a retail dry goods store, and is located 
at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail count}', Minnesota. 



Mr. Grass is a native of "Walworth county, 
Wisconsin, and was born on March 1, 1850. 
He is the son of Antliony and Catherine 
(Noblet) Grass, both of whom were natives 
of Alsace, Germany. Anthony's parents 
were Joseph and Barbara Grass, who came 
to America when he was twelve years old 
antl located in Detroit, Michigan, where the 
father engaged in the manufacturing of boots 
and shoes. Later he sold out his boot and 
shoe business and engatjed in farmins: in 
Micliisiiin, and the faniilv remained on the 
farm until 1S44, when they removed to "Wis- 
consin, settling at Spring Prairie, "Walworth 
county, where they engaged in the occujia- 
tion of farming throughout their lives. Jo- 
seph Grass was one of the prominent farmers 
of the county in which he lived. Both he 
and his wife lived to a ripe old age and died, 
the one at the age of eighty-six, and the 
other at eighty-one \'ears of age. Tiiey 
were both members of the German Catholic 
church. He was a supporter of the demo- 
cratic party. In their family there were 
four children — Anthony (the father of the 
subject of our sketch), Barbara, Abbie and 
Eosabelle. Anthony was reared on the 
home farm and remained on the homestead 
until 1860. At this time he sold out and 
removed to Eacine county, "Wisconsin, where 
he purchased some two hundred acres of 
land, and where he is still living, en- 
gaged extensively in farming. He has a 
fine farm, and has made a marked success in 
that line of business. He has many head of 
fine cattle and is engaged extensively in 
dairying, selling milk and cream to the 
creameries. He had a family of nine children. 
One daughter, Elizabeth, was drowned in a 
lake when eighteen years of age by the 
capsizing of a boat. She, with another 
young lady, was taking a pleasure ride on 
the lake on the home farm. The living chil- 
dren are Nicholas. Abbie, Catherine, John II., 
Joseph, Frank, Annie, Julia and Edward G. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



495 



The subject of our sketch was reared on 
the home farm, receiving his education in 
the Rocliester Academy, of Rochester, "Wis- 
consin, and also at the Burlington high 
school. When eighteen years of age he 
commenced clerUing in Burlington, Wis- 
consin, remaining employed in this line for 
four years. After the end of this time be 
removed to Elkhorn, Walworth county, Wis- 
consin, where he had charge of a store for 
his former emplo3'er, Joseph Cram, in whose 
employ' he continued for three years. Then, 
in company with B. C. Drake, he purchased 
a stock of goods and ran a Ijusiness for one 
and a half years, and then sold out to his 
partner. In 1879 he came to Fergus Falls, 
Minnesota, and commenced business with 
0. C. Chase & Co. Finally Chase sold 
his interest to Mr. Gi'antand the firm became 
Grass, Morrison A: Grant. The business has 
been continued under that firm name. 

In 1S7C Mr. Grass was married to Miss 
Adella Silvernail, of Waukesha county, Wis- 
consin, daughter of Peter Silvernail. One 
child has blessed this union — Charles F. 

Mr. Grass affiliates with the republican 
party and is a prominent member of the 
Odd-Fellows fraternity. He has built up an 
exceedinglv large business in the line of 
staple dry goods, and has also made several 
other fortunate investments of capital in 
Fergus Falls and vicinity. He is extensively 
engaged in farming in Otter Tail county, 
and has made an excellent success in the 
breeding of blooded stock. In his stables 
are to be found Holstein cattle of fine grade 
and form, and on his fields Shropshire sheep 
and Jersey red swine. In the stock business 
he is associated with his youngest brother, 
Edward G., who is at present attending to 
the management of this business. They 
have an extensive farm located on the Red 
river between Fergus Falls and Brecken- 
ridge. Mr. Grass has been eminently suc- 
cessful in all his business ventures in Fergus 



Falls, and has to-day become one of the 
wealthiest and most substantial citizens of 
the town and county. He is a thorough- 
going, energetic business man, and inspires 
confidence in all those with whom he has 
business relations. 



1^ EV. C. SAUGSTAD, tiie pastor of the 
J^<hV Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran 
church of Crookston, a faithful watchman 
upon the walls of Zion, was born in Norway 
Jime 13, 1838, and is the son of Tollef and 
Kirsti Saugstad. In 1850 his father, with a 
desire to lift his family out of the poverty 
that was one of the necessities of existence in 
that country, came to the United States to 
prepare a home for them, and located in 
Vernon county, Wisconsin. The next year 
the mother and her two younger children 
crossed the ocean to join her husband, leav- 
ing three boys, the subject of this sketch 
among them, in their native land to look out 
for themselves, and to follow when and how 
they could. With the noble independence 
which is a part of the Norwegian character, 
and which has preserved their land from 
despotism, the subject of our memoir toiled 
on to accumulate the money necessary to 
cross the seas that divided the family, rely- 
ing upon himself, and in 1854 immigrated into 
this country. Working his wa}' across the 
stormy Atlantic, he landed at Quebec, Can- 
ada,,from which port he came as far as Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin, where, his money giving 
out, he went to work some three months to 
earn enough to carry him to his parents. 
At the end of that time he reached Vernon 
county and found the family settled on a 
forty-acre farm. By combining their efforts 
the boys assisted their father to increase the 
homesteatl to 120 acres and place the family 
in more comfortable circumstances. 
The subject of our sketch remained with 



496 



KED A'/l'-£k' \-AIJ.EY AND 



his parents, or rather gave them the benefit 
of his labor, until he had readied his legal 
majority, when, without a dollar, he com- 
menced life for himself, rurcliasing eight}' 
acres of wild land and erecting a log cabin 
thereon, Ik; connnenced its tillage. A short 
time after this, iiowever, lie traded with his 
brother, wiio was living on the family home- 
stead, jiaying tiie difference in money. 
Going to work now to clear himself of^the 
debt incurred, he spent the next ten years in 
"a rough sti'uggle with a reluctant nature," 
and brought the place to a high state of cul- 
tivation. While on that place Mr. Saugstad 
was quite prominently identified with all 
town and school matters. lie held several 
of the offices, such as chairman of the town 
board, or treasurer, as well as that of school 
director, nearly all the time of his residence 

there. 

Whili! living upon the farm his attention 

was called to religious matters by an elder 
brother, and by earnest inquir}' became a 
convert to the cause of Christ. He became 
quite interested in the religious welfare of 
his neighbors at the same time, and for tliree 
years, besides testifying to his faith in public, 
was at the head of the Sabbath school of 
tliat localitj'. Shortly after this he deter- 
mined to procure the necessary education, and 
to (Miter the ministry and devote his time 
and talents to the service of the jMaster. 
With tiiat end in view he entered Augsburg 
Luthei an Seminary, at Marshal, Dane county, 
Wisconsin, where he devoted some three 
years to study. At the expiration of that 
period lie removed to Burnett county, in the 
" Badger State," where he taught sciiool for 
five years, and preached tlie word of the 
Lord regularly every Sabbath. Itetui-ning 
to Vernon county, he there received the 
appointment from the Synod of missionary 
to Douglas county, Minnesota. After spend- 
ing two or three months in that locality 
preaching the "glad tidings of great joy," 



he returned to his home. His efforts pleas- 
ing the people of Douglas count}', a call to 
the pastorate was sent him. which he accejited, 
and on going to Minneapolis was ordained to 
the ministry by I'rof. A. Weenaiis, August 
12, 1872. 

^fr. Saugstad, settling in the town of 
Holmes City, Douglas county, devoted his 
attention to the pastoral care of tiie ])(!ople 
committed to his charge, which extended 
over all tiie district from the east line of 
Stearns count}' to Big Stone Lake, and some 
sixty miles north and south, and in tlie ])er- 
formance of his duty visited many points in 
the Red River Valley. \\\ ISSO he was called 
to what is now Neby, Polk county, where he 
lived on a farm belonging to his congregation, 
where he remained over five years. The 
district assigned him embraced all this 
northern part of the Valley, having churches 
at Neby, Satterdalen, Crookston, Seons 
church. Trinity chui'ch. Grand Forks, Turtle 
River, and Park River. The followino- 
years he performed his duties over this ex- 
tensive field, but in 1SS3, itprovingtoo much 
for him, he was relieved of a portion of 
the burden, that he might give greater atten- 
tion to the part remaining. In 1SS5 he re- 
moved to Crookston, and has, at the present, 
charge of the church there and three more 
in the county. That year the congregation 
of that city put u]) a temjiorary edifice for 
worship, which was replaced in 1888 by a 
fine building. Tlie latter is 34x50 feet in 
size in the main part, eighteen feet high, 
with an annex 18x20 feet in area. The 
tower is twelve feet square and rises to a 
height of ninety-live feet from the ground. 
The structure was erected at acostof $3,5(iO. 

ilr. Saugstad was married January 19, 
1801, to Miss Randine Johnson, who died 
April 28, 1877, leaving five children to mourn 
her loss, four having preceded her in death. 
Those living are — Ida C, now Mrs. Rev. J. 
Lonne, of Hillsboro, Dakota; Martha, Mrs. 



J 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



497 



S. Bangen, of Neby; Olaf, and Johannes, in 
Minneapolis, acquiring an education ; and 
IJiigna Louisa, with her sister in Hillsboro. 
r.elieving in tlie Divine injunction that "man 
siiould not live alone," Mr. Saugstad was 
united in marriage May 1, 1878, with Miss 
Marie l\ryhr, wlio is the mother of the fol- 
lowing four children — Gea K, Gunnar O., 
Toiler \\ and Alf G. 



»-.»► 



f3SEPH E.BREWSTER, a prosperous and 
successful agriculturist of the lied River 
\'alley, is a resident of section 15, Fisher 
township. Folk county, Minnesota, where he 
is engaged in general farming operations. 
He is a native of the Empire State, born in 
Westchester county, April 17,1833, and is 
the son of John and Mary (Lynch) Brewster, 
natives of England. The father and mother 
of the present subject are the parents of the 
following-named children — John, Frank, 
Mary, Ellen and our subject, Josejih E. 

Mr. Brewster remained in New York 
State until he was about ten years old, when 
he moved with his parents to Clark county, 
Jlissouri. During his early life, while in 
New York, Ik; attended the common schools 
of AV'estchester count}', and after moving to 
Missouri with his parents, he attended the 
schools of the State until he had attained 
the age of sixteen 3'ears. At that period in 
life he engaged with his brothei% John, in 
buying and shipping hogs to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri. They followed that business for five 
or six years, and also operated a farm. At 
the expiration of that time, our subject 
removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where he ran a 
hotel for three 3' ears, lie then engaged in 
the railroad business and followed the same 
for over ten years. During that time he con- 
tracted for the building of i-oads, and also 
bought and shipped produce for about two 
years. In 1SC9 he wentto Duluth,Minnesota, 



and secured Government employment in 
teaming, which he followed for two years. In 
1871 he returned to Iowa, and for five j'ears 
laid tracks for the railroads in that State. 
In 1876 he moved to Minnesota and 
settled at Fargo, Dakota Territory, where lie 
worked for the Red River Transportation 
Company, and after one year's work returned 
again to Keokuk, Iowa, and secured the 
position as track foreman, which position he 
filled for eighteen months. He then moved 
to Fisher, Polk county, Minnesota, where he 
again secured a position with the Red River 
Ti-ansportation Company. After working 
with this company for two years he obtained 
a position on the railroad, and one year later 
purchased a " 160-acres farm " on section 1.5, 
Fisher township, Polk county, Minnesota. 
He has since remained upon his farm engaged 
successfully in farming and stock-raising. 
He o\vns a well-cultivated farm, with good 
building improvements, and is one of the 
successful farmers of the county. 

Mr. Brewster was married on the 3d day 
of July, 1874, to Miss Mary Lyons, the 
daughter of Micheal and Hanore (Connel) 
Lyons, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brewster are the parents of the following- 
named children — Mary E., Abbie C. C, Maud 
E., Francis H., Harry B. and Addeliade T. 
Mr. Brewster is an adherent to the principles 
of the democratic part\% and takes an active 
interest in all local matters. He is well and 
favorably known in Fisher township, and is a 
man of honor and integrity, his word being 
recognized as being as good as a bond. 



.-^^ 



/^^LE W OLSON, a prosperous and 
>^/ enterprising merchant in the village 
of Barrett, Grant county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Norway, born April 7, 1817, and is a 
;5on of Ole Stefanus and Barbara M. Olson, 
who were also natives of that kingdom. The 



RED KIVF.K VAIJ.EY AXn 



father died in 1855 and the mother died in 
1856. "When Ole W. was but seventeen 
years of age lie coininenced tiie struggle of 
life for himself by securing a position as clerk 
for a prominent judge in his native land, 
which position Ole held for ten years. In 
1844 he emigrated to the United States, first 
settling in Dane county, "Wisconsin, where 
he bought a farm and engaged inagricult- 
ur;il pursuits for five years, when he sold 
out and bought 120 acres of land, about 
eighteen miles from his former place. He 
remained on this land for a period of five 
years, engaged in farming but he again sold 
out, moving to Houston county, Minnesota, 
whcrt! he ])re-emptied IfiO acres. He re- 
uiained there for fifteen years during which 
time li(! had accumulated 280 acres of choice 
land. After a fifteen years' sojourn on that 
])iace he presented his son Ole S. with 
140 acres, sold the remainder for $2,500 
and removed to Grant county, Minnesota, 
where he filed on a homestead of 160 acres 
on sections IT and 20, Elk Lake township, 
also buying seventy-eight acres additional. 
He resided on the homestead uhtil 1887, 
when he purchased 160 acres on section 21 
for $900, and 183 acres on section 8 for 
$1,000. At this time he sold 180 acres to 
his son Herman for $600, and 160 acres to 
his son "Williain for $600. Mr. Olson now 
owns 47r> acres of excellent land, all well 
under cultivation, witii good, tasty, commo- 
dious buildings and necessary implements of 
lnisl)an(lry. In IMarch, 1887, in partnership 
with E. T. .l(jiinsoii, he opened a store of 
general merchandising in Barrett, which they 
have since carried on. 

Mr. Olson was married July 15, 1844, to 
Miss Regnal S. Sampsonson, b}^ whom the 
following children have been Ijorn — Ole S., 
Samuel, Hans, Herman, "William, Jens, Anna, 
Barbara, Hannah and Lena. Ole is married to 
Anna Ingebretson, and lives in Houston 
county, Minnesota; Anna,formerly Mrs. Ben- 



son, now Mrs. Hans Helland, living in Elk Lake 
township. Grant county, Minnesota; Samuel 
married ]\fiss Eliza Tlioni))son. and lives in 
(irant county; Jens married Miss Julia Hel- 
land, who was killed by lightning, and he 
has since married Miss Bertha Remstad. and 
lives in Grant county; Hans married Miss 
Nellie Peterson, now living in Barrett village ; 
Barbara married Anton Hubred, who lives 
in Elk Lake townshi]), (4rant count}'. 

Mr. Olson has been a |)rominent man of 
his town and county, always taking an active 
interest in all local affaii's, and h.as held vari- 
ous offices, including county treasurer, town- 
ship treasurer, etc. He is rated as one 
of the most j-eliable and substantial citizens 
of Grant county, for no man stands higher 
in the estimation of his neigiibors and the 
citizens generally. His business methods as 
well as his official record have been charac- 
terized by the strictest honor and integrit}'. 



-*-: 



►^. 



^^NDREW J. GILSETH, the present effi- 
p>|[_ cient deputy sheriff of Bolk county 
and a leading citizen of Crookston, was born 
in the kingdom of Norway. INFarch 17, 1852, 
and is the son of Jorgen and Maria i^llanson) 
Gilseth. "When he was but five years of age ' 
his parents left their Scandinavian home and 
brought their family to the United States. 
Coming directly "West they settled in "Win- 
neshiek county, Iowa, where the father of 
our subject died the same year. 

Andrew remained with his mother iijiou 
the farm, she having married again, until 
he had attained his twentieth year, when he 
startetl out in the world for himself, to battle 
in life for himself. He found employment 
in the pineries of Northern Wisconsin and 
upon farms in Iowa until the s})riiig of 1878, 
when, with a team, he started from North- 
eastern Iowa for (Tfand Fork's, Dakota. 
Meeting with no diihculty or serious mishap, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



499 



in tliree weeks' time he reached his point of 
(lestination,and June 8th settled upon a home- 
stead some fifteen miles from the village of 
Grand Forks, then a place of no importance. 

Engaging in agricultural pursuits, Mr. Gil- 
seth remained upon his farm until 1882, 
when he sold out and removed to Bellmont, 
Traill count3', Dakota, where he opened a 
saloon. This latter business he followed for 
about a year and then sold out and came to 
Crookston, witb the intention of purchasing 
a farm. Not finding anything to suit him, 
he rented a place which he cropped one year. 
In the spring of 1886 he rented the farm of 
Siieriif N. O. Palsrud, but, after farming 
there a year, came to Crookston and received 
tlie appointment of deputy sherifl", an office 
he has held ever since. 

Mr. (rilseth was united in marriage Feb- 
ruary 1, 1883, with Miss Eliza Hanson, but 
wlio was carried away in the arms of death 
November 10, 1886, leaving him alone and 
desolate. He is a very popular and efficient 
officer and enjoys the highest esteem and 
rcgaril of every one in the community, and 
takes great interest in the welfare and 
development of the city and county. 



^.^^ 



JpL ANS P. NELSON, who is a knight of 
IL-"^^ the forge and anvil, is one of Moor- 
luiad's i^rosperous blacksmiths, and among 
the men, who go to make up the bone and 
sinew of Moorhead and surrounding country, 
is justly entitled to a place among the 
biographical sketches of this volume. 

He was born in Dennuirk, Jul}' 1!), 1856, 
the son of Nels and Kate (Anderson) 
Hansen, who were also natives of Denmark. 
Tiie father is still living in his native land, 
and working at the blacksmith trade. Their 
family had seven children — Andrew, Hans, 
Lars A., Martinus, Nels, Emma and Mary. 
Tlie father was drafted in 1848 into the war 



between Germany and Denmark. He also 
was in the military service during another 
\var between those countries. Upon the last 
named occasion he hired out, serving four- 
teen weeks, for which he was paid $1,000. 
In that war he received a gold medal for 
bravery on the field. After that strife was 
ended he settled on a farm. Both he and 
his wife were firm believers in the faith 
taught by the Lutheran church. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, on the father's side, was 
Hans Hansen, and his wife was Mary Peter- 
son. The husband was a farmer; he served 
under Napoleon in the Hussian war, lasting 
eight years. Kate Anderson, our subject's 
mother, was the daughter of Gens and 
Mattie Anderson, who were farmers. 

Our subject spent his younger days at 
home, helping his father in the blacksmith 
shop and attended school eight years. At 
the age of sixteen years he left home and 
native land, coming to America and first 
settled at Clifton and Sebanse, Illinois, where 
he engag-ed at farm labor for six months. 
He next went into a shop and followed his 
chosen trade, getting the first year $70 and 
his board. In 1879 he went to Indiana, and, 
in compau}' Avith his brother Andrew, opened 
a blacksmith shop in Benton County. They 
continued there for eighteen months, when 
his health failed and he came to Albert Lea, 
Minnesota, where he again resumed his 
blacksmithing trade. In 1881 he came to 
Clay county, Minnesota, locating at Moor- 
head. He also worked for four years in 
Fargo. Finally he purchased a blacksmith's 
shop on Broadway, in Moorhead, and upon 
the same lot built him a good I'esidence, in 
which he now lives. He is doing a thriving 
business and employs several mechanics to 
assist him. 

He was married in 1879 to Miss Anna 
Anderson, daughter of Andrew and Chris- 
tena (Peterson) Andei'son, natives of Den- 
mark, who came to America in 1871 and 



500 



RED Kn'KR \-Al.I.EY AA-D 



located two miles from Albert Lea, Min- 
nesota, where they pui'chased a farm, upon 
which they still live. They are the parents 
of ten children now living — Peter, Annie, 
Fred, Hans, Lena, Andrew, Carrie, Mary, 
Lars and Martin. The parents were both 
e.xemplary Christians and identified with tiie 
Lutheran cliurch. 

Cur subject and iiis wife are the parents 
of two children — Emma M. and Ida C. The 
father is, in politics, a sociid democrat, and 
his religion is that of morality and honesty. 



-«"! 



^RS. P. J. LASCHAPELLE (born 

^ti%_ Annie (Jolter), now a resident of 
the city of Crookston, Minnesota, is one 
of the earliest settlers in the state of Minne- 
sota, and was the first white woman known 
to have crossed the Ked Lake river, or settled 
in this portion of the Red River Valley. 

She was born in the north of Ireland, 
April 20, 1829, and is the daughter of Wil- 
liam and Mary (Graham) Colter, both of 
whom were natives of Scotland. Her grand- 
parents were the recipientsof agrant of land 
in Ireland as a reward for services during 
the Rebellion of '38, when they espoused the 
cause of the Government. After her parents 
were married sevei-al years and were the 
parents of three children, they removed to 
the north of Ireland. "When our subject 
was about ten years of age she was deprived 
by death of her father, and a year or so later 
her mother with her little family crossed the 
broad Atlantic, and settled in New Bruns- 
wick, where her two eldest sons had estab- 
lished tliemselves in business. 

The faniilv remained in the latte^- ])lace 
untd some three years had elapsed, wtB|n tiiey 
removed'to Boston, Massachusetts, but aftera 
few months' delay came west, and located at 
Chicago. That metropolis of the West was 
then in its infancy, and contained in 



its trade circles but two grocery stores, 
one for the sale of dry goods and one 
for the sale of clothing. Three years in 
that place were passed by the family, when 
from there they came by stage to Galena, 
Illinois, and from the latter to St. Paul by 
boat, arriving in the State capital, then but 
a small village, in the month of July, 18.50. 

On the 21st of November, 1851, the subject 
of this sketch was united in marriage with 
Dr. Charles L. Vischar, who had been a 
surgeon in tiie army during the Mexican 
War, with wiiom siie lived happily for some 
three years, when he was snatched away 1)y 
death, leaving her considerable property. 
She manifested her ability to battle witii the 
woi'hl at this period, attending to all her 
own business, buying and speculating in real 
estate, putting up houses for rent, and doing 
quite a trade of that character. 

On the 4th of March, 1870, the witlow 
Vischar was united in marriage with Pascal 
Laschapelle, and in the fall of the same year 
removed to Otter Tail Lake, then a new 
point on the Northern Pacific Railroad. 
Putting up a building, she ])ut in a stock of 
groceries and liquors, which herhusljand ran 
for her. Indians at that time were quite 
plentiful in that neighborhood, and one 
night, in the following Januaiy, while 
alone in the house, which was in the rear of 
the store, ])reparing to retire for the night, 
as it was eleven o'clock, the rear door was 
broken open and five drunken Indians })re- 
sented themselves. Not feeling any fear of 
them, she grabbed a hatchet, that was used 
for spHtting kindling wood that lay handy, 
and faced them. She soon found that they 
wanted to go thi-ough to the store, which, of 
course, she would not permit. The three 
elder savages stood awhile brandishing their 
knives and tomahawks, giving her to under- 
stand that it was at her peril that she con- 
fronted them. The two younger ones slipped 
to the front of the others, and, in their own 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



501 



liiniiuao'e, induced them to retire, at tlie same 
time sliowiiii;- frieiidly feelings for tlie brave 
woman, wiio so courageously stood in defense 
of lier property. It seems that these latter 
redsldns were the sons of an old Indian 
woman that Mrs. Laschapelle had befriended 
and they, knowing her, were not backwai'd 
in her defense. 

Everything being quieted down, she got 
lier shawl to go with the Indians to anotiier 
place about a block and a half distant, where 
sJie hoped to find her husljand. On lier 
arrival at the outside of the latter 
saloon, slie found herself in the presence 
of a riot or row among a lot of drunken 
Frenchmen, who were belaboring one another. 
Bottles were flvin''' throuirli the air and out 
througii the \vindows,and not feeling inclined 
to venture in such a place, she preferred to 
face drunken Indians alone. After standing 
in tlie snow, with tiie Indians, to see 
if tiie row would terminate, for more than 
iialf an liour, she sorrowfully turned away 
and returned to her own house, accompanied 
by her copper-colored escort. She went 
inside, alone, and, closing the door, prepared 
to watch throuo-h the night. About half an 
hour had elapsed when she heard a terrible 
crash and found the front door of the store 
broken in by the three savages who had made 
the first attack. Seizing an ax she placed her- 
self at the doorway, bravely holding the 
Indians in check. Her dauntless behavior 
plainly awed them, and after keeping her 
tiiere in the intense cold foi' an hour and a 
half or more, quietly stole away. It was 
reported to the Indian trader by the two 
younger savages that their companions 
would have killed her but for their repre- 
sentation and defense. 

ilrs. Lascliapelle remained in that village 
until the following spring, that of 1871, when 
she opened a hotel at Buffalo River, but the 
next autumn removed to Fargo and embarked 
ill the same business, with some 180 boarders, 



being well acquainted with the railway 
officials. In June, 1872, she, witii hei' hus- 
band and niece, came to Crookston with the 
surveyors of this line of railroad, and, crossing 
tiie Ked Lake river on a raft, looked the 
country over. Liking the location she came 
back shortly after with eleven loads of goods 
and opened a hotel in the place. This was 
the principal hostelry in the place for years, 
but when the road to Fisher's Landing was 
finished she removed to that ])lace where she 
again engaged in hotel-keeping. Tiiree 
years later she returned to Crookston and 
built another hotel, which she presided over 
for two years and then gave it up. She is 
the owner of a block and a quarter in the 
cit}', five Iiouses, besides tlie one she resides 
in, Avhich she rents, and two farms of 160 
acres each in the country, one of them her 
original claim made in 1872. For a woman 
of her age she is one of the most active and 
well preserved, and attends to all her own 
business with marked abilit}'^. 



CHRISTIAN ABERLE is the proprietor 
S^ of the Northwestern Brewery in Alex- 
andria, Douglas county, Minnesota. He was 
born at Wurteinburg, Germany, in 1S40. 
His parents, George and ]\[ary (Lehman) 
Aberle, were both natives of Germany. The 
fatlier was an extensive farmer in his native 
country. The mother died at her home in 
Germany in 1864. In 1878 the father came 
to America and is now living with his 
daughter in Wisconsin. They had a family 
of seven children, six of whom are now liv- 
ing — George, Andrew, Fred, Christina, 
Mar}^ and Ciiristian. 

Christian Aberle was reared on the home 
farm in Germany, and attended school until 
he was sixteen years old. At this time he 
commenced a five years' service in the 
brewerv trade. At the end of these five 



502 



RED KTTBR VA IJ.EY A XD 



years he served as a soldier for three years. 
In 1874 he migrated to America, finding a 
location in Pierce county, "Wisconsin, wliere 
he worked at his trade one year. At the end 
of this time he came to Alexandria, Minne- 
sota, and opened a grocery store, in Avhich 
business he continued for five years. At 
this time he built his present brewery, which 
is a building of the following dimensions: 
28x70, 28x80, 38x42, 18x40, and 24x24 feet, 
all in one building, finely finished and 
painted. He does an extensive business, 
keeps four men in his employ, and ships 
beer of his manufacture East, West, Korth 
and South. Mr. Aberle has other interests 
in which lie is en^affed. He owns a saloon 
building and has other valuable property' in 
the city. He owns and runs 360 acres of 
farming land. In politics Mr. Aberle is a 
democrat and belongs to the order of Druids. 
He is one of the solid, substantial business 
men of the city and county. He was mar- 
ried in 1877 to Miss Dora Wasner, of Ger- 
many, by whom he has had five children — 
Fred A., Paulina, Caroline, Millie and Clara. 



/^^MERY D. NORTH, until recently en- 
>te^ gaged in farming at Glyndon village, 
Clay county, Minnesota, but now a resident 
of Moorhead, is a native of New York. 
He was born in Milford, Otsego county, 
New York, April 10. 183G, and is a son of 
Germain North. His parents were natives 
of the Empire State. The father, who 
was (iiigaged in farming, came to St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he remained until tiie time 
of his death in 1867. The mother died in 
1841 ; she was the mother of three boys and 
three girls — Daniel, Rebecca, William, Maiy, 
Hannah and Emery. The father of Germain 
North was Daniel North, one of the earliest 
settlers of Clarksvilie, Otsego county. New 
York. Pie was a dealer in horses, and he 



would drive them from Otsego county to 
New York City, the horse market at that 

time. The subject of this biographical sketch 
remained on the home farm, attending the 
common schools until he was twenty years 
of age. In 1856 he came to St. Paul, Min- 
nesota, where he worked on a farm until the 
outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted in 
Company K, Eighth Minnesota Infantrv, and 
served three years, .wiien he was honorably 
discharged. During the three years he never 
lost a day, and although in many brisk 
engagements he received no wounii. He 
was with General Sully, in tiie expedition in 
Montana, through the Bad Lands, two years 
in the Indian War, tlien in the fall of 1864 
in the South at Nashville, Murfreesboro, 

etc. After his discharge he returned to 

t 
St. Paul. Minnesota, and again eno-aj^ed m 

farming, remaining there until 1868. In 

1868 he was employed by the Government to 

take charge of a Government farm at Red 

Cleft Agency, which position he occupied for 

two 3'ears. In 1870 he came to Clay county, 

Minnesota, where he took a homestead of 

160 acres in Morland township and at once 

began improvements. He soon S(jld this 

farm, and in 1875 took another liomestead of 

160 acres and also a tree claim of a like 

number of acres. He resided in Glyndon 

village but carried on liis farm. In 1888 he 

removed to Moorhead where lie still lives. 

He is engaged in the dairy or milk business. 

Mr. North has held the numerous offices 
while at Glyndon village, including super- 
visor, and at one time chairman of tiiat Ijody. 
assessor, and is the superintendent of the 
stock department of tlie Cla\' County Fair 
Association. 

Mr. North was united in marriage in 1863 
to Miss Isalielle ^IcKinlev, a native of Balti- 
more, Maryland, and tlie daughter of George 
and Margarette (McDonald) McKinley, 
natives of Scotland, who emigrated to this 
countr}' m 1848 and settled in Baltimore. 



PARK KF.GIOyS OF Af/X.VKSO'J.I. 



503 



In 1856 they came to Minnesota and settled 
in Goodhue county, where the father took a 
lioniostead. on wliicli the parents remained 
until the time of tlieir death, the mother dying 
in 1868 and the father in 1887. There were 
eleven children in Mrs. North's family. Mr. 
and Mrs. North are the parents of three 
ciiildren — Walter S., George C. and "Will- 
iam M., all living at home with their parents 
exce])t George, who is now a reporter on the 
Chicago 'Times, but formerly of the St. Paul 
Glohe. The family are exemplary members 
of the Union church. Mr. North is i-epub- 
lican in his political views, and is one of the 
active and prominent men of Clay county'. 
He is a member of the Grand Army of the 
liepublic. 



BELOS JACOBUS, the efficient presi- 
dent and general manager of the 
Crookston Water Works and Light Com- 
pany, is probably one of the best and 
most widely known citizens in this part of 
the Eed River Valley. Since the con- 
struction of the telegraph lines in 1872, of 
which work he had the charge and superin- 
tendence, he has been connected with the 
valley and its public interests, in some 
capacity or other. A slight sketch of this 
gentleman is within the scope of this work, 
and is hereby given. 

Mr. Jacobus is a native of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and was born April 20, 1850. When 
he was about four or live years of age his 
parents, Henry A. and Margaret (Jennor) 
Jacobus, removed to Crawford count}', Wis- 
consin, which was then close to the frontier, 
and among the rugged hills and bluffs of that 
portion of the Badger State, took up a claim 
and commenced farming. There the subject 
of this memoir passed his early youth and 
received the elements of his education in the 
district schools of the county. 



The War of the Rebellion broke out, and 
the boj'ish mind of our subject became filled 
with patriotism and zeal for his native 
country. The high and honorable feelings 
that animated him grew with him as -the 
war was lengthened out, and finally, in the 
winter of 18G4, being then but little over 
fourteen years of age, he decided to enlist 
among the brave defenders of the countrJ^ 
Truly appreciating the fact of his parents 
objecting to his " going to the front," he took 
" French leave " of home, and buckling on 
his skates, sped on "Hying steel" to Prairie 
du Chien, the seat of justice of Crawford 
county, on the frozen bosom of the mighty 
Mississippi river. On his arrival in that town 
he enlisted as a volunteer in Company D, 
Forty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry. His age 
and size not being up to the standard he was 
mustered into the service as drummer. All 
this time his parents knew not what had 
become of him, until he sent them the 
mone}' he had receiveii as bount}^ and a 
photograph of himself in uniform. His 
father at once started to Milwaukee, where 
the regiment then lay, to have his son re- 
leased, but arrived too late to effect any- 
thing, and a short time thereafter himself 
enlisted in the same regiment and was 
assigned as sergeant in Company I. The 
subject of this sketch served with the regi- 
ment in the States of Missouri and Arkansas, 
and participated in all the hardships and 
perils of the fratricidal strife that brought 
sorrow to so many households throughout 
our own fair land. On the expiration of the 
hostilities between the two sections of the 
country, Delos, with the regiment, was trans- 
ferred to the frontier and remained in the 
service until Februar\', 1866, when he was 
discharged and returned to his boyhood's 
home. 

In the fall of 1866 he entered the 
employ of the Mississippi Valley Tele- 
graph Company, and served for some 



504 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



3'ears as lineman, constructor or operator. 
In the capacity of constructor of the tele- 
grai)h line he first visited the Ked Eiver 
Valley in 1872, and the following year was 
in fhe employ of the Northern Pacific Rail- 
road Company and located at Bismarck. In 
September, 1873, J. P. Farley, the receiver of 
the St. Paul and Pacific Hailroad, employed 
him to take charge of the repairing of that 
road from Glyndon north. Mr. Jacobus had, 
for his accommodation and as a telegraph 
office, a cabin on a fiat car, but on reaching 
Croolcston had the house taken off, and, with 
two others like it, set up in the village, in 
whicli he resided some five years. He took 
charge of the raili'oad company's busin(>ss at 
this point and acted in the capacity of agent 
here for some years. On account of the 
heavy snou's no trains were then run' during 
the winter months, so the citizens of Crook- 
ston, procuring the trucks from a disabled 
flat car further up the track, fitted them up 
with a platform and, rigging it with sails, 
would run down the road as far as Glyndon 
whenever necessary. They nlso I'igged a 
handcar in the same manner, and made many 
flying trips with it for freight and passengers. 
These sail cars were also continued every 
Avinter until 1877. 

Mr. Jacobus, during the winter of 1873-74, 
got out 1,750 cords of wood for the railroad 
com}mny and delivered on the track. In 
August, 1S75, the railroad company havingde- 
cided to construct the road to Fisher's Land- 
ing on the river, he was sent to Winnipeg for 
men. Forty-five days later tiie first train was 
run over the track. IMr. Jacobus remained 
with the railroad company until the spring of 
1879, when he entered into the lumber busi- 
ness. 

Previous to this, however, in the spring of 
1874 he was appointed deputy United States 
marshal, and was the firm o]iponent to the 
sale of liquor to Indians as required by law. 
He was the first to engage in the sale of lum- 



ber, flour and feed and farm machinery in 
the county, and was a member of the first 
school board and first village conned. In the 
spring of 1880 he was appointed appraiser of 
school, internal impi'ovement and university'- 
lands, which office he held for two years. In 
the fail of 1882 he was a])pointed to fill the 
position of postmaster of Crookston, and 
served the jieople in that capacity until the 
spring of 1885. In the early part of 1882 
]\Ir. Jacobus put in tlie telephone system in the 
city, commencing Avith some fi ft \'two instru- 
ments, and in the fall of 1883 extended the 
line to lied Laki; Falls. He put in tlie elec- 
tric light system in the latter part of 1884. 
He, with Iv. D. Chase, who owned the watei' 
power, formed a stock company, which pui-- 
cliased the city water works and materially 
improved the latter, putting in the Holly sys- 
tem, and operates it in connection witii the 
electric lights. Of this comj)any Mr. Jaco- 
bus now owns the controlling interest. 

Mr. Jacobus was married August 0, 1877, 
to Miss Margaret Poss, who had come to 
Crookston from Edinburgh, Scotland, a year 
or so previous. Three children have blessed 
their union. 



-<5«- 



—<►► 



p^,EORGE ARNESON, who is engaged 
^^A in business at Barrett, Grant county, 
Minnesota, was born in Norway, Mai-cii 8, 
1851. He renuiined at home with his ])ar- 
ents, Jens and Cecelia (Gjertson) Arneson, 
attendiu"' school until he was old enou<ih to 
eni>age in manual ialior. He secured a' 
clerkship in his father's store, at which he 
worked until about twenty years of age. 
At that age he engaged in the mercantde 
business for himself in Bergen, Norway, and 
continued in that until 1882, wiien he sokl 
out and emigrated to the United States. He 
settled in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, 
where he worked out for some few months. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA, 



505 



then secured tlie position of boolv-kee])ei' for 
Joimson Ar Dalii, liardwai'e merchants, in 
Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In about six 
niontlis he went to Rothsay, Minnesota, and 
for the next eighteen months was employed 
as booli-keeper for Stordock & Peterson. He 
next moved to Esby, and was occupied in a 
similar employment for S. C. England. He 
worked for him about nineteen months, and 
at the expiration of tliat time he came to 
iJarrett, and put in a full stock of general 
merclumdise for himself. 

Mr. Arneson was united in marriage June 
13, 1871, to Miss Olivia Johanneson, and 
this union has been blessed witli the follow- 
ing childi-en — James, Stephen, Oscar, Marga- 
ret, Gerhard L.^ Alexander and Carl J. 
Mr. Arneson has held the office of post- 
master since 1886. He is a careful and cap- 
able business man, and his upright dealing 
and honorable business methods have won 
him an extensive trade. 



-«- 



-^^ 



H. LOCKEN, the senior member of the 
general merchandise firm of J. H. & A- 
Locken, of the citj' of Crookston, Minne- 
sota, came to the Red River Valley during 
the summer of 1879, and purchased a farm. 
He, however, did not make a permanent 
settlement here until the foUowingyear, since 
which time he has made this county his 
home. 

Viw Locken was i>orn in the kingdom of 
Norway in 1S.54-, and is the son of Haagen 
and Maiit Locken. He received in his 
native land the education that all in that 
land are aflforded, for it is the boast of that 
far away country that her schools are the 
l)eer of any in Europe, and that nearly all 
of its people can read and write. At the 
age of nineteen he determined to leave the 
land of his l)irth, and seek in the New "World 
the Fortune denied in the home of iiis fore- 



fathers. Crossing the tempestuous Atlantic, 
he landed in the United States, and coming 
direct to Reed's LandingyMinnesota, was a 
resident of that part of the State until 1879, 
when he came to Polk county, and, liking 
the country, purchased a farm in Eoome 
township. On returning heie in 1880 he 
settled on his place and carried on agricult- 
ural pursuits for about two years. In tlie 
summer of 1882 he removed to the rising vil- 
lage of Crookston, and there engaged in the 
general merchandise trade with his brother 
under the present firm name and style. They 
carry a large and well assorted stock of dry 
goods, groceries, boots, shoes, crockery, and 
all the various lines that usually go to make 
u]i an establishment of this character, which 
will invoice in tlie neighborhood of $12,000, 
and are' doing a large and ever increasing 
business. The firm is widely Icnown as one 
of the most enterjirising, upriglit and finan- 
cially sound in the city, and is one of the 
pillars of mercantile circles of the place. 
When the Scandia Bank was organized, in 
1887, the subject of this sketch was one of 
the original stockholders and directors, and 
still holds those positions in that monetary 
institution. He is the owner of considerable 
real estate in the city, and about 1,000 acres 
of farm land in the town of Roome, 600 
acres of which are under a high state of 
cultivation, and 320 aci-es in the town of 
Andover. Over 200 acres of the latter place 
are improved. Mr. Locken, in addition to 
his mercantile business, carries on, quite 
extensively, farming and general stock- 
raising, giving his personal supervision and 
management to evei'ything. 

Mr. Locken has been identified with the 
official life of the county to some extent, 
bavins: filled the offices of town clerk and 
secretary of the school board in Roome town- 
ship, and was one of the leading and influen- 
tial citizens of that jiortion of the county 
durini!' his residence thei'C. Since his 



5o6 



KED KIVKR r.l/././:y A.VD 



removal to Crookston he has taken a deep 
and zealous interest in city affairs. In 1S85 
he was elected one of tlie city council, and 
two years later was called upon by a niajority 
of the citizens to fill the position of city 
treasurer, to wliich he was re-elected in the 
spring of 1S8S, and is the jiresent incumbent 
of that office. 

Mr. Locken is a consistent, zealous and 
active member of the Norwegian Lutheran 
church. Mr. Locken was married in 1882 to 
Miss Julia Wennevold, and they have been 
the parents of four children, only two of 
whom, howevei', are now living, named 
Mabel and Gea. 



^^RS. MARTHA DODGE is the widow 
^-^*r.\_ of Albert Dodge, Esq., and is a 
resident of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. Mr. Dodge was a native of 
Canada, where he was born July 12, 1835. 
His parents were Jacob and Phebe Dodge, 
natives of Vermont and of English descent. 

Mr. Dodge's parents left Canada when he 
was nine months olil and settled in New 
York State, where they engaged in farming 
for nine years. Eemoving thence they 
located in Illinois, where the father died 
three years later. The mother then moved 
the family to Wisconsin. 

Albert Dodge was reared on the farm of 
his parents, and remained with them until 
he became of age. On attaining his major- 
ity he engaged in farming in AVisconsin for 
several years. In 1864 he came to Dodge 
county, Minnesota, where for tliirreen years 
he engaged in agricultui'al pursuits, and then 
removing therefrom he found a location in 
Steele county, Minnesota. After three 
years in the latter county, in 1880 he came 
to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota, where he engaged in loaning money. 
He purchased lots on Channing avenue, where 



he built a fine residence. He died April 3, 
1888, and was buried in the beautiful Mount 
Faith cemetery. In politics Mr. Dodge was 
a rei)ublican, and was one of the leading 
citizens of Fergus Falls. He was an upright, 
honorable man, and was respected by all 
who knew him. 

Mr. Dodge was mari'ied January 1, 18ti2, 
to Jliss Martha Pearson, a native of the 
United States and of English descent. Her 
parents were Lealious and Harriet (Scott) 
Pearson, natives of England and farmers by 
occupation. The father came to America in 
1813, and one year later sent for his wife and 
six children. Thev settled in Michigan, 
where the father ])urchnsed Government land. 
After eight montlis spent in j\Iichigan, they 
removed to the State of Wisconsin, where 
the father lived until his death. He owned 
a fine farm of •!{}{) acres ami was engaged in 
genei'al farming. He was aman of excellent 
character, and was universally respected. 
He had a family of twelve children, seven of 
whom are now living — Emma, now Mrs. Rew, 
with four children (Henry, Caroline, John 
and Joseph); Samuel, who married MissSeana 
Hopkins; Mitchell, married to Miss Emma 
Ingersoll, bj' whom he has three daughters 
(Lillie, Laura and Helen); John, married to 
Eliza Field, by whom he has three childi'en 
(John, Josephine and George) ; Martha, now 
Mrs. Dodge ; Jane M., now Mrs. Battle, with 
two children (Harriet M. and Lealious); and 
Edwin, married to Miss Emily Smith, by 
whom he has had two children (Percival 
and Lewis S.). The mother now lives with 
her daughter, Mi's. Martha Dodge, in her 
pleasant home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. 



-^^ 



MLeRMAN W. OLSEN. Among the farm- 
JL'^'SL ing community of the famous and 
picturesque Paik Pegions of Minnesota there 
is no better or more favorably known repre- 



FAA'/C J^ECWNS OF .VIiVNFSOTA. 



507 



sentative citizen than the gentleman whose 
name lieads tliis biograpliical memoir, a resi- 
dent of Ellc Lake township, Grant county. 
Mr. Olsen first saw the light in Houston 
county, Minnesota, on the 8th of November, 
1854, and is the son of Ole W. andRachael 
(Samson) Olsen. The father is a resident of 
Barrett village, Grant county, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in tlie mercantile busi- 
ness. Tlie family consisted of the following 
cliildren — Ole, Samuel, Hans, James, Ilei'- 
man, William, Anna, Mary, Hannah and 
Lena. 

Herman "VV. Olsen, the subject of this 
sketch, spent his school days in Houston 
county, Minnesota, and at the age of twelve 
years came to Grant county, where he 
remained, attending school, nntil about nine- 
teen j'ears of age. At the age of twenty- 
one he commenced life for himself by engag- 
insj- in farm labor. In 1SS5 lie settled on his 
present place, on section 8, Elk Lake town- 
sliip, where he has since remained, engaged 
in a general farmino; and stock-raisino- busi- 
ness. He has a well cultivated tract of land 
of 182 acres, and is considered as one of the 
representative agriculturists of his residence 
township. Mr. Olson takes an active inter- 
est in all public as well as educational matters, 
and is a stanch republican in his political 
affiliations. He is a man of the utmost 
integrity and honor, and is highlj' esteemed 
by all who bear his acquaintance. 



-«-! 



ATHAN C.CASWELL. Lying on the 
extreme southeastern edge of the 
famous "Park Regions" of IVIinnesota is 
Meeker county, one of the most wealthy and 
prosperous counties in the State and one of 
tlie most interesting in historic mattei'S, and 
it is of one of the most prominent old set- 
tlers of that county that the present article 
will treat. No class of men, nor family, 



have done more to aid in the settlement and 
material development of that region, nor 
figured more prominently in its history than 
the Caswells. Nathan C. Caswell, the most 
prominent and best known of those bearing 
that name, is a resident of section 31, Man- 
annah township. Meeker county, Minnesota. 
He personall}' examined the land in 1855 ; 
settled upon it in 1856, and his many years 
of residence here have caused him to be 
widely known; while the active part which 
he has taken in all political and public affairs 
has indissolubly associated his name with the 
history of the locality in which he lives. A 
man of the strictest integrity, his word is 
recognized as being as good as a bond, and 
he is highly esteemed both as a man, a neigh- 
bor and an exemplar}' citizen. 

Nathan C. Caswell was born in Brampton 
township, Sherbrooke county, Lower Canada, 
on the 2Sth of August, 1835. His father, 
Carlos Caswell, was born at Guildhall, Ver- 
mont, March 11, 1798. His grandfather, 
Nathan Caswell, was also born in Vermont, 
and was a soldier in the Continental Army 
in the lievolutionary War. 

Nathan C. Caswell, whose name heads our 
present article, lived in the township of his 
nativity until 1855, when he emigrated to 
Minnesota with his father, arriving at Mon- 
ticello, Wright county, on the 30th of May. 
The mother died there June 23, 1855. The 
father, Carlos Caswell, died August 31, 
1871. 

Our subject, Nathan C. Caswell, remained 
at work near Monticello through the sum- 
mer of 1855. On the 7th of October, 1855, 
he and his brother, Ziba Caswell, together 
witli Clirist()])lier Davis and Green Sykes, 
left Monticello in search of a town site and 
farming lands, on which they intended to 
settle. They started into the big timber on 
foot, without road or guide, and struck a 
little south of west, carrying a small amount 
of provisions with them. On the afternoon 



5oS 



KED kiVKR VALLE Y AND 



of the third day the partj' not having found 
prairie as they expected, and provisions 
nearly gone, they stopped to determine what 
was best to do. N. C. Caswell climbed a 
tree, and, from the top, oif to the west could 
see a large lake, and beyond that the rolling 
prairie. Tlicy resumed their journey along 
tlie north shore of the lake, which was over 
three miles long-. At the west end they 
crossed a narrow strip of timber land, then 
passed another sniiiil lake, beyond which la\' 
beautiful prairie land. The large lake now 
l)ears the name of " AVasliington," and the 
small one "Stella." After camping over 
niglit the ne.xt morning our party struck the 
Crow Kiver, just al)ove the present site of 
Forest City. Down the river a short dis- 
tance the\' found an excellent mill site, with 
timber to the north, and prairie south of the 
stream. Here the party determined to locate, 
so timber was cut and a shanty was erected. 
This was undoubtedly the first claim shanty 
built within what is now Meeker connty, 
Minnesota. On one end of the cabin was 
plainly written the following: 

" Makion City : 
Claimed and located by IV. C. Canvell, Ziha 
Caswell, Chris Davis, and Green SyTi.es. 
Dated — October 10, 18.55." 

Al>nut three days after leaving Marion 
City the party arrived at the house of Mr. 
Mitchell, on Monticello prairie, where they 
were kindly treated and given a good meal — 
the first eaten for nearly four days. No 
white man nor sign of any was seen on this 
trip, but they found traces of the Indians. 
Late in November, or early in December, 
185.5, N. C. Caswell and Ziba Caswell started 
upon another exploring expedition to IVlarion 
City and beyond. Striking the Crow River 
near the east line of ileeker connty, they 
followed the stream up to the site selected 
for i\birion City, and continued on u)> 
the river until tlicv came to a creek 



which joins the river from the southwest. 
Here they found a wagon which had been 
stuck in the creek, with the tongue broken. 
In the wagon were provisions of various 
kinds, but neither team nor men were to be 
seen. The Caswell boys followed the ti'ail 
of the horses across the river, into the tim- 
ber, and about foity rods further tiiey found 
a tent pitched and a i)air of horses hitched 
to a tree. No persons were seen aiiout the 
])lace, but the same evening, when the Cas- 
welis r(>turne(l to the tent, they found there 
three men, who gave them a warm welcome.' 
They were — Thomas H. Skinner, D. M. 
Hanson, and another whose name has been 
forgotten. They said they were hunting 
and trapping. This tent was located on 
what is now section.13, township 120, range 
31. After stopi)ing over night with this 
party of frontiersmen, the Caswell boys con- 
tinued on up the river until the}' came to 
section 31, township 121, range 31. '' Here," 
N. C. Caswell remarked to his brother, "is 
the place I will locate should ^Marion City 
fail to be built up." They proceeded a 
short distance farther u[) the river and then 
returned to ilonticello, via the " Skinner 
tent" referred to heretofore. No whites 
were seen on this trip nor signs of any, ex- 
cept the three men mentioned. 

The compau}' that was to furnish the 
ca]iital to build a mill at "^Marion City" 
failed to do so, and in the summer of 1856 
N. C. Caswell, Ziba Caswell, Silas Caswell, 
A. JI. Caswell and James Nelson took a ti'ip 
to what is now Manannah township, Meeker 
county, Minnesota. N. C. Caswell took the 
claim he had expressed a desire to take the 
fall before, on section 31, township 121, range 
31, on which he now I'esules. James Nelson 
selected a claim on section 30, and A. IM. 
Caswell had previously taken a claim in the 
same township. These were the first taken 
in what is now Manannah township. In the 
fall of 1850 there arrived in what is now that 



P.IKA- RF.G10XS OF MIXXESCTA. 



509 



township, Carlos Caswell, Albert J. Caswell, 
Edward Brawn, Jolm Tower, A. D. Pierce, 
Andi'ow Hamilton, Moody iiailey and J. W. 
Walker. These were the pioneers in that 
region. 

During those early days the pioneers 
encountered many disadvantages and difiicul- 
ties. Far from markets, they lived sparingly, 
and their trips to and from their " base of 
supplies" were tedious and wearisome on 
account of the absence of bridges, roads, etc. 
The Sioux Indians were frequently seen here 
in the fall of 18.56. They had a 'fight with 
Ciiippewa braves, in which one of tlie latter 
was wounded and then both sides fled. 

In December, 1856, Ziba Caswell and J. 
W. Walker selected land on section 30, town- 
ship 121, I'ange ?.l, for a town and mill site. 
A name was wanted for the future village, 
and "Manannah" was selected b}' N. C. 
Caswell, Ziba Caswell, Albert J. Caswell and 
J. W. AValker, and the site was surveyed 
and platted. On the -Ith of March, 1857, N. 
C. Caswell. Ziba Caswell and A. J. Caswell 
erected the first building on the town site — 
a hewn log cabin, 18x26 feet in size, to be 
used as a hotel. Durino: the following- sum- 
mer a dam and saw-mill was built, also a store 
and other structures. In April N. C. and 
A. J. Caswell shot and killed a large elk 
neai- the t(jwii site, which fact will show 
how new the country was. But gradualh' 
civilization and organization developed, and 
on the 27th of April, 1^57, N. C. Caswell 
was appointetl road supervisor for Manannah 
precinct, and highways began to intersect 
the primeval forest, although but slowl}'. 
The first prairie was broken May 4, 1857. 
During this year a postoffice was established 
at Manannah with Jonathan Kimball as 
postmaster. The grasshoppers destroyed 
the crops in this I'egion, in 1857. Another 
item of historical interest for this N'ear Avas 
the fact that the settlers from this vicinity 
spent their Fourth of July at Lake Koronis. 



In September, 1857, the first caucus ever 
held in the precinct of Manannah selected 
N^. C. Caswell as one of the delegates to the 
first republican convention ever held in 
Meeker county, Minnesota. On October 13, 
1857, the first election washekl in Manannah, 
at which our subject was chosen county 
assessor and precinct constable. 

In the spring of 1858 N. C. and Ziba 
Caswell and J. AV.'Walker bought seventy- 
five bushels of wheat at Hastings, Minnesota, 
paying 75 cts. per bushel, and hired it hauled 
to Manannah for $3 per hisJicl. It was 
used for seed. K". C. Caswell sowed eighteen 
bushels, but a hail storm came the following- 
August and destroyed the whole crop. On 
the 11th of May, 1858, the first election for 
township officers was held at the hotel in 
jManannah, when Ziba Caswell was elected 
chairman of the board of supervisors, and 
N. C. Caswell was elected constable, and 
was also a]ipointed special constable for the 
day. In May, 1858, N. C. Caswell went to 
St. Paul with two yoke of oxen and wagon 
for a load of flour. During the same spring 
he was ap])ointed assistant postmaster and 
took chai-ge of the olflce. 

In November, 1858, the Sioux Indians 
pitched their tepees (about twenty-five in 
number) on the town site at Manannah. The}' 
killeil a large number of elk, bear, deer and 
other game. The sheriff came up from 
Foi'est Cit_y and ordered them away, but 
after he was gone they set up a straw man 
and riddled it with bullets, calling the straw 
man "Jewett." N. C. Caswell was a wit- 
ness to this singular proceeding. 

During these early days our subject had 
done a good deal of trapping. In the 
winter of 1857-58 he and his brother Ziba 
caught twentj^-seven fishers, beside a lot of 
otter, mink, wolves, etc. 

On the 23(1 of February, 1859, N. C.,Ziba, 
A. M. and A. G. Caswell started from 
Manannah with an ox team for the 



5IO 



Jil-.n RIVER VALLEY A iVD 



newly-discovered gold lields near Pike's Peak. 
They crossed the Missouri river at, Platts- 
inouth. Nfbi'aska, followed up tlic l^iatto river 
on the south side, about 250 miles fi'oui i'iatts- 
raoutli and beyond Fort Kearney. Hearing 
such uiifavuraltle news from tiic mines, they 
determined topai't company, Ziba and Albert 
to go on with the team to California, and A. 
M. and Nathan C. to return to the Missouri 
river to get work. But before they parted 
they decided to have a buffalo hunt; so. the 
following morning, May 10, 1859, they left 
their team, crossed the Platte, and traveled 
all day. They saw plenty of buffalo and 
succeeded in killing several, and tiiat night 
camped near the Loup Fork. The next 
morning they took some buffalo meat and 
returned to their camp on the Platte. Then 
Nathan C. and A. M. Caswell started on 
foot to retui-n. with $2.40 in money and ten 
pounds of Hour, a. two-quai't tin p;iil and two 
tin plates. The\' ti'aveled at night to keep 
warm, and slept when the sun shone. To 
satisfy their hunger they mixed their flour 
witii water, and cooked or " bi-owned " it 
as best tliQV could, and wlien tliey could 
find no wood they held their tin pans over 
fires built of prairie grass. After a week's 
hardship they arrived at Plattsmouth, where 
they worked a few days and then crossed 
the Missoui'i river. In a short time they 
went to White Cloud, Kansas, and there 
hired to Kussell, Majors and "Waddell, under 
a Mr. Kendall as wagon-nuistei', to drive 
teams in hauling Government sup])liesaci'oss 
the ])Iains — their pay to l)o $3.5 ])er nu)nth. 
The ti'ain consisted of twenty-six wagons 
and thirty uu'u; each wagon was loaded 
with fifty-l'oui' huiuli'ed-weight of corn and 
drawn i)y six yok(! of wild Texas steers, 
driven by one teamstei'. For the first few 
days they made l)ut little progress. At 
Fort Kearney they unloaded their corn and 
returned to Nebraska City. There every 
teamstei' was required to sign an oath not to 



drink whisky, fight or swear while in the 
company's employ. At Nebraska City the 
wagons were again loaded with corn for 
Fort Kearney. They got back late in Octo- 
ber, 1859, and N. C. and A. M. Caswell 
returned to Manannah, Minnesota. 

In November, iSo'J, N. C. Caswell, 
our subject, started for New Orleans, 
Louisiana, and arrived there aliout 
the middle of Deceuiber. He went from 
there to Mobile, Alabama, then returned 
to New Orleans, December 31st, and the fol- 
lowing day hired as fireman on the steam- 
boat " Chateau,'" kjaded with sugar and 
bound for St. Louis. A Cairo, Illinois, he 
was paid off, as the boat could go no farther 
on account of ice in the river. The next 
day he hired as firem;in on the steamer 
" Dianna," a steandjoat plying between New 
Orleans ami Louisville, Kentucky, and 
remained until the following May. Mr. 
Caswell was in New Orleans at the unveil- 
ing of the famous statue of Henry Clay, on 
Canal street, April 12, 1860, and left the fol- 
lowing morning for Louisville. On the wa}' 
up the river the cylinder-head of one of the 
engines blew out and killed two men and 
knocked our subject overboard. He drifted 
down about one mile and was picked up b^' 
the steamboat's yawl. The boat continued 
on its way to Louisville, where it was laid 
u]5 for repairs. Mr. Caswell was there paid 
ofl^ at the rate of $45 per month. He then 
became afflicted with the ague, and started 
for Manannah, Minnesota, arriving May 15, 
1860. After his return from the South ]\fr. 
Caswell worked on his farm, which mean- 
while had been rented to Chancy Wilson. 

In the fall of 1860, N. C. Caswell, James 
Nelson and Elias Everett were hunting 
and trapping on the Chijjpewa river 
and killed three elk and caught a large 
number of otter, fox, mink and other fur. 
They sold the lot for $384. 

The following year, July 27, 1861, Mr. 



PAR Is RF.GIOXS OF MIXMESOTA 



5" 



Caswell was married to Miss Mary A. "Welch, 
a native of New Brunswick, and tliey went 
to liousekeeping on tiio land claimed by him 
in 1856, on whicli they now live and have 
lived ever since they were married, excepting 
a short time during the Indian outlareak. 
Another item of interest for 1801 was the 
fact that in December Mr. Caswell sold good 
wiieat for twenty cents per bushel. 

The following \ear, 1862, is one of the most 
memorable in the history of the State, made 
so by the famous Siou.v Indian outbreak. A 
detailed account of all of Mr. Caswell's 
experiences during those trying days would 
be too long for insertion in this work, and we 
can therefore only refer briefly to some of the 
most important movements in which he 
participated. 

On the 17th day of August, 1862, the 
Indians killed the Baker family and others at 
Acton, eleven miles south of Manannah. The 
next moi'ning, August IS, 1862, IST. C. Cas- 
well was cutting grain in his field when eight 
Sioux Indians rode ]iast on ponies, in plain 
sight, and only a few rods away. They did 
not offer to molest him. That night quite a 
number of the neighboring families gathered 
at the house of' Carlos and N. C. Caswell for 
greater protection. This continued for sev- 
eral nights, when all went to Forest City, 
where they staid one night. Then N. C. 
Caswell, with several others, returned to 
Manannah, and staid over night at his place. 
The next morning a man came to the house 
and said the Indians were killing everv one 
they could find and warned them to leave, 
which they did, returning to Forest City. 

On tlie 26th of August, 1862, the follow- 
ing-named men went from Forest City to 
Manannah to try to save some of their 
propei'ty — N. C. Caswell, Chancy Wilson, 
Moody Caswell, James Nelson, Linus Howe, 
Joseph Page, P. H. Deck, D. B. Hoar, Wil- 
iiiot Maybee, R. D. C. Cressy and Thomas 
liyckman. They went to the house of N. C. 



Caswell but saw no Indians. There they 
left an ox team, and went about two miles 
farther to the farms of Silas Caswell and 
James Nelson. They loaded goods on the 
wagons of Maybee and Deck and returned to 
N. C. Caswell's house to pass the night. 
Mayl)ee and Page were on one wagon and 
Deck and Howe on the other, while the 
balance of the party was scattered behind. 
When the wagons drove into Caswell's 
yard they were fired upon by the Indians. 
Page was killed and fell from the wagon ; 
Howe and Deck ran about twenty-five 
rods and were killed. Maybee ran about 
eighty rods down on the meadow, where 
he was killed. Wilson and Ryckman 
witnessed all of this from a distance of about 
sixty rods. After securing the teams the 
Indians started west and jiassed within about 
thirty rods of N. C. Caswell and James 
Nelson. There were ten or twelve Indians 
in the wagons. Mr. Caswell and Nelson 
then went to the scene of the shooting, and 
found Page lying dead in a path near the 
house. It was then nearly dark and what 
was left of the party returned to Forest 
City that night. On the 28th of August a 
party went to Manannah and buried Howe, 
Deck and Page in the Manannah cemetery. 
Maybee's body could not be found at that 
time, but was found several months later 
and buried in the same cemetei-y by N. C. 
and Moody Caswell and Chancy Wilson. 

In November, 1862, Carlos Caswell and 
N. C. Caswell and wife returned to their 
homes at Manannah, as in the meantime 
soldiers had arrived and peace was again 
partially restored on the liorder. During 
the winter of 1862-63 our subject spent his 
time in hunting and trapping. 

Early in JSovember, 1863, N. C. Caswell, 
Ziba Caswell, and James Nelson went upon 
a trapping expedition and located their cabin 
near the present site of Gilchrist, in Pope 
county, Minnesota. At the end of five 



512 



RED RTVF.R VALLEY AND 



weeks they had caught 123 mink, twelve 
otter, tliirt}' foxes aiul other game. They 
sold the lot for 8T4<i. 

As has already lieen stated, Mr. Cas- 
well was married on the 27th of July, 1-801, 
to Miss ]\[ary A. Weli-h. She was born in 
New Brunswick, and was the daughter of 
■John Welcii, afterwai'd of Steai-ns county, 
Minnesota, and now deceased. Their mar- 
riage has been blessed with two children — 
Seth C, who was born at Monticello, Wright 
county, Minnesota, Kovember 19, 1SG3 ; and 
Mark J. who was born February 26, 1872, 
and died February 20, 1881. 

Seth C. Caswell, the firstborn, is a young 
man of stei-ling qualities. lie was married 
November ■J7, 1884. to Miss Lillian M. Cas- 
well, and they are the ])arents of two chil- 
dren — Gertrude Emma, born October 1, 1886 ; 
and Maiul ^fary, born January 3, 1889. 
Mrs. Seth C. Caswell Avas born at I'ram])- 
ton, Canada, September 1, 1860, and is the 
daughter of N. W. Caswell. 

Nathan C.Caswell is a republican in polit- 
ical matters. He has always taken an active 
interest and a prominent ])art in all i)nblic 
matters and has been a conspicuous tigui-ein 
the political history of the locality in which 
he lives. Every public move calculated to 
benefit his town or county has alwa3's 
received his support and encouragement, 
lie has held a great many offices, and we 
here irive a brief review of them : Was road 
supervisor during 1857, and was elected 
county assessor during the same year; held 
the office of constable during 1857-58; was 
chairman of the l)oard of supervisors for 
five \'eai'S ; lias been town treasurer for the 
past eleven years, and for the past twenty- 
live years has been clerk of his school dis- 
trict. In November, 1880, Mr. Caswell was 
elected county commissioner from the fifth 
Meeker county district and received all of 
the votes cast in the district except two 
He was re-elected in November, 1888, 



receiving 559 votes, as against 24 votes cast 
for his opponent. He, therefore, still holds 
that office and is recognized as one of the 
most influential and efficient menibei's of 
that body. 

Mr. Caswell carries on stock-raisinjr and 
general farming extensively. He owns 4()0 
acres of land, with substantial and comfort- 
able building improvements, has it well 
stocked with horses and cattle, and he is 
rated as one of the most solid and substan- 
tial citizens of Meeker county. 



►^^ 



[AMES E. MORRISEY, proprietor of the 
fdundi'v and machine shopat the city of 
Ci'ookston, Minnesota, is among the solid 
and substantial citizens of that place, and a 
respected member of the communit}'. He 
was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, A])ril 22, 
1849, and is the son of Edward and ]\Iartha 
Jane Morrisey. His father was the i)ro- 
prietor of a foundrv and machine sho]) in 
that city, but in 1859 removed it and his 
family to Chai'lottetown, Prince Edward 
Island, where James grew to manhood. 
After receiving his education he entered the 
establishment of his father, and there laid 
the foundation for his thorougli knowledge 
of the business that is so well known and 
appreciated in the community where he at 
present resides. When he first went to 
work he was so small that he was compelled 
to have a box to stand on to reach the bench 
or vice. He remained with his father until 
reaching his majority, and then renu>ving to 
Summei'side, in the same Island, o])ened a 
foundry aiul machine shop of his own. 
Carrvincr on the business in that localitv for 
some nine j'ears, he then sold out and came 
to the United States and for about a year 
and a half made his home in New York 
City, employed at his trade. 

In 1879, with a view to establishing 



PARA- A'f.G/O.VS OF MIiYNESOTA. 



513 



liimself in business he then came to Will- 
mar, ^[innesota, and there opened a 
founilrv and machine shop, and for two 
years and a lialf did a thriving business. 
At tlie end of that time he solil his buildings 
in Miat ))]ace, and forming a copartnership 
witii his brother Thomas S., removed liis 
machinery to Crookston, and pui'chasing 
some lots near the court house, on which 
they erected tiie necessary buildings, com- 
menced operations. 

In the fall of 1883, their operations being 
confined for want of room, they purchased 
the site of their present establishment and 
put up larger and more extensive works. 
They do a general foundry and machine 
business, manufacturing horse ])owers for 
elevator work, shafting, pulleys, door hang- 
ers, house work of all kinds, and furnishing 
all kinds of mill machiner}'. AVithin the 
last \'ear they have fitted up two ttoui' mills, 
which from the character of their products 
shows the proficiencv of the mechanics in 
this respect. They make a specialty of 
threshing machine engines and boiler repair 
work and steam fitting. The works give 
employment to from eight to twelve hands 
and is one of the institutions of the city, and 
is one of the largest and best fitted up in 
the State west of the large cities. 

Mr. Morrisey holds the highest grade of 
stationery engineer's license in this State, 
and his ability is recognized bv all with 
whom he comes in contact in this respect. 
He has frequently been called to St. Paul 
and Minneapolis and other parts of the State 
as an expert or assessor of damage by fire, 
etc. In the spring of 1887 he was appointed 
to the [Kjsition of deputy inspector of boilers 
and engines for this district and holds that 
office at the present time. 

Mr. Morrisey was united in marriage 
while a resident of Prince Edward Island, 
November 27, 1872, with Miss Elizabeth 
Curran,and is the parent of three children — 



Eddie I., Francis Henry and Charles A. 
JNIorrisey. 

In fall of 1888 our subject bought out 
Thomas S. Morrisey's interest, and now is 
running the business alone. During the 
winter of 1888-89 this foundry has cast 
about twenty tons of castings for the large 
steam saw-mill building at Grand Forks, 
Dakota Territory, beside a large quantity 
of joljbing work. 



^^^ 



IgjaTON. JAMES COMPTON is the presi- 
J^^ dent of the Citizens' National Bank 
of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota. The place of his nativity was in Craw- 
ford county, Pennsylvania, where he was 
born January 14, 1840. 

The subject of our sketch was reared on 
the home farm, where he remained until the 
breaking out of the war. His home life was 
spent in work on the farm, and in acquiring 
a line education, he iiaving attended Mead- 
ville Academy and Allegheny College, in the 
same place. In April, 18G1, in answer to 
the first call for volunteers, he enlisted in 
the three months' service in what was known 
as the Company of Meadville Volunteers. 
He served the required three months and 
was discharged. On the 2d of November, 
1861, he re-enlisted in Company C, Fifty-sec- 
ond Pegiment, Illinois Volunteers, as a pri- 
vate, this being for the three years' service. 
After this the corps to which he belonged 
was sent to the front, and Mr. Compton had 
opportunity to see much severe service. For 
efficient conduct at tne battle of Fort Don- 
aldson he was promoted from private to the 
rank of lirst-lieutenant. In April, 18(!2, at 
the battle of Shiloh Capt. E. M. Knapp 
was killed, and Mr. Compton was promoted 
to the captaincy, in which rank he served 
the company until July, 1864. At this 
time he was detailetl as assistant inspector- 



514 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



general of tlie Second Brigade, Second 
Division, Sixteenth Annv Corps, commanded 
by General R. W. Adams, who is now the 
synodical missionary of the Presbyterian 
church of iMiiiiiesota. This position Mr. 
Compton retained until December 18, 1864, 
wlien he was discliarged at Savannah, 
(ieorgia. At tliis time lie returned to the 
North and engaged as dork and book-keeper 
in the Bank of Petroleum Centre, Venango 
county, Pennsylvania, where he remained 
two years. At the end of this period he 
came westward and settled in Liinark. Cur- 
roll county, Illinois, at which place he took 
charge of a banking institution. In 1872 he 
removed to Minnesota, settling in Fergus 
Falls, where, in company with Mr. 11. G. 
Page, he organized the first National bank 
north and west of St. Paul. For some 
time this institution was run with Mr. Page 
as ju-esident and Mr. Compton as cashier, 
Avliicli position the latter occupied until 1883, 
when Mr. Compton, with other gentlemen, 
organized tiie Citizens' National Bank, of 
which the latter became president. 

Mr. Comjiton was wedded in ISfiO to Miss 
Louise Gould, of Pennsylvania, daughter of 
Nathan Gould. By this marriage there have 
been three cliildren— Mary L., Margaret G. 
and William G. 

Mr. Com])ton is one of the leading citizens 
of Otter Tail county, in fact of the State. He 
has occupied many positions of trust, not 
onlv in his county, but in the State as well. 
He is a prominent republican, a member of 
the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities, 
and is senior vice-commander of the Grand 
Army of the Republic of the State of Minne- 
sota. He is a member of the State Senate in 
1882 and re-elected in 1886. He is 
a member of the State Board of Equali- 
zation for the Sevcntli Judicial District 
of Minnesota, in whicii capacity he has 
worked since 1876. He occupies the position 
of secretary of the Page Flouring Mills, of 



which company he is vice-president and a 
large stockliolder. He and his wife and 
children are members of the First Presbj'- 
terian church of Fergus Falls, of which 
society he is an elder. lie lives in a beauti- 
ful home, fitted with all modern improve- 
ments, on Union avenue. His grounds al)out 
his residence are covered with fine orna- 
mental and shade trees, and are the most 
beautiful for location and adornment in the 
cit}". Fiiumcially Mr. Cumpton occuj)ies a 
leading position among the business men in 
Fergus Falls and vicinity. He is able, wise 
and generous, and in all tilings that liave to 
do with the growth and prosperity of the city 
lie takes a deep interest, backing up tliose 
financial projects, not only with his counsels 
and words of encouragement, but also with 
his means. He enjoys the respect and esteem 
of all liis fellow-townsmen. 



^^. 



^^LISHA K. MORRILL is the editor and 
^^il proprietor of the Richland County 
Gazette, the leading newspaper in Waliiieton, 
North Dakota. His native State was New 
Hampshire, and was born July 6, 1825, in 
Springfield, Sullivan county.- His parents 
were Stephen and Susan (Dean) Morrill, 
natives of New Hampshire. 

Stephen Morrill was the son of John Mor- 
rill, a native of tlie same State and of English 
descent. Stephen was a farmer, as was his 
father before him, and lived and died in 
New Hampshire; his death came in 1852. 
The mother of our subject was born in Graf- 
ton, New Hampshire, February 9, 1801, and 
died in Charles City, Iowa, January 6, 1873. 
They had five sons, two of whom are living — 
Rev. William S., and the subject of our 
sketch. Susan (Dean) Morrill was a daughter 
of Isaac Dean, a native of Connecticut, a 
farmer by occupation, and probably of Dan- 
ish descent. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



515 



The subject of our sketch remained 
beneath the ))arental roof until lie was 
t\vent\'-one years of age. He received an 
excellent practical education at the New 
Ilanipshii-e Conference Seniinar_v, a Meth- 
odist school located at Tilton, that State. He 
tauy-ht some fifteen terms of school in his 
native State, and then, in 1862, came west to 
Iowa, settling in ChicUasaw county, where 
he purciiased land and commenced farming. 
He improved his land and lived thereon for 
about ten years. He was held in high 
esteem by the citizens of Chickasaw county 
and iield several important offices. He was 
ajipuinted one of the county commissioners, 
and at the two following-elections was elected 
to that office, holding the same for five years. 
He was also secretary of the school board 
and township clerk eight or nine years, and 
taught school for two terms. In 1872 he 
removed to Floyd county, Iowa, locating in 
Charles City, where he resided for over seven 
years. While there he was the first pro- 
hibition candidate for the office of council- 
man to receive suft'rage in that city, lacking 
but five votes of being elected. He then 
went to ISTorthfield, Minnesota, where he 
])urchased a ]irinting office outfit and started 
a newspaper, wliieh he ran for a few months. 
Then he removed his material to Wahpe- 
ton, North Dakota, where he purcliased the 
tirst and only paper in the county, the Rich- 
land County Gazette, which he has since 
published, and which has ever been the lead- 
ing newspaper in the county. 

He has purchased several pieces of city 
property and built a large printing office on 
the ])rincipal avenue and a good residence on 
Third street south, where he now lives. 

Mr. Morrill was married June 2, 1858, to 
!^[iss Susan R. Barney, daughter of Otis 
IJarney, of Canaan, New IIam[ishire. Three 
sons have blessed this union — Myron H., 
Milo T. and Ilarhm J. The two younger 
sons are now attending school, one at Carlton 



College and the other at Hamline University. 
The oldest, Myron H., was married August 
25, 1882, to Miss Ida M. Anderson, by whom 
he has two living children — Ralph B. and a 
babe unnamed. Myron H. is employed as 
foreman in his father's printing office. 

Mr. Morrill is a thorough republican in 
politics and is one of the most influential and 
highly respected men in the county. 

GENEALOGY. 

The subject of this sketch is of the eighth 
generation from Abraham Morrill, who came 
from England about 1632, and finally settled 
in Salisbur}^, Massachusetts, where his pos- 
terity Ijecame very numerous, and are now 
dispersed throughout the country, and some 
have gone to other countries. 

Abraham's son, Isaac, was born in Salis- 
bury, Massachusetts, May 10, 1046 ; died 
October 17, 1713. 

Isaac's son, Jacol), was born in Salisl)ury, 
Massachusetts, May 25, 1677. 

Jacob's son, Abraham, was born in Salis- 
bury, Massachusetts, December 22, 1703 ; 
died December 16, 1780. 

Abraham's son, Jabez, was born February 
15, 1745 ; died August 26, 1800. 

Jabez settled in Weare, New Hampshire, 
where his son John was born June 29, 1770. 
He was the second child but the oldest son ; 
he located in Springfield, New Hampshire, 
where he died April 30, 18G2. 

John's son, Stephen, was born in Spring- 
field, New Hampshire, May 22, 1798, and died 
in Canaan, Newampshire, January 27, 1852. 

Stephen's son, Elisha Knowles, was born 
in Springfield, New Hampshire, July 6,1825. 

Nearly all the ancestors in the direct line 
had large families — Abraham had nine chil- 
dren ; Isaac had ten ; Jacob had eleven ; 
Abraham, five; Jabez, eight; John, five; 
Stephen, five; and Elisha K., four children. 

A few items concerning E. K. Morrill's 
ancestry, on the mother's side, will be of 
interest : 



516 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



Walter Dean, the supposed ancestor of the 
Dean family, was born at Chard, England, 
in a valley called Taunton Dean, on the river 
Tone. He is supposed to have been born 
some time l)etween tiie years 1015 and 1020. 
Walter and his eider brother, -loiin Dean, 
emigrated to America, and were among the 
earliest English settlers at Cohanet, that 
was soon called Taunton, in Massachusetts. 
Walter was a tanner by tmde. (His wife 
was Elanoi', a daughter of Richard Strong, of 
Taunton, England, and she was a sister of 
Elder John Strong, who came with her to 
America in the siiip " Mary and John " in 
1630.") Walter and John Dean took up 
farms on the west bank of Taunton great 
river, about a mile fi'om the Green. They 
o)iened a street through their lands, which 
has been known as Dean street to this day. 

Jonathan Dean's son, Isaac, was born in 
Taunton, Massachusetts, ]\Iay 31, 1744, and 
died July 1, 1S19. His second wife, Eunice 
Backus, was born October 23, 1755. They 
were married October 13. 1795. She died 
September 10, 1814. They were blessed with 
two daughters ; the youngest was born Feb- 
ruary 9, 1801. 

Stepiien Morrill and Susan Dean were 
married November 11, 1819, and Elisha K. 
was their second son. 

Samuel Backus was the second son of 
Joseph Backus ; he was born January 0, 
1093, and died November 24, 1740. His 
wife, Elizabeth Tracy, was the daughter of 
John Tracy, who was the son of John 
Tracy of Norwich. She was born April 0, 
1098, and died January 20, 1709. They 
were married January 18, 1710. Of their 
eleven ciiiidren, Isaac, the fourth, was born 
January 9, 1724, died November 20, 1800. 

Isaac Backus was married to Susan Mason, 
November 29, 1749. She was l><)in in Eeho- 
botli, Massachusetts, Janiuiry 4, 1725. Tiiey 
had nine ciiiidren, Eunice, who married Isaac 
Dean, being the fourth. 



I^HARLES CAVILEER, the "father of 
S^y Pembina," Pembina county. North 
Dakota, is the oldest living settler of tliat 
locality, and has been prominently identilied 
with the local I)usiness, political and official 
interests of the Nortiiern II(mI Iliver A'aiic^' 
since 1851. His name has been indissolul)ly 
connected with the prosperity and [jrogress 
of Pembina, one of the most thriving and 
vigorous cities in the Northwest, and to him 
belongs the honor of laj'ing the original 
town plat, supplementing it with an exten- 
sive addition as soon as the railroad commu- 
nications, in 1878, decided the future ])ros- 
l)erity of the embryo city. 

Mr. Cavileer is a native of tlie State of 
Ohio, born in Springfield on the> Gth day of 
March, 1818, and is tiie son of Charles and 
Rachel (Trease) Cavileer, natives of Maine 
and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our sub- 
ject's boyhood days were spent in iiis native 
city, with the usual educational advantages 
of the common schools, until he had attained 
his seventeenth year, wlien he removed to 
Mount Carmel, Illinois, wiiere he served an 
apprenticeship to the saddler's trade, until 
he was twenty-one. Then, until 1841, he 
served as a journeyman, and at the ex j)i ra- 
tion of that time went to Red Rock, six 
miles below St. Paul, Minnesota, where lie 
remained a short time, and the succeeding 
year traveled round about Duluth and Lake 
Superior, and then again returned to Red 
Rock, across the country, with no trail and 
only the sun as a guide. He then worked 
about one year on a farm near Red Rock, 
and in 1845 went to St. Paul, and opened tiie 
first harness shop in the State. In 1S47 
he sold out, and in the following year, in 
company witii Dr. Dewey, established tiie 
first drug store in St. Paul and in Minnesota. 
Thev remained together for two years, when 
our subject sold out to the Doctoi', and was 
appointed by Governor Ramsey as first Ter- 
ritorial librarian, which position he held until 



PARK REGIO.XS OF MIXXESOTA. 



517 



1851. "We then reach the period from which 
our subject has been connected with the his- 
tory of the Reil River Valley. In that 3'ear 
he was appointed United States revenue col- 
lector of the customs, and the duties of that 
office in those days, although not necessitat- 
ing very close application of the incumbent, 
wore, nevertheless, of a rather varied nature. 
Besides being collector of customs he had to 
manage the postofRce arrangements, give 
some attention to signal service business, and, 
in fact, was representative of every branch 
of the United States civil service. These 
various duties Mr. Cavileer performed for 
four yeai's, and at the expiration of that time 
he moved westward to St. Jo and engaged 
in fur trading, and afterward he moved to 
Fort Garry (now Winnij)eg), where he was 
engaged in quite an extensive general mer- 
chantlise business. In ISGi Mr. Cavileer 
returned to Pembina, and a regular postoflBce 
being then established there, he received the 
appointmentof postmaster, which he retained 
until ISSi, when he resigned in favor of his 
son, who is the present postmaster. In 1853, 
in addition to his official duties, he engaged 
in the I'ur trade in jiartnership with Com- 
modore Kittson and W. II. Forbes, with 
whom he remained three years. At the 
expiration of that time, Forbes having drawn 
out, Kittson antl Cavileer formed a partner- 
ship with the following gentlemen included 
in the firm, viz.: Kittson, Culver, Farrington, 
Sargeant and Cavileer. This continued for 
two years. In 1863 Mr. Cavileer engaged 
in haymaking for the Government, emplo}'- 
ing tifteen men and two machines. 

Mr. Cavileer was united in marriage on the 
13th of Marcii, 1857, to Miss Isabell Murry, 
the daughter of Donald and Jane (lieron) 
Murry, and this union has been blessed with 
the following children — Edmuntl K., the 
jtresent jwstmaster ; William M., Albert D., 
Lula, Belle, and the oldest child, Sarah, who 
died at the age of four years. AVilliam 



married Jennie Bradshaw, and resides in 
Pembina. Edmund and William were at 
Kildnan, then Prince Rupert's Land, at the 
time of the Reil Insurrection, and helped 
Scott run bullets some time previous to his 
murder. 

In the early days of his settlement in 
Pembina he was a regular correspondent 
to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, 
District of Columbia. From his first settle- 
ment Mr. Cavileer has taken a deep interest 
in the progress of the district, and since the 
formation of the village no man has done 
more for the building up of the same. He 
is a public-spirited citizen, and one who is 
highly esteemed and respected by all who 
know him. 

Mr. Cavileer is a stanch republican in 
politics. He voted for General Harrison in 
18iO, and now that North Dakota will soon 
become a State he may possibly live to vote 
for the grandson of the old General for a sec- 
ond term. It would be a strange coincidence if 
tiie only two votes he ever cast for President 
should be cast for the two General Harrisons. 



OHN WILLIAM SCHAFER is the pro- 
[M-ietorof the Decorah Hotel in Stephen, 
Marshall county, Minnesota. He was born 
in Rathshausen, Spaichingen, Wittenberg, 
German}', July 30, 1858. 

Mr. Schafer is a son of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Riede) Schafer, natives of Wittenberg, 
Germany. They came to the United States 
in the fall of 1872, and spent their first winter 
in AVilliamsport, Pennsylvania, whence they 
went to Zundjrota, Goodhue county, Min- 
nesota, settling on a farm in that vicinity. 
The parents lived there until their death. 
The father died March 23, 1882, and the 
mother January 21, 1887. They had a family 
of nine children — Paulina, Isidore, Constant, 
Antoinette, John W., Sabina, Gustaf, Leo and 
Barn hart. 



5i8 



RED RIVER VALLEY AXD 



The subject of our sketch remained at 
home with his pai'ents in Germany and 
received a good common school education, 
attending school for seven consecutive years. 
He came witii Jiis ])arents to the United 
States in tlie fall of 1ST2, and the following 
spring came with tliem fi'om Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania, to Goodhue county, Minne- 
sota, lie lived with them, but worked for 
neighboring farmers until 1878, when he 
went to Swift county, making headquarters 
in Benson. lie pre-empted a quarter section 
of land in Lac-qui-parle count}^ and proved 
up in 1879, and then worked in the Aldridge 
House till in the summer of 1881, when he 
went to Kerkhoven, Swift county, Minnesota, 
and opened a saloon, which he ran for six 
months. He then started on a trip, in search 
of a location, through Montana, Idaho, 
Washington and Dakota Territories, being 
gone about two months. He then returned 
to Minnesota and stopped in Crookston 
until the spring of 1882, working in the Com- 
mercial Hotel. That summer he came to 
Stephen, Ijought a lot and liuilt a house, also 
o|)ening up a saloon business, which he is 
still running. In the spring of 1888 he pur- 
chased the Decoi'ah House, and is now run- 
ning a first-class hotel. 

Mr. Schafer was married in Stephen, May 
20, lSS-1, to Miss Sarah Hanson, daughter of 
Ole and Anna (Alma) Hanson, natives of 
Norway. She was born in Alma, Buffalo 
county, Wisconsin, and is a sister of Hans O. 
Hanson, a leading hardware merchant of 
Ste})hen. J\Ir. and Mrs. Scliafer have two 
children — William Ilowai'd and j\Iabel 
Sabina. 

Mr. Schafer is one of the prominent and 
representative citizens of the town in which 
he lives. He is a man of broad ideas and 
wide experience, and his success in business 
has proven him a careful and thrifty man- 
ager, lie owns a fine farm of 2(!0 acres of 
kuul in Tamarac township, beside two other 



buildings in the town. Mr. Schafer was one 
of the organizers and chai-ter members of 
Stephen Lodge, Xo. 120, Independent Order 
of Odd-Fellows, in which he has risen to the 
highest honoi's, having passed all the chairs 
and l)eing now P. G. He lias also held the 
position of D. D. G. M. In many ways 
has Mr. Schafer been honored by his 
fellow-townsmen and in ever}' case has he 
proven his eminent fitness for positions of 
trust and responsibility. He has been village 
constable two terms, town clerk two terms, 
deputy county sheriff one term, besides hav- 
ing held several positions of minor import- 
ance. Mr. Schafer holds the respect and 
confidence of his fellow citizens, and is 
looked upon as a leading and enterprising 
business man. He has an excellent hotel, and 
in every way strives to please and retain his 
guests, to whom he furnishes the best the 
market supplies. 

PETER BROBERG is a member of the 
firm of Swenson A: Broberg, of New 
London, Minnesota, one of the most exten- 
sive, solid and substantial Inisiness houses in 
Kandiyohi county. They carry a heavy 
stock of general merchandise, and are also 
engaged in the milling, lumber and machinery 
business. Mr. Broberg, of whom our present 
article will treat, is one of the pioneers of 
this part of Minnesota and is one of tiie sur- 
vivors of the terrible Sioux Indian outbreak 
of 18()2. A detailed history of all his experi- 
ences, adventures and hardships during pio- 
neer days and Indian times would almost fill 
a volume of itself, and would be too long for 
insertion in this work, but we have gathered 
the most prominent facts in Mr. Broi)erg"s 
histor}', and give the most imj)ortant move- 
ments in which he has participated. 

ISIr. Brobei'g was born near Yargarda, in 
Sweden, on the 17th of Decend)er, ISSi, anil 



. i 



PARK HECIOXS OF MIXXESOTA. 



5i'J 



is a son of Daniel P. and Aunastina Broberg, 
who were also natives of Sweden. The 
parents had a famii\' of three children — 
Peter, Alfred and Albert. On the 28th of 
April, 1861, the whole familj" left their 
native land and sailed for the New World, 
landing at Quebec, Canada, on the 19th of 
June. They at once came to Minnesota, 
hmding at Carver, in Carver county, on the 
1st day of July. A few days later they 
started for what was known as the New 
Sweden settlement in Swift county, Minne- 
sota, arriving there July 15, 1861. The 
father, D. P. Broberg, and liis brother, 
Andrew, bougiit soldiers' sci'ij)t and each 
located on a quarter section of land. Here 
they at once erected cabins, began improve 



nients and engaged in farming. 



Everything 



moved along in a prosperous and unevent- 
ful manner until August, 18('>2, when tlie 
Sioux Indians began their outbreak, killing 
defenseless men, w'omen and children, and 
Inu'ning and destroying as they went. The 
little settlement at New Sweden consisted of 
thirty souls and little did the}' dream of 
the danger so near at hand. On the fatal 
20th day of August, 1862, tlie Broberg fam- 
ilies (D. P. Ih'oberg and wife and three 
children, and Andrew B. Broberg and wife 
and four children), together with the Lund- 
berg family and others, had gone to a neigh- 
bor's, two and a half milesjdistant, to attend 
a religious meeting. Our subject, Peter 
Broberg,and iiis two brothers and two cousins 
remained at home to care for the stock, etc. 
About noon twenty-five or tiiirty Indians, 
in war paint, surrounded the cabin. They 
entered the house, and the children, as usual, 
treated tliem to bread and provisions. Peter 
Broberg escaped fi-om the house and ran to 
the meetino:, where he gave the alarm. The 
services were at once adjourned, and the 
settlers started for home. The Broberg 
party, together with Lars Lundl)erg, started 
for lionie with their ox team. Thev met the 



Indians, and when near the house they gave 
the preconcerted signal and the horrible 
butchery began. Mr. Lundberg was in the 
rear with a gun, and he escaped and rescued 
a child. Those killetl were D. P. Bro- 
berg and wife and two children ; Andrew 
B. Broberg, his wife and three children. 
Our subject, Peter Broberg, jumped 
from the wagon at the first attack 
and escaped, running down a hill and disap- 
' pcaring in the tall grass of a slough. He con- 
tinued his flight until he came to the house 
of a neighbor, where he took refuge. Tiie 
Indians continued their murderous work and 
began plundering and burning and finally 
made an attack on the neighbor's house. 
The family and Peter Broberg hid in the 
cellar, their hiding place being concealed by 
a neatly fitting trap door. The Indians de- 
stro^'ed the furniture and then left. About 
midnight the fugitives escaped from the 
house and spent the remainder of the night 
in a thicket. Finally Even Railson, now a 
ju'ominent farmer of Norwaj' Lake township 
Kandiyohi county, assisted them, and the}' 
were conducted to a place of safety. Lund- 
berg said he was fired at fifteen times but 
escaped unhurt. 

The general history of the outbreak will 
be found in another department of this 
Album, so it is unnecessary to refer to it 
further in this connection. The Indians were 
finally subdued and peace was again restored 
on the border. Mainly through the efforts 
of our subject, Peter Broberg, an appropria- 
tion was made at the last session of the 
legislature for the purpose of ei-ecting a mon- 
ument to the memory of the victims of the 
New Sweden massacre, so that their martyr- 
dom will be commemorated in a fitting 
manner. 

In 1877 Peter Broberg located at the vil- 
lage of New London, Minnesota, where he 
has since remained. He is one of the leading 
business men of that locality, and stands high 



520 



RED KIVEK VALLEY A. VD 



as an exemplaiy citizen. He served for some 
time as town clerk, and has always taken an 
active part in matters affecting the welfare 
of that locality. lie is a republican in polit- 
ical mattei-s. and a membei'of the Lutheran 
church. 

Mr. Broberg ^vas married December 31, 
1878, to Cliristine Larson, and tliey are the 
parents of three children ^ — Ella, Martha 
and Elmer P. 

— — -^-S^f^- < *■ ■ - 

OTTFRIED MIGGE, the popular 
butclicr and dealer in fresh and cured 
meats, m the village of Wadena, Wadena 
county, Minnesota, is a native of the kingdom 
of Germany. He was born in Mai-genweider 
on the 23d of September, 1847, and is the 
son of August and Augusta Migge, also 
natives of German}'. The father and mother 
of our subject \vere the parents of the follow- 
ing-named children — Gottfried, Gustaff^ 
Rinold, Wielhmemien, Paulina, Augusta and 
Lauria Migge. 

M!r. Migge, the subject of this article, 
remained in his native land until lie had 
attained the age of twenty-live yeai-s. Dur- 
ing his yoimger daj^s he had attended the com- 
mon sciioolsof tliat country, and after leavini;' 
the school-room had entered an apprentice- 
ship at the butcher's trade. After serving his 
ai)]irenticeslii]), and in the year 1867, Mr. 
Migge entered the Prussian army in Seventh 
Companj', Forty-fourth Regiment, and served 
four years; served under Commander Prince 
Carl in the war between Pi'ussia and France 
from June 16, 1870, to September 20, 1871, 
and took part in the principal battles during 
the period of this service. After the war, and 
in 1873, he emigrated to the United 8tates> 
and after a voyage of fifteen da3's, landed at 
Quebec. He at once removed to Fillmore 
county, Minnesota, where he followed his 
trade until 187t», with the exception of a few 
months' work in a ^lankato(Minn.)l)rewerv. 



In 1879 Mr. Migge removed to Wadena, 
count}', Minnesota, and took up a Govern- 
ment claim on section 2, Leaf River town- 
ship, which he sold in September. lS7'.t. In 
August, 1879, he removed into the village of 
Wadena, and for six months was employed 
as butcher in the meat market of Mr. Cooper. 
In March, 1880, he, in company with Charles 
Batcher, bought the meat market and oper- 
ated it until August, 1880, when ifr. Cooper 
purchased the interest of IVIr. Batcher and 
he, in partnership with our subject, operated 
the shop for four years. Our subject then 
bought the interest of Mr. Coojier and has 
since continued alone in the business. In 
addition to his business interests he owns a 
tine i-esidence and eighty aci-es of land in 
the corporate limits of the village of Wadena, 
He is a very successful business man, and is 
highh' esteemed for his integrity and fair- 
ness in business transactions. 

Mr. Migge was united in marriage in 
August, 1881, v^'ith Miss Anna Stienboch, and 
this union has been l)lessed with the follow- 
ing-named children — Laura Migge, .Gott- 
fried August Mia'ge, Elizabeth Miga'e and 
William Grover Migge. 

In political matters the suijject of this 
article affiliates with the lUMnocratic pai'ty. 



^^^ 



-^^ 



OHN KIVEL, the efficient and well known 



"' sheriff of Marshall county, Minnesota, 
is a resident of the village of Warren, where 
he is enjraged in his official duties. He is a 
native of the State of Vernumt, born in 
lUirlington, on the Stli day of February, 
1843, and is the son of Michael and Catharine 
(Hughs) Kivel, natives of the kingdom of 
Ireland. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject wei-e married in Vermont, and the father 
was a farmer by occujiation. They were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Alary, Nancy, iJartlett, Catln'rine. John and 
Michael. 



PARK RF.CIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



521 



Mr. Kivel, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home, attciuiiiig school, until lie 
was ten years of age, at which period in life 
he commenced for himself, lie secured work 
ill a livery stable and was employed in driv- 
ing stage for six or seven years. In 1860 
he went to the lumber woods and worked 
there until October, ISGl. On the 27th of 
that nil inth he enlisted in the Twelfth AYis- 
consin Infantry, Company B, and served 
until July, 1S6-1:, when he was honorabh' 
discharged at Madison, Wisconsin. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, 
siege of Yicksburg, Tallahatchee, Jackson- 
ville, Champion Hill, besides many skir- 
mishes. He was wounded at Atlanta, 
Georgia, and was confined at Marietta, Home, 
Xashville and Louisville, then at the bar- 
racks at St. Louis, Missouri. He then went 
to Madison, "Wisconsin, where he was honor- 
aiily dischai'ged on the 22d of July, ISfi-l. 
After his discharge he went to Reedsburg, 
Wisconsin, where he remained a short time, 
then removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 
There he engaged in the lumber business for 
two years, and at the expiration of that 
time, removed to Buffalo county, Wisconsin. 
There he had charge of the Beef Slough 
drive, for seven j^ears. In 1878 he went to 
Crookston, Minnesota, and engaged in locat- 
ing land. After working at that for about 
three years he moved to Argyle, Minnesota, 
where he followed the same business. In 
Maj', 1887, he moved to the village of War- 
ren, Marshall countv, Minnesota, where he 
has since remained. In 188t> he was elected 
to the office of county sheriff and was 
re-elected in 18SS. Previous to this he had 
been deputy sheriff for three years. IJe 
has since discharged his duties as sheriff and 
is one of the most popular men in the north- 
ern part of the Red River Yallev. 

Mr. Kivel was married on the 21st of Feb 
ruary, 1872, to Mrs. Hattie Wassen, she 
having two children bv her first husband. 



This union has been blessed with three chil- 
dren, named as follows — Bartkjtt, Fredei'ick 
and Charles. Mr. Kivel was married the 
second time, to Miss Rosa Lasarge, in June, 
1883. The subject of this article, is a mem- 
ber of the A. F. & A. M., Crookston Lodge, 
also belongs to the Independent Order of 
Odd-Fellows. He is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, Crookston Post. 
He is a rejiublican in political mattei's and 
any home enterprise, calculated to benefit 
the town or county, receives his hearty 
support. 




EUBEN CLARK, who is the proprietor 
li^'-H.y of the leading hotel in the village of 
New York Mills, is an old settler in Otter 
Tail county. He is a business man of wide 
experience, genial and accommodating, and 
in his hotel he is doing a successful business 
and is making many friends. 

Reuben Clark was born in Herkimer 
county, New York, June 6, 1852, and is a son 
of Reuben and Mary (Rice) Clark, who were 
both natives of New York State. The father 
was a mechanic and followed blacksmithing, 
brick making and farming at different 
periods of life. About 1854 the faniil\^ 
removed to Randolph county, Illinois, and his 
father died in that State, and his mother 
died in Hancock county, Iowa. In the family 
of the iiaVents there were ten childi-en, 
eight of whom grew up, as follows — George, 
Ira, Carrie, Fannie, Lula, ]\Iary, Kate and 
Reuben. 

Reuben Clark, whose name heads this 
article, grew to manhood and received his 
education in Randolph county, Illinois. He 
attended school until si.Kteen years of age, 
when he engaged in the brick business. 
When he was twenty-one years old he went 
to Hancock county, Iowa, and engaged in 
I'ai'uiing, remaing there for five years and a 



522 



JiED RIVEK VALI.E V AXO 



half. While there he took an active and 
prominent part in public affairs and lield 
various local offices. In 1877 he came to 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and settled in 
Leaf Lake township, where he secured a farm 
of nearly 300 acres. He engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, and at that 
time was the most extensive farmer in the 
eastern ])a,i-t of the county. He took a 
pi'oiiiiiient ]KU't in ollicial and political mat- 
ters, and iicid a iuniil)er of township offices. 
In 1SS3 he I'cnted his farm and for some time 
was engaged as an expert in the machinery 
business, and also followed collecting for a 
number of montiis. In 1S88 he sold his farm, 
and on the 28tli of March, 1888, located in 
tiie village of New York Mills. April 18, 
1888, he moved into and took charge of the 
hotel, which he has since conducted. 

Mr. Clark was married September 29, 1872, 
to Miss Susan Persons, a native of New 
York. They liave tiiree ciiildren — Ira, Ida 
and George. 

In ]U)litical matters IVfr. Clark is a repub- 
lican, and lie may justly lie classed as one of 
tile leading citizens of Otter Tail county. 



-•4- 



-«- 



ERTON W. SPERRY, of the firm of 
liii' Sperry Brothers, dealers in stock) 
me;it, and agricultural implements, in Will- 
nuir, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is one of 
the most prominent and respected citizens of 
tiie city. He- is a native of Michigan, born 
in Amboy, Hillschile county, on tiie I'.tth da\' 
of August, 1843, and is tlie son of Jeremiah 
<uid .lerusha Sperrj'. Tlie fatiier was born 
111 Neu Haven, Connecticut, Ajiril 4, 1802. 
lie fcrnained there until about 1824, when 
ric was married and removed to Livingston 
couniy, New York. There he followed the 
cooper's trade and also farming until 1840, 
wiien he removed to Miciiigan. In 1857 he 
settled in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota. 



He was a stanch democrat throughout his 
life and supported Andrew Jackson for 
President. Tlie father met liis deatii from 
an injury received at a political convention 
held' at New London, Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota. He was in a heated discussion 
with a man about tiiirty-five years of age, 
and, without warning, the man struck and 
kicked iiim. It tiirew him into a fit of apo- 
plexy' from which lie never recovered, not 
speaking after the injury was inflicted, and 
died about August 15, 1870. Tlie mother 
died May 21, 1863, from the efl'ects of 
exposure in escaping from the Indians in 
1862. 

Our subject removed with his parents to 
Kandi\'ohi county, Minnesota, wiiere he 
remained on the farm, until tiie Indian out- 
break in 1862. Tiien tliey were driven away 
by the Indians, ami went to Forest City, 
Minnesota, where our subject joined a band 
of old settlers, who returned to tiieir homes 
to recover what the Indians had not de- 
stroyed. Wliile at their homes tlie hidians 
intercepted their retreat, and the settlers, 
hastily gatliering u]) the most valuable 
household goods, returned in a rouniiabout 
way. AVliile they were gone the soldiers 
at the fort, learning that the Indians iiad 
C(mie between the jiaity and Forest City, 
supposed them murdered aiul sent out a 
scouting party, wiiicii was I'epulsed by the 
Indians. In the fall of 1863, after the out- 
break had subsided, our subject attended 
school at Elk River, and then enlisted in the 
quartermaster's department, and went South 
to the front, where he remained six months. 
In the spi'ing of 1867 he joined a liand 
or train of 120 men, 40 families, and (>7 
wagons, and went across the plains, and set- 
tled in Jefferson A'alley, Madison county, 
Montana, wliere our subject engaged in min- 
ing and stock-raising, at which he was mod- 
erately successful. In 1876 lie returned on a 
visit, and again went back to Montana, 



PARK KF.GIO.VS OF MINNESOTA. 



523 



where he remained until 1S80. Then he 
went to Hamilton county, Iowa, where he 
was united in marriage to Miss Ada A. 
W\'deck, the daughter of Il\'le Wydeck, and 
then removed to Willmar, Kandiyohi count}', 
Minnesota, where he purchased an interest 
witli iiis brother in their present business. 
The^'are among the prominent and successful 
merchants of tiie city and are doing a heavy 
business. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sperry have been blessed 
witli thi'cc children — Ernest, Nellie and 
Mason. (_)ur subject is now assistant chief 
of tiie fire department, which position he 
lias held for two years. He has been presi- 
dent of the school Ijoai'd for tlie past four 
yeai's, and is a democrat in his political affil- 
iations. He is a man of the strictest intefir- 
rit\' and honor, and is highly esteemed by 
all who know him. He is a business man 
of sterling qualification and is actively inter- 
ested in all local matters, whereby the city 
or county, may derive benefit. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternitv, holding 
membership with Sharon Lodge, No. llM, 
and has filled all the principal offices in the 



lodge. 



— «"S^{^'-«^- 



IsiLON. JOHN A. JOHNSON, ex-mayor, a 
JL"^ merchant and also a dealer in agricult- 
ural im])lements in Fargo, is one of the most 
prominent business men of North Dakota. 
He has been actively identified with the his- 
tory of Fargo, has servetl as mavor of the 
city ; and filled various offices pertaining to 
tiie government of the city, sucli as member 
of tiie city council, board of education, etc. 
A man of wide experience and excellent busi- 
ness ability ; and his straight-forward business 
methods and strict integrity have made liis 
word as good as a bond. 

John A. Johnson was boi'n near Wexio, in 
Sweden, on the 24th of April, 1842, and is a 



son of John and Elizabeth (Lone) Johnson. 
Our subject lived on a farm with his parents 
until he was twelve years old, and then the 
family came to the United States. The 
mother and two of his sisters died with 
cholera immediately after landing, and owing 
to this the family was bi'oken up and our 
subject was thrown upon his own resources. 
He came at once to Stillwater, Minnesota, 
and there secured work in a hotel where 
he learned the English language. He 
remained in the hotel about fifteen months, 
and then for four years attended school, 
working out during vacations. At the 
expiration of tliat time he went to Texas 
intending to engage in the cattle busi- 
ness, but the breaking out of the war 
changed his plans and he returned North- 
ward to Seymour, Indiana, where he went 
to work in the railroad shops. 

He became ;i jtractical engineer and soon 
took charge of a railway engine, which he 
ran in the South for the Government. In 
1S66, his health failing, he quit railroading, 
came to Minnesota and engaged in farming 
and lumbering. In 1873 he was elected 
slierifi' of Washington count}', Minnesota, 
and moved into Stillwater. He held the 
office for six years, being twice re-elected 
and each time he received evern vote cast in 
the county. In March, 1880, he came to 
Fargo, North Dakota, and engaged in the 
agricultural implement business, which he 
has followed ever since. He also carries on 
the grocery business, having bought out 
Knowles *.t Company in 1887. His genial, 
whole-souled manners and fair dealing have 
built him a large business, and he is ranked 
among the most solid and substantial citizens 
of the city. He is a member of the Masonif 
fraternity, both of Chapter and Commandery 
and also a member of the Odd-Feiunvs 
Order. He has held various offices in all 01 
these organizations. He has always taken a 
prominent and active [)ait in all matters of a 



524 



RED KIVKR VALLEY .4 jVD 



public nature, and every enterprise calculated 
to benefit his town or county receives his 
lioarty aid and encourai,aMnent. As lias 
been stated lie has served as mayor of Fargo, 
having been elected in 1885, and has also 
served as a member of the governor's staff. 

While a resident of Stillwater, Mr. John- 
son was admitted to the bar, and has also 
been admitted to practice in all the courts of 
Dakota, but he does not practice an}', 
e.x'cept to .attend to his own law matters. 

Mr. Johnson was married at St. Louis, 
August 27, 1865, to Miss Agnes A. Coler, a 
native of Switzerland, and a daugiiter of 
Joiin and Anna (Meyer) Coler. Their 
union has l)een blessed with tlie following 
ciiildren — Alice Elizabeth, John diester, 
Clarence Franklin, Laura Agnes and Law- 
rence Edwin. 



.-^^ 



f^COB FISHER, a prmninent and repre- 
sentative citizen of Todd county, Min- 
nesota, is a resident of the villatre of Loner 
Prairie, where he is engaged in the banking 
business. He is a native of New Jersey, 
born in Ilightstown, on the 25th of April, 
1848, and is the son of Jacob and Rebecca 
(D3'e) Fislier. The father of our subject 
died in about 1850. The father and mother 
of the present suijject were the parents of 
tiie following children — Alfred, Mary, Abi- 
jali, Anna and Jacob. After the father's 
death the mother was married to Alfred 
Conover, and this uiiiun was blessed with 
four children, iiauieti as follows— Amanila., 
Aileliiie, Susan and Alice. The mother died 
in 1886. She was a devoted member of the 
Baptist church at Ilightstown. 

Jacob Fisher, of whom this memoir treats, 
received his education in Ilightstown, New 
Jersey, where he attended the New Jersey 
Classical and Scientific Institute until he 



was eighteen )'ears of age. At that period 
in life he removed to jMinnesota and settled 

at Sauk Center in 1867. Ilejnirchased land 
in Todd county in partnership witli J. D. 
Jones. The farm was situated near Fairy 
Lake in the township of Kandoto, and after 
residing upon it for some time Mr. Fisher 
removed to tiie village of Sauk Center, 
where he formed a partnership with S. P. 
Chandler in the Hour and feed business. Tn 
the fall of 1868 Mr. Fisher removed to tlie 
village of Long Prairie, Todd county, Min- 
nesota, where he and S. P. Chandler entered 
into the flour and feed business, also deal- 
ing in dry goods, groceries, etc. Ciiandler 
ife Fisher erected the first frame building for 
business purposes in the village. A fter ;i few 
years they formed a partnershi)) with John 
Wait in the general merchandise business, and 
a few years later Mi". Fisher sold his interest 
to Mr. Wait. He established the bank in 
July, 1888. For fifteen years Mr. Fisher has 
been enffaired in the wheat business in addi- 
tion to his banking interests, and is one of 
the prominent business men of tliis jiortion 
of the State. In 1884 Mr. Fisher ])nrciiased 
the old mill building at Long Prairie, and 
fitted it up for a grain elevator, ami has 
since continued to operate the same. 

Mr. Fislier was united in marriage in 1870 
to Miss Malissa Chandler, and they have 
been blessed with one child — Leroy. Mr. 
Fisher is a republican in politics, and takes 
an active interest in all local matters. He 
and his family belong to the Baptist church, 
of which organization he is deacon. He is 
superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is 
an active worker in all church matters. In 
1881 he was elected clerk of court of Todd 
county, and he has held that responsible 
])osition ever since, lie is a man of unim- 
peachable integrity; and he stands high 
wherever he is known, both as an honorable 
and capable business man and an exciii)ilaiT 
citizen. 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXNESOTA. 



525 



TS^OUIS BORCHERS, the well-known pro- 
11^ ' prietor of the brewing establishment 
in the village of Red Lake Falls, Polk count}', 
Minnesota, is a native of Gernian\\ lie was 
born in the province of Hanover, on the 19th 
(lay of -March, 1859, and is the son of Henry 
and Louisa (Dipke) Borchers, natives also of 
Gerinuny. The father is engaged in railroad 
business in the Old World. 

Mr. Borchers, the subject of this biograph- 
ical sketch, remained at home, in his native 
land, attending school until he had attained 
tiie age of fourteen years. At that period in 
life he commenced for himself, and secured 
a position in a store as clerk. Until he was 
seventeen he retained his position, and in 
November, 1870, he emigrated to' tiie United 
States. After a voyage of fourteen days he 
landed at New York, and from there went 
direct to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he 
secured a clerkship in a grocery store. At 
the expiration of two years he removed to 
lied Wing, Minnesota, and worked in the 
Hotel de Batlo for one year. In 1879 he 
went to Crookston, Minnesota, and entered 
an apprenticeship to the brewer's trade with 
August Walter, with whom he remained 
five years. In 1884 he went to Grand 
Forks, North Dakota, and worked in a 
brewery for eleven months. At the expi- 
ration of that time he went to Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin, where he worked in 
Miller's Ijrewery for six months. From the 
city of Milwaukee our subject went to East 
Grand Forks, Minnesota, and obtained a 
position in a l)rewing establishment, where 
he remained eleven months. He then 
removed to Red Lake Falls, Polk county, 
Minnesota, where he took charge of the 
brewery at that place, becoming manager, 
and also took an interest in the establish- 
ment. He has since been engaged in the 
business at that place and has a large trade. 
He has a fine brewery, with a capacity of 
6,()UU bai-rels per year. Tiiey now have on 



hand a stock of 600 barrels. Our sidiject is 
one of the thorough business men of the 
village, and is actively interested in all local 
movements. He is a meml)er of tlie In- 
dependent Order of Odd-Fellows, and is a 
num of the strictest honor and integrity. 



-«« 



James WHITFORD, a resident of Motley 
^ and deputy sheriff of Morrison county, 
Minnesota, is a pioneer of Minnesota — a 
thorough frontiersman, having come to 
Minnesota while the State was as yet a Ter- 
ritory, in 18.5G. About all of his life has 
been spent on tiie frontier, and he has been a 
pioneer in the fullest sense of that term. Few 
men in the northei'n jiart of Minnesota are 
more Avideh' known, tVtr in earh' times his 
operations in different ways and at different 
times extended all the way from Duluth to 
Fargo. 

Mr. Whitford was born in Huntington 
county, Canada East, November 30, 1827, 
and is of Scotch extraction, both of liis parents 
having been born in Scotland. When our 
subject was thirteen years of age his parents 
removed to Lampton, Canada West. James 

emained there for a year or so. and then 
started in life for himself, and foi' some time 
was engaged in ''cruising ai'ound promiscu. 
ously." In 1856 became to St. Anthon}', in 
the then Territory of Minnesota. This is 
now known as Minneapolis, although at that 
time Minneapolis was unknown. After 
spending a week or so at that ])lace our sub- 
ject hired to a company hunting pine timber. 
They "staged it" up to Elk river, and there 
took canoes and followed up the Missis- 
sippi river ' to where it is joined by the 
Crow Wing river, and followed the latter 
stream up to Long Prairie river. At that 
time there were but very few settlers in 
Nortliern Minnesota, although a few were 
located at Sauk Rapids, Little Falls and 



526 



KKD KIVER VALLEY Ai\'D 



Swan Eiver. They explored the country all 
along the streams mentioned, and on their 
way back were " froze up " at the mouth of 
the Long Prairie. From there they " packed " 
their stuff down to the old Crow Wing trad- 
ing post, and from there took stages to St. 
Cloud and St. Anthony, ari'iving at the latter 
place about tiie middle of February. A day 
oi' two later our subject returned to the 
Nortliern part (jf Stearns county. IMinnesota, 
and spent the wintei' with his brother 
Jose})!). In the s])ring of 1857 the brothers 
engaged in freighting fronj St. Paul to Fort 
Abercronibie and Fort Gary. They used ox 
teams and the round trip consumed from 
thirty to thirty-five da_ys. The\' would take 
supplies out, and on the return would bring 
furs for the Hudson Ea}' Company. They 
followed this for four seasons. James Whit- 
ford's brother Joseph, with whom he was 
then in company, was a well-known man in 
pioneer times. Joseph located the original 
town site of Fergus Falls, and one of the 
streets of that city still bears his name. 
Joseph was afterward killed by tlu^ Indians 
in what was known as the "Detroit woods." 
After the expiration of the four years 
spent in freighting, James Whitford returned 
to his father's home in Canada, aiul I'emained 
about a year. In the fall of 18C2 he em- 
ployed himself ;it himbering — in tiie woods 
and on the "drive."' When the building of 
the Northern Pacific Railroad was com- 
menced, in the spring or summer of 1870, he 
commenced putting in camps along tliat line 
of road between Duluth and Brainei'd ; and 
during the winter of 1870-71 he was en- 
gaged in grading on the I'ailroad east of 
Brainerd. In the spr'ing of 1871 he went to 
where W^adena is now located, then known 
as Uniim Creek, and graded two miles of 
track there. He then eno'ao-ed with the con- 
strnction company and i'emained witii them 
until the road was completed to Fargo. In 
March, 1872, he took charge of a woi'k \ 



train and continued in this until the summer 
of 1875. lie was then laid up with the 
rheumatism and spent the following winter 
at the hot springs. Petnrning in the fall 
of 1876. for a time he had a half-interest in 
a threshing machine in Goodhue county, 
Minnesota, and durinir the followine: winter 
and spring followed lumbering. In the fall 
of 1877 he returned to Motley, and this lias 
been his head(juai'ters ever since, lie has 
been engaged in getting out wood, ties, etc., 
and still does a good deal of "cruisino:," or 
timber hunting, and he is about as well 
posted on Northern Minnesota pine lands as 
any man in the Northwest. lie has also 
taken an active and prominent part in local 
matters, and was one of the judges at the 
first election held in that locality, in the fall 
of 1876. He has held a great many local 
offices, has been a member of the village 
board for the past six years, \vas village 
marshal for several years, and has been 
de])uty sheriff for the past five years. He is 
a j)rominent member of the Masonic, and 
also of the Odd-Fellows fraternities, and 
stands high in the community in which he 
lives as an exemi)lary citizen. 

Our subject was married May 16, 1877, to 
Ellen Johnson, whose parents were the fii-st 
settlers at Motley. They have been the 
parents of five children, thi-ee of whom are 
livinof. 



^■i^ 



.-^. 



^'"•'^ALVIN L.SPAULDING, cashier of the 
Lumbermen's Exchange Pank, in 
Brainerd, Crow" Wing county, Minnesota, is 
one of the most prominent business men of 
that locality. He is also engaged in the real 
estate and insurance business, and holds an 
interest in the bank. Mr. Spaulding is a 
native of the State of Vermont, born in 
Burlington, Vermont, on the 16th of May, 
18-12, and is the son of Roswald and Calista 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



527 



(Farinswortli) Spaiilding, also natives of 
Vermont. 

Mr. Spaulding, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home attending school until he 
liad attained the age of sixteen years. From 
tliat period in life nntil he was twenty he 
worked in a nursery a part of the time and then 
went to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended 
commercial college for some time and then 
clerketl 111 a general store for one year. On 
the 25th day of Jul^', 1802, he enlisted in 
Company G, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, 
and was appointed orderly sergeant. In 
Fehruary, 1803, he was promoted to second 
lieutenant of Company II. He was trans- 
ferred to Company C of the same regiment, 
and was promoted to first-lieutenant, and 
commanded the company, acting as captain 
for fourteen months. He was taken pris- 
oner September 23, 1804, at Athens, Ala- 
bama, and was confined two months at 
Enterprise, Mississippi, then removed to 
Memphis, Tennessee, where he was paroled. 
He then went to Camp Chase, Columbus, 
Ohio, and after five weeks joined his com- 
pany in January, 1805, at Decatur, Alabama. 
The regiment was shortly after stationed at 
Hunt's Hill, Alabanui, where they remained 
until they were mustered out in June, 1805, 
not disbanding, however, until July 4, 
1805, at Jackson, Michigan. After our 
subject received his honorable discharge 
he went to Jonesville, Micliigan, where 
he secured a position as book-keeper in a 
general store, where he remained for nine 
years. In 187 4rhew as admitted as a i)artner, 
the firm being Sibbald, Spaulding & Co., 
and until 1879 was actively engaged in a 
general merchandising business at that 
place. During a part of that time, from 
1807 until 1874, he held the office of post- 
master. In 1879 he removed to Minnesota, 
settling in Minneapolis, where he was em- 
ployed as book-keeper, in the First National 
Bank. In the fall of 1881 he was advanced 



to the responsible position of head book- 
keeper, which position he held until 1883. 
In May, 1883, he removed toBrainerd, Crow 
"VViiig county, Minnesota, and, in partnership 
with Hantly Brothers, engaged in the real 
estate business. In 1885 the Lumbermen's 
Exchange Bank was established, and since 
tluxt time Mr. Spaulding has held the posi- 
tion of cashier. He also has an interest in 
the bank, find is engaged in the real estate 
and insurance business. He is one of the 
prominent business men of the city and is 
actively interested in all local matters. 

Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage on 
the 7th day of April, 18<i4, to Miss Arrietta 
C. Gaylord, and this union has been blessed 
with two children, named Fred (deceased) 
and Florence F. Mrs. Spaulding passed away 
on the 28th day of September, 1888, and was 
interred at Brainard. Mr. Spaulding has 
held man}' ofiices in the cit}', including count}^ 
commissioner for four years and city assessor. 
He was president of the republican club in 
1888, and takes an active interest in the cam- 
paigns of that party. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and is the present com- 
mander of the " Pap" Tliomas Post, No. 30, 
Grand Army of the Rejniblic. 



^^> 



WILLIAM J. MORROW, the present 
efficient county auditor of Becker 
count}'^, Minnesota, is a resident of the 
village of Detroit, where he is engaged in 
his official duties. He is a native of Canada 
born in Ottawa, on the 20th day of May, 
1848, and is the son of AVilliam and Cath- 
erine (Barrie) Morrow, natives of Canada. 
The father was engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness in Canada, and died in 1853. The 
father and mother of our subject were the 
parents of two children — William J. Morrow 
and John Morrow (deceased). 



528 



KEP RH'ER VALLEY AND 



W. J. Morrow, the subject of tliis biogra- 
phy, received his education in his native 
land and attended the lii<iio))olis College, at 
King.ston,Canada, for iliree years. At the age 
of eighteen he left his native land, emigrated 
to the " States," and located in Green Bay, 
Wisconsin. He remained there one year, 
engaged in the lumber business, and in 1S6G 
moved to St. I'aul, Minnesota, and secured a 
clerkship in Minneai)olis in a grocer\^ store. 
In 1871 he went on the Northern Pacific 
Ilailroad as far as the junction in Carlton 
county, where he remained one year em- 
ployed by the railroad compan}-. He con- 
tinued to work for the company until 1876, 
when he purchased a IHO-acre farm in Ilam- 
den townslii|), Becker county, where he 
lived engaged in general farming and stock- 
I'aising for three years. In 1879 he was 
elected clerk of the district court, and after 
filling that position for seven years, resigned 
for the auditorship. In the fall of 1886 he 
was elected county auditor and re-elected in 
1888. In addition to his official duties, he 
is engaged in the insurance business. He 
owns the fine bi'ick store building on "Wash- 
ington avenue, which he rents for stoi-e' and 
office purposes. He also owns a fine resi- 
dence dwelling on Park Row. 

Mr. Morrow was married December 31, 
1874, to Miss Ilacheal Pierce, of Hamden, 
and the daughter of Thomas and Fannie 
(Ilemstock) Piei'ce, natives of England. Mr. 
and Mrs. Morrow have been blesseil with the 
following-nauu'd children — Edith, Fannie, 
Geoi'ge, Willai'd, Grace and Estella. Our 
subject is a republiciin in his political affilia- 
tions and is actively interested in all local 
movements. While in llamden township, he 
held the office of town clerk, and since his res- 
idence in Detroit has been a member of the 
village and school boards. He is one of the 
leading and substantial citizens of the village 
and county anil is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 



fOHN O. SUNDET,' one of the leading 
dealers in groceries and provisions, is a 
citizen of Ilillsboro, North Dakota, going 
there at an early date. He is the son of Ole 
O. and Tilda (Johnson) Sundet, natives of 
Noi'way, and was born in Yroodol Overe 
Telleworken, Norway, November 28, 184.5, 
where he lived on a farm and attended school 
until he was eleven years old, when he left 
home, workingout until 1866, when he came 
to the United States and went to work in 
the lumber woods of Chipjiewa Falls and 
Menomoneo, Wisconsin, and also in ^fichi- 
gan, which business he followed until the 
year 1868, when he went to Houston, 
Minnesota, where he had first located on 
arriving in America. There he went into 
the grocery business, taking as a partner H. 
Rasmusson, which liusiness they continued 
until 1870, when they sold out and 
he went to the . Red River Valley, 
locating at Sand Hill, Polk county, Minne- 
sota, where he took a squatter's claim, on 
which he lived until 1875, when he moved 
to Moorhead, but carried on business in 
Fargo, selling farm machinery there for two 
years. After that time he went to Caledo- 
nia, North Dakota, whei-e he went into a 
hotel, which he followed until Hillsboro was 
started, to where he removed and opened one 
of the first grocery stores in that place, aiul 
where he has since been. He came to the 
Uiiited States to earn money to bi'ing his 
parents to this country, which he was able 
to do after being here one year. Aftei' his 
parents arrived here they took land, and now 
have a farm of 700 acres in Polk county, 
Minnesota. The father is dead, l>ut the 
mother still resides on the farm. There 
were nine in the family, besides the 
one whose name heads this sketch. 
Mr. . Suntlet was married in Moorhead 
Minnesota, July 28, 1875, to Miss Annie 
Anderson, a daughter of Andreas and Julia 
(Johnson) Anderson, natives of Norway. 



PARK REGION'S OF MINNESOTA. 



529 



She was born in Whol, Rengerige, Norway, 
March 19, 1852. They are the parents of 
four children — Jnlis Obert, Adolph, Thomas 
aiul Jennie Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Sundet 
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
cliurcli. 

^1)'. Siindi't has built uj) an extensive and 
lucrative business, by iiis honorable business 
niethoils, and is rateii as one of the most reli- 
able and sul)stantial business men of the 
count \- in which he lives. 



-^^ 



#JDGE ARBA K. MAYNARD, attorney at 
law and justice of the peace of Atwater, 
is one of the leading and representative men 
of Kandiyohi county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of New York State, born in Madison 
county, New York, on the 25th day of April, 
IS03, and is the son of Moses and Annie 
(Lincoln) Maynard. Our subject's parents 
were of English descent, and tlie following- 
narrative will be interesting in the history of 
his ancestry'. Macaulay, in his History of 
England, relates that when William IIL 
invaded England and re-established the laws 
which James IL had subverted, he marched 
in trium|)h into London and was met by the 
different classes of citizens with addresses of 
welcome. The members of the legal fra- 
ternity of London marched in front to wel- 
come the king, Sergeant Maynard at their 
head, then ninety- three years old and the 
acknowledged leader of the London bar. 
After he had presented the address of wel- 
come, in the name of his brethren, King Will- 
iam said to liim: " Sergeant, you must have 
ontlived all thelawyersof yonrtime." " Yes, 
sire," replied tlie sergeant. " and but for your 
majesty \v(nild have outlived the laws." A 
coat-of-arms is another thing upon which the 
ancestry of our subject base their claims to 
aristocracy : the device being a hand with 
three hearts in the palm. The parents of 
our subject both died in New York State. 



They were the parents of four childen, named 
as follows — Dr. Edward, of Washington City, 
District of Columbia; Butler, of New York 
City ; our subject, and one sister, who is now 
living; with her grandchildren in Michigan. 
Mr. Maynard, of whom this article treats, 
renuiined at home, working on the farm, 
also working in a hotel at night. He received 
a good education, attending the district 
schools and when sixteen years of age 
became a school teacher. When he was 
twenty-one he began the study of law and 
classics under Judge Rogers. In 1832 he 
was admitted to the bar as an attorney, in 
New York City, and during the following- 
year was admitted as a solicitor in chancery 
at Albany, New York. In 1835 he was 
admitted as counsellor, and in 1837 was 
admitted to practice in the United States 
supreme court, at Washington, District of 
Columbia. Immediately after his first admis- 
sion to the bar he opened an office in 
Norwich, Chenango county, New York, 
where he took a high place at the bar and 
rennxined for a number of years. He next 
went to New York City, where he opened 
an office and remained there in active prac- 
tice man}' years. In 1855 or 1856 he was 
elected judge of the marine court, an exclu- 
sively civil court, and held this important 
position for nearly ten years. In 1861:, with 
the intention of making a farmer of his son, 
he came to Minnesota and settled in Le 
Sueur county. He became largely inter- 
ested in land and bought out a numlier of 
valuable claims, including prairie and timber 
lands, bordering upon the beautiful lakes of 
that vicinity. The son did not take to farm- 
ing, and soon opened a country store in Le 
Sueur county. Later liis son came to Atwater 
and opened a store, while our sul)ject sold his 
interests in Le Sueur county, and removed 
to St. Paul. In 1881 the Judge bought 
considerable tax title land in the vicinity of 
Atwater, and has since made this his home. 



53° 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



Judge Maynard is a democrat in 
political matters, ami is one of tiie lead- 
ing members of tliat party in the central 
])art of the State. He represented Le Sueur 
county in the Minnesota legislature during 
the sessions of 1806-67, and in the fall of 1867 
was the nominee of his party for the office 
of lieutenant-governor, on the same ticket 
with Judge Fiandreau, the latter being the 
nominee for governor, lie has always taken 
a prominent part in ])ublic afl'airs and has 
held a great many local offices, having been 
justice of the peace nearly all the time since 
lie came to Minnesota. A man of excellent 
legal and literary attainments, lie is lieitl in 
higii esteem, botii jn-ofessionally and as an 
exeniphiry citizen, lie is a member of the 
Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities, and 
is an active ])articipant in all matters aft'ect- 
ing the public welfare. 

Jiulge Maynard was married in 1833 to 
Miss JNlinerva Gates, a sister-in-law of Judge 
Purdy. They became the parents of tJie fol- 
lowing chilch'en — Minerva and Graydon. 



-«— 



^ARTIN HALVORSON, of the firm of 
^~LXf'^ Ilalvorson & Eoe, general mer- 
chants of Belgi'ade village, Stearns county 
Minnesota, is a native of Norway. He was 
born on the 18th of September, 1856, and is 
the son of llalvor and liannie (Gunderson) 
Petterson, also natives of Norway. 

Mr. Ilalvorson, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home in his native land, attend- 
ing scliool until he was eleven years old. 
In lSf>7 he eniigi'ated to the United States, 
with his father and brother, Hans, and after 
landing in New York City came direct to 
Minnesota, and settled in Kandiyohi count}'. 
There the father took a quarter-section of 
land, and at once commenced farming opera- 
tions. Our subject remained with his father 
until he was nineteen 3'ears of age, when he 



commenced in life for himself. For the first 
three years he engaged in farming on his 
own account, and at the expiration of tiiat 
time Sold out and removed up into the Red 
liiver Valley, where he remained three years 
engaged in various occui)ations. In 1880 he 
went to Belgrade village, Stearns county, 
Minnesota, and in partnei'ship with Mr. Roe 
engaged in the general merchandising busi- 
ness. Tiiey are doing a first-class business 
and carry a stock of about §5,000. They 
are the leading merchants of the village and 
their trade is gradually increasing. 

]\Ir. Ilalvorson was nuii'ried on the 23d of 
September, 1884 to Miss Tina Petei'son, and 
tliis union has been blessed with two chil- 
dren — Harmon and i'eter. Oui-subjcct now 
holds the office of township and scliool 
treasurer. In political matters he is an 
adherent to the principles of tiie I'epublican 
part^^ He is a citizen of zealous public 
spirit and an}' home enterpise receives his 
hearty support. 



■''^ARL G. THVSELL, a prominent liard- 
^y ware and furniture dealer of the vil- 
lage of Hawle}', Clay county, Minnesota, 
settled there in 1873, on a farm three miles 
from the village, where he lived until 1887, 
when he removed into the village and estab- 
lished his ])resent business. Previous to this, 
in 1882, he had o])ened his furniture shop, 
and, in lSS-1, took in as a partner II. A. 
]\Iyron. The}' have since remained in busi- 
ness, and are now among the leading hard- 
ware men in the village. They liandleafull 
line of goods, including agricultural im])le- 
ments, wagons, stoves, tinware, sleds, cutlery, 
harness, building paper, guns, etc., and 
are doing a large and increasing business. 
Our subject is a native of the kingdom of 
Sweden, born in 18-19. 

Mr. Thy sell, of whom this article treats, 
remainetl in his native land and attended 



II 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



531 



school until he was eighteen years of age, 
wiien he emigrated to the United States, 
and removed at once to Minnesota, locat- 
ing in Meelcer coiintv. wiiere lie remained 
two years, wuriving in a furniture store. For 
the fii'st summer, however, lie worked on a 
farm, and tlien entered the furniture busi- 
ness, lie then removed to Cla}' county, 
Minnesota, and, as before stated, toolc a farm 
and engaged in farming. Wliile residing 
tiiere he toolc a ti-ip to Fort liipley, where 
he remained some time, and then returned to 
to his place, where he remained until remov- 
ing into the village. He still retains his 
farm, wiiich he rents. It now comprises 560 
acres, under good cultivation, and with 
excellent building improvements. 

Mr. Tliysell was united in marriage on the 
25th day of December, 1878, to Miss An- 
geline Burges, and this union lias been 
blessed witJi the following-named children — 
Herbert Bartlett, born June 27, 1880; Carl 
John, born June 20, 188i; and Albion K. P. 
l)orn January 1, 1886. Our subject and his 
family belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. 
Thysell is an honored member of the Odd- 
Fellows fraternity and is a republican in 
politics. He is an active and capable busi- 
ness man antl is loyal to all tlie best interests 
of village or county. 



^^USTAVE DEMARS, M. D., is the lead- 
^^pr ing pliysician and surgeon of the 
town of Ila]locl<, Kittson county, Minnesota. 
lie was born in tlie Province of Namur, 
lielgium, December 2, 1835. His parents 
were J. B. and Victoria (Mathew) fJemars, 
natives of Belgium. 

The subject of our sketch lived with liis 
parents until he attained his majority and 
was given the highest advantages for obtain- 
ing a thoi'ough education. At the age of 
twenty -one 3'ears he turned his attention 



to teaching school and one year was 
spent in this line in his native land. 
He then came to the United States, 
stopping first at Ciiicago, Illinois, where 
he studied medicine for some time with Dr. 
Brainard. Fi'om Chicago he removed to 
Kankakee, same State, where he practiced 
medicine until 186'J, returning in that year 
to Chicago, where he engaged in the practice 
of his profession and taught in the high 
school for two years. He was also appointed 
justice of the peace in 1879, and attended to 
the legal requirements of that office, beside 
the duties of his other professional work. 
He made his home in Chicago until 1883, 
wiien lie removed to Fargo, Dakota Terri- 
tory, and after a stay of two months went 
to Hallock, Kittson county, Minnesota. On 
going to Hallock he resumed the active 
practice of his profession, which he has con- 
tinued ever since. In politics he was always 
a republican, and was instrumental in organ- 
izing political clul)S tlirough Illinois and 
"Wisconsin from 1864 to 1880. 

The Doctor was married at Kankakee, 
Illinois, August 28, 1863, to Miss Eliza 
Reeves, daugliter of Narcissus and Sophia 
(Brunell) Eeeves, natives of Canada. This 
marriage has been blessed with eight chil- 
dren — Lizzie Hayes, Stella, Gustave and 
Italpli. Those deceased were named Arthur, 
Nellie, Leida and Edwin. 

Dr. Demars has occupied a prominent 
position socially', and in a business sense ever 
since liis coming to Hallock. He is a man 
of strcjug individuality, and exerts a strong 
influence among his fellows. He is thor- 
oughly^ educated, highly proficient in his 
profession, genial and sociable, and has built 
up a large practice, which covers a territory 
including Crookston on the south and Winni- 
peg on the extreme north. He makes a 
specialty of female diseases, and has per- 
formed many difficult operations, besides 
bringing about man}' remarkable cures. 



532 



JiED RIVER VALLEY A. yj) 



While in Kankakee, Illinois, he held the 
position of postmaster, and was one of the 
supervisors of the county in whicii he lived. 
In Chicago he was a justice of the peace, 
and, since coming to liallock has been presi- 
dent of the village council, and also county 
coroner. He owns a fine residence in the 
village. 



/^HARLES A. SMITH, a successful and 
N^y prominent merchant of Todd county, 
Minnesota, is engaged in the general mer- 
chandise business in liie village of lUirhain- 
vilie. He is a native of Wisconsin, i)()rn in 
Winnebago county on the 2'2d day of Jan- 
uary, 1850, and is the son of Kingsley and 
Francis (Libby) Smith, natives of New York 
and Maine, respectively. The father of our 
subject died on the 6th of July, 1880, and the 
mother is still living in Todd county. After 
the marriage of the father and mother of our 
subject tiiey settled in Sherburne county, 
Minnesota, where they remained a few years,, 
engaged in farming, and then went to Mille 
Lacs county, Minnesota, where thej'- farmed 
seven years. At the expiration of that time 
they went to Stearns county, Minnesota, and 
then to Anoka county, where they remained 
five years. They then moved to Todd county, 
in 1868, and settled in Eurhamville township, 
where the widowed mother still resides. 

Mr. Smith, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education principallj' in the 
Anoka high school, aiul at tiie age of eigh- 
teen years removed with his pai'ents to Todd 
county, Minnesota. After settling in Todd 
county our subject remained on his father's 
farm assisting in the operation of the same, 
and in 1874 engaged in farming on his own 
account. After live years devoted to agi'i- 
cultural ])ursuits he opened his present store 
in the village of Eurhamville, Todd county, 
Minnesota, where he has since remained 
carrying on the business. He carries a full 



line of goods and is the leading merchant in 
the village. He does an extensive business 
amonji: the farming communitv throus-hout 
the county, and has always given the best of 
satisfaction to all his customei-s. 

Mr. Smith wasmari'ied in Decend)er, 1874, 
to ^fiss Eliza Shannon, a native of Anoka 
county, Minnesota, and the daughter of 
Daniel Shannon, a jjrosperous farmer of 
Anoka count3\ Mrs. Smith passed away on 
the 14th of December, 1888, and was interred 
in th(> Long Prairie Catholic Cemeterj'. Mr. 
and Mi-s. Smith were always devoted mem- 
l)ers of the Catholic cluu-ci:. ]\Ir. Smith is 
one of tiie pi'ominent and representative 
l)usiness men of the village of Eurhamville, 
and has held the offices of postmaster for 
three years, and school directoi' for live 
vears. He is a stanch democi'at in his 
political affiliations, and always' evinces -a 
lively interest in all matters of a local nature; 



-«-! 



AURICE GREEN, a prominent farmer 



^.SJjf^^ and stock-raiser residing on section 
4, GraceviUe township, Eig Stone county, 
Minnesota, is the oldest settler in that 
vicinity. The village of GraceviUe was 
founded under the ausjiices of the Catholic 
Colonization Society in the spring of 1877. 
Our subject, ]\Iaurice Green, arrived here in 
]\iarrli, IST^, three days in advance of any 
of the other settlers. Colonel King (the 
agent), D. Fahey and William Nash came 
in rapid succession and were the second, 
third and fourth settlers, respectively. After 
this the settlement was very rapid and the 
settlers crowdetl in and took claims and 
began improvements. 

Mr. Green was born between Clonmell 
and Cashell, near Clerihan, in county Tip- 
perary, Ireland, in 1842, and, is a son of 
Thomas and Margaret Green, who were also 
natives of li'eland. He was reared and edu- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



533 



cated in the land of liis birth, and in January, 
1S<')2, he crossed the Atlantic and settled in 
Newfoundland. After live years' residence 
there he went to Marlboro, Massachu- 
setts, where he seciirod an imiiortant and 
responsible position, having charge of the 
])rineipal department of a large shoe factorjr. 
He remained there until 187S, when he came 
west and located witiiin half a mile of the 
present site of Graceviile, as has already been 
stated. Pie homesteaded 160 acres of land 
Aviiere he has since lived. About 120 acres 
arc under a higli state of cultivation, and he 
lias convenient and comfortable building 
improvements. lie devotes his attention to 
gener'ai farming and stock-raising, and has 
about forty heatl of cattle, together with 
some good specimens of graded stock. 

Mr. Green was married in 18G4 to Miss 
Margaret Flynn, and they have five children 
— Thomas, Mary, Edward, John and William. 
Thomas is running two elevators in Mur- 
dock, Minnesota. Marv is a sister of the 
Order of St. Jose})li, and is in a convent at 
St. Paul. 

Mr. Green has taken an active interest in 
all matters of a public nature, and has been 
prominent in all moves affecting the welfare 
of this locality. ITe has held various local 
offices, and is at present a member of the 
board of supervisors. In political matters 
lie is a democrat, and is a member of tiie 
Catholic church. 



©LOF S. ERICKSON, senior partner of 
the fii-m of Erickson & Larson, gen- 
eral merchants of the village of Warren, 
Marshall count}', Minnesota, is a native of 
the kingdom of Sweden. He was born in 
Sunne on the 23d day of June, 1863, and is 
the son of P^rick and T\a jsa Sjoquist, natives 
of the kingdom of Sweden. 



Mr. Erickson, the subject of this article, 
remained in his native land attending school 
until he was fifteen years old. He then 
secured work with a lumber company in his 
native land, with whom he worked eight 
years. In 1882 he emigrated to the United 
States, and after a voj'age of fourteen days 
landed in New York. He stopped in Pepin 
county, Wisconsin, for three months, working 
on a farm, and then went to Marshall county, 
Minnesota, settling in the village of Warren. 
He worked for farmers for eighteen months, 
and then gained a position as clerk in the 
store of R. H. Fohvell, and after working 
for him fifteen months clerked in the general 
store of K. J. Taralseth for five months. He 
then attended the G. W. College, at St. 
Peter, Minnesota, for four months, and after 
returning and w'orking in the store of his 
last employer, Mr. Taralseth, for eiglit 
months, entered a course of study in Min- 
neapolis Northwestern College of Com- 
merce. After attending two months he 
returned to Warren, and was employed as 
assistant postmaster for seven months. He 
then entered into partnership with Mr. 
Larson in general merchandising. 

They have since carried on the business 
under the firm name of Erickson & Larson. 
They carr}^ a heavy and complete stock of 
goods and are liavinij' ;i (rood tra.de. They are 
well known tiiroughout tlu; county and com- 
mand the patronage of the general public. 

Mr. Erickson was mari-ied on the 20th day 
of November, 1887, to Miss Mary J. Ilalvor- 
son, the daughter of Jorgen and Ingaborg 
llalvorson, natives of Norway. Mr. and 
Mrs. Erickson have been blessed with one 
child — Arthur William. Our subject and 
family belong to the Lutheran church. He, 
Mr. Erickson, has been notary public for two 
years, and in political nuitters affiliates 
with the repui)lican party. He is a man of 
the strictest honor and integrity, highly 
esteemed bv all who know him. 



5 34 



RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 






lOMAS J. BENNETT. Prominent 
among the popular landlords in the 
Red River Valley and Park Regions of 
Minnesota, is the subject of this article, the 
pro]irietor of the Grand Hotel, at Pelican 
Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He 
is a native of Wisconsin, born on the 30th 
of ]\Iay, 1S4S, and is the son of Charles and 
Mary (Cox) liennett, natives of England. 

Mr. Bennett, the subject of this biograph- 
ical memoir, remained at home and attended 
school until he had attaineil the age of eiffht- 
een years. In 1860 he went to Atchison, 
Kansas, where he worked for the Government 
at freighting and in 1866 went to Leaven- 
worth. Kansas, where he hauled lumber for 
Fort Ellsworth. He then returned to Atchi- 
son, and from there went to Central City, 
Colorado, where he remained during the 
winter, and m the spring went to Chej'enne 
Pass, where he worked one spring for the 
Union Pacific Railroad Company, getting out 
ties. In the summer of 1867 he was engaged 
in the freight business froiii Denver to Sante 
Fe, and back to Julesburg, Wyoming, and on 
all that line of railroad. [Jntil the spi'ing of 
1869 he was engaged in fi'cightingin various 
j)oints in the countiy, and tlien I'eturned to 
Wisconsin, and after remaining about eight- 
een months on a farm, went to Fort Union, 
Iowa, looking for land. He then went to 
Faribault, Minnesota, where he worked at 
tlie cooper's trade, and ran a saw for the 
Milwaukee Raili'oad Company, for about one 
year and a half. At the expiration of that 
time our suljject went to Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, and engaged at his trade, 
and at tlio end of four years again 
returned to Wisconsin, where he purchased 
a farm anil for two years was actively en- 
gaged in general farming operations. He then 
sold liis farm and returned to Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, and after working one year at his 
trade went to tlie northei'n part of the State, 
In March, 1881, he located in Pelican Rapids. 



Otter Tail county, J[innesota. and took a 
homestead, and until 1888 was engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. In Sep- 
tember, 1888, be rented the Grand Hotel, 
which he has operated ever since. It is a 
fii"st-class house and lias a liberal sliare of 
the patronage of the traveling ])ublic. He 
still owns his farm of 2oO acr<'s, wiiicli he 
rents. 

Mr. Bennett was married April 7, ls72, to 
Miss Nancy King, and this union has been 
blessed with the following-named cliildren 
— Pierce, Charles and Roy. In ))olitical 
mattei-s our subject affiliates with the repub- 
lican party and is actively interested in all 
local matters. He is a man of the strictest 
integrity and honor, and is liighly esteemed 
by all who know him. 



pSAAC HAZLETT. Prominent among the 
IL enterprising and representative business 
men of Wadena county, ]\Iinnesota, is tlie 
subject of this article, a resident of the vil- 
lage of A^erndale, where he is engaged in a 
general banking business. He is a native of 
tlie State of Ohio, born in Zanesvilie, on the 
18th day of September, lSo-2, and is tiie son 
of John C. and ]\[argaret Ilaziett, natives of 
Ohio. The father and mother, with their 
family, removed to Iowa, in 1853, where they 
have since remained. They were the jwrents 
of four cliildren, nametl as follows— ^Matilda 
E., Harry, Isaac and Ral})ii C. 

Mr. Ilaziett, of whom this biograpiiical 
memoir treats, remained in his native State 
until he was twelve months old, wlien 
his parents removed to the State of Iowa, 
settling in Waverly, where our subject 
remained during his boyhood, attending 
the public schools of that locality. At 
the age of thirteen years he .secured a ]iosi- 
tion as clerk in his fatlier's store. At tlie 
age of twenty-one he entered into business 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



535 



witli his father, undei' the firm name of 
Hazlett & Son, and remained in bnsiness with 
liini until 1SS2. lie tlien removed to the 
northwestern part of Minnesota, and located 
hi the village of Verndale, Wadena connty. 
whore he opened a ])rivate bank, in partner- 
siup wiMi E. S. Case. The bank stood on the 
oj)pMsite corner from the present building, 
and at that time had a capital of $10,000. 
During the summer of 1882 they erected 
tiieir present building, with all the 
modern improvements, lire-proof vault, 
burglar-proof safe with tlie Sargent 
& Greenleaf time lock, etc. When the bank 
opened its doors for business on the 1st day 
of May, 1882, its officers were Isaac Hazlett, 
])resident ; E. S. Case, vice-president, and 
I. II. Bradford, cashier. In the following 
Jimuary Mr. iJradt'oi'd resigned and was suc- 
ceeded l)y S. L. Frazier, who had previously 
acted as book-keeper. In May, 1883, our 
subject purchased his partner's interest and 
lias been sole proprietor since that date. 
The Inisiness of the bank has steadily 
increased in volume and to-day is such as 
any man might well feel proud of. The suc- 
cess of the Wadena County Bank may be 
attributed largely to the untiring energy and 
uniform coui'tesy of the management. The 
individual responsibility of the bank is now 
875.0(10. They make hard collections a 
specialty and devote i)articular attention to 
lii'e and Hve stock insurance, every loss at 
tiiat agency l)eing satisfactorily adjusted. 
Their correspondents are Ciiase National 
I'ank, New York City ; First National Bank, 
St. Paul, and National Bank of Commerce. 
I\[inneii[)olis. In addition to his banking 
interests here Mr. Hazlett is actively inter- 
ested in real estate matters and also has a 
l)ank at Motley, Minnesota, managed by E. 
K. Nichols, cashier. He is one of the suc- 
cessful business men, and is highly esteemed 
and respected by all who know him. In 
political matters he affiliates with the demo- 



cratic party and is actively interested in all 
local movements. A man of the strictest 
integrity, his word is recognized as being as 
good as a bond. He is thoroughly wedded 
to his business and never tires of making a 
dollar or spinning a yarn. 



-«- 



«^» 



OHN B. WELING is one of the oldest 
settlers of AYilkin county, IMinne.sota. 
He is a farmer on section 24, township 134, 
range 48, in the organized township of Mc- 
Cauleyville. 

Mr. Weling was born in Osage county, 
Missouri.on the 13th day of February, 1849. 
He is a son of Anton and Elizabeth (Fork) 
Weling. Both the parents were born in 
Germany and emigrated to America in about 
1844. The father has always been a farmer 
and now lives with his son. The mother died 
when Mr. Weling, our sul)ject, was one and 
one-half years old. They were the pai-ents 
of five children, two of whom still live- 
Louisa, and John B., our subject. Bouisa 
is now the wife of Mr. Beneckey and 
they reside in Missouri. Mr. Weling was 
educated in. the common schools of i\fiss(niri 
and Minnesota. 

In- 1859 the father, son and daughter left 
Missouri coming to Steai-ns county, Min- 
nesota. Here the father engaged in farming, 
which he continued until about 1869; the son 
remained at home assisting on the farm until 
ISf'.r.; then he came to McCauleyville, 
Wilkin county, Minnesota, where he clerked 
in the store of David ]\IcCauley. after whom 
the village is named. Mr. Weling continued 
with his employer about two years; then 
he engaged in the freighting bnsiness, as every 
commodity used in the vicinity then had to 
be freighted from St. Cloud, mostly with ox- 
teams. He also found general employment 
in connection with his freighting business. 
This he followed for about one year, when he 



536 



RED RIVER VALLE V AND 



came on the farm which lie now occupies. 
In 1869 the father liomesteatled 160 acres oil 
the east bank of the Red River of the North, 
about three miles south of the little hamlet 
of McCauleyville. On account of his minority 
the son was then imable to file on a claim. 
Here the father and son have resided 
and farmed ever since. They are the 
owners of three-quarters of a section 
or 4S0 acres of land. It is all under 
cultivation, except fifty acres of pastur- 
age. The father is now i-etired from the 
active duties of the farm, but the son 
carries on general fai'ming, with the neces- 
sar}^ amount of stock, owning about fifty 
head of cattle and a number of horses. 

Mr. Weling was married March 1, 1S7.5, to 
Miss Anna Robbers, of St. Cloud, Minne- 
sota. She is a daughter of Ludvig Robbers, 
a farmer and saloon-keeper of that place. 
Mr. and Mrs. Weling are the parents of 
seven children — Mary, Lizzie, Louisa, Louis, 
Anna, Nora and John. 

• Mr. AVeling affiliates with the democratic 
part}^, yet he is liberal in his views and 
frequently supports the best man, irrespect- 
ive of party affiliations. He has served his 
county in the capacity of county commis- 
sioner for three j'ears, and has held the 
usual town and school offices. He is not 
only among the earliest settlers of the Red 
River Valley, but is also among the most sub- 
stantial and solid farmersof this famed valley. 



^'"•^ HRISTIAN J. KNUTSON. The gentle- 
man whose name heads this biography 
is a resident of Kensington village, Douglas 
county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in a 
successful general merchandising business, 
under the firm name of C. J. Ivnutson & Co. 
He is a native of Sweden, born on the 2Tth 
of September, 1856, and is the son of John 
and Anna (Nilson) Knutson, also natives of 
that kin<icloni. 



Mr. Knutson, of whom this article treats, 
remained in his native land and attended 
school until he was eight years old, when he 
emigrated to the United States, with his 
parents. While on the way they were 
shipwrecked and foi' lil'teen days were 
on the island of Anticosti, when a 
steamer rescued them. After landing 
they located in Chicago, Illinois, where they 
remained three years, then moving to Good- 
hue county, Minnesota, where the father 
purchasetl a tract of land and remained eight 
years, engaged in genei'al farming opera- 
tions. He then moved to ifoline, Illinois, 
where our subject worked in the John 
Deere Plow Works for eighteen months, 
also in the Carter Planing Mills for one year. 
At the expiration of that time he clerked 
for Nelson Chester for six months, and then 
returned to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and 
after remaining one year went to Chicago, 
Illinois, in the fall of 1877. There he 
worked in a tailoring establishment for eight 
months, and again returned to Goodhue 
county, Minnesota. He then paid a visit to 
Traverse county, Minnesota, and took a pre- 
emption and tree claim and engaged in 
farming until 1886. In the f:ill of 1886 he 
sold the farm and went to White Rock, 
Dakota Territory, and opened up a general 
merchandise store, which he has since 
operated. He also owns his store in Ken- 
sington, Douglas county, ]\Iinnesota, and in 
the two stores carries a stock of $16,000. 
He is doing a first-class business in both 
localities, and is one of the jjromincnt Imsi- 
ness men of Kensington. 

Mr. Knutson was married to JMiss Ellen 
Nilson, on the 5th of March, 1880, and this 
union has been blessed with five children — 
Anna (deceased), Selma, Josepli, Enoch and 
Clara. Our subject and family are mem- 
bers, in good standing, of the Lutheran 
church. He is a republican in politics and 
is activelv interested in all local matters. 



PARK KF.GWiVS OF AflNNESO TA. 



537 



WHORVALD J. THORSON. Promi- 
nent among the principals of the pub- 
lic schools in the Red River Valley is the 
suijject of tiiis sketch, who is a resident of 
the village of Lake Park, Becker county, 
Minnesota, where he has charge of the 
graded schools. He is a native of Wisconsin, 
horn in "Waupaca county, on the 3d day of 
FeF)ruary. 1S60, and is tiie son of Paul and 
Sigrid (Christenson) Thorson, natives of 
Norway. They, the parents of our subject, 
emigrated to the United States in 1857, and 
after a voyage of twelve weeks landed at 
(Quebec, Canada. They at once went to 
Wisconsin, and settled in Waupaca county, 
where they have since remained, engaged in 
general fanning operations. They are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran church, and the father 
of our sui)ject affiliates with the republican 
party. He is a respected and well-to-do 
farmer in the county in which he lives. The 
father and mother of the present subject 
were the parents of the following named 
children — Matilda, Tiiorvald, Anthon and 
Sophia. 

Mr. Thorson, the subject of this biography, 
remained on the home farm until he was 
twent3'-one years old. During that lime he 
attended the common and high schools of 
Waupaca county, and in the summers 
assisted his fathei' operate the home farm. 
When he had attained the age of twenty- 
one years, he entered the State Normal 
School in Oshkosh, Winnebago county, Wis- 
consin, \vhere he remained two \'ears. At 
tl.e expiration of that time he entered the 
State University in JLulison, Wisconsin, 
but on account of ill health was forced to 
alianddu his studies. He then returned 
home, and in ISSJ^ removed to Becker 
county, "NLinnesota, where he taught school 
for some time in the eastern part of the 
county. He then removed to the village of 
Lake Park, and took charge of his present 
school. The school comprises three depart- 



ments and is one of the best educational 
institutions in the county. 

Mr. Thorson was united in marriage on 
the 3d day of September, 1888, to Miss 
Inger Austen, the daughter of John and 
Bertha S. (Olson) Austen, of Crawford 
county, AVis. Mr. Thorson and his estinui- 
ble wife belong to the Lutheran church. 
Our subject is an active school woi-ker and 
is well and favorably known throughout the 
county. In political matters he is an adher- 
ent to the principles of the prohil)ition 
party. 



•«-f^^-^- 



/^^LE F. LOSETH, of Underwood, Otter 
Vi^ Tail county, Jlinnesota. is one of the 
leading citizens and foremost merchants of 
that place. He has a large general merchan- 
dise store and also deals in wood, Hour and 
feed. 

Mr. Loseth is a native of Norway, where 
he was born Mai'ch 5, 1850. He is a son of 
Fred Loseth and Mary (Romnudstad) Loseth, 
natives of Norway. The father was a man 
of prominence in his native country and died 
there. The mother still lives in Norway. 

The subject of oui- sketch lived at his 
parent's home during his early years and 
I'eceived good school advantages in his 
native land. In 1870, at twenty years of 
age, his desire for new scenes prompted him 
to emigrate to America. He landed at Que- 
bec, passed through that place and went to 
Mankato, Blue Eai'th county, Minnesota, 
where he remaininl three months. He 
then went to St. Peter, Minnesota, where 
he lived For about one year. He next 
removetl to St. Paul, same State, where he 
worked at the painting trade for one year, 
going from there to Underwood, Ottei- Tail 
county, Minnesota. Bemaining one winter 
in Underwood, in the spring he returned to 
St. Paul, where he workeil at his trade 



538 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



(that of painting) until fall. ITe then 
returned to Underwood where he has 
since remained. In 1877 he purchased a 
farm and gave somewhat of his attention to 
fanning, continuing his residence there till 
1885, when he bought another farm one 
mile from Underwood, where he now lives. 
Tn the fall of 18S7 he built a good store 
building in Underwood and opened the gen- 
eral merchandise business which he so suc- 
cessfully runs at present. He has a large 
trade and is constantly increasing his facili- 
ties for supplying the wants of his numerous 
customers. He carries a stock worth over 
-$3,000. 

Mr. Loseth was married December 8, 
1S74, to Miss Mary Aune, a daughter of Ole 
and Ingeborg Aune. Mr. and IMrs. Loseth 
have had seven children, six of whom are 
living — Fred, Odin, Johan, Joha-nna Marie, 
Henry, Juga and Clara ]\Iathilda. 

Mr. Loseth has been very successful in his 
business ventures and owns considerable 
valuable property. He owns three lots in 
Fergus Falls, where he built a fine dwelling 
in 1881:, and which he rents. Mr. Loseth 
has held several positions of trust in his 
town, was township clerk for four years and 
has been constable. Li politics he is a 
republican. Mr. Loseth is a man of broad 
ideas, is well educated and is possessed of 
excellent business qualifications. He iiolds 
the esteem and confidence of his fellow 
townsmen. 



»-^^ 



WILLIAM B.AER, who is engaged in 
the mei'cantile business in the vil- 
lage of Frazee Citv, Minnesota, is a native 
of Minnesota. He was born in Carver count}', 
Minnesota, and is the son of Gottlieb and 
\'ictoria (Onesorg) Baer, natives of Germany. 
The parents emigrated to tiie United States 
in 1850, and located in Carver county, Min- 



nesota, where they remained engaged in 
farming until 1879, then removed to Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota, where the father is 
now living a retired life. The father and 
mother of our subject were the parents of 
four children, named as follows — William, 
Henry, Gottlieb and Fav\-. 

Mr. Baer, the subject of this biographical 
memoir, i-eceived his education in Carver 
county, Minnesota, where he attended school 
until he was sixteen years of age. He then 
went to Minneapolis and took a coui'se in 
Curtiss' Business College. In 1878 he went 
to Norwood, and secured a position as clerk 
in the store of Malt Simonnitch, with whom 
he remained three years. At the expiration 
of that time he went to Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, and enga^'eil m the mercantile 
and farming business for seven years. He 
tiien went to Frazee Cit}', ^linnesota, and in 
December, 1887, he opened his present mer- 
cantile store and since that time, has been 
actively engaged in the business. He carries 
a full line of goods, and is the leading hard- 
ware and general merchant in the village. 
He also holds the office of assistant postmas- 
ter, and while in Otter Tail county, held the 
offices of justice of the peace, postmaster, 
treasurer, etc. In political matters he is an 
adherent to the ]irincij)l('s of the democrat ic 
pai'ty and is actively interested in all loi-al 
matters. He is a nian of tlu' strictest honor 
and integrity, and any home enterjjrise 
receives his heart}' support. 



^^EORGE W. GLASPEL, M. LX, one of 
\^^^ the leading and successful jiiedical 
practitioners in the northern part of the 
lied River Valley, is a resident of Grafton, 
Walsh county. North Dakota, where he is 
extensively engaged in his professional work. 
He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, 
born in the Province of Ontario, on the 20th 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



539 



(lay of April, 1864, and is the son of Frank 
luul Tani/.iiie (AVoeUs) Glaspel, natives of 
England. 

The Doctor remained at liome with his 
pai'(>nts, attending school until he had 
attained the age of thirteen years, when he 
entered the high school at Osliawa, from 
which he graduated at the age of sixteen. 
He then went to Whitty, and attended the 
institute at that place, graduating with high 
Iionors in the fall of 1882. He then engaged 
in the [)rofession of school-teaching, at which 
he was employed a little over two years, 
(luring which time he also studied medicine. 
At the age of twenty years he entered the 
medical department of the Iowa State 
University, at Iowa City, and on the 7th of 
March, ISSS, graduated with high honors and 
received the degree of M. D. He then went 
to Grafton, North Dakota, to visit his brother 
Frank, who was practicing medicine there, 
and from tiiere to Ilillsboro and eneaged in 
his profession until May, 1888, when he 
received word of his brothei's illness and at 
once went to Grafton to care for him. On 
the ;!d (^f June, 1888, his brother died, and 
after removing the remains to Ontario, our 
subject returned to Grafton and opened an 
office for the practice of his profession. 
During the first month he made only $20, 
but since that time his practice has rapidly 
inci'eased until now he is one of the leading 
l)hysicians in the city. He is a man of 
int(^grity and honor and is highly esteemed, 
both as a pliysician and a citizen. He is 
actively engaged in his profession and has a 
good class of ]iatronage. 

Dr. Glaspel was united in nuirriage on the 
2d of December, 1885, to Miss Eva Whit- 
lock, a native of Ontario, (Canada, and the 
daughter of Reverend J. and Mary (Metlierill) 
AVliitlock, natives of Prince Edward Island. 
]\[r. and Mrs. Glaspel have been blessed with 
one ciiild — Muriel. Our subject is actively 
interested in all matters of a local nature, 



and is an adherent to the principles of the 
republican part3^ He is the surgeon of the 
Grafton National Guard, and also examining 
surgeon for United States pensions. 



/|^HARLES G. RAPP, who is engaged in 
V^^ the general merchandising business in 
the village of St. Hilaire, Polk county, Min- 
nesota, is a native of the kingdom of Sweden. 
He was born in Grerma, Sweden, on the ISth 
day of Jul}', 1856, and is the son of John and 
Mary (Anderson) Rapp, also natives of that 
kingdom. The father died in 1863, and the 
mother re-married. Through life the father 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

Mr. Rapp, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, remained at home in his native land 
until he was eleven years of age, when he 
commenced in life for himself. Durino' the 
time he remained at home he attended school, 
and earh' in life had instilled into his mind 
the principles of integrity, industry and fru- 
jjalitv, which so distinguish the nationalitv 
he represents. After leaving home he secured 
work on a farm, and until 1873 was engaged 
in farming. In 1873 he emigrated to the 
United States, and after landing located in 
Red Wing, Goodhue county, Minnesota, 
where he remained about eight years, attend- 
ing school in the winters, and working out 
among the farmers tluring the summer. Six 
months of that time had been spent in Chi- 
cago, Illinois, where he clerked for Field. 
Leiter & Co. In December, 1881, he removed 
to Polk county, IMinnesota, where he took a 
pre-emption claim, on which he proved up in 
the spring of 1882. At that time he removed 
into the village of St. Hilaire, where he 
secured a position as clerk for Crocker A: 
Cundy, in the general merchandise store. In 
January, 1SS4, he opened a general merchan- 
dise store, on his own account, and at that 
time was appointed j)()stmaster. He now 



540 



FED fiJVEK VALLEY AND 



carries a fine stock of goods and is doing a 
good business. lie is a steady and coni[)etent 
businessman, and is iiighly esteemed by all 
who know iiini, as a man of the utmost 
integrity. 

Mr. Rapp was married in Spring Garden, 
Goodiiue county, Minnesota, on the 31st day 
of December, 1885, to Miss Jennie Holmes, 
the daughter of Gustaf and Anna (Felt) 
Holmes, natives of Sweden. Our subject is 
a rcpul)lican in his political alfiliations, and 
is a member of the village council. 



-■*-J^^^-4>- 



"^■^R. T. H. BLY. The subject of this 
i)iographical ai'ticle is a resident of 
the village of Paynesville, Minnesota, where 
he is engaged in the medieval })rofession, also 
running a drug store in the village. He is a 
niitive of the State of New York, born in 
Chautauqua county, New York, on the 16th 
day of July, 1852, and is the son of Henry, 
and Julia (Stoneman) Bl}^, also natives of 
New Y'ork State. The father died in 1879. 
The mother passed away in 1878. 

Dr. Bh', of whom this article treats, 
renuiined on the farm at home, attendine: 
school and assisting about the place, until he 
had attained the age of twenty -one years, 
when he entered tlie medical department of 
the college at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he 
attended one \'ear, then going to Boston, 
where he attended the iledical Universit}' 
and graduated with liigh honors. In 1870 
he went to Charleston, West Virginia, wh(>re 
he remained for four years. He then returned 
to New York State, and from tliei'e removed 
westward, settling in Grove city, Minnesota, 
and after remaining a short time removed 
to Paynesville village, where he remained 
two years engaged in his profession. At 
the expiration of that time, he went to St. 
Cloud, Minnesota, and engaged in the drug 
business, remaining there two velars. He 



then returned to Paynesville. where he has 
since remained. He estaljlished his ]ireseiit 
drug store, which he runs in addition to his 
medical woi'k. He has a large and rapidly 
increasing practice aiul is doing a good drug 
business. He is one of the most successful 
physicians in the village and is well and 
favc^rably known throughout the county. 
He carries a full line of drussists' goods and 
is doing as heavy a business as any in the 
village. 

Dr. Bl}' was united in marriage on the 
18th day of August, 1880, and this union 
has been blessed with one child — Eoyal. 
Oar subject is actively interested in all local 
matters. He is oneol the jjromincnt profes- 
sional men of the village and is highly 
esteemed by all who know him. 



M 



JiiLoN. JOHN C. BENNEWITZ. Promi- 



nent among the business men of Mai 



shall county, Minnesota, is the gentleman 
whose names heads this biographical memoir, 
a resident of the village of Argyle, where he 
is enaaged in the lumber busin(>ss. He is a 
native of Germany, boi'n in Andisleben 
Erfurt, Prussia, on the 8(1 day of June, 1826, 
and is the son (jf William Henry and Eliza- 
beth (Kieger) Bennewitz, natives also of that 
kingdom. 

Mr. Bennewitz remained at home, assisting 
his father on the farm until he was twenty 
years old, and attending school until he was 
fourteen years okl. In 1847 he was con- 
scripted in the Prussian army, and after 
the service of one year was promoted to a 
corporal. His pa}' was 7^ cents and 1 \ 
pounds of coarse bread per da3\ He 
received 4^ cents cash and 3J cents in warm 
soup, three dinners per week without meat, 
and meat the other four meals. He fought 
against General Sigel dui'ing the Civil War in 
Baden, Germany. Sigel was a general in 



PARK' KKCIONS OF MrNNESOTA. 



541 



our late Civil War. Mr. Bennewitz was 
engaged in several battles about Heidelberg 
and Rastadt. Tiie latter fortress he besieged 
for over three weeks. In one of these 
eniraffements he received a canister-shot in 
ids ivnapsack. He turned at the moment and 
escaped without injury. He still retains the 
jiicce of knapsack as a keepsake, as it shows 
I lie liolc made b\' the ball. Mr. Bennewitz now 
lias a medal of lionor, which was presented to 
liini by the Gland Duke of Baden. InlS.52our 
subject emigrated tc> tlie United States and 
first settled in Waukesha couiit}^, Wisconsin, 
wiiere he purchased a farm of eight}' acres, 
and for live years remained there engaged 
in a general farming and stock-raising busi- 
ness. In 1853, in casting his first vote, he 
was elected constable in the town of Ottawa, 
Wisconsin. In 1857 he sold out and removed 
to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he 
followed agricultural pursuits from 1857 to 
1S72. In 1872 he sold his farm of 280 acres 
for $30 an acre, and in that year was elected 
to the State legislature, and from 1870 to 
1876 was county commissioner. In 1873 he 
took a trip to his native land, where he again 
visited the scenes of his childhood. In 1874 
he returned to the United States and for 
liv(! months taught school in Frontenac, 
Minnesota. In 1S7(J he removed to Red 
Wing, Minnesota, and for five years was 
engaged in the wheat business. In 1881 he 
moved to Marshall county and settled in Ar- 
gyle, where he engaged in the machinery 
business for a period of two years ; also be- 
ing one of the first grain dealers. In 1883 he 
ojiened his present lumber 3'ard, which he has 
operated since that time. He handles all 
grades of lumber, saslies, doors, shingles, 
laths, etc. He is the owner of 5()0 acres 
of land near Argyle. which he has rented. 

Mr. P)ennewit/, was married in Wisconsin 
on the 2t)th day of March, 1853, to Mrs. 
Mary (Iluegelman) Menzel, the widow of 
Conrad Menzel ami the daughter of Zach- 



arias and Mary (Palterman) Huegelraan. By 
her first marriage Mrs. Bennewitz had five 
children — "Reinhold, Carl, Williuiii, Amelia 
and Loisa. Mr. and Mrs. Bennewitz have 
been blessed with two children, named 
Theodore and Henry. Theodore married 
Miss Estella Bayrell and lives in Argyle, 
where he is engaged in the hardware and 
machinery business. Henry married Miss 
Louisa Startz and lives in Warren, IMinnesota, 
where he runs a harness shoj) and is iloing 
a good business. Mrs. Bennewitz died in 
Argyle, Minnesota, on the 2d day of 
August, 1887, and was interred in the Red 
Wing Lutheran Cemetery. 

Our subject held the office of ]>resident of 
the village council for three years. In polit- 
ical matters he affiliates with the democratic 
party. He is a man of the strictest integrity 
and honor, and is actively interested in all 
local movements. Mr. Bennewitz in 1802 
received a commission as captain in the 
Tenth Regiment, State militia, ant! in fact 
has held many other offices of trust and 
honor, to which not every foreign born citi- 
zen has the honor of being chosen to fill. 

jtjLE THARALDSON, who is engaged 
tM^ in the general merchandising business 
in the village of Fertile, Polk county, Min- 
nesota, is a native of the State of Iowa. He 
was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on 
the 7th day of March, 1867, and is the son 
of Tharald Gunderson and BergitRyssestad, 
natives of Norway. The father and mother 
of our subject emigrated to the United 
States in 1861. They settled in Winneshiek 
county, Iowa, where they remained until 
1867, when they moved to Minnesota and 
settled in Pope county, where they have 
since remained. They are the parents of the 
following-named children — Osmund. Ilal- 
vor, Ole, Evind, Ole (deceased), Joranil and 
Anna. 



542 



KED XIVER VALLEY AND 



Mr. Tharaldson, the subject of tiiis bio- 
graphical article, removed at tiie age of 
three weeks, with his parents, to Pope 
county, Minnesota, where our subject 
attended school until lie was sixteen years 
of age. He then attended the Will mar 
high school for two terms, and in 1SS3 
went to Grand Foi'ks, Dakota Teri'itor}'. 
Tiiere he secured a position m tlie county 
treasurei'"s office, wliere he worked for two 
yoarsand a iialf. In 1887 he and his brother 
Osmund ])aid a visit to Xorway, and, after 
remaining in that kingdom from April until 
August, the}' returned to Minnesota. They 
went to their home in Poi)e county, Minne- 
sota, and after remaining with their father a 
short time removed to Polk county Minne- 
sota. Our subject opened a general merchan- 
dise store, in ])artnershi]) with O. S. Kleven, 
in the village of Fertile. They are still 
engaged in the same business, and have an 
extensive trade. They carry a full line of 
goods and have a lucrative business. They 
are prominent merchants in tiie village, and 
are highly esteemed for their straightforward 
business methods. 

Mr. Tharaldson was united in marriage on 
the 11th day of September. 1SS7, to Jfiss 
Ingebor Gundeiksdatter I'oe, a native of Nor- 
way. Her mothei' is still living, but her 
father died in the old country. The suliject 
of this sketch is a reiniblican in politics, and 
takes an active interest in all local matters. 
ITe is highly esteemed by all who know him, 
and is a pleasant, genial gentlenum. 



-*" 



^^^ 



ENRY MASON WHEELER, M. D., the 
ounty superintendent of the board 
of health of Grand Forks county, Xorth 
Dakota, will form the subject of this sketch. 
He is a resident of the city of Grand Forks, 
North Dalcota, whiM'e he is engaged in an 
extensive and successful medical practice, in 



partnership with Dr. Logan, whose biograph- 
ical memior will be found in another depart- 
ment of this Album. The Doctor is a native 
of the State of New Hampshire, born in 
North Newport, on the 23d of June, 1854, ' 
and is the son of Mason and Hulda W. ' 
Wheeler, natives of Vermont and New 
Hamshire, respectively. 

Di'. Wheeler attended common schools 
until he was sixteen years of age, when he 
entered Carlton College, at Northfield, Min- • 
nesota, where he had removed with his 
parents in \%'A. From Carlton College he , 
went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he I 
entered the medical ilepartment, from which 
he graduated, with high honors, in March, , 
1877. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, 
where he took a special course and private lee- • 
tures on the eye and ear, in the Cook County 
Hospital. He then returned to Northlield, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in the practice 
of his profession until 1879. lie then went 
to New York City, wliere he took an addi- 
tional degree in the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, graduating in i[arch, 1880. 
He again returneil to Noi-thheld where he 
remained until July, ISSl. While there, in 
187^), he participated in the movements 
brought about by the famous raid of the 
Younger and James brothers. He was in 
front of his father's drug store, and saw 
three men ride up on horseback, dismount, 
tie their horses, talk a few minutes and then 
enter the bank. Our subject supposed 
them to be stockmen, from their general 
api)earance, but his suspicions were 
aroused by a farmer, who, as he i)assed by, 
made the remark that there was too man}' 
saddle horses in town and that he thought 
something was wrong. In a few moments 
Dr. Wheeler saw two other men come down 
the street on liorses, stop, dismount, and 
while one was carelessly adjusting his saddle 
girth, the other a])proached the bank door 
and api)eared satislieil with what was trans- 



PARA' A'/-:G/0XS of MINNESOTA 



543 



piring within. Then the suspicions of the 
Doctor were con/irmed, for as Mr. Allen, a 
proiiiineiit hardware merclumt, attempted to 
enter t lie l)ank, he was caught b\' the shoul- 
der, anil with the persuasive force of a revol- 
ver was induced to alter his intentions. 
At that moment Dr. AVheeler and a man 
named Harry Riddle stepped into the street 
and iiallooed, "robbers," and at once the two 
desperadoes ordered the street cleared, and 
discharged their revolvers over their heads. 
Apparently this was a preconcerted signal, 
for three others, mounted, firing revolvers, 
and shouting, dasheil up to the bank square. 
Our subject, who had tlivined the purpose of 
the noted James and Younger band, for it 
pi'oved to be tliem, at once started for the 
residence of C. A. Wheaton, for the purpose 
of secui'ing a gun and ammunition, and as he 
reached tiie alley in tiie rear of tiie store, 
remembered that there were two guns in the 
hotel, which stands on the corner opjiosite the 
bank. He iiastened there, secured ammuni- 
tion and the gun from the clerk, and took his 
position in the corner room, which has ^iince 
become noted as a witness to this terrible 
tragedy. He at once opened fire on the 
robl)ers, and, before he was discovered, suc- 
ceeded in killing one and wounding another. 
The i-etreat was-tiien divined by some of the 
noted "gang," and at once the window was 
riddled with l)ullets from the weapons 
of the band. The one killed proved to 
be Clell Miller, a desperado of the worst 
type, and the wounded one was Bob 
Younger, who is now in state's prison, sen- 
tenced for life. Meanwhile a fearful scene 
was l)einij enacted inside the bank buildiu"', 
where the noble cashier sacrificed his life in 
defense of the interests he had in charge. As 
the details are familiar to all they need not 
be spoken of here further than tiie fact that 
our .sul)ject joined in the pursuit for one 
week. The trail was lost near Lake Elysian, 
and our subject returned to Northfield. 



In 1881 Dr. "Wheeler removed to Grand 
Forks, North Dakota, where he engaged in 
the medical profession in partnership with 
Dr. Collins, with whom he remained until 
November, 1884. They then dissolved and 
our suijject practiced alone until August, 
1887, where he entered into partnership 
with Dr. Logan and they have since remained 
together. They are among the leading and 
most successful practitioners in the city and 
have a large practice. 

Dr. Wheeler was united in marriage 
October 9, 1878, to Miss Adeline Murray, 
who died at Northfield June 17, 1881, and 
our subject was married then to Miss Jose- 
phine Connelle on the 23d of January, 1883. 
Our subject is a member of the A. F. and A. 
M., both Blue Lodge and Cha})ter. He also 
belongs to the Independent (Ji-der of Odd- 
Fellows. He is one of the public-spirited 
citizens and affiliates with the republican 
party. 



J. DALY, of the firm of Baxter & 
Daly, attorne3's-at-law, is one of 
the leading and most prominent lawj'ers in 
the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. He is a native of Minnesota, 
born in the cit}' of St. Paul on the 13th day 
of March, 1861, and is the son of M. F. and 
Mary (Marky) Daly, natives of Ireland. The 
father, who was educated in the city of 
Cork, emigrated to the United States when 
he was twenty-one years of age and settled 
in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained 
for a period of fifteen years. He was engaged 
in book-keeping foi' Berkley, of St. Paul, and 
also Eddy k. Arch}', of that city. He is now 
a resident of Carver county, Minnesota, where 
he is extensively engaged in a general stock- 
I'aising business. 

Mr. Daly, the subject of this i)iographical 
review, received his education in the public 
schools of Minneapolis, where he attended 



544 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AN^r 



school until 1881. He then went to Iowa, 
Avhere he entered the law department of the 
Iowa State University, at Iowa City. In 
two years, after graduating witli high honors, 
the sul)ject of tliis article removed to Minne- 
sota and located in the city of Fei-gus Falls, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he 
opened an office for the practice of his pro- 
fession. After remaining a short time in 
Fergus Falls he removed to the village of 
Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, wiiere 
he opened a law office in partnership with 
Mr. Baxter, of whom a sketch will be found 
in another department of this work. They 
have since been actively engaged in an exten- 
sive and rapidly increasing law business, and 
are among the prominent and influential 
lawyers of the northern part of the State. 
Our subject is actively interested in ail local 
matters and affiliates with the democratic 
part}'. He is asym])athizer of the doctrines 
of the Catholic church. He is one of the 
rising and independent young business men 
in tiie village and is highly esteemed l)y all 
who know him. 

-«— «"^^{^- <" ■ • 
i-UClUS L. MATTERSON, postmaster, 



and who is engaged in the mercantile 
business in the village of Eound Prairie, 
Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of Penn- 
sylvania. He was born in Erie county, on 
the 29th of June, 1845, and is the son of 
Olliver and Lydia (Edmunds) Matterson, 
natives of New York State. The father 
came to Minnesota in 1855, and has since 
remained. 

Mr. Matterson, the subject of this bio- 
graphical memoir, received his education, 
priiu-ipally in New Yoi'k, altlumgh he also 
attended school a good deal in Minnesota. 
At ten years of age he removed with his 
parents to Minnesota, and located at St. 
Paul, Minnesota, where he remained one year. 
Until he had attained the age of twenty- 



three years he resided in various places in 
Minnesota.and in ISfiO moved to Todd county, 
Minnesota, and June 1st homesteaded a tract 
of land in Berchdale township, where he 
followed farming until 1886. He then 
ojieneil his present store in the village of 
Round Prairie, where he has since remained. ' 
He carries a full line of general merchandise, 
dry goods, boots and shoes, hats, caps and . 
groceries, and is doing a good business. ) 
Since he has resided in the county he has 
been prominently identified with its history ' 
and progress. A man who takes an active / 
interest in all local matters, he is highly 
esteemed by all who know him. He helped 
to organize the township in which his farm 
lies and was always a leading citizen of the " 
same. 

Mr. Matterson was married on the 21st day i 
of October, 1807, to Miss Abbie Draper, and 
thisunion has been blessed with five childr<'n 
named as follows — Merton, Maud, Lora, Eva 
and Minna. Mr. Matterson is a prohibi- 
tionist, both in precept and practice. In 
addition to his business interests he is 
engaged in the real estate business and owns 
between 300 and 400 acres of land, besides 
his original farm. He is one of the sub- 
stantial business citizens of the count}'^ and 
is a man of honor and integrity. He has 
been postmaster at Round Prairie for the 
past two 3'ears and a half. 



j^LBERT SW ANSON. The subject of 
Jtr'Sx. this biographical sketch is a resident 
of the village of Auduijon, Pecker county, 
Minnesota, where he is entensively engaged 
in a general merchandising business. He is 
a native of Norway', born in Dovre Gud- 
bransdalen, Norway, on the 12th da}' of 
August, 1859, andis the son of Swend Olson 
and Anna Thorson, also nativesof that king- 
dom. The parents of our subject were 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXKESOTA. 



545 



engaged in farming pursuits in their native 
land where they still remain. They are the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Ole, Thor, Gunild and Albert. 

Mr. Swanson, the subject of this article, 
remained in his native land until lie was 
twenty -one years old. Until he. had attained 
his sixteenth 3'ear he attended the excellent 
common schools of that country, and after 
comjiluting his education, assisted his father 
to operate the home farm. He then emigrated 
to the United States, and, after a voyage of 
ten days, landed at Baltimore. He at once 
went to ilontevideo, Chippewa county, Min- 
nesota, where he remained a short time and 
then removed to Becker county, Minnesota, 
where he has since remained. For the first 
t'vo years he engaged in farming, and at the 
expiration of that time settled in the village 
of Aububon, where he clerked for foui' years. 
Jle then opened a general merchandise store 
on his own account, and since then has 
been one of the leading and successful bus- 
iness men of the village. lie carries a full 
line of goods and has a large share of the 
general }iatronage throughout that part of 
the county. He is a careful and shrewd 
business man and is highly esteemed l)y all 
for his u])right and fair transactions. In 
1S80 he was elected to the office of village 
recorder, and is one of the solid representa- 
tive business men of the place. 

Mr. Swanson was united in marriage on 
the 27th day of January, 1887, to Miss 
Emma Simien, a native of Wisconsin, where 
slie was educated. Mr. Swanson and his 
estinialjle wife belong to the Lutheran 
church. In political matters he affiliates 
with the republican party and is actively 
interested in that party's campaigns. 

^pHARLES HOLLlNGER,a thrifty repre- 
^£y sentative of the farming community in 
the Red Iliver Yalle\', is a resident of section 
3, Huntsville township, Polk county, Minne- 



sota. He is a native of Canada, born in 
Lanark county on the 13th of January, 1817, 
and is the* son of John and Sarah M. (Mooi'e) 
Hollinger, natives also of that Dominion. 

Mr. Hollinger, the subject of this article, 
remained at home and attended school until 
1861. He then commenced in life for him- 
self, and entered an apprenticeship to the 
wagon maker's trade. Aftfer completing his 
trade he continued work in Eenfrew for five 
and one-half years. At the expiration of 
that time he went to Chicago, Illinois, where 
he remained a short time, and then removed 
to Dixon, Illinois, where he remained, 
engaged in the wagon making business, 
from September, 1867, until September, 1872. 
He then moved to Sterling, and engaged in 
his trade, working by the da}', for a short 
time. He then opened a shop of his own, 
and from July, 1876, until May, 18S2, he 
was engaged in his trade on his own account. 
In May of that j'ear he left his family in 
Sterling, and went to Chicago, Illinois, 
where he secured employment in an omnibus 
shop, and in which he worked until the 
following September. He then returned to 
his familj', and soon afterward removed to 
Minnesota. He settled in Polk county and 
o]iened a wagon shop, and then returned for 
his family. On the 3d of Januar}', 1883, 
they arrived, and Mr. Hollinger engaged at 
his trade. In April, 1887, he moved onto 
his homestead, which he had previously 
filed upon and which he proved up on 
January 4, 1887. He has since resided there, 
engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. 

Mr. Hollinger was married on the 9th of 
January, 1869, to Miss Mary Ann O'Brien, a 
native of Ireland. Her parents dieil when 
she was a small child, and she was sent to 
her sister in New York. She remained 
with her until she died, and then removed 
to her other sister in Canada. She then 
removed to Illinois, where she met and 
married ]\Ir. Hollinger. Mr. and Mrs. Hoi- 



546 



RED KIVER VALLEY ^A'D 



linger have been blessed with the following 
children — John H., Margret E., Cliarles J., 
Frederick W., Leo M. and Sarah M., all of 
whom are living and at home. Mr. Ilollinger 
with his family belongs to the Catholic 
church. He is one of the esteemed citizens 
of the county, and has held the office of 
the justice of tlie peace. He has a fine farm, 
under good cultivation, and with the best of 
budding improvements. 



JLS F. SCHROEDER, president of the 
viUage council of Wheaton, Traverse 
county, Minnesota, is one of tlie prominent 
and esteemed citizens, of tliat place. He is 
a native of the kingdom of Sweden, born in 
Wermland Province, Middle Sweden, on the 
18tli day of July, 1852, and is the son of 
Ole and Christina Sciiroedcr, also natives of 
that kingdom. The father died in 1870, and 
the mother is living with our subject. They 
were the parents of six children, named as 
follows — Jacob, Nils, John, Caroline, Mary 
and Ciiristina. 

Mr. Schroeder, of whom this sketch treats, 
receieved his education in his native land, 
where he renuiined until he was twenty 
years old. In 1872 he emigrated to the 
United States, and after landing removed 
to Minnesota, settling in Scott county, and 
after remaining a short time went to Minne- 
apolis. From tliat city Mr. Schroeiler went 
to the village of Herman, G)'ant county, 
Minnesota, where he was among the earliest 
settlers. He was tiie first postnuisterin that 
place, and was one of the prominent citizens. 
He engaged in the general merchandising 
business, and from 1884 until 1889 did an 
extensive and successful trade. He then 
removed to the village of Wheaton, Trav- 
erse count}', Minnesota, where he has since 
remained. In theiate election at that place 
he was elected president of the village. 



wliich ])osition he has since occupied. He is 
one of tlie prominent and representative citi- 
zens, and is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 

Mr. Schroeder was united in mari-iage to 
Miss Peterson, and this union has been 
blessed with the following-named cliiidren 
— Alfred W. and Carl. Mrs. Schroeder 
]iassed away on the 4tii day of February, 
1889, and was mourned by all who knew 
her. She was an estimable lad}-, and was 
esteemed for her many virtues. Mr. Schroe- 
der, of whom tliis article treats, is an adher- 
ent to the principles of the republican party, 
and is actively interested in all local matters. 
A man of the strictest integi'ity, he stands 
high in the community as a business man 
and an exemplarv citizen. 



• • ^ •^^^►^^ 



^^DWARD A. ARMSTRONG is the 
\l^ present probate judge of Pembina 
county, Dakota. He was born in West])ort, 
county Mayo, Ireland, February 8, 1820. 
His parents, John W. and Susan (Lundy) 
Armstrong, were both natives of Ireland. 
The mother was a sister of the noted Cap- 
tain Lundy, of Ireland. 

The parents of the subject of our sketch 
died when he was quite young, and Edward 
was taken into the family of George Law- 
rence, an uncle, witii whoin he remained 
until 1840. 

January 1, 1842, Mr. Armstrong was mar- 
ried at Sligo, Ireland, to Miss Margeret 
Henry, daughter of James and Fanny 
(AVaiker) Henry, the former a native of Ire- 
land and the latter a native of England. 
The names of tlie children that iiave l^lessed 
this union are as follows — Ellen Susan, Fanny 
J., Henrietta A., Katharine Margaret, 
Edward William Henry. The last-named is 
cashier in the receiver's office in Winnipeg, 
in which capacity he has labored for seven 



PARK REGIONS OF MLVXF.SOT.-I. 



547 



yeai-s. Fanny J. married John Angus, reg- 
ister of deeds in Emerson, Manitoba. Hen- 
rietta A. married diaries Constantine and 
resides in liegina, Manitoba, where iier hus- 
band is ehief of the mounted police. Kath- 
arine M. married Major Nash, an employe 
in tlie register's office in Winnipeg. 

After liis marriage Mr. Armstrong re- 
mained in Ireland for about two years, at 
the end of which time he came to Canada, 
residing in Montreal for about a year. He 
tiien removed to the city of Ottawa, where 
for ten years he held the position of deputy 
shei'iflf. In 1860 he was appointed quarter- 
master of a brigade of garrison artillery, and 
saw service througli all the Fenian raids in 
counties Ottawa, Cornwall and Prescott. 
Retaining his position in Ottawa until 1870, he 
tiien resigned, and May 1st, that year, joined 
thcKed Kiver expedition, as quartermaster of 
tiie Ontario Rifles. This small army was 
sent out under the command of Sir Garnet 
Woolsley for the suppression of the Riel and 
( )'l)()n;ighue Rebellion. On tlie breaking up 
of this expedition Captain Armstrong held 
the office of sherilT of Manitoba for five 
years, and in 1881 he moved liis location to 
tiie southern side of the boundary line, within 
the jurisdiction of the United States. His 
residence in Pembina was but brief, until the 
citizens, recognizing his ability, placed him in 
theoificeof justiceof the peace, which position 
he has occupied ever since, with credit to him- 
self and advantage to the community in 
which \w. lives. His office is now somewhat 
complex, as lie holds three judicial offices at 
one and the same time, these being that of 
city justice, township justice, and judge 
of proliate. His long experience, and 
conipreiiensive knowledge of the wants of 
tiie Northwest make him a person of public 
value, and he is now looked upon by the 
younger members of society as a kind of 
father in the Red River Valley. He is a man 
of extensive knowledge of men and affairs. 



and throughout his life has exhibited rare 
executive abilities. To show the relations 
which he sustained to his superior officers, 
while in the employ of the British Govern- 
ment, it is only necessary to state that he 
was given entire charge of fitting up the 
second Red River expedition out into the 
Red River Yalley, for the suppression of the 
Riel RebeUion. He had entire charge of 
that portion of the expedition. He came up 
here in 1870 as quartermaster under the pres- 
ent General Woolsley, and in the summer 
of 1871 returned to Ottawa, with a detach- 
ment of the first. And in October of that 
year had the charge of fitting out the second 
expedition, which was under the command of 
the then Captain, now Colonel Scott, of Win- 
nipeg. 

Captain Armstrong is a leading member 
of the [. 0. O. F. fraternity, and was initi- 
ated in the American order in 1846. In 
1856 in Ottawa, Canada, he became a mem- 
ber of the A. F. & A. M., and is now the 
oldest Mason in the town in which he lives. 



«^- 



^'"•^HARLES H. CONKLIN, one of the 
prominent and successful business men 
of the village of Wadena, AVadena county, 
Minnesota, is engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness in that place, handling all kinds of 
heavy and shelf hardware, tinware, tools of 
all kinds, farm machinery, etc. He'] is 
a native of the State of Illinois, born in 
Peoria on the 23d day of January, 1857, 
and is the son of George W. and Mar}' A. 
Conklin, natives of New York. In about 
1862 the parents of our subject removed to 
Minnesota and settled in Hastings, where 
the}' have since remained. The father and 
mother of the present sul)jcct were the 
parents of the following-named cliiklren — 
George P., Charles H., DeWitt C, Willie 
W. and Lucv A. Conklin. 



548 



RED RIVF.K VALLEY AND 



Mr. Conklin, the subject of this biograph- 
ical memoir, remained in his native State 
until he was about five years old, when he 
removed with his parents to JNIinnesota, and 
settled in Hastings. Up to the age of twen- 
t^'-one years he remained at home and 
attended the common schools', in the odd 
hours engaging in clerical work. At the 
age of twenty-one Mr. Conklin removed to 
Bird Island, Kenville county, ]\Iinnesota, 
wiiere he opened a hardware store, and for 
four years engaged in that business. In 
18S3 he moved his stock of goods to Erain- 
erd, Minnesota, jnirchased another stock 
there, and opened up in tiie business. In 
1887 he sold out his interest in Braineid and 
in c()ni})any with his father bought the Pio- 
neer Hardware Store, of Wadena, Wadena 
county, Minnesota. They have since contin- 
ued in the business, and have a large and 
increasing trade. They carr}' one of the 
most complete stocks in the count}', and 
value their goods at $5,000. 

Mr. Conklin, the subject of this article, 
was imited in marriage on the 23d &Ay of 
May, 1881, to Miss Estella Stone, a native of 
Bird Island, Minnesota. In political mat- 
ters Mr. Conklin affiliates with the republi- 
can part3^ He takes an active interest in all 
lociil movements and is alwaj'S ready to help 
any enterjM'ise whereby the town or count}' 
mav be bencHtcd. 



-««; 



"»- 



'A^ PETERSON & SON, the heaviest 
dealei's in general merchandise in the 
village of New London, ^linnesota, are rated 
as one of the most solid and substantial iii'uis 
in i\andiyohi county. They are men of high 
personal character and of the strictest integ- 
rity, and their straightforward and honor- 
able methods of doing business have built for 
them a lar":e ami increasing' trade. 



Daniel Peterson, the senior member of 
this firm, was born on the 17th of December, 
1822, at Vexio. Province of Smoland, in the 
southern part of Sweden, and is a son of 
Peter and Stina Peterson, wlio were also 
natives of tlie same kingdom. Both of his 
parents died in his native land, the father in 
1840 and the mother in 1852. Daniel Peter- 
son grew to manhood in the land of his 
birth, receiving the same training as to 
integrity, frugalit\' and industry that so 
characterizes his nationality. He never 
attended school, but studied under the direc- 
tion of his mother. In 1853 he came to 
the United States, landing in New York, and 
proceeded at once to Centre City, Chisago 
county, Minnesota. Thei'e lie bought 160 
acres of land and engaged in larining, 
remaining there for eighteen yeai's. In 1871 
lie removed to Ci'ow Lake, Stearns county, 
Minnesota, where he also followed agricul- 
tural pursuits. In 1883 he sold iiis land, and 
in conjpany with his son, John G., formed 
the present firm, and they purchased the 
general mercantile business of J. II. Neer, at 
New London, which they have smce suc- 
cessfully conducted. 

Daniel Peterson was married September 
5, 1816, to Anna Stina Johnson, a native of 
Sweden and a daughter of John Anderson. 
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have a family of six 
children — Louise, born in Sweden December 
29, 1S47; Christine, born in Minnesota 
March 29, 1855 ; Charlotte S., born August 
27, 1857; John G., born October 21, 1800; 
Mary 11., boi-n July 12, 1862, and Nancy M., 
born March 1, 1865. Daniel Peterson has 
always taken a prominent piii't in all public 
matters and is one of the leading men of the 
locality in which he has lived. He has held 
various official petitions, including assessor, 
supervisor, postmaster, census enumerator m 
1880, besides others. He and his family are 
members of the Lutheran chui'ch, in which 
organization he is a deacon. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA, 



540 



John G. Peterson, the junior member of 
the firm of D. Peterson & Son, was born in 
Centre City, Chisago county, Minnesota, 
October 21, 1860, and is a son of Daniel 
Peterson, whose sketch lias just been given. 
He received his education in Chisago and 
Stearns counties, Minnesota, attending the 
district schools, and completed his education 
at the Cogan Academy, Pope county, Minne- 
sota, spending one 3'ear in that institution. 
He then clerked in a store at Melrose for a 
time, after which he came to New London, 
Minnesota, and for eight months kept books 
for Johnson Bros. In 1S83, as has been 
stated, the present firm was formed, and 
since that time they have carried on busi- 
ness. They carry a full line of clothing, 
dry goods and groceries, and do an extensive 
business. 

John G. Peterson has taken an active part 
in every move calculated to benefit his town 
or county, and has held various offices — he 
was justice of the peace, chairman of the 
board of supervisors, and is the present 
township clerk. 



ELS M. LARSON. Prominent among 
the merchants of the village of War- 
ren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this article, who 
is engaged in the general merchandising 
business in that village. He is a native of 
Sweden, born in Sunne, on the ISth daj"- of 
August, lSfi2. and is the son of Lars and 
Ingeborg (Johnson) Larson, natives of the 
kingdom of Sweden. 

Mr. Larson, the subject of this biographi- 
cal review, remained in his native countiy 
until he had attained the age of twenty years. 
During that time he had attended school and 
worked on the home farm for his fatiier. In 
1882 he emigrated to the United States, and, 
after a voyage of three weeks, landed in New 



York. He removed to the State of Wiscon- 
sin, where he settled in Pepin county, where 
he remained six months. In the spring of 
18S3 he removed to Minnesota, and settled 
in Marshall county, where he worked on a 
farm and attended school in the village of 
Warren during the winter. He then secured 
a clerkship in the store of K. J. Taralseth, 
with whom he remained one and one-half 
years. At the expiration of that time, he 
went to the college at St. Peter, IMinnesota, 
and after attending four months, again 
returned to Warren. He resumed his old 
position as clerk, and after continuing in that 
capacity for about fifteen months, opened a 
general store, in partnership with O. S. 
Erickson. The firm name stands Erickson & 
Larson, and they are doing a good business. 
They cany a full line of goods and give the 
best of satisfaction in all their business trans- 
actions. 

Mr. Larson was married in Eau Claire, 
Wisconsin, on the 10th day of August, 1888, 
to Miss Tillie Sjoquist, the daughter of Erick 
and Kajsa Sjoquist, natives of Sweden. Mr. 
and Mi's. Larson ai-e exem]Jary members of 
the Lutheran church. Mr. Larson is a repub- 
lican in political matters. lie is a man who 
takes an active interest in an}^ local enter- 
prise, and is highly esteemed as a citizen and 
as a business man. 



W: 



HEODORE D. AUSTIN, an old settler 
of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is now 
living a retired life in New York Mills, and 
well deserves appropriate mention in a volume 
devoted to the pioneers of Northern Minne- 
sota. Mr. Austin was born in Stanfoi'd, 
Dutcliess county. New York, July 27, 1813. 
To trace back his genealogy, in Scri]itural 
form it would read about as follows : Theo- 
dore a son of Morris, a son of Amos, a son 
of Jonathan, and he the son of James Austin. 



550 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



Morris Austin, the father of our subject, was 
a farmer. He was born in Providence, Rhode 

Island, but settled in New York State wlien 
3<)ung and died in Xortiiumberland county 
Pennsylvania in 1824. He served through 
the War of 1812. The mother of Theodore 
was born and raised in Dutchess county. 
New York, and died there in 1826. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject, Amos 
Austin, was a native of Rhode Island and was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Theo- 
dore's grandfather, on his mother's side, was 
.lohn Sherwood, who was horn on the Ber- 
muda Islands and died at Poughkeepsie, Xew 
Yoi'k, in 1838, at tlie age of ninety-eight 
years. He was also a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, and was one of the " Green 
Mountain Boys " under the famous Ethan 
Allen. 

Theodore's [)arents, Morris and Calista 
(Sherwood) Austin were married before 
1812, and had a family of five children — 
John, Edwin, Theodore D., Loraine and 
Lovina. 

Theodore D. Austin, whose name heads 
our present article, spent his bo3'hood days 
in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. 
Schooling was very limited in those days, and 
he only attended some six months. Ijeing 
taught how to spell by Samuel Kirkham. 
While a young man he was a hostler in 
Northumberland, Penns\'lvania, and was 
back and forth between there and New 
York working at farming and various occu- 
[)iitions. At the age of eighteen he began 
an ajiprenticesliip in a cabinet shop and 
worked at it for twenty months, when the 
master dying set him free, then spent some 
time at farming. He then worked at the 
carpenters' trade, receiving $60 for eight 
months woi'k. He then hired out at the 
fanning mill business for six months at $10 
[)er month; after which he continued six 
months longer at $15 per month. His next 
business venture was to contract to make 



fifty fanning mills for $4 apiece, finishing in 
five months, and made $200 clear. He 
then went to Selin's Grove, Pennsylvania, 
and followed the farming business, in con- 
nection with a small foundry, for eleven 
years in Pennsylvania, and at the end of that 
time removed to Indiana. For two years he 
was unable to do anything on account of ill 
health. He remained in Indiana for twenty- 
one years, following the fanning mill busi- 
ness and carpentering. He then followed 
various occupations in Illinois for six . years. 
In 1878 he came to Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota, and settled in Newton township, 
where he took a homestead and remained 
for five and a half years. He was one of 
the first settlers in that township, and was 
one of the leading citizens there, holding a 
number of offices during the time he lived 
there, including those of su))ervisor, assessor, 
town clerk, etc. At the time he settled in 
that town there was not a furrow broken 
between him and Otter Tail City, and tiiere 
are now thirty-seven farms on the road in 
fourteen niiles. In 1884 he retired from his 
farm and settled in the village of New York 
Mills, where he still lives. 

He is a gentleman of the strictest integ- 
ritv and is helil in higli esteem. In political 
matters he is a rejiublican, and in religious 
affairs a member of the Presbyterinn church. 
He has led a life of probity and tcinjiei'anco, 
and has never touched licpior nor tobacco, a 
thing which few men of his age can boast. 

Mr Austin was married March :!!, lS3i1, to 
Susan Keely, a native of Afontgomery county, 
Pennsylvania. They had a family of live 
children — Theron L., deceased; Grace S.-, 
now Mrs. Groves; Henry M., Jerome S. and 
Otho A. Grace S. is a widow and lives in 
Miss6uri. Theron died in 187fi. Henry M. 
is a merchant in Vermilion county, Illinois; 
Jerome S. is a carpenter in AVashington Ter- 
ritory; Otho is a book-keeper in Pary's store 
at New York Mills. 



PARK' KEGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



551 



Theron L. Austin -went out on the first call 
for soldiers, under Col. Lew AVallace, Elev- 
enth Indiana Zouaves. Henry M. Austin and 
Jerome S. Austin went out next, in the One 
Hundred and I'iiirty-lil'tli Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, under "Pap" Thomas; they served 
till the end of the war and were honorably 
disciiarged. 



^«« 



«^^ 



MANS O. HANSON is a leading- citizen 
of the village of Stephen, Marshall 
county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in 
carrying on a large hardware and furniture 
business. He lias a complete line of tliebest 
of goods, and, by integrity and careful atten- 
tion to the wants of his customers, has built 
up a large and increasing trade. 

Mr. Hanson was born in Dane county, 
Wisconsin, January 16, 1853, his parents 
being Ole and Anna (Alma) Hanson, natives 
of Norway. His parents were well-to-do 
farmers, and came to this country some 3'ears 
before the son's birth. They settled in Dane 
county, Wisconsin, and lived there until 
Hans was four years old, when they moved 
to Buffalo county, same State, where they 
located on Government land, and were among 
the first settlers. 

Mr. Hanson lived with his parents on the 
fai'in and attended district school until he 
was twenty-two years of age. At that age he 
went to Grant county, Minnesota, and took 
up Government land, on wiiicli he lived some 
six or seven years. He was one of tlie first 
settlers intlietown of Iloseville,Grantcounty, 
Minnesota. He then sold out and returned 
to his parents' home on a short visit. Thence 
he went on a kind of )n'os})ecting trip 
tiirougli California, Oregon and Washington 
Territory, after which he i-eturned to his 
parents with whom he remained a few 
months. April 1, 1883, he went to Stephen, 
where he built a store building and dwelling, 



and put in a stock of hardware, and later 
built a store building in connection and jmtin 
a stock of furniture. He also purchased 160 
aciresof huid on section 19, Sinnott townshi]), 
Marshall county, Minnesota. He has con- 
tinued his residence in Stephen ever since, 
and still owns and runs his farm. 

Mr. Hanson was married at Morris, Ste- 
vens county, Minnesota, in 1880, to Miss 
Anna Kroke, daughter of Hans and Mollie 
Kroke, natives of Norway. This union has 
been blessed with two childi-en, botii living 
— Oliver II. and Martin A. 

Mr. Hanson is one of the most public- 
spirited citizens of the village and lias done 
more than his share in the improvement of 
his adopted town. He is intelligent, charit- 
able, and of extensive travel and experience, 
and is well fitted for an}' ])lace of trust to 
which he may be called. For three terms 
he was president of the village council in 
Stephen, and, while a resident of Grant 
county, was chairuKin of tiie board of super- 
visors for five years. He is a leading mem- 
ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church. 



-«- 



^M NDREW LARSON, among the leading 
-/^""JL and pi'ominent business men of Will- 
mar, Kandi\'ohi county, ]\Iinnesota, is the 
gentleman whose name heads this article, 
who is engaged in the mercantile business in 
that place. He is one of the oldest mer- 
chants of the city, having located there on 
the 15th day of May, 1870, and engaged in 
the business which he has since carried on. 
He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, 
born on the 15th day of August, 1842, and is 
the son of Lars and Gena (Johnson) Ellefson, 
also natives of that kingdom. The parents 
emigrated to the United States, and located 
in Pierce count}', Wisconsin, in 1852, and 
renuiined there until tlieir death. The father 
died in 1882, at tne age of ninety^onr, and 



552 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



the mother one year previous, at the age 
of eighty-one. Tliey were the parents of 
the following-named children, who are now 
living — John, of Becker county, Minnesota, 
engaged in extensive farming operations; 
Andries, of Pierce county, "Wisconsin, and 
Andrew, of whom this article treats. 

Mr. Larson, the subjectof this biographical 
review, remained on the home farm in his 
native land, attending school until he was 
ten years old, when he emigrated to the 
United States with his parents. He received 
his education in the district schools of Pierce 
county, Wisconsin, and remained at home 
until 1862. He then enlisted in Company D, 
Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and, in Louis- 
ville, Kentucky, was on Major-General John 
M. Palmer's staff for one year, doing provost 
duty most of the time. He was in the service 
about three years and a half, and after his 
honorable discharge returned to Stanton, 
Wisconsin, where he engaged in mei'cantile 
business. After following that occupation for 
two years he removed to ISIinnesota, settling in 
St. Cloud, engaging in the mercantile business, 
where he remained for about five years. He 
then removed to Willmar, Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota,and opened his present business. In 
1876 he erected his [jresent fine store building, 
one of the best in the city. He is also presi- 
dent of the Kandiyohi Count}' Bank, estab- 
lislie<l in 1880, with a paid up capital of 
^.50,000 and $50.(io0 surplus. He was one of 
its organizers and has been its president since 
1884. He has been ])i'esident of the high 
school board and member of the village coun- 
cil. Mr. Larson is one of the most prominent 
and public-spirited citizens of the cit}' and 
always assists all local entci'prises with means 
and influence. 

Mr. Larson was united in marriage in 1872 
to Miss Mary Anilerson, of Prescott, Wis- 
consin, and this union has been blessed with 
three children — Clara G., Archie M. and 
Freddy A. Our subject and his family 



belons to the Lutheran church. He is a 
republican in his political affiliations and a 
man of the strictest lionor and integrity, his 
word ijeinff as good .'is a bond. 



-4^> 



JUDGE AUGUSTUS ROBERTS, who has 
for a number of years been judge of 
the probate court of Cass county, North 
Dakota, is one of the leading and most promi- 
nent citizens of Fargo. A good lawyer, 
and a man of the strictest integrity, he has 
given excellent satisfaction in the position 
which he fills ; and stands high in city and 
county both as an official and an oxemplarv 
citizen. 

Judge Roberts was born in IJvermore, 
Maine, on the 15th of April, 1S5-2. and is the 
son of Ahira and Mary Ann (I)urgin) Rob- 
erts, both of whom were natives of the same 
State. When our subject was two and a 
half years old his mother died, and about 
eighteen months later he went to Me.xico, 
Maine, to make his home with Aaron Luf- 
kin. There he was reared on a farm and 
remained until he was sixteen years of age. 
He then made his home with Dr. Y. ^r. 
Abbott, in Mexico, Maine, remaining until 
1874. While living with the Doctor he 
received excellent educational advantages, 
attending high school, and during the last 
three winters before he left he taught school. 
In 1874 he come to Fargo to visit his brother, 
and remained until fall, when he returned to 
Maine. In the following spring he went to 
Berlin, New Hampshire, and was engaged 
in the lumber mills until the spring of 1876. 
when he went to Rockford. ]Minn('sota. 
After teaching school during the fall and 
winter, in the spring of 1877 he went to the 
Black Hills on a prospecting trij). While 
there he was accidentally wounded by the 
discharge of his ])istol, and he was brought 
to his brother's, S. G. Roberts, in Fargo. 



p. IKK JiKGJO.yS OF M/XXESOTA. 



553 



He has since made Fargo his home, and has 
become one of the most highl}' respected 
citizens of the city. In 1S79 he began the 
practice of hiw, and in the fall of 1880 was 
elected probate judge, and has held the office 
ever since. He also served for four j'ears as 
city justice. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias. 

Judge Roberts was married in Fargo, 
December 1, 1879, to Miss Florence May 
Chambers, a daughter of E. B. and Harriet 
(Waite) Chambers, and they are the parents 
of one son named Edwin A. 



J^TaNNIN F.CANFIELD, the prominent 
-M^Js%^ and popular druggist and post- 
master in the thrivinjj village of Lono: 
Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native 
of the State of New York. He was born in 
Rochester, Monroe county, on the lith of 
April, 184-5, and is the son of Abraham and 
Caroline (Vandlinder) Canfield, natives also 
of the Empire State. The father of the 
present subject was a prominent medical 
practitioner in his native State, and removed 
to Minnesota in 1853. He settled in Hast- 
ings, Dakota county, Minnesota, where he 
practiced medicine for six years and then 
removed to Eureka, Dakota county, Minne- 
sota, remaining there about seven years. At 
the expiration of that time Mr. Canfield, the 
father of the subject of this article, went to 
Sauk Centre, Minnesota, where he has 
since remained extensively engaged in his 
clinical work. The father and mother were 
the parents of the following-named chil- 
dren — Henry, Phebe, Monroe, Dillon, 
Louisa, Florence, Rosa, Hattie, Rhoda, 
Charles and William. Rhoda, Rosa and 
Charles are deceased. 

Mr. Canfield, the subject of this biograph- 
ical review, received his education princi- 
pally in Minnesota, where he had removed 



with his parents when at the age of eight 
years. He completed his education in Hast- 
ings, Dakota countv, Minnesota, where he 
attended the excellent schools of that place 
until he was twenty-three years old, with 
the exception of the period fi-om February 
4, 1865, until October 23, 1865. On the 
4th of February, 1865 he enlisted in 
the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. 
He was stationed at Chattanooga, Tennes- 
see. He received an honorable dischai'ge 
in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the 23d of 
October, 1865. After his discliarge he located 
at Fai'mington, Dakota count}', Minnesota, 
where he engaged in the drug business for 
two years. He then removed to Sauk 
Centre, Minnesota, where he followed the 
same business for two years. Mr. Canfield 
then decided to seek a newfield for operations, 
and accordinglv took a trip west, and in 
1882 settled in Long Prairie, Todd county, 
Minnesota, where he has since remained, 
ensaeed in the di'uo- business. On the 10th 
of ()ctober, 1885, the postniastership was 
consigned to Mr. Canfield. and lie has since 
held the position with satisfaction to all 
]iarties. 

Mr. Canfield was married on the 31st of 
October, 1878, to Miss Hariette A. Jones, 
and this union has been blessed with three 
children — Carrie R., Myrtle V. and Ray M. 
Mrs. Canfield is a native of Springfield, 
Massachusetts, and received her education in 
Minnesota, where she removed with her 
parents when at an early. age. Mr. Canfield 
is one of the prominent business men and 
citizens of Long Prairie and vicinity, and 
has held the offices of village recorder two 
terms, and school trustee foi' two terms. He 
is a member of the Masonic and Odd- Fellows 
fraternities of Long Prairie, and also belongs 
to the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 
No. 100. He is a democrat in his political 
affiliations and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. 



554 



RED KIVER VALLE Y AND 



2T J. HOWE, the suhject of this biograph- 
^ ical memoir, is a resident of tlie city of 
Braincrd, Crow "Wing county, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in the himhcring busi- 
ness, employing a large number of men and 
having hciivy interests in nuun' different lum- 
ber yai'ds. He is an Irishnum, born on the 
3d of August, 1841, and is the son of P. H. 
and Ellen (Collins) Howe, natives of Ireland. 
The parents emigrated to the United States 
and located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 
father died in 1841. Tiie mother passed 
away in 1851. 

Mr. Howe, of wlium this sketch treats, 
finding himself an oipiian at the age of ten 
years, was compelled to begin the battle of 
life for himself. He secui-ed work in a saw- 
mill whei'e he worked for five years, and at 
the expiration of that time moved to Minne- 
sota, settling in ]\[endota, where for two or 
three summers he was emplo^^ed in a saw- 
mill. From Mendota he went to Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota, and for several years 
worked at logging in the winters and in the 
summers engaged in saw-mill work, and was 
general superintendent of lumber business. 
In 1882 he went into tiie lumber business in 
partnership with Farnham & Lovejoy, con- 
tinuing with them for five years. In 1882 
Mr. Howe moved to the northern part of 
the State and settled in Hrainerd, Crow 
Wing county, Minnesota, where he bought 
an interest in a saw-mill. He has since 
remained in the citv, graduallv enlai'yinir his 
interests in the lumber Inisiness, until now 
his name is svnononious with the leadinf 
lunil)ering interests of the State. He is one 
of tiie representative and jirominent lumber- 
men of the Noi'lh west, and is a man of ster- 
ling business cpialitications. 

Mr. Howe was united in marriage in 1866 
to Miss Mary Grady, and this union has 
been blessed with the following-named chil- 
dren — Joseph J., Frank M., F. W., Nellie, 
Eva, Grace, Blanch and C. S. Howe. 



Mr. Howe is a republican in his jiolitical 
affiliations, and is actively interested in all 
local mattei's. He is a public-spirited citizen, 
and any laudable home enterprise receives 
his hearty sup])oi-t and encouragement. 



-«- 



-^^ 



J^yOYSE BRAY, the pojnilar and 
_^^t^r^ accommodating jiroprietor of the 
West Hotel, in Itod Lake Falls, Folk county, 
Minnesota, is a native of the Douiiiiion of 
Canada. He was born on the 23d of August, 
1824, and is the son of Simon and Eliza- 
beth (Mauntrial) Bray, natives also of Can- 
ada. The father died in 1835, and the 
niothei' is also deceased. 

Mr. Bray, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, remained at home until he was 
twenty years of age. During that time lie 
attended school, and in l!^44 secured a posi- 
tion as a boatman on a steam vessel on the 
St. Lawerence river. P^rom that position he 
rapiilly advanced, and in two years secured 
the captaincy of a steamer. For thirty- 
seven years he followed that vocation on the 
St. Lawrence river, Ottawa river. Lakes 
Ontario and Champlain. In 1882 he emi- 
gi'ated to the States and located in Polk 
countv, Minnesota. There he took a farm 
<m section 24, Louisville townsiiip. and 
engaged in genera! farming and stock-rais- 
ing, for two years. In 1884 he removed 
into tlie«n-illage of Bed Lake Falls and rented 
the Commercial Hotel, which he operated for 
four years. In 1^88 he erected the West 
Hotel, which he has since carried on. He 
keeps a first-class house, sets a good table 
and is well and favorably' known to the 
traveling public. He has a large share of 
the general patronage, and is doing a good 
business. 

Mr. Bray was united in marriage, in Can- 
ada on the 3d day of February, 1852, to 
Miss Leocadie Chatell, a native of Canada 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



555 



and the daui^hter of Cilix Oh.atell and Eliza- 
beth Chatell, natives also of the Dominion. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bray have been blessed with 
the following-named children — Calite, Joseph 
M.. Olinipi, Andaire, Zatigua, Joseph, Alfred, 
Napoleon, Edmund and Leodie. Our sub- 
ject and his family belong to the Catholic 
church. He always takes an active interest 
in local matters, and is one of the leading 
citizens of Red Lak& Falls. 



►^ — 



P^^HARLES BACKER, proprietor ( 
^<^£y Bank of ^Motley, is one of the pi 



of the 
ii oncers 

in that portion of the State, having settled 
on Long Prairie, in Todd county, at an 
earh' da\'. He was born in Germany in 1846, 
and remained in his native land until seven- 
teen years of age, when he started out alone 
to seek a home in America. He first went 
to Canada, but a few months later crossed 
the line into the State of New York, where 
he found employment and remained for 
three years. He then decided to come West, 
and as he had a brother living on Long- 
Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, he started 
out to find him. St. Cloud was the terminus 
of the railroad at thai tiine, so he took a 
stage to Sauk Centre, and from there walked 
to Long Prairie, in the town of Hartford in 
Todd county, a distance of thirty-two miles. 
After reaching his destination he had no 
difficulty in finding his brother, as each set- 
tler knew all of the settlers for miles around 
them. Oiii' suliject only had $20 in money, 
and this he gave to his brother to buy pro- 
visions with. He remained with his brother 
a short time, taking up a claim for himself 
of prairie and timljer land, but he had to 
have a team to carry on his improvements, 
and as he had no means he hired as a steam- 
boat hand on the Mississippi river until fall, 
and then went to the lumber woods 
for the winter. In the following spring 



with his wages he bought a pair of cat- 
tle and a wagon. He put up a log 
shanty on his claim and at once began 
improvements. Their nearest trading point 
was at Sauk Centre, thirty-two miles awa}', 
with no roads, and they frequently were 
obliged to make the trip on foot and carry 
such little articles as could be carried on their 
backs. At one time our subject carried fifty 
pounds of groceries the entire distance, and 
had to swim the river. At another time, late 
in the fall, he had cloth for overalls and 
drawers, and the river, while frozen over, 
was not hard enough to hold his weight. So 
he wrapped the cloth around his legs to 
prevent the ice from cutting him when he 
broke through, and thus succeeded in cross- 
ing. In the spring, when water was high, 
the pioneers frequentl}' encountered much 
danger in getting their oxen and wagons 
across. On one of these occasions Mr. 
Backer was crossing with his ox team when 
the ox-bow came out of the yoke, so it left 
only one ox attached to the wagon, and one 
became loose and swam ashore. Mr. Backer 
had to jump out in the middle of the river 
and hold up one end of the yoke as best he 
could, so the other ox could get ashore. 
John Waite, now of Long Prairie, happened 
to be standing on the opposite shore, and 
swam out and helped, and but for hisaitlthe 
whole outfit would have been lost and Mr. 
Backer drowned. IT])ou getting ashore the 
loose ox was revoked, and he proceeded 
on his way to Sauk Centre. One season 
Mr. Backei' purchased potatoes for seed, 
paying $1.10 per bushel. On his way back 
he had to cam]) over night, and all 
he had to eat was his potatoes, baked in 
the fire or raw. AVhen he reached the 
river the oxen coidd not swim the stream 
and draw the wagon. LTe accordingly 
secured a log canoe, and with that 
transported his cargo, but as he only had 
a comuKjn watei' pail to load antl unload 



556 



RED RIVER J^.IELEV AXD 



his potatoes witli the task took from early 
morning until the middle of the afternoon. 
Such were some of the disadvantages which 
the pioneers encountered. After remaining 
engaged in farming for six years Mr Backer 
took a contract to carry the mail from Long 
Prairie to ^lotley, and followed this, in con- 
nection with farming, for four or five years. 
During the time he was carrying the mail he 
became coiivinceil that ]\[otley would become 
a thriving village, and in August, 1878, he 
decided to locate at that place. At that 
time there was very little on the site, and 
tiie village had, as yet, no start, except such 
buildings as the depot, railway buildings and 
a few log shanties, although during that 
spring 11. B. Morrison came up to start his 
saw-mill. Mr. Brackei- put up the first frame 
building on the site, except the railway 
Ituildings. He opened a hotel and saloon, 
and ran that business for seven 3' ears, when 
he rented the property. During this time he 
had purchased the building known as the 
Johnson House. This was 22x-l:8 feet in size, 
aiul was an old landmark, being the pioneer 
hotel of this locality. Mr. Backer rebuilt 
it, raised and remodeled it, and has now an 
excellent building as the result. In this edi- 
fice he opened his bank on the 14th of No- 
vember, 1888, and also carries on other busi- 
ness interests. He is one of the heaviest 
business men in the county, and when we 
reali/.e that he came here with nothing save 
his hands, his present standing attests his 
business ability and energy. His bank has 
a ca))ital of $10,OuO, and he has other prop- 
erty interests which amount to as much more. 
Enterprising and liberal, he has done a 
great deal to aid in the development of the 
locality in wliich he lives, and every public 
enterprise receives his aid and encourage- 
ment. A man of the strictest integrity, his 
word is as good as his bond, and he stands 
high both as a business man and an exem- 
plary citizen. 



Mr. Backer was married in 1871, while liv- 
ing on Long I'rairie, to Miss Clara AVhias- 
halla. They are the parents of seven chil- 
dren — six boys and one girl. Their oldest 
child, Rosa, was one of the first white chil- 
dren born in the town of Hartford, Todd 
county, Minnesota. 

«'-^^^" » ' • 

PETER N. LOITWOOD is a prominent 
citizen of Hillsboro, North Dakota. His 
parents were Peter N. and ^fargaivt Loit- 
wood, nativesof Denmark, and he was born in 
Schlesvig, Denmark, June 28, 1852. During 
his boyhood-days Peter lived on a farm with 
his parents, attending school until the age 
of sixteen, at which time he came to the 
United States. His first work here was for 
different fai'uiers of Wright county in sum- 
mer, and going to school in winter, at which 
place he made his headquarters until 1880, 
taking a prospecting trip in 1876 to the 
Black Hills, but found it did not jjay him. 
During the summer of 1880 he went to 
Grafton, Dakota, and assisted the North- 
western ElevatorCompany in building eleva- 
tors at that ])lace, and at Ardoek, IVfinto 
and Larimore. That winter he returned to 
Iowa, and the next si)ring went to Devil's 
Lake, Turtle Mountains and several places, 
looking for laiul, but as the railroad went 
only as far as Larimore, and the land was 
not surveyed, he decided not to take a 
squatters claim. So he went to Grafton 
and worked at the carpenter's trade until 
fall, when he went to Mazomanie, Wis- 
consin, where he worked at his trade 
until the fall of 1883. At that time he 
came to Ilillsboro, North Dakota, and worked 
as second man in the Northwestern elevator 
until 1884, when he was ajipointed agent, 
which position he still holds. Mr. Loitwooil's 
parents both died in Denmark. He had one 
brother (Hans P.) that died in Ilillsboro, and 



PARR- REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



=57 



a brother living in Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota, named James P. He has a sister, 
Anna, now Mrs. Peter En mark, living in 
Grafton. His brother Christian in 1877 
went to the Wisconsin pineries, and they have 
not heard tVom liim since, so it is presumed 
lie is dead. 

Our subject was mai-ried in Mazomanie, 
"Wisconsin, in 1883, to Miss Florence Orcutt, 
(hiugiiter of Abel and Ellen Orcutt. Her 
niotlier is living on a farm in Dane county, 
Wisconsin. They have two bright children — 
Jessie and Leroy. 

Mr. Loitwood is rated as one of tlie most 
capable business men of Hillsboro, and is a 
man of the sti'ictest integrity. 



2j EFF. H. IRISH, attoi'ney-at-law, and the 
^ present incumbent of the office of county 
attorney of Becker county, Minnesota, is a 
resident of the village of Detroit, where he 
is engaged in his professional and official 
duties. He is a native of Michigan, born in 
Oakland county, August 24, 1859, and is the 
son of William and Mary (Plenry) Irish, 
natives of New York and Vei-mont, resj)ect- 
ively. The grandpai-ents of our suliject on 
his father's side were Rial and Sophia (Jenks) 
Irish, natives of New York, and they settled 
in Michigan in 1834 and followed farming. 
Rial Irish died in 1802. They were the par- 
ents of three children — William, the father 
of our subject, Helen and Cordelia. The 
grandparents (jf our subject on the mother's 
side were Harvey and Sandona Henry, 
natives of Vermont and New Hampshire, 
and they were engaged in farminj;. They 
were the parents of the following-named 
children — Sophia, Mary, Charles, James, 
William and Frank. The parents of our sub- 
ject were married at Bellows Falls, \'ermont, 
in 1855, and took up their residence in Mich- 
igan, where they remained until the father's 



death in 1860. He was a surveyor by pro- 
fession. They were the parents of two 
children — our subject, the only one now liv- 
ing, and Charles. 

Mr. Irish, the subject of this biographical 
review, remained on the home farm with his 
mother, attending the common schools until 
he was fifteen years of age. At that period 
in life, he entered the high school at Bir- 
mingham, Oakland county, Michigan, where 
he remained three \'ears. He then entered 
the Pontiac high school, and after stay- 
ing in that institution for one 3^ear, 
entered the Michigan Agricultural Col- 
lege at Lansing, fi'om which lie gradu- 
ated with high honors and received the 
degree of B. S., in 1882. He then entered 
the law school at Ann Arbor, where he 
remained one year. In 188-the opened an 
office for the practice of his chosen profes- 
sion, in Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota. He continued in the law and real 
estate business in that place for two years, 
and in April, 1886, removed to the city of 
Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, where he 
has since remained. In November, 1888, 
he was elected county attorney, and has 
since filled that responsible position, with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. In the spring of 1888 he was 
elected a member of the village board and 
also on tiie school board. In the village 
he owns a fine residence and also possesses 
considerable real estate in Otter Tail 
county. 

Mr. Irish was united in marriage on the 
5th day of October, 1886, to Miss Edith 
McConnell, of Chicago, Illinois, and the 
daughter of Edward and Susan (Cojehour) 
McConnell, natives of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. 
Irish have been blessed with one child — 
Genevieve. Our subject belongs to the 
republican party and is one of the promi- 
nent and esteemed citizens of the county and 
village. 



558. 



J<IiD KJVEk VALLEY AND 



BASHER A. WOODWORTH is the 
proprietor of one of the leading hotels 
in Ilullock, Kittson county, Minnesota. He 
was born in llocliester. Minnesota, January' 
27, 1859. 

Mr. Woodwortli's |)arents were J. C. and 
R. J. (McKnight) Woothvorth. The father 
was a native of New York, and the mother 
a native of West 'Virginia. In an early day 
the parents came to ]\Iinnesota, where they 
lived until 1860, at which time they removed 
to Iowa. The\' are now living in Sioux City. 

The subject of our sketch renuiined with 
his parents during his earh' life, attending 
district school. In 1862 he went with his 
parents to Decorah, Iowa, and lived with 
them in that place until they I'emoved to 
Sioux City in 1869. In tlie spring of 1877 
he went to the Black Hills and enfiao-ed in 
fi'eiji'htinir between Fort Pierre and Dead- 
wood City, wJiich business he followed until 
May, 1880. At tiiat time he came to Fer- 
gus Falls, Minnesota, bringing with him 
three teams. During that fall and winter he 
worked at various kinds of employment, and 
in the spring went to w(M-k on the railroad 
from Wadena to Breckenridge. He followed 
the railroad business until November, 1881, 
when he removeil to Pelican Rapids, Minne- 
sota, where he engaged in business for some 
time ; then engaged in the livery business for 
about a year, after which he was employed 
at hauling brick and at ditferent kinds of 
labor. In 1885 he went to Argyle, remain- 
ing there but a short time. Marcii 1, 1886, 
he went to llaliock, Minnesota, where he at 
once engaged in the hotel business and at 
which he has continued ever since. 

Mr. Woodwortli was mari'ied in Pelican 
Rapids, November 15, 1883, to Miss Emma 
Bruestle, daughter of Conrad and Rosa 
Eruestle, natives of Germany. One child 
has blessed this union — Clifford A. 

In politics Mr. Wood worth aifiliates with 
the republican party, lie is a man of excel- 



lent business principles, and holds the esteem 
and confidence of his fellow citizens. His 
hotel is one of tiie best the town affords, and 
his many guests all si)eak in the highest 
terms of praise of his excellent qualities as a 
hotel proprietor. 



^EORGE L. DEMING. the present post- 
master at Atwatei-,Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota, is one of the leading business men 
of that place, and will form the subject of 
our present .sketch. He has been promi- 
nentl}' identified witii the business interests 
of that locality, and has been foremost in all 
enterprises which were calculated to aid in 
the growth and development of the village 
or surrounding countiy. 

Mr. Deming was born in Vermont in 182S, 
and is a son of Gad and Bethiaii (Woodard) 
Deming. His parents had a family of nine 
children, only thiee of wiiom, however, are 
now living. Our subject's childhood days 
were spent at home and in attendance upon 
the district schools. When he was eigliteen 
months old his father died, and his motlier 
kept the family together until George L. was 
eight years old, and then he and the 
rest of the bo^'s were obliged to shirk for 
themselves, and were thrown upon their own 
resources. George followed various avoca- 
tions ; he drove on the canal, worked his way 
up, and finally became' ca])tain of a boat. 
Later he engaged in the hotel business, and 
followed that for a number of years in the 
East, and was i)ostmaster at Shoreliam, "N'er- 
mont, under Abraham Lincoln's administra- 
tion. In 1867 he came to Minnesota and 
settled at Belle Plaine, where he became 
agent for the American Express Company, 
and also engaged in kee]iing a hotel. In 
1878 he came to Atwater, Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota, where he still lives. 

Mr. Deming was mari'ied in 18-17, to Miss 
Isabeile Moffit, and they became the parents 



P.IRK KF.GIOXS OF Ar/X.VESOTA. 



559 



of four children — William H., George C, 
Eliza F. and Mary J. William H. is in busi- 
ness in Dakota ; George is in St. Paul ; Eliza 
is the wife of J. M. Spicer, the president of 
the Willmar & Sioux Falls Railway Com- 
pany ; and Mary J. is still at home. 

Mr. Doming is a stanch democrat in his 
))olitical l)elief, antl is one of the leading 
members of that party in the county. He is 
a mendjer of the Masonic fraternity, and is 
highl}' esteemed as a man of integrity and a 
valued citizen. 






<^|OHN A. BERG. Prominent among the 



d business men of the village of Belgrade, 
Minnesota, is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article, who is engaged in the 
hiirdwaro, lumber and elevator business, 
lie is a native of Norway, born on the 5th 
day of September, 1845, and is the son of 
Andrew and Ingeborg Berg, also natives of 
Norway. 

Mr. Berg, the subject of this article, 
remained in his native land, attending school 
until he was nineteen years old. In 18C4 he 
emigrated to the United States, and, after 
landing in New York City, in June, went 
direct to Dodgeville, Wisconsin, where he 
enlisted in the Forty -tliird Wisconsin Infan- 
try, under Colonel Cobb, and served until 
the 2ith of June, 1865, when he was honor- 
ably discharged. After his discharge he 
went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he 
attended school during the winter of 1865 
and 1866. h\ the summer of 1866 he went 
to Chicago, Illinois, and enlisted in the 
Twenty-eighth United States Infantry, and 
was made sergeant. He served three years 
and was discharged April 20, 1869, in Cam- 
den, Arkansas. lie then startinl for Chicago, 
and came as far as Kandiyohi county, Min- 
nesota, where he engaged in the machinery 
business. lu 1SS2 he paid a visit to Norway, 



and after five months' absence returned and 
took charge of the Northwestern Elevator 
Compan3''s elevators, as traveling superin- 
tendent, for two years. He then resigned, 
and engaged in the machinery business in 
Willmar, and in 1886 located in Belgrade, 
where he opened uj) in the hardware, hunber 
and elevator business. 

Mr. Berg Avas married on the 19th of 
February, 1871, to Miss Ellen Bjorge, and 
this union has been blessed with eight chil- 
dren — Lotta, Elma, Albert, Willie, Harry, 
and the following, who are deceased — Olgo 
Lenora, died 28th of June, 1882, aged one 
year, three months; Clara Normana, 
died August 15, 1882, aged three and one- 
half years, and John Elmor, died July 8, 
1884, aged three months. Mrs. Berg passed 
away October 31, 1887. and was interred in 
Willmar. Our subject and family belong to 
the Lutheran church. He is president of the 
village council, and, while in Kandiyohi 
county, held the office of county commis- 
sioner for two terms. In political matters 
he affiliates with the I'ejiublican party. He 
is a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and is a member of Hogg Post, 
No. 125, Grand Army of the llepublic. He 
is actively interested in all local matters, and 
is a business man of the strictest integrity 
and honor. 



-«- 



J^ERBERT GLAISYER, a prominent 
JiL'^^^ pharmacist, of Clay county, Minne- 
sota, is a resident of the village of Hawle}% 
where he is engaged in a general drug busi- 
ness. He is a native of Englanil, born in 
Brighton, England, on the 3d day of August, 
1847, and is the son of Thomas and Pho-be 
(Lucas) Glaisyer, also natives of that king- 
dom. The father is a prominent druggist in 
his native land. The father and mother of 
our subject were the parents of the following- 



560 



HKD KIVER VALLEY AND 



named children — Arthur, Herbert, Edith, 
Alice, Eleanor, Edmund and Harold. 

Mr. Glaisyer, tlie subject of tliis biograph- 
ical memoir, received his educati(jn in Hart- 
ford and Weston, England, where he attended 
school until lie was sixteen years of age. He 
tlicn studied the drug business until he had 
completed his chosen profession. He then 
went to sea, wliere he was engaged for twelve 
years, and he then emigrated to the United 
States, and, after landing, removed to Min- 
nesota, where he located in Cla}^ county^ 
Minnesota, where he has since remained. He 
settled in Clay county, in 1874, on a tract of 
land on section 26, Cromwell township, wiiere 
lie remained six or seven years, engaged in a 



genei-al farming and stock-raising business. 
He tiien removed into the village of Hawley, 
where he o]iened a drug store, at which he 
has since bren engaged. He is the only 
druggist in the village and one of the most 
competent and careful lousiness men in 
Northern Minnesota. He has held tiie offices 
of treasurer, justice of the peace and post- 
master. 

Mr. Glaisyer was united in marriage on 
the 3d day of August, 1878, to Miss Emma 
C. Plummer, and this union has been blessed 
with the following-named children — Regi- 
nakl, Lionel, Edith, Victor, Violet and Her- 
burt. Our subject and his family prefer 
the Episcopalian societ3\ He is a democrat 
in his political alliliations, and is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity. He is actively inter- 
ested in all local movements, and is a citizen 
of the strictest honor and integrity, highly 
esteemed and respected by all wIkj loiow 
him. 



JToHN H. STRONG, who is engaged in the 
f^ general merchandising business in the vil- 
lage of Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minnesota, 
is a native of the State of Kentucky. He 
was born in Morgan county, on the 28th of 



December, 1860, and is the son of George and 
Elizabeth (Rathflf) Strong, natives of Ken- 
tucky. The father of our subject was a 
farmer bv occu])ation ami died in the late 
war. The mother is still living in Missouri. 
They were the parents of three children, 
named as follows- — John H., Samuel and 
James. 

Mr. Strong, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, remained in his native State 
until 1872, and at the age of twelve years 
removed with his parents to Harnionj', 
Indiana, where our subject obtained his edu- 
cation. After graduating, with high honor.s, 
at the age of nineteen, from the Harmony 
public schools, he secured a position as clerk 
in the general merchandise store of Zeller & 
Riddell, with whom he worked three years. 
At the expiration of that time he was 
employed as weighman in a coal mine, at 
which he was employed three 3'ears. In 
1880) he emigrated to the West and located 
in Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minnesota, 
where he has since remained. He made a 
flying trip to Dakota, but only renuiined 
nine months, returning: to Eagle Bend. In 

J DO 

1886 he purchased a farm on section 31, Ger- 
mania township, Todd county, Minnesota, 
and commenced general farming operations. 
He remained upon his farm until July, 1888, 
at which time he removed to the village of 
Eagle Bend and purchased the interest of 
Arthur Van Dyke in the general store of 
Van Dyke Brothers. The firm has since 
continued as Van Dyke & Strong, and they 
are doing an extensive trade. The}' carry 
one of the largest stocks in the village and 
handle a full line of first-class gooils. 

Mr. Strong was married November 14, 
1883, to Miss Nellie Savage, and this union 
has been blessed with one child — Frank. 
Mrs. Strong was born in Caiuula August 28, 
1864, and is the daughter of Hugh Savage, 
an engineer by trade. Mr. Strong is a i-epub- 
lican in politics and belongs to the Independ 



PARK KEGIOXS OF MIXXF.SOTA. 



561 



dent Order of Odd-Fellows. He is one of 
tlie leading- citizens of the connty, and is 
I lie assistant postmaster of bis village. 



— «— 



>"P^KON. MICHAEL J. McDONNELL, who 
jLtSL is a justice of the peace, notary public 
and surveyor, and is also engaged in the 
real estate business at Graceville, Minne- 
sota, is one of the most pi-ominent citizens 
of that locality. He is one of the oldest 
settlers tliere, and, having been prominently 
ider.titied witli tiie growth and development 
of the village and vicinitv, he well deserves 
s]iace in a volume devoteii to the representa- 
tive men of Northern Minnesota. 

Mr. McDonnell was born in county Kil- 
kenny, Ireland, September 1, 18i3, and is a 
son of William and Margaret McDonnell. 
For generations past the McDonnells have 
been natives of the " Emerald Isle." The 
mother died when our subject was only six 
months old. Michael J. was the youngest 
of tiie family ; he has one sister, who is now 
Mrs. Ella Kenney, of Traverse count}', Min- 
nesota. 

In 1848 the family came to the United 
States and settled in tiie State of New York, 
where the\' i-einained two years, and in 1850 
removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where they 
remained nine years. At the expiration of 
that time, in 18.59, they settled at St. Louis, 
Missouri, and in Jul}', 1861, came to Minne- 
sota and located in Houston county. Our 
subject attended school during all these 
years and completed his education at St. 
Louis. Shortly after tlie war broke out he 
offered hissei'vices in defense of the flag and 
tried to enlist, but was rejected as he 
was too young. He remained at home dur- 
ing the summer montlis and aided in carry- 
ing on the home farm, and during the win- 
ters taught school. During the last seven 
3'ears spent in Houston county he also fol- 



lowed surveying. He took an active interest 
in public affairs, and as a stanch democrat he 
became one of the most prominent men in 
public affairs in that part of the State. He 
was honored with a number of local offices, 
and for four successive terms, from 1874 to 
1877, inclusive, he represented Houston 
county in the lower house of the Minnesota 
legislature. 

In May, 1878, the village of Graceville, 
Minnesota, was started as a coion\' b}' 
Bishop Ireland, of St. Paul, and in the fall 
of this year our subject removed thereto, 
and has since made it his home. He has 
always been foremost in every move calcu- 
latetl to benefit that locality, and is 
one of the leading and most highl}' 
respected citizens of the place. He 
was the first president of the village council, 
and held the office for four successive years, 
when he was elected justice of the peace, 
which office he still holds. He is an honored 
member of the Catholic church, and also of 
the Knights of Labor and Ancient Order of 
Hibernians. 

Mr. McDonnell was married to Miss Mary 
Sullivan, an estimable lady of Houston 
county, Minnesota, and a daughter of John 
and Ellen Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. McDon- 
nell are the jmrents of seven children — 
Wilham J., M. E. Grace, Maggie T., John J., 
Kose M., Athenius H. and Catharine. The 
second named, M. E. Grace, was the first 
child born in Graceville, hence the name. 



►^^ 



l^NUD J. TARALSETH, a prominent 
J[i<\^ and successful merchant of Marshall 
county, Minnesota, is a resilient of the village 
of Warren, where he is engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandising business. He is a native 
of Norway, born in Ilornindal Bergen Stift, 
on the 2d day of November, 1848, and is 
the son of Ole and Olena Taralsetli, also 



562 



tiED KIVEK VALLE V A.Mr. 



natives of that kingdom. The father and 
mother of our suljject wei'e the parents of 
the following-named children^two lirothers 
and two sisters — Peder, Ilarald, Magnhiid 
and Brita, of whom the two 3'oungest chil- 
dren, his sister Brita and iiimself, emigrated 
to this coimtry. 

Mr. Taraiscth, the sul)ject of tliis i)i()- 
graphical sketch, commenced in life for him- 
self at tlie early age of oigiit years. And for 
eight years, until lie was si.xteen, he was em- 
ployed as a cattle-boy amid the hills of his 
native country. In 1804 he entered an 
apprenticeship to the cai'j)enter's traile, and 
for live years he worked at the trade during 
the summers and em])ioye(i his winter time 
in fishing. By the time he was twenty-four 
years old he had saved enough to bring him 
to the United States, and in 1872 he emi- 
grated for America. After a voyage of 
twelve days he landed in (Quebec, and at once 
removed to Tied Wing, Minnesota, whei'e he 
secured work on the railroad. lie could only 
get $1.25 per day, and out of this had to 
board himself. After working one year at 
this employment he went to Minnea]iolis, 
Minnesota, where he worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade until 1875. He then returned to 
Norway and remained five months, visiting 
old familiar scenes. In May, 1875, lie again 
landed on America's shores and after woik- 
ing in Minneapolis, ]\rinnesota, at his trade 
for three years, lie removed to Douglas 
county, Minnesota. In 1878 he located in 
Osakis, where he ])urchased a half interest in 
a small store, and until 1882 was engaged in 
that business. He then sold his interest and 
removed to the village of Warren, Mai-shall 
county, Minnesota, where he bought a small 
building and put in a stock of general 2ner- 
chandise. In the summer of 18SS he erected 
the large brick block he is now in. and Octo- 
ber 1, 1888, removed to his new quartei's. He 
has since been engaged in the general mer- 
chandising business and carries a heavy and 



complete stock of goods. He has a very 
extensive patronage and is doing the heaviest 
business of any firm in the villajre. 

JSIr. Taralsetii was married on tlie 18tli 
day of April, 1875, to Miss Kanghild Satren, 
the daughterof Ole and Brita Satren, natives 
of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Taralseth have 
been blessed with the following-named chil- 
dren — Lena, Henrv and Ualpli. Our subject 
and his family belong to tlie Norwegian 
Luthei-an cliurch. Mr. Taralseth has been a 
member of tlu! village council for six years, 
village treasurer for two years, etc. He is a 
member of the Warren Lodge, No. 150, 
A. F. and A. M. In jwlitical matters he 
affiliates with the republican ])arty. and has 
taken an active ])art in county and State 
politics. 



^^►^ 



l^EUBEN F. TATE, of Pelican Eapids, 
J&hV Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was 
born in Hancock county, Illinois, May 10, 
1846. He is the son of Milton A. Tate, of 
Virginia, and Martha Ann (Broaddus") Tate, 
of the State of Kentucky. The parents set- 
tled in Illinois in 1832, and were married at 
Macomb, Illinois, in 1835. They afterward 
settled on a farm near Augusta in Ilanmck 
county, where they resided when the subject 
of this sketch was born. In 1847 the family 
removed to ILusliville, Scliuyler county, 
Illinois, where the early life of our subject 
was ])assed and his education was acquired. 
In February, 1805, he enlisted in Company 
K, One Hundred and Fift3'-first Regiment 
. Illinois Infantry, and served in the war 
until P"'ebruary, 1866, when he was honorably 
discharged. He then returned to his home 
in Ilushville where he worked sevei'al years 
at tiie carpenter's trade. In 1869 he went 
to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he worked at 
his trade for five years. For two years after 
that lie was engag-ed in the construction of 



PARK REGIONS OP MINNESOTA. 



563 



l)ri(lges and depots on tlie M. K. & T. 
Kinlroad then Ituilding through Missouri, 
Kansas, Indian Territory and Texas. He 
then I'eturned to Illinois and settled at Ivnox- 
vilie, where he engaged in carpentering 
and the lumber business. In 1882 he 
I'omoved to Pelican Ilapids, Minnesota, 
where he still resides, engaged in the re- 
tail lumber business, as a member of the 
firm of E. F. Tate & Co. May 10, 1877, 
Ml'. Tate was married at Aledo, Illinois, to 
Miss Catharine A. Eitts, a native of the State 
of Pennsylvania, and this marriage has been 
blessed with five children, one of which died 
in infancy. The other four are still living. 
Our subject and his family Ijelong to the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He is a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, and Seward Post, No. 91, Grand Army 
of the Republic. He belonged to the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd-Fellows in Fort Scott, 
Kansas. He has held the office of member 
of the village council and is one of the 
representative and respected citizens of the 
village. In political matters he affiliates 
with the re]iul>lican part}', and is actively 
interested in local matters. 



-.^ 



LBERT S. McMillan, editor and pro- 
prietor of the Verndale Journal, is 
one of Wadena county's oldest settlers, hav- 
ing located there in the fall of 1879. He is 
a native of Ohio, born in Cleveland, on the 
19th day of February, 1853, and is the only 
son of Thomas and Mary (Smith) McMillan, 
natives of New York. The parents of our 
subject removed to Iowa in 1862. They 
were the parents of the following-named 
children— Eva L. McMillan, Albert S. McMil- 
lan and Clara E. McMillan, all of whom are 
residents of Verndale. 

Mr. McMillan, of whom this article treats, 
remained in his native State until he was 



nine years of age, when he removed to Iowa 
with his parents, and settled in Waverl}', 
Bremer county. He remained there attend- 
ing school until he was seventeen years of 
age. At that period in life he entered the 
olfice of the Waverl}' ReinMican, and 
remained with that paper until 187-1, when 
he entered Cornell University, New York, 
where he remained one year. In 1876 he 
again went to Waverly, Iowa, and entered 
the office of the Bremer county hidependent. 
He remained in that office as foreman and 
local editor until the spring of 1879, when he 
resigned his position and shortly after started 
for the Northwest, in search of a location. 
He decided to start a paper in the village of 
Verndale and returned to Iowa, and from 
there went to Chicago, Illinois, where he 
purchased an outfit. He then returned to 
Verndale, Wadena county, Minnesota, where 
he established the Verndale Journal, which 
he has since continued to publish. He now 
has a steam power press, and one of the most 
completely equipped offices in Northern 
Minnesota, and is doing an extensive business 
in job work. The paper has a large circula- 
tion throughout Wadena and adjoining- 
counties, and is one of the standard and 
representative periodicals of that section of 
the State. In political matters the paper is 
I'epublican, and is classed as one of the lead- 
ing political journals of the Park Eegion. In 
April, 1883, Mr. McMillan was appointed 
postmaster, and held that jiosition until June, 
1885. During that time he opened a general 
book store, which he has since continued to 
carry on in addition to his paper. He is one 
of the popular and esteemed citizens of the 
county, and any laudible home enterprise 
receives bis hearty support. In the fall of 
1881 he was elected county superintendent 
of schools, and held the position two years, 
during which time several new districts were 
oi'ganized, and he did much toward raisinjr 
the standard of the schools. 



564 



RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



In July, 1887, lie established a branch 
office at Motley, Morrison county, and began 
the publication of the Motley Register, a 
local republican newsjiaper, of which John 
T. Drawz, foi- eight years connected with the 
Verndale JoMrnai, is local editor and manager. 

Mr. Mc^Iillan was united in marriage on 
the 25th day of May, 1882, to Miss Eliza J. 
Dougherty, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
the daughter ot David B. and Eliza (Crail) 
Dougherty, natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- 
vania, respectively. Our subject isanexem- 
plarj' citizen, and is a man of the strictest 
lionor and integrity, and was one of tlie 
charter m<!iid)ers of the Congregational 
cliurcii of N'ei-ndalc. lie has a comfortable 
residence, and one of tlie finest private libra- 
ries in that section of the State. 



•■»-?^^- <" ■ 



[aMES R. HAIU^IS, the oldest settler of 
the Red River Valley, from Big Stone 
to Pembina, is at present a farmer of 
McCauleyville, Wilkin county, Minnesota. 

Mr. Harris was born on the 7th da}' of 
April. 1838, in Sullivan county, Indiana. 
His parents were James and Xancy Harris, 
who were natives of Kentucky and came to 
Indiana in about 1810. The father followed 
farming in early life and later was a mer- 
chant in Sullivan village, Indiana. He died 
there in September, 1855. The motlier died 
in 1842. They were the parents of eleven 
children, eight of whom are now living — 
Polly C, Josiali C, Jane, Luther R., Madison, 
Addison W., Julia and James R. 

Our subject was educated both in the 
common schools of Sullivan county and the 
high school in Sullivan village. At the age 
of seventeen, in 1855, he left both school and 
home, and the following spring came to 
Garden Grove, Decatur count}', Iowa. 
Here he ran the engine in a saw-mill for a 
short time. From .\])ril to July in 1856 he 



was engaged in bringing a drove of cattle 
from Iowa to Little Falls, Minnesota. He 
then took charge of the Foster House in 
Sauk Rapids, and of which he had full 
control. ■ 

In 1857 he was employed by the Brccken- 
ridge Townsite Company. He endured 
some hardships in coming to the Valley, but 
under the guide, Bottineau, the company 
was successful. The present Breckenridge 
was located and staked out by General T. 
H. Barrett in 1858. In the spring of this 
year Mr. Ilari-is came to the region where 
lie now lives. It was then known as Toombs 
county, afterward Johnson and lastly Wilkin 
count}', in honor of OJonel Wilkins, of the 
Eiglith Minnesota Regiment. Mr. Harris 
took a claim of 16(i acres undei' the squatters" 
act, and subsequently purchased land till he 
now has about 1,000 acres, 430 acres ol which 
are under cultivation and 120 acres in timber 
land. 

At the time of the Indian outbreak in 1802 
Mi-. Harris, together with his partner, Mr. 
Whitford, was in Fort Gary. Whitford, 
while returning alone, met a company of 
fugitives under the direction of Commodore 
Kittson ; disregarding their advice he con- 
tinued, and must have met death at the hands 
of the red-skins, as he was never seen again. 

Bently was on the farm anil took refuge in 
the fort. ^Ir. Harris, in company with eight 
others, went by the Chippewa country to St. 
Paul. He was absent now from his claim 
for about two years. 

Mr. Harris was united in marriage in the 
spring of 18<)3 with Miss Mary McCarthy, 
who lived with the settler's family at 
Fort Abercrombie. Iler parents lived at 
McGregor, in Iowa, and were natives of Ire- 
land. Our subject and wife are the parents of 
six children^ — Estelle (deceased), Alfred J., 
Mary J., Addison, Walter R. and Charles F. 

Our subject affiliates with the republican 
party. He has servetl his county in the 



PARK KEGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



565 



capacity of sheriflf for seven 3'ears, and was 
appointed to that office wiientlie county was 
organized. lie lias also been county com- 
missioner, and was tiie census enumerator 
in 1S70 for the counties of Wilkin, Cky. Polic 
and Peudjina. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. In tlie winter of 1881 
Mr. Harris was sent to Wasliington by the 
settlers on the Abercrombie Reservation as 
their envoy, with a petition to Congress ask- 
ing that the reservation be restored to the 
Interior Department and thus be open for 
actual settlement. He spent about six weeks 
in Washington, and, mainly through his 
own and the efforts of representatives of this 
district, the reservation was thi'own open. 



^^RICK H. JOHNSON, of the firm of C. 
x^^ J. Knutson iV; Co., dealers in general 
merchandise, in the village of Kensington, 
Douglas countv, ]\Iinnesota, is a native of 
Sweden. He was born on the 27th of 
December, 1842, and is the son of John and 
Anna (Nilson) Knutson, also natives of that 
kingdom, 

Mr. Johnson, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, received his etiucation in his 
native land, where he attended school until 
he was twenty-one years old. In 1863 he 
emigrated to the United States and landed 
at New York City, where he remained a few 
days, then went to Chicago, Illinois, and 
worked in a packing house for a short time. 
Then he secured work on the Moody church, 
which was in process of erection at that 
time, and after working three months went 
to work in the Galena Hailroad Company's 
shops, remaining about three months. At 
the expiration of that time he went on Lake 
Micliigan as a sailor, and during that trip 
encountered one of the heaviest storms ever 
known on the lake. Our subject then 
returned to Chicago anil enlisted, May 28, 



1864, in Company H, One Hundred and 
Thirty-second Illinois Infantrj^, serving his 
full time of enlistment and receiving his 
honoral)le discharge on October 17, 1804. 
The following winter he followed wood-cut- 
ting in Indiana, and in the spring went back 
to the lake, where he served as a sailor for 
four months for Hannah, Lee & Co. In the 
fall of 1865 he removed to Goodhue county, 
Minnesota, purchased a farm of 100 acres, 
and until 18G9 engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. In the fall of 1869 he 
went to Kansas with the intention of locat- 
ing, but, after reaching Salina and not liking 
the country, went to work for the Atchi- 
son, Topeka & Santa Fe Eailroad Com- 
pany, working for them for four months. 
He then went to Kansas City, and 
went via the river to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, and then to Heil Wing, IMinnesota, 
where he engaged in the building and grist- 
mill business with a Mr. Boynton for about 
one year and a half. At the expiration of 
that time our subject went to Stevens county, 
Minnesota, where he worked for twelve 
years for the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad 
Company, as section foreman. He then 
returned to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and 
in the following spi'ing went to the Pacific 
coast, visiting San Fi'ancisco, Portland and 
other places. Upon liis return to Minnesota 
he went to work for the Manitoba Railroad 
Company, and after remaining with them for 
eight months went to Giendive, Montana, 
to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad 
Company, but not liking it there retui-ned to 
St. Paul and resumed work for the Manitoba 
Company. After two years he went to 
Traverse county and took a farm and for 
two years engaged in that industry. In 1887 
he went to White Rock, Dakota Territory, 
and took charge of a warehouse for C. J. 
Knutson & Compan}', spending part of the 
time there and the rest in the store. In 1888 
he returned to Kensington, where he has 



566 



RED KIVER VALLEY AMD 



remained ever since. He is one of the prom- 
inent business men in the village and is doing 
a good business. 

Mr. Jolmson was united in marriage De- 
cember 27, 1867, to Miss Ingra Ilingdahl, and 
this union has been blessed with three chil- 
dren, named as follows — Edward H.. Richard 
J. and Ebbe V. Our subject and family are 
devoted members of the Lutheran church. 
In ])olitical matters he affiliates with the 
republican party, and belongs to C. 11. Hun- 
ter Tost, No. 114, Grand Army of the 
Re])ublic. 



/^HRIST BJORGE, the well-known and 
N^y efficient postmaster in the village of 
Lake Park, Becker county, Minnesota, is a 
native of the kingdom of Norway. He was 
born in Norway, on the Cth day of October, 
1850, and is the son of Erick and Mary 
(Ohristensoii) Bjorge, also natives of 
Norway. The father and mother of our 
subject were farmers in the Old World and 
emigrated totheLTnitcd States in 1861. They 
settled in Wisconsin, where they remained 
six years, then removing to Minnesota and 
settling in Becker county, where the father 
is still living. The mother died in 1866. The 
father is a democrat ;ind an old pioneer of the 
county. He and his family belong to the 
Lutheran church. The father and mother of 
our subject were the ])arents of ten children, 
nine of whom are now living, named as fol- 
lows — Elsie, Ole, Annie, Clirist, Mathias, 
Edward, Lla, Engeborg, Hannah and Ivcr. 

Mr. Bjorge, the subject of this liiograph- 
ical article, remained in his native land, 
attending school and early in life embracing 
those principals of industry and integrity, 
which so distinguish the nationality from 
which he springs. In 1866, or at the age of 
sixteen years, our subject emigrated with 
his parents to the United States, and after a 
voyage of twenty days landed in New York. 



He went directly to Wisconsin where he 
settled in Vernon county, with his parents, 
who engaged in farming. In 1870 they 
removed to Becker county, Minnesota, where 
our subject purchased 260 acres of land in 
Lake Park township, and resided there, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, for ten 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
was appointed postnuister, and has since con- 
tinued to fill the office, with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concei'ned. In 188.5 
he erected the present substantial postoffice 
building, and put in a stock of furniture, 
which he has since handled in connection 
wnth his official duties. He has been one of 
the most successful stock-raisers in the 
county, and now owns an imported stallion, 
which cost !?1,700. This horse was the win- 
ner of the second prize at the State fair, and 
is one of the best blooded aninuils in the 
Northwest. 

Mr. Bjorge was united in mari'iage on 
the 2Sth day of October. 1875, to Miss Dinah 
Hamre, a native of Goodhue county, Min- 
nesota, and the daughter of John and Emily 
Hamre, natives of Norway. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bjorge have been blessed with the fol- 
lowing named children — Edwin, Julia, 
Annie and O.scar. Our subject and his 
family sympathize with the Lutheran church. 
In political matters he affiliates with the 
democratic party, and is actively, interested 
in all local matters. He is a nuin of the 
utmost honor and integrity and is highly 
esteemed bv all who know him. 



-«-J^^^-4>-> 



I^ANIEL PATTERSON, i)roprietorof the 
J^x American House, in the village of St. 
Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native 
of Scotland. He was born in Iverness shire, 
Scotland, on the 14th of April, 1849, and is 
the son of Daniel and Anna (McCay) Patter- 
son, also natives of Scotland. 



<i» 



PARK REG/ONS OF MINNESOTA. 



567 



Mr. Pattprson, the subject of this sketcli, 
remained at home until he was eight years 
old, when he commenced in life for himself. 
He secured a position in a nail factor}', where 
he worked for two years, and then entered an 
apprenticeship to tiie baker's trade at which 
he worked four 3fetirs. He then worked as 
a journeyman until 1868. when he emigrated 
to C!ana<la, where he remained until July, 
1870. when he removed to the States and 
locateil in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked 
at liis trade for a few months, then going to 
Madison, Wisconsin, and there he remained 
eight months. He then in the spring of 
1871 went with a steam shovel on the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railroad. He fol- 
lowed that business until July, when he went 
to St. Charles, Minnesota, and worked for 
farmers through harvest, then he went to St. 
Cloud, Minnesota, and worked at log driving 
on the Mississippi river fora lumber company 
until in the spring. He then took a contract 
with the Northern Pacific Railroad Companj' 
to cut and clear their right of way, and was 
thus employed all summer. Then he engaged 
in log driving for two or three years, after 
which he removed to Piecker county, Minne- 
sota, whei'e he remained foi" several years, en- 
gaged in farming. He then sold his farm and 
removed into the village of St. Hilaire, Polk 
county, Minnesota, where he pre-empted 160 
acres of land on section 19, River Falls 
township, where he lived two 3'ears. At the 
expiration of that time he sold out and set- 
tled in the village of St. Hilaire where he 
established a livery stable, whicli he has 
since opei-ated. In the sprino- of 1884 he 
opened the American House, and since that 
time has been actively engaged in the hotel 
business. He is one of the popular land- 
lords in the count}' and runs a first-class 
house. He is the proprietor of one of the 
best livery stables in the village and gives 
genertil satisfaction in all his business rela- 
tions and transactions. 



Mr. Patterson was married on the 14th of 
November, 1883, to Miss Anna Peterson, 
and this union has been blessed with three 
children, named as follows — Catharine, 
Rose (deceased), and Mabel. Our subject has 
held tlie offices of supervisor, constable and 
notary public. He is a republican in his 
political affiliations, and is a member of the 
Kniglits of Honor. He also devotes consid- 
erable attention to making collections, and he 
is first-class in this line, being able to guar- 
antee satisfaction to his patrons. 



^jjl^HEODORE O. SJORDAL is a member 
VU of the firm of I'jorge & Sjordal. deal- 
ers in general merchandise and wood in the 
village of Underwood, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. He was born in Norway, 
December 24, 1861. 

Theodore's parents were Ole T. and Guri- 
anna J. (Sindly) Sjordal, both of Avhom were 
natives of Norway. The fatiier came to 
America iu 1868, and settled in Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, engaging at the lumber business 
and other lines of general work. In 1870 
the family joined the father in Minnea])olis, 
after a long journey from tiieir native land. 
In the spring of 1871 the entire family 
removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
settling in the town of Swerdrup, where 
they took a Government homestead and 
engaged in farming, which business he is 
still following. The father is one of the 
prominent citizens of his town and is very 
successful in his farming operations. 

Theodore Sjordal remained at home help- 
ing on the farm and attending school until 
he was about twenty-two years of age; then 
in 1883 he went to Pebcan Rapids, Minne- 
sota. Here he became a photographer and 
followed that l)usiness for about a year and 
a half. He then returned home and soon 
afterward was married. He then rented a 



568 



XED KIVEK VALLEY A XD 



farm and in connection therewith engaged 
in buying and selHng wood. Continuing in 
tiiese lines for one and a half years he then 
formed the partnership mentioned at the 
opening of this sketch ;uid which has contin- 
ued up to the ])resent time. Tliis firm does 
a large and increasing business and are con- 
tinually enlarging their stock. The}' carry 
a stcjck of S-;00(i, and are also agents for 
various steamship lines to tlieold country. 

Mr. Sjordal was married July 15. 1885, to 
Inga J. Lein, 1)V whom lie has had two 
children — Aimer T. and Conratl T. 

Mr. Sjordal is a man of good business 
qualities and has been successful in whatso- 
ever he has engaged. Possessed of a good 
common school education, and being well 
read he is a cai)able business man. In poli- 
tics he affiliates with the republican party, 
and he and family are members of the Uni- 
tarian church. Mr. Sjordal is the present 
postmaster of his town and has also held 
the position ul' constable one term. 



-«-: 



PROF. ANGUS HAINES, wlio will form 
the subject of our present article, is 
tlie lieaviest merchant in tlie new town of 
raynesville, a thriving and prosperous viJ. 
lage in the south westei'u part of Stearns 
county, Minnesota. He is one of the best 
known and hnuling men in the central part 
of tiie State. One of the founders of the 
town ill wliicli lie lives, lie lias been ])romi- 
nentiy idontilied witii its history, and no 
man lias done more to aid in the growth and 
development of this vicinity tlian has he. 
Energetic, enterprising and liberal, every 
beneficial move or project receives his ear- 
nest support and encoui-agement, and he has 
always been a leader in public entei'prises 
wherever he lias been. 

Angus Haines was born on tiie 51 li day of 
?ebruarv, 1843. near Toronto, Canada. His 



father. "William Haines, was also a native of 
Canada; but his gi-andparents were from 
the Old World — the grandniother being a 
native of Scotland, the grandfather of Ger- 
many. The life of AVilliam Haines has been 
devoted jirincipall}' to farming, although for 
some years he followed lumbering. He is 
still living, now a resident of Paynesville. 
His wife, the mother of Angus Haines, died 
here in 1870. 

Our subject, Angus Haines, grew to man- 
hood in his native Province, receiving the 
same training as to integrity, economy and 
industry, which is so characteristic of his 
race. Until he had attained the age of sev- 
enteen he attended school, and then taught 
his first term of school in Carturight, Can- 
ada. He then came west with liis parents 
to Kankakee county, Illinois, and was there 
engaged in teaching district schools for four 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
took a course in the State Normal Univer- 
sity at Normal, Illinois, after which he 
became principal of the schools at Kankalcce. 
Illinois, serving for two years. He then 
became principal of the schools of Momence, 
Illinois, and two years later, in 1872, he came 
to St. Cloud. Minnesota. He there became 
principal of the city schools, in which 
responsible position he served for four years. 
He then removed to Litchfield, and for ten 
years served as principal of the schools at 
that place, and did a. great deal toward 
building up the schools and raising the grade 
of the educational institutions in that city. 
At the expiration of that time lie gave up 
his profession, and has since devoted his 
attention to mercantile pursuits. In the 
meantime, however, before leaving his 
profession, he had engaged in merchandising 
in the old town of Paynesville. and his store 
there at one time was robbed of !5l,100 worth 
of dry goods. The thieves were captured 
about si.x months later. "When the ^linno- 
apolis c'c Pacific Kailway was built the new 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



569 



town of Paynesville was platted on land 
belonging to a brother of our subject. 
Professor Haines at once moved his store to 
the new town, and has since remained there, 
being one of tlie most active in advancing 
the interests of the new village. He carries 
a complete and extensive stock of goods, 
invoicing about ftl5,000, and his strict 
integrity and honorable business methods 
have won him an extensive trade. 

Professor Haines was married in Septem- 
ber, 187(3, to JMiss Sarah Whittemore, the 
daughtei' of a. banker in Kankakee, Illinois. 
They became the parents of two children, 
who are now living — Hiram A. and Sarah A. 
Mrs. Haines died May 10, 1888, at 
Kankakee, Illinois, and was buried in the 
family l)urial lot. Her health had failed, 
and she had returned to Illinois on a visit. 



-«- 



^P^DWARD GUMMER, of the firm of 
V^^ Gummer & Chilton, leading general 
merchants of the village of Frazee City, 
Minnesota, is one of the ])rominent citizens 
of that section of Minnesota. He is a native 
of Canada, born in Ontario, on the 2d day 
of March, 1864, and is the son of John and 
Almena (Chilton) Gummer, natives also of 
Ontario. The parents removed to Frazee 
City, Minnesota, in 1882, where they are 
now living a retired life. They had a family 
of the following-named children — Emm;i, 
Edwai'd, Edgerton and Ella. 

Edward Gummer. the subject of this 
biographical sketch, received his education 
in Queen's College, Kingston, Ontario, 
where he attended school until he was sev- 
enteen years old. He then removed to 
Minnesota, and located in Frazee City, 
Minnesota, where he secured a position as 
clerk in the genei'al store of Campbell & 
Chilton, with whom he remained three 
years. At the expiration of that time he 



went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he took 
a course in the St. Paul Business College. 
He then returned to the village of Frazee 
City, and purchased Mr. Campbell's interest 
in the general store, and since that time has 
been engaged in the business with Mr. Chil- 
ton, they being the leading general firm in 
the village. Mr. Gummer was elected to the 
office of village treasurer, in January, 1889, 
which position, he still holds. He is a 
republican in his political affiliations and 
is actively intei-ested wntli the movements of 
that party. He owns 300 acres of fine land 
in Hobart townshi]). Otter Tail county, 
which is well improved and which he now 
rents. He is one of the leading young busi- 
ness men of the village and is highly 
esteemed by all who know him. 



■.^- 



^II^HEODORE L. BENNEWITZ. The 
jL- subject of this biographical sketch is 
a resident of the village of Argyle, Marshall 
county, Minnesota, where he is extensively 
engaged in a general hardware and machine 
business. He is a native of the State of AVis- 
consin, born in Ottawa, Waukesha county, 
Wisconsin, on the 8th day of January, 
1854, and is the son of Hon. John C. and 
Mar^' (Huegelman) Bennewitz, natives of 
Germany and kingdom of Prussia. The 
grandparents of our subject, on the father's 
side, were Henry antl Elizabeth (Kieger) 
Bennewitz, natives of Germany, and on the 
mother's side, Zacharias and Mary (Palter- 
man) Huegelman. Our sul)ject's father is a 
resident of the village oF Argyle, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in the lumber business. 
An extended I'eview of his life will be found 
in another department of this work. 

Mr. Bennewitz, of whom this article treats, 
was uniteil in marriage on the i;^<th day of 
September, 1882, to Miss Estella Bayrell of 
Red Wing, Mmnesota, the daughter of Chris- 



570 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



topher and Seliciti (Malvousen) Bayrell. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bennewitz have been blessed 
with two children — Cleveland Arthur and 
Violet Theodora, who died August 28, ISSS. 
In political matters our subject affiliates with 
the democratic party. 

^M ^LBERT W. MOTT. Prominent among 
Js^^. the merchants of Polk county, Min- 
nesota, is the subject of this sketch, a resi- 
dent of the village of Fertile, wlierc he is 
engaged in the general merchandising busi- 
ness. He is a native of Michigan, born in 
Wayne county, on the 1-ith day of Decem- 
ber, 1852, and is the son of Joseph C. and 
Amy (Mason) Mott, natives of New York. 
The father is now engaged in farming near 
Sauk Centre, Minnesota, where he moved in 
1867. The father and mother of our subject 
are the parents of four children — Albert W., 
Nelson A. and two who died in infancy. 

Mr. Mott, our present subject, remained 
in his native State until he was fifteen years 
of ao-e. During that time, he remained on 
the home farm and attentled school until 
1867, when he removed with his parents to 
Minnesota anil settled near Sauk Centre, 
where our subject remained on the farm, 
which his father had purchased, for five or 
six years. He drove a team two summers 
on the Northern Pacific Kailroad,atthetime 
of its construction. He received a fair 
education, and until he had attained the 
age (jf twenty-one was engaged in various 
occupations, such as teaming, farming, etc., 
antl was with the Government Survey on 
boundary line to mountains. He then 
returned to Sauk Centime and bought a farm 
six miles south of the village, and after engag- 
ing in farming for two years, removed to 
Ada, Minnesota, where he i)ut in a stock of 
general merchandise and continued in busi- 
ness for three years. At the expiration of 



that time he took a homestead one mile from 
Ada, and for the next four j'ears was engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising. He 
then removed into Ada and went into the 
grocery business in partnership with G. L. 
Thoi-p, and after continuing the business for 
one year they removed their stock of goods 
to Peltranu, Minnesota, and erected a large 
store, and j)ut in a complete stock of grocer- 
ies. In addition, they engaged in tlie general 
merchandising and lundjer business, and 
farm machinery. After remaining in the 
l)usiness in Pelti-ami for three years, our 
subject went to Fei'tile, Polk county, ilinne- 
sota, and ])ut in a general stock of goods. 
In 1888 he sold his interest in the store at 
Beltrami, and since that time has been 
engaged in the business in Fertile. He has 
the best class of patronage and is doing a 
successful and increasing business. 

Mr. Mott was married August 3, 1878, to 
Miss Mar}' E. Loonier, a daughter of Albert 
and Mary (Rolands) Loonier, natives of New 
York and Wales, respectively. This union 
has been blessed with two children — Alfred 
E. and Albert G. Our subject has held the 
offices of town clerk, chairman of board of 
supervisors, postmaster, member of village 
council, etc. He is a democrat in jiolitics 
and highlv esteemed bv all wlio know him. 



.«« 



-^> 



BR. J. J. STONE, one of the leading 
and successful practitioners of the 
Red River Valley, is a resident of the village 
of Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in his professional 
duties. He is a native of Vermont, born in 
Arlington, Bennington count\', Vermont, on 
the 17th day of August, 1827, and is the son 
of Ethan and Agnes (Rule) Stone, natives of 
New England and Scotland. 

Mr. Stone remained at home, and attended 
the common schools and seminaiv until lie 



PARK RF.arONS OF MINNESOTA. 



571 



was twenty-two years of age, when he com- 
inenccd in life for himself. He took a con- 
tract on the railroad, at wliich he worked for 
two or three years, when the comjjany failed 
and he lost about all he had. In 1853 he 
went to Tiffin, Ohio, and after remaining 
there a shoi-t time, removed to Goshen, Elk- 
hai't county, Indiana, whei'e he was engaged 
in the drutr business and various things for 
some time. He then removed to Wabasha, 
Minnesota, where he pre-empted a claim and 
engaged in farming for some little time. 
He then secured a position in a drug store 
in which he worlved from 1857 until 1866. 
In 1864 he enlisted in Battery G, Minnesota 
Heav\' Artillery, and went South. He was 
detailed as hospital steward and soon after- 
ward commissioned as assistant surgeon. 
He received his honorable discharge in No- 
vember, 1865, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. 
He then returned to Wabasha, purchased a 
drug store and, in partnership with Mr. 
Whitmore, continued in business one year. 
He then bought Whitraore's interest, and 
until 1880 continued alone in the business. 
He was then burned out and lost $20,000. 
Mr. Stone then entered the medical profes- 
sion with Dr. Milligan, with whom he 
remained until 1882. In 1882 he removed to 
Marshall county, Minnesota, and settled in 
Argjde, wliere he built a store and engaged 
in the drug business. His equal partner was 
Mr. Whitlock, who died in 1882, and his 
interest was purchased by Louis Troutman. 
In 1882 our subject purchased his jiartner's 
interest, and in 188i sold the stock to Hazel 
and Gillx'rtson. Our subject owns over 
1,50(1 acres of land in the county antl a claim 
f)f 280 acres in Oregon. He also owned one 
and one-half sections in Nebraslca, which he 
lias recently sold, and owns two in Iowa and 
one and one-half sections in Kansas, also 
several lots in Grant's Pass, Oregon. He is 
extensively engaged in farming and is one of 
the leading pliysicians in the county. He 



owns a drug store in Grant's Pass, Oregon, 
wliere his wife is managing the business. 

Dr. Stone was married in Troy, New York, 
October 18, 1852, to Miss Catharine M. 
Squier. He has held the office of countj-^ 
physician and is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, Chapter and Command ry, A. F. 
and A. M. In political matters the Doctor 
affiliates with the republican party. He is 
well known throughout tliis region, and com- 
mands a large and increasing practice. 

The Doctor has also practiced medicine in 
California. He went in 1872 to San Diearo, 
California, but was obliged to return on 
account of the dishonesty of the party to 
whom the drug store in Wabasha was sold. 
He sold his property in San Diego in 1870, 
and returned to Minnesota. 



ED. DAVISON, proprietor and editor 
of the Balletin, a democratic period- 
ical published in the village of Perhara, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is one of the 
well-known and successful men in the north- 
ern part of the State. He is a native of the 
State of New York," born in Bufifalo, Erie 
county, New York, on the 21st day of 
August, 1851, and is the son of George and 
Hannah (Fisher) Davison, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. 

Mr. Davison, of whom this biographical 
sketch treats, went to Hamilton, Ontario, 
after his mother's death in 1853, and as his 
father had removed to East Saginaw, Mich- 
igan, our subject renuiined with his uncle, 
until he hatl attained the age of nine years. 
He then commenced his career as a printer 
and entered an office in East Saginaw, Mich- 
igan, on the 12th day of July, 1860, where 
he remained nine years, working first as an 
apprentice and then as a journeyman. In 
1869 he went to Detroit, Michigan, where 
he took charge of the ])ress-room on the 



572 



RED A' /TEA' VALLEY AXV 



Detroit Daily Free Press. In 1870 he 
removed to Grand Rapids. Micliigan, and 
established a job office in connection witii the 
Gr^nd Kapids Times. After remaining 
there about two years, in May, 1872, he sold 
out, and until the following October took a 
trip in searcii of a good location. lie finally 
readied Minneapolis, where he secured the 
position as foreman of the Tribune job 
department. He was tiien placed on the 
road, and until 1875 was thus employed. In 
1875 he went to Detroit, Becker county, 
Minnesota, and pureliasod tlie Detroit Record, 
whicli he o[)erated for one year. He then 
returned to Minneapolis and established a 
job oHiee, and in November, 1880, sold out, 
and in 1882 went to Valley City, Dakota, 
where he, in connection with Mr. Baxter, 
established the Barnes County Record, but 
he purchased Mr. Baxter's interest the same 
year. He remained in that place until 
April, 1887, when he sold out and removed 
to T'erham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
purchasing the Perham Bulletin of E. H. 
Love, and has since carried on the business. 
The ])a])er is one of the best local ])apers in 
the county, and its circulation extends 
tlirough that and sui'rounding counties. 

Mr. Davison was married in December. 
187u, to Miss Caroline Morse, and this union 
has been blessed with one child — Edna, born 
IVlay 2, 1877. Our subject is a democrat in 
his political affiliations, and is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. 
He is the present justice of the peace of 
Perham, and is one of the prominent citizens 
of this portion of tiie State. 



John rannie logan, m. d., c. m., m. 

>P R. C. S. ENC, is one of the leading and 
most successful medical practitioners in the 
northern part of the lied River Valley. He 
is a resident of the citv of Grand Forks. 



North Dakota, where he is engaged in his 
profession. He is a native of the Dominion 
of Canada, born in Cartwi'ight, county Dur- 
ham, Dominion of Canada, on the 3d day of 
June, 18G5, and is the son of the Rev. Will- 
iam and Margaret (Rannie) Logan, natives of 
Aberdeen, Scotland. 

At the age of three years ilr. Logan 
removed, with his parents, to Fenelon Falls, 
Canada, where he received jirivate tutoi-sliip 
until he had attained the age of twelve years. 
He then entered Trinixy College, in Port 
Hope, Ontario, where lie remained three 
years, and then entered the medical depart- 
ment of that college, from which he gradu- 
ated with the highest honor — the Universit\' 
gold medal — in 1885. He treated a small-pox 
epidemic, for the Canadian Government, in 
Hungerford, county Hastings, Canada, in 
1884. There were about 250 cases, and as 
they were mostly composed of the French or 
Irish classes, he had hard work to vaccinate 
them all, as they were ignorant and super- 
stitious to an unusual degi'ee. After his 
graduation he went to London, Enghmd. and 
for eighteen months attended the London 
Hospital, graduating before the Royal Col- 
lege of Surgeons. He remained in the hos- 
pital until the following spring, when he 
made a trip tlirough Scotland and Ireland, 
and then went to New York City, where he 
spent a couple of montiis in visiting the dif- 
ferent hospitals, and studying the ditferent 
stages of diseases. In 1886 he went to 
Seattle, "Washington Territory, and after vis- 
iting various towns and lumber camps in 
Washington Territory and California, re- 
turned to Dakota, settling in Ardock in 
August, 1886, w'here he remained, in part- 
nership with Dr. Montgomery, engaged in 
medical work, until October, 1887, when he 
removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, 
whore he resumed his jirofession, in piirtner- 
ship with H. M. Wheeler, JI. 1)., with whom 
' he has since remained. Thev are among the 



PARK RF.GIOXS OF M/XXESOTA. 



573 



leading and prominent practitioners in the 
county, and are widely known throughout 
that !)art of the State. 

Tiie Doctor was married in Ardock, on the 
2d day of May, 1888, to Miss Lillian Jacobi, 
daugliter of E. R. and Ellen (Stevenson) 
Jacobi, natives of Germany and Ireland, 
respectivel}'. In January, 1889, Dr. Logan 
was appointed county physician, in the duties 
of which he is actively engaged in connection 
with his other practice. He is a man of the 
strictest integrity and honor, and is highly 
esteemed l)y ail who know him, both profes- 
sionally and as an exemplary citizen. 



-«- 



/^^^LIVER PETTIER, a prominent farmer 
\^ii/ and stock-raiser of Kound Prairie 
township, Todd county, Minnesota, is a resi- 
dent of section 20. He is a native of Canada, 
born in Montreal, on the 8th day of Septem- 
ber, 1827, and is the son of Peter and Ange- 
line (Manger) Pettier, also natives of the 
Dominion of Canada. The father and 
mother of our subject, who were farmers in 
Canada, are now dead. They were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Peter, Sarah, Eobert, Oliver, Euphena, 
Micheal, Moses, Mary, Phileman, Alice, 
Margi'et and Alice. 

Mr. Pettier, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, is what may be termed a self-made 
man. There being no educational facilities 
in his native neighborhood, his education 
was drawn from practical life. When young 
he entered an apprenticeshij) to the stone- 
inason's trade, and continued at this until 
1840. In that year he came to the United 
States, and located in St. Paul, Minnesota, 
where he worked at his trade for two or 
three years and then removed to Scott 
county, Minnesota. He remained there 
seven years, working on his farm. At the 
expiration of that time he removed to Sibley 



county, where he was engaged in farming. 
In 1878 he came to Todd county, and settled 
in Round Prairie township, on section 20, 
where he has since remained. He is one of 
the most extensive farmers in thecountj' and 
devotes a large share of his time to stock- 
raising. He has a fine well-cultivated farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres, with good 
building improvements. 

Mr. Pettier was united in marriage on the 
16th day of July, 1862, to Miss Herriette 
Henrioranet, and this union has been blessed 
with two children, named as follows — Walter 
and Oliver. Mrs. Pettier passed away from 
the scenes of earth to her final reward in 
1867. She was an estimable lady and her 
loss was deeply regretted by all who knew 
her. Walter is teaching school in Todd 
county, and is having the best of success with 
his school. Oliver is attending the normal 
school at Lebanon, Ohio. Mr. Pettier is an 
independent in politics, reserving the right to 
vote for the best man regardless of party 
lines. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. Long Prairie Lodge, No. 1.59. 
He is an esteemed citizen and a man of in- 
tegrity and honor, his word being as good 
as his bond. 



•«- 



«4>. 



JTOHN 1. PLACE, attorney and cojinseloi-- 
^ at-law, in the village of Wheaton, is one 
of the prominent lawyers of Traverse count}', 
Minnesota. He is a native of Illinois, born 
in Lena, Stevenson county, Illinois, on 
the 10th day of February, 1851, and is the 
son of Joseph and Harriett (Colyer) Place, 
natives of Vermont and New York, respect- 
ively. The fathei' died in 1860, and the 
mother is living with our subject, at the age 
of seventy-six years. They were the parents 
of the following-named chiklren — Mary S., 
Wm. H., John L, Christina and Sarah C. 

Mr. Place, the subject of this biographical 
review, received his education in Broadhead, 



57t 



RF.I^ KD'ER WlI.LF.Y AiVD 



Wisconsin, and in 1875 removed to Minne- 
sota, and in 1876 settled in Red Wing, where 
he remained until 18S<t, teaching school in 
the rural districts. He then went to Big 
Stone City, Dakota Territory, and took a 
pre-emption neai' Big Stone Lake, and, alter 
proving up on the same, sold it, and in 1S81 
went to Brown's Valley, where he engaged 
in the insurance, loan and collection business. 
Then Mr. Place began reading law with his 
brother, and in the fall of 1886 was admitted 
to the bar. In the spring of 1885 he had 
removed to the village of Wheaton, Traverse 
county, Minnesota, and opened a loan, insur- 
ance and collection office. In that year he 
took land in the county, and in connection 
with his professional work, is engaged in 
farming. After being admitted to the bar in 
1886 he began the practice of law in Wheaton, 
where he has since remained, lie is actively 
eno-aged in the profession, and devotes special 
attention to loans, insurance and collections. 
In the fall of 1888 he was elected to the office 
of county attorney on the republican ticket, 
and was also endorsed by the democratic 
county convention. lie is one of the leading 
attorneys of the place, and is highly esteemed 
by all who know him. 

Mr. Place was united in marriage in July, 
1882, to Miss Kate Sensorbox, of La Crosse, 
Wisconsin, the daughter of Capt. C. E. 
Sensorbox, an old Mississippi steamboat 
ca|)tain. Mr. and Mrs. Place in this 
union have been blessed with foui- chil- 
dren, named as follows — Minnie A., John 
I., Jr., Mable Viola (decease<l), and Ruby 
May. Our subject is a member of the 
Masonic fratei'uity, Brown's Valley Bodge, 
No. 153. He is actively interested in local 
matters, and is an adherent to the principles 
of the re])ublican party. A thorough lawyer 
and an able speaker, he has built up an 
extensive practice. A man of the strictest 
integrity, he stands higii both in a profes- 
sional sense and as an exemplary citizen. 



RANK D. HARTSON, a leading attor- 
1^ ney and real estate dealer of Pembina, 
Dakota, was born in Mexico, Oswego county. 
New York, May 1<', 1859. His parents were 
John D.. and Harriet R. (Downing) Hartson, 
natives of New York. His mother was the 
daughter of Jude Levi and R(jsina (Gage) 
Downing. 

The subject of our sketch i-emained at 
home with his parents until he was sixteen 
years of age. Prior to this age he had been 
attending school and preparing himself for 
college in the Mexico Academ\'. On reach- 
ing the above-mentioned age he enterei! 
Hamilton College, at Clinton, New York, 
which institution he attended until his 
graduation therefrom in the spring of 1880. 
His educational training was thorough and 
effective, and he graduated with the highest 
honors, receiving: the degree of A. B. He 
then attended the law department of the 
same institution, from which he graduated 
one year later. He then entered the law 
office of Judge M. L. Wright, of the town of 
Mexico, New York, and continued his 
studies, being admitted to the bar at a session 
of the supreme court in October, 1882. In 
January, 1883, he turned his steps westward, 
coming to Grand Forks, North Dakota, 
where he was admitted to the Teriitorial 
bar. The same month he came to Pembina, 
o])ened a law and real estate office, and 
engaged in the law and real estate business, 
at which he has continued more or less ever 
since, with the exception of one year, when 
he acted as clerk of the district court. ]\Ir. 
Ilai'tson has built up quite a large and 
profitable law and real estate business and 
has business come to him in the real estate 
line from all parts of the county. He has 
not confined himself exclusively to the pi'ac- 
tice of law, but has lately given moi-e of his 
attention to real estate and loans. His edu- 
cational advantages were such as to ])repare 
him thoroughly for the duties of his profes- 



PARK REGION'S OF MINNESOTA. 



575 



sion, and he is known by all his friends as a 
well-posted lawyer and a responsible and 
I'ead}' dealer in real estate. His legal and 
real estate business is performed with pre- 
cision and disj)atcli, and his deepest energy 
and strongest thought are enlisted in close 
application to all the business which comes 
to his hands. Mr. Ilartaon is also identified 
([uite largely with farming interests, and the 
success of the farming community of Pem- 
bina county will be of great and substantial 
benefit to the subject of tiiis sketch. 



RANK W. PETERSON is one of the 
enterprising citizens of the village of 
Stephen, Marshall c<ninty, Minnesota. He 
has for some time been dealing extensively 
in cattle, besides running his saloon in the 
village. Mr. Peterson is a native of Sweden, 
and was born September 21. 1850, in Smo- 
land, near Wexio. His parents were Peter 
Svenson and Eva (Abramson) Svenson, 
natives of Sweden. 

Mr. Petei'son remained at home on the 
farm until he was about si.xteen years of age, 
when he removed to Germany, where he 
followed farming during most of the time 
until 1871, working during one summer for 
the Government. In the fall of 1871 he 
returned to his home in Sweden, and 
remained with his parents until the follow- 
ing spring. He then went to work on the 
railroad cutting stone for bridge work in 
Stockholm and other cities, and continued at 
that occupation until 1875. Six months 
thereafter were spent in the mountains at 
work ill the copper and silver mines. From 
thence he went to Sosbui'g,where he was fore- 
man of a gang of bridge builders. Three years 
were spent in work at that place, and, some 
time later, in ])utting up three large bridges 
near Pretlerickshakl. He then concluded to 
try his fortune in America, so he took ship 
and came to the United States, findins: work 



at Richville, Pennsylvania, cutting stone for 
a court house. He remained three months 
at liichville and then went to Chicago, Illi- 
nois, and worked at his trade until a short 
time before Christmas, 1879. Removing to 
Northern Michigan he went to work in the 
Republic Mines. He worked in the mines 
until spring and then went to Minneapolis, 
where he helped lay the first stone for the 
large Pillsbury Mill. Three months were 
spent at work in Minneapolis; thence remov- 
ing to St. Paul, he worked at stone-cutting 
until fall. Next he went West into the Ter- 
ritory of Montana with a railroad exploring 
party. His experience on this trip was very 
bitter anil will never be forgotten by Mr. 
Peterson. He was caught in a Northwest 
blizzard and had his hands and one foot so 
badly frozen that he was imable to do any- 
thing for six months. After this time he 
went out jn-ospectiug and remained in Mon- 
tana until 1880, going, in that year, to Sauk 
Rapids, Minnesota,where he found work at his 
ti'ade. He cut part of the stone for the Bis- 
marck bridge over the Missouri river, and also 
worked on the Mississi])pi river bridge at St. 
Cloud, Minnesota. He continued working for 
the same company until in 1881, when he went 
to Hallock, in Northern Minnesota, on a 
hunting expedition of three months' duration. 
He had excellent sport and won the laurels 
by killing the first elk ever brought into 
Hallock. He had three companions with 
him on this trip. Next he returned to St. 
Cloud, where he worked at his trade for his 
former employers during the year following. 
Then in the summer of 1882 he went to 
Minneapolis and worked at bridge work until 
in the fall, when he went to Hallock to engage 
in the saloon business. In January, 1883, he 
removed to the town of Stephen, Marshall 
county, Minnesota, and opened a saloon, 
which business he has conducted ever since. 
He built and owns the West Hotel, a valu- 
able piece of property. 



576 



JiF.n k'U'ER VALLEY A XD 



Mr. Peterson was married at Crookston, 

January 21, 1883, to Miss Jennie Ingalls, 
(laiiglitor of Tliomas and Anna Ingalls. 
Tliis union iias been blessed witli tliree chil- 
dren, one of wlidin is living — Frank. Mabel 
and Wiiliiini are dead. 

Mr. I'etorson has been very successful in 
his business ventures, and has accumulated 
considerable jiroperty. lie is a man of wide 
exj)erience and an attentive reader of human 
nature. Wlien in Ilailock he was village 
constal)lc, and has been a village trustee in 
Steplien for two years. He was a charter 
member of the Independent Order of Odd- 
Fellows Lodge at Stephen, and is a leading 
member of the Swedisii Lutheran church. 
Mr. Peterson has been prominent in all means 
advanced for the improvement of his adopted 
town. He was the first man to lay out the 
streets in the village. 



-«"l 



«4k> 



SG. ROBERTSON, a prosperous and 
influential member of the farming 
community of the l^arlc llegions of Minne- 
sota, is a resident of section 21. Wa(k'na 
township, Wadena county, Minnesota. He 
is a native of Tennessee, born in Fentress 
county, on the 31st day of March 1828, and 
is the son of Isaac E. and Sarah (Helm) 
Eobertson, natives of Tennessee. The father 
and mother of our subject were the parents 
of the following-named children — Joiin 11.. 
Lewis C, Stokely G., Solomon, Moses, Julia, 
Adam, Jonatiian and Sarah. 

Ml'. Kobertson, the subject of this memoir, 
remained in his native State but a few years, 
and at an early age removed with his parents 
to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where our 
subject remained thirteen or fourteen years, 
attending the common schools of tiiat Slate. 
During his odil hours lie worked at the 
mechanic's trade, and after comjiietiiig his 
apprenticeship he worked at his trade for a 



number of years in the State of Wisconsin. \ 
In 18C2 he removed to Minnesota, and settled 
in Blue Eai-th county, where he worked at 
iiis trade until the spring of 1871. He then 
decided to seek new fields for his efforts, and 
accordingly started overland for tln^ North- 
west. He drove through to Douglas county, 
Minnesota, where lie took a claim and erected 
alo"!' sliaiitv, witli sod roof, livinrr there and 
enduring the hardsiiips and privations of 
jiioneer life for about six years. In 1877 he 
sold his farm and moved to Wisconsin, and 
settled in Hursey, where he engaged in the 
lumber business for a number of years. In 
tlie montli of July, 1880, he returned to 
Minnesota and located in Wadena county, 
where he took his present faiMii. He has 
since resided uj)on his place, engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising operations. He 
is one of the most successful farmers in the 
county, ami beai's the respect of all wlio 
know him. His youngest son, Stephen A., 
has become a partner in the business. 

Mr. liobertson was mai'ried on the 11th 
day of April, 18.50, to Miss Lavina liima, a 
native of Oiiio. This union has been blessed 
witii tiie following-named children — Euphe- 
mia, wife of J. H. Brady ; Spencer, Sarah, 
wife of G. Fires ; Stokely G., Jr., and Stej^hen 
A. All are living near by, except Spencer, 
who is in Montana. Mr. Robertson is an 
adherent to the principles of the " best men 
party." He has a fine farm of 160 acres 
under good cultivation and with good build- 
ing improvements. He is a hard woiker, ami 
has been and is closely identified with all 
local improvements. 



«^^ 



.«« 



E)EV. LOUIS G. ALMEN, of New Lon- 
JL'^^ don, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is 
pastor of the Swedish Lutheran Nest Lalce 
church. He came here in 1879, and has 
since remained, accomplishing much good in 



Park regions of Minnesota. 



577 



the cause. During the first eight years here 
lie also served the Mainrelunds Swedish 
Lutheran church. His present congregation 
consists of 2;W conmiunicants and about 450 
members in alL Tiie society owns a church 
edifice and ten acres platted into town lots. 
Tills congregation was organized in 1858 
under the name of the Swedish Lutheran 
Nest Lake Congregation. It was dissolved 
at the time of the Indian outbreak, but was 
soon reorganized, and has been maintained 
ever since. Reverend Almen has been closely 
identified with the growth and development 
of this organization ; and its present pros- 
perous an<l excellent condition is due in no 
small measure to his zeal, energy and man- 
agement. 

liev. Louis G. Almen was born on the 30th 
of March, 1846, in Tosso Parish, Province 
of Dalilsland, in the central part of Sweden, 
and is a son of Peter and Maiy Peterson. 
His parents had a familj'^ of twelve children, 
ten bovs and two s'irls, all of whom grew to 
manhood and womanhooti, although four of 
the family are now deceased. Five of them 
— Johannes P., Isaac, Peter, Charles and 
John M. — are farmers in Walsh county, 
Dakota. The surviving sister, Annie, lives 
in Phelps county, Nebraska, while one brother 
is still in Sweden. 

Louis G. Almen, whose name heads this 
article, grew to manhood in the land of his 
birth. In 1870 he came to the United States, 
and found employment at Ped Wing, Minne- 
sota, where he worked by the month and also 
attended the pulilic schools during the winter 
of 1870-71. The following spring he engaged 
in working on the railroad, and soon aftei'- 
ward took a contract in the Wisconsin pineries 
for Staples, Beans & Co., of Stillwater. Dur- 
ing the following summer he worked in the 
Red River Valley, taking several sub-con- 
tracts under DeGraff, Wallace & Co., the 
railroad contractors. Earl}'^ in Januai'v, 
1873, he entered the Augustana College and 



Theological Seminary, of Rock Island, Illi- 
nois, from which he was graduated with hon- 
ors in 1 876. He was ordained to the ministrv 
in Jamestown, New York, at the annual con- 
vention of the Scandinavian Lutheran Au- 
gustana Synod. His first charge was at 
Beaver, Irocjuois county, Illinois, where he 
remained about three years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he accepted a call from the 
Minnesota conference and became a travel- 
ing missionarv in Renville, Chippewa, Tel- 
low Medicine, and Lac-qui-parle counties, 
Minnesota. This he continued for one year 
and he then accepted a call to his present 
charge. 

Mr. Aimer is a thorough scholar, a close 
student, an able writer and an eloquent 
pulpit orator. During the past five years 
he has been editor of the church and tem- 
perance departments of the Skajfaren, a 
Swedish newspaper of wide reputation, pub- 
lished at St. Paul. He is a strong advocate 
of temperance on the non-pai'tisan plan. He 
was one of the principal originators of the 
Swedish National Temperance Society, and 
was president the first two years of its 
existence, or as long as it remained a non- 
[lartisan organization. 

Our subject was married December 1, 1876, 
to Alice C. Johnson, a native of Sweden, 
and they have been the parents of six chil- 
dren, two boys and four girls, — Gustaf 
Theodore, Ansgarius Laurentius, Hannah 
Theodora, Louisa Victoria, Bertha Alethea, 
and Christina Constantia. The youngest, 
Christina C, died February 4, 1889. 



-«- 



-»- 



ADELBERT WALLACE, 
a resident of Warren, Marshall 
county, Minnesota, is one of the most prom- 
inent citizens as well as one of the pioneers 
of the Red River Valle\'. He has the honor 
of having broken the first furrow in Maishall 



1 



578 



RED Rr]-F.K VALLEY A. \'D 



count}', and having helped to organize that 
county, his name is prominently identified 
with its oiRcial liisloiy in man\' ways. 

Mr. Wallace is a son of Daniel and Eo.\\' 
(Putnam) "Wallace, both of whom were 
natives of Vei-mont. His mother was a 
lineal descendant of Gen. Israel Putnam. 
Daniel Wallace's father was a soldier in the 
Kevolutionary War, enlisting when onlj' six- 
teen, and served all through the hostilities. 
He died at Adams, Jeli'erson county, New 
York, being over ninety-eight j-^ears of age. 
He was a descendant of General William 
Wallace, of Scotland. 

William A. Wallace, w'hose name heads 
this article, was born in Adams, Jefferson 
county, New York, August 2.5, 1833. He 
lived at home with his parents and aided in 
carr\in<Ton tlu- farm. When he was seven- 
teen years old the family removed to 
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where the father 
bought a fariu. Our subject remained at 
home there for two years, then for several 
years he followed various occupations, such 
as teaming on the Plank road, lumbering, 
running a notion wagon, working in a saw- 
mill, etc. In the meantime, however, in June, 
1856, he came to Minnesota and took a 
pre-emption at Kice Lake, Merton township, 
Steele count3^ There he made his home for 
five years, but never worked it as a farm. 
The first winter he worked at carpentering 
in Owatonna, which city was then in 
its infancy. The next summer he com- 
menced running tiie IMoreliouse Water Saw- 
mill. He also attended school for some time 
in Owatonna. In ISfio he went to the Big 
Wolf and Red rivers and woi-ked in the 
woods and at running logs until July 3, 1861. 
He then returned and worked at various 
lines, was in a mill, ran a notion wagon, etc. 
On the 14th of August, 1862, he enlisted in 
Company A, Twenty-first Wisconsin Infan- 
tr}', Fond tlu Lac, and with the command he 
went to Licking river, Kentucky, whei'e for 



three days he was on picket duty. He then 
went to Louisville, and a short time later to 
Perryville, where he particijjated in the bat- 
tle of Perryville. From this time on he was 
with the famous " Old Pap Thomas " until 
after the battle of Atlanta. From Perry- 
ville he went to Stone river and participated 
in that sanguinary conflict. He took part in 
all of the thirteen hard battles in which the 
Twenty-first Wisconsin was engaged, and in 
which that gallant regiment became famous. 
Many skirmishes also fell to their lot and the 
boys of the Twenty-first saw a great deal of 
hard lighting and hardship. After the close 
of hostilities our subject w-as mustered out 
at Chattanooga, Tennessee, iu July, 186.5, 
and returned to his [)arents. In the fall of 
1865 he came back to Minnesota and settled 
at Rice Lake, in Dodge county, jiurciiasing 
for a farm the town site of Rice ],ake, 
where he was ma)ried. He remaineil 
there until September, 1878, when he re- 
moved to Marshall county, Minnesota, with 
his family, having previouslj' been there 
and taken a homestead of 160 acres on 
section 26, township 155, range 48, AVar- 
rington township. He still owns half a sec- 
tion, having sold one quarter that he once 
owned. He has a fine residence in Warren, 
where he lives. His fai'm is rented and he 
is engaged in general lines of business, such 
as buying wheat, speculating, etc. lie has 
a magnificent farm, with a large grove of 
his own planting, having brought the trees 
from Dodge county, Minnesota. He is exten- 
sively engaged in raising horses, and has 
also devoted considerable attention to fiuit 
culture, in which he has been very success- 
ful. He has 100 apple trees and an abun- 
dance of small fruits, such as cui'rants, straw- 
berries, etc., and has practically liemonstrated 
the fact that fruit can be raised in this 
latitude. 

Mr. Wallace was married Novcmljer 25, 
1866, to Miss Mary Naylor, a daughter of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



579 



John and Elizabeth (Rook) Na3'lor, who 
were natives of Yorkshire and Nottingliam- 
sliire, England, respectively. Mrs. Wallace 
was born in Lincolnshire, England, in Decem- 
ber, IS-tl. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are the 
parents of one son — Edward. 

Our sul)ject has taken a prominent part in 
the growth and development of Marshall 
county. He was one of tiie first board of 
countycommissioners,appointed by Governor 
PiUsbury to organize the county. He was a 
member of the board that located the county 
seat at AVarren. He served for one year as 
county treasurer, and filled a number of local 
offices such as supervisor, etc. He is a man 
of the strictest integrity and his word is 
recognized as being as good as a bond. He 
is a prominent member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, was one of the charter members of the 
Warren Lodge, and for three years served as 
its Worshipful Master. 



x^'VlLOF PARY, one of the leading mer- 
^i^ chants at New York Mills, a thriving 
village in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and 
a successful and capable business man, is an 
old settler in the village where he resides. 
He settled there Jul}' li, ISSl, and opened 
a general merchandise store, which he still 
conducts. He also handles lumber, wood, 
railroad ties, etc. His upright and honor- 
able methods of carr3'ing on business have 
won him an extensive trade, and he carries 
the heaviest stock of goods kept at New 
York Mills. 

Mr. Pary was born in Finland, September 
8, 1852, and is a son of Olof and Anna 
((Ireda) Pary. The parents came to the 
United States in 1872, landing at New York, 
and from there i)roceeded to Michigan, 
where they remamed for thirteen years. In 
1885 they settled in Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota, where they still reside. 



Our present subject, Olof Pary, is one of 
a family of five children, three boys and two 
gii'ls. He grew to manhood and received 
his education in the land of his birth, attend- 
ing school until he was fourteen or fifteen 
years of age. He then engaged at fishing, 
which is an occupation greatly followed in 
Finland, and continued this until he was 
nineteen years of age. He then came to 
America, landing at Quebec, Canada, after 
a voyage of thirteen days. Fi'om Canada 
he went to Michigan, where for seven years 
he remained, engaged in mining and I'ail- 
roading. He then followed railroadin"; in 
Canada for four j'ears, and at the expii-ation 
of that time, in 1881, he came to New Y'ork 
Mills, as has already been stated. Since he 
has lived here he has always taken a promi- 
nent and active part in all matters of a jiub- 
lic nature, and has held various local offices. 
He has been a member of the village coun- 
cil since 1882, and has been school treasurer 
since 1885. He takes an earnest part in all 
school matters, and at present is school 
treasurer. In fact, in every move he has 
shown himself to be one of the leading and 
representative citizens of the locality in which 
he lives. 

Mr. Par}' was married in Michigan in 
1877 to Miss Sarah Pippo, a native of Fin- 
land, who was brought to America in her 
youth. Mr. and Mrs. Pary are the parents 
of one son, named John O. 

In political matters our subject is a dem- 
ocrat. The family are members of the 
Lutheran church. 



-^S^^{^-4^« 



Jp)ETER A. ODELL, sheriff of Kandiyohi 
-1S*~ county, Minnesota, is a resident of the 
city of Willmar, where he is engaged in his 
official duties. He has been a resident of 
the county since 18G7, when he settled in the 
township of Norway Lake, taking a home- 



58o 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



stead of eighty acres, and purchasing 160 
acres of railroad land, upon which he lived, 
engaged in general fanning and stock-raising 
for many years. In 1879 he settled in the 
city, where he has since remained. He still 
owns his farm, which now comprises 240 
acres of well-improved farming and timber 
hind, lie is a native of the kingdom of 
Sweden, Ijoiii in Caliiiar in 1838, and is the 
son of Carl and Stciia ( Hanson) Johnson, 
also natives of that kingdom. Tiie father, 
who was a farmer, died in 1854, and the 
mother ]iassed away in 1882. They were 
tlie parents of the following-named chil- 
dren — Christena, now Mrs. Johnson ; Charles- 
and Peter A. (twins) ; Ileailvig, who married 
Mr. Folstrom; Adolj)!], IMary, now the wife 
of Mr. Grenell ; and Vandla, who was 
united in marriage to Mr. Erickson. 

Mr. Odell received his education in his 
native land, and, after leaving the common 
schools, studied navigation in Malmo, 
Sweden. After his father's death, our sub- 
ject went on the sea, as cook, and from that 
gradually worked up to the position of cap- 
tain. He followed the sea in all for twelve 
years, and was a captain on the North Sea 
for four years, in turn visiting France and 
Europe, and during this time he never lost a 
ship, altliougli he encountered some of the 
worst storms ever chronicled. At one time 
he lost anchors, sails, small boats, etc., and 
was obliged to put into port without a pilot. 
During these perilous times he never pra_yed 
once, being a man of the world, and, as he 
relates, had no faith in the efficacy of ])rayer 
at such a time. During six years of his sea- 
faring life, his brother Atlolph, who now is 
a resident of Kansas, was the first mate. In 
1864 our subject gave up his sea-faring life 
and emigrated to the United States, first 
settling in La Porte, Indiana, where he fur- 
nished ties for the railroad company, and 
engaged in farming on a tract of land com- 
prising foi'ty acres. In 1867 he removed to 



Minnesota, and, as before stated, settled in 
Kandiyohi county. He still owns his farm, 
which is one of the finest, and coin]nMses 
240 acres. In regard to his political 
and .official connections, he has held the 
office of county commissionei- for three years, 
been town clerk for eight years, justice of 
peace for eight years, and in 1878 ran on the 
independent ticket for sheriff and was elected 
by seventy majority. The second term lie 
was on the regular ticket, and since that time 
has ijeen re-elected ever}' two 3'ears. He 
is one of the most ])rominent and public- 
spirited citizens in the city, and is highly 
esteemed by all who know him. He has 
also been alderman of the second ward in 
Willmar. 

Mr. Odell was married in 1870 to Miss 
Carrie Reese, and this union has been blessed 
with eight children. In jjolitical nuittei's, 
Mr. Odell is an adherent to the princij)les of 
the republican party. He is a mend)er of 
the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the 
substantial and representative men of the 
county. 



PSAAC NEWTON WEAR, M. D., a wcll- 
^IL known and successful ph\ sician and sur- 
geon of the citv of Fargo, North Dakota, 
forms the subject of our present ai'ticlc. He 
was born near Plymouth, Illinois. Mai'ch 2r». 
1852, and is a son of Joseph 1). and ]\Iary 
B. (Downs) Wear, who were natives respect- 
ively of Tennessee and Indiana. Oui' sui)- 
ject spent his boyhood-days on a farm, and 
attended the common schools until he was 
sixteen years of age, when he took a two- 
years' course at the Plymouth high school. 
At the expiration of that time he spent one 
year in the college at McComb,Illinois. When 
he was eiuhteen he began teachinff school and 
followed that profession, alternately with at- 
tendingschool, until he attained his majority. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



581 



He then took charge of the Plymouth 
high school, and served as principal of that 
institution for two years. In 1875 he went to 
California for his health and remained there 
live months, then returned to Plymouth, Illi- 
nois, and resumed the study of medicine, 
wliich he had begun several years befoi-e. 
In tiie fall of 1876 he entered Rush Medical 
College, of Chicago, from which noted insti- 
tution he was graduated in February, 1878. 
He then located at Fandon, Illinois, and began 
practice, remaining there for four years. At 
the expiration of that time, on the 1st of 
March, 1882, he came to Fargo, North 
Dakota, where lie has since been actively 
engaged in practice. He ranks among the 
most successful and leading ph3^sicians'in the 
Red River Valley, and is one of the most 
popular practitioners in the city. He is the 
surgeon for the Northern Pacific and 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways, and 
is the official physician and surgeon of the 
Cass County Hospital. He is a member of 
tlie Cass County Medical Association, and 
also of the American Medical Association. 
A man of the strictest integrity, he is held 
in high esteem, both professionally and 
socially. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternit}', being a Kniglit Templar, and 
also belongs to tiie Odd-Fellows Order. 

Dr. Wear was married at Fargo, January 
4, 1888, to Miss Lulu Thomas, a daughter of 
A. D. and Fanny B. (Barns) Thomas. Her 
fatiier is one of the leading lawyers of 
Fargo and North Dakota, and her mother is a 
dauj-hter of Judg-e A. H. Barns. 



-«« 



«*. 



^ON. WILLIAM E. LEE, who is engaged 
1/^ in tiie banking business in the famous 
Park Regions, is a resident of the village of 
L')ng Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota. He 
is a native of Illinois, born in Alton, on the 
8th of Januarv, 18.52, and is the son of 



Samuel and Jane (Green) Lee, natives of 
Bridgewater, England. The father and 
mother emigrated to the United States in 
1851, and settled in Alton, Illinois. They 
remained there a number of j'ears and then 
moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, where they 
have since resided. The father is a mill- 
wright, having been in that business through 
active life. lie is now retired, and is one of 
the prominent citizens of Little Falls. The 
father and mother of our subject are the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Anna, now Mrs. R. Kirkwood, of Seattle, 
Washington Territory; Samuel, a merchant, 
of Long Prairie; Francis, now Mrs. Racine, of 
Tacoma, Wasiiington Territory; Richard LL, 
located at Little Falls, Minnesota, where he. 
is engaged in farming; George, who is en- 
gaged in the carpentering business in Little 
Falls; Isabelle, who married Edward Broder, 
a blacksmith in Swanville; and Emma, who 
is the wife of Frank Simmons, editor of the 
Long Prairie Leader, of Long Prairie, 

William E. Lee, the aubject of this bio- 
graphical memoir, received his education in 
Little Falls, Minnesota, where he removed 
wlien he was about five years of age. At 
the age of sixteen years he left the school- 
room, and until he was twenty-one learned 
the carpenter's trade, also working on the 
farm. In 1873 he secui'ed a position as 
clerk in a dry goods store at Long Prairie, 
Todd county, Minnesota, with the firm of 
Kellogg, Chase & Mayo, with whom he 
remained one and one-half years. He 
then started in the general merchandise 
business for himself in Burnhamville, Todd 
county, and continued in the business at 
Burnhamville and Long Prairie eight years, 
being succeeded by S. C. Lee. In 1876 Mr. 
Lee was elected register of deeds of the 
county, removed to the county seat, and 
served in that capacity for four years. At 
the expiration of that time he engaged in the 
banking business, in which he has since con- 



582 



KED RIVEIi VALLEY AND 



tinned. He is one of the prominent, repre- 
sentative men of tiie village and county, and 
is actively interested in all matters calculated 
to benefit either town or county. 

Mr. Lee was married February 14, 1876, 
to Miss Eva Gibson, a native of Kingston, 
Canada, and the daughter of A. H. and 
Miirgaret Gibson. The father of Mrs. Lee 
was one of the earliest settlers of Todd 
county, and a representative and esteemed 
citizen. He is now deceased. The mother 
is still living. She and her husband w-ere 
the ])arenta of three children — A. J., Eva A. 
and lieatrice. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been 
blessed witli the following-named children — 
Ptudolpli A., AVilliam H. and Arthur E. Mr. 
Lee is a, republican in politics and a member 
of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities. 
From 1SS5 until ISSO (four years) Mr. Lee was 
a member of the State legislature. He has 
held the office of president of the village coun- 
cil and has been president of the board of 
trade since 1887. Everything of a public 
nature calculated to benefit either his to^n 
or county receives his hearty supjjort. Enter- 
prising, aggressive and energetic, and an 
active worker in political matters, he has won 
a reputation that extends throughout the 
State. A man of the strictest integrity, his 
word is as good as a bond, and he is most 
highly respected wherever known. 



►-»► 



WERNER HEMSTEAD.M.D., the pres- 
ent mayor of the city of Urainerd, 
Crow Wing county, Minnesota, is engaged in 
a large and increasing medical practice in 
that city and vicinitJ^ He is a native of 
Iowa, born in Dubuque county, on the 19th 
day of April, 18.59, and is the son of Charles 
and liosamundi (Grobe) Hemstead, natives of 
the kingdom of Germany. They emigrated 
to the United States in 1846, and located in 
■>ubuc[ue county, Iowa, where they remained 



Until 1868, then removing to Nebraska. 
They were the parents of six children, our 
subject being tlie youngest. 

The Doctor received his common education 
in the- district schools of his native State, 
where he attended school until he was sixteen 
j'ears old, and during tiie summers of that 
time assisted on the home farm. In 1S68 
he removed witii his parents to Nebraska, 
and for four years attended the ifount 
Pleasant (Iowa) University. He then went to 
St. Louis, Missouri, where he studied medi- 
cine for one year; at the expiration of that 
time he removed to Omaha, where he studied 
one year, graduating with liigli honors. 
After receiving his (li]>loma lie was elected 
demonstrator of anatomy of the college, and 
until 1882 remained in that capacity. In 
September, 1882, he removed to Minnesota, 
settling at Brainerd, Crow Wing county, and 
for six 3'^ears was surgeon of the Northern 
Pacific Sanitarium. In September, 1888, he 
resigned his position and at once opened an 
office for the general practice of his profes- 
sion. He has since been engaged in clinical 
work, and is one of the leading physicians 
and surgeons in the LTpper Mississippi Valley. 
In March, 1888, he was elected mayor of the 
city, being the first democratic mayor ever 
elected in that ]ihice. He lias also ijeen 
alderman t»f the til'tii ward, being elected \x\ 
1885 for a term of twt) years. lie is a pub- 
lic-spirited citizen and is prominently i(i(>nti- 
fied with all local matters. He is a man of 
the strictest integrity and honor, highly 
esteemed by all who know iiim, l)oth in iiis 
profession and as an official, as well as an 
exemplary citizen. 

JED ENJAMIN C. TAYLOR, the well-known 
W^) veterinary surgeon of Ilillsboro, 
North Dakota, was born in Xassagaweya 
township, Ilalton county, Canada, K\w\\ 14, 
1853, and is a son of Thomas M. and ]\Iary 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO T.I. 



583 



(Anderson) Taylor, who are natives of Eng- 
land anil Ireland, respectively. 

Until he was seventeen years of age Ben- 
jamin lived with his parents, attending the 
district school winters, and working on the 
farm during the summer months. lie then 
went to Clifford and learned the l)lacksmith 
trade. After remaining in one shop for 
three years he went to Guelph where he 
worked as journeyman for one year in a 
carriage factory, then returning to Nassa- 
gaweya township, where he started a shop 
for himself and remained in that business 
two years, then moved to Brock way Centre, 
Michigan, and worked in a foundry one 
year. He then went to Smith Creek, Mich- 
igan, and carried on a general blacksmith 
and wagon-making business for six years; 
then rented his place for one year and came 
to Caledonia, Traill county, Dakota Terri- 
t(nT, to look for a location. He staid here 
six months, then returned to Michigan, sold 
out and went to Toronto, attending a veter- 
inar}' college one winter. He then came to 
Hillsboro in the spring of 1886 and has 
made his home hei'e ever since, returning to 
college every w inter. He graduated Decem- 
ber 25, 1887. 

Doctor Taylor has a very fine veterinary 
hospital ; it is 80x-Jr6 feet in size and contains 
all the modern improvements. He and his 
family occupy the front upper part, which 
is finished off in good comfortable style. 
Beside his profession he is a breeder of fine 
blooded dogs, as the St. Bernard, Newfound- 
land and imported Englisli (ireyhound. He 
has one pure white hound, a species seldom 
seen, as they are very i-are. 

Doctor Taylor was married in Bi-ockway 
Center, Michigan, JSTovember 12, 1870, to 
Miss Maggie Wilhams, who was born in 
Brampton, Canada, July 27, 1859, daughter 
of Charles and Kate (Mclsaac) Williams, 
who are natives of England and Scotland, 
respectively. 



Doctor Taylor holds the office of county 
inspector of deceased stock and is consid- 
ered one of the most successful veterinary 
surgeons of the Northwest. He is a genial, 
pleasant gentleman, a man of strict integrity 
and is highly esteemetl both as a business 
man and an exemplary citizen. 



»-.*► 



Rather JOSEPH H. MARCIL, rector 
if^ of the St. Joseph parish in Red Lake 
Falls, Polk count\% Minnesota, is one of the 
most powerful pul])it orators to be found in 
the Catholic society in the Red River Valley. 
He is a native of Canada, born in the county 
of Rouville on the 30th day of March, 1853, 
and is the son of Joseph and Julian (San- 
rette) Marcil, natives of Lower Canada. The 
father and mother of our subject were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Arzelie, Amanda, Louis, Dorila, Rose, Albina, 
Aloysia and Josephine. Arzelie married A. 
Sanretteand lives in Manitoba. Dorila mar- 
ried Donat Lambert, of Polk county, Min- 
nesota. Rose is the wife of Rock Jourdain, 
of Canada. Albina is now Mrs. Rivard, liv- 
ing in Dakota. Aloysia was united in mar- 
riage to Paul Peloquin, of Ontario, Canada. 
Josephine is now Mrs. Norbert Forest, of 
Manitoba. Louis is married and lives in Red 
Lake Falls. 

Father Marcil, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, remained with his parents 
until he had olitained a collegiate education, 
classical and theological. In June, 1876, he 
graduated with high honors from the semi- 
nary at St. Ilyacinthe, county of St. Hya- 
cinthe, Canada, and from the theological 
department in August, 1879. He was then 
ordained as priest, and went to Winnipeg and 
took charge of the church at that place. 
Remaining four years and a half he removed 
to Minnesota. In December, 1884, he located 
in the village of Red Lake Falls, Polk county. 



5S4 



HEP KIVKK VALLEY AND 



Minnesota, where he took charge of the St. 
Joseph parisli. He has since remained there, 
and is highly esteemed and respected by all 
who ivnow him. lie is a man of wide read- 
ing and extensive education. He is one of 
the most powerful pulpit orators in that 
region and a forcible writer. He is a man 
of much more than ordinary ability, and is 
a rejiresentative and exciiiphu-y citizen. His 
parents are still living with him, the father 
now being sixty -six years old and the mother 
sixty-two. 

^ ICHARD D. RYERSON, photographer, 
and engaged in the notion business, 
handling musical instruments, picture frames, 
l(laiil< books, tablets, albums, scrap-books, 
line confectionery, nuts, fi'uits, toys, etc., 
in T)etroit City, P.ecker county, Minne- 
sota, is a native of Maine. He was boi-n in 
Paris, T\raine, on the 22d day of January, 
IS-ti*, and is the son of Joiin U. and Elmii'a 
(Dunham) Ryerson, natives also of Maine. 
The father was engaged in the boot and shoe 
business in Maine for man^' j'ears. He was 
a member of Company C, Seventeenth Maine 
Infanti-y, and was in the service three years, 
participating in the battles of Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville. Our subject's 
father and mother were of Scotch and Ger- 
man descent. The father and mother were 
the parents of six children, named in the 
following order — Richard, Angie, Hattie, 
Annie, Cora and Myrtia. 

Mr. Ryerson, of whom this sketch treats, 
spent liis youngcu' days in Maine, where he 
attended school until he was sixteen years 
old. He then entered his fatiier's manufac- 
tor\% wher(! he learned the boot and shoe- 
maker's trade, working at that avocation 
for foui' years. AV^hen he was twenty years 
old he went to Dexter, Maine, and engaged 
in the l)oot and shoe business. For twelve 
succeeding yeai'S he was employed at his 



trade in various localities in Maine. In 1880 
he went to Castean, a summer resort on the 
Penobscot Pay, where he learned the artist's 
trade. He then I'eturned to Dexter, Maine, 
purchased an outfit and traveled through 
Maine. In 18S1 he purchased a ])ortable 
photographic outfit, and until 1SS3 traveled 
through the different towns in his native 
State, eniraered in his business. In 1883 he 
moved to the West and located at Detroit 
City, where he opened a gallery and con- 
tinued in business until 18SG, when he built 
his present building. In addition to his art 
he carries a full line of confectioneries and 
notions, having the finest establishment of 
the kind in the place. 

Mr. Ryerson is a musician of more than 
ordinary talent and has always taken an 
active interest in any musical organization in 
the locality. 

He organized the band contest in 188-1, in 
which nine bands jiai'ticipated ; the three 
prizes being won, respectively, by the Prain- 
erd, Wahpeton aiul Perham banils. He is 
now president of the village band, and for a 
number of months was treasurer of that 
organization. He has the reputation of being 
the best solo drummer in the Northwest and 
is familiar with almost every instrument 
known to band men. 

In 1877 Mr. Ryerson was married to Adell 
Lancaster, anativeof Maine, and the daughter 
of Pela and Louisa (Turner) Lancaster, natives 
of the same State. Our subject is a stanch 
republican and any home enterprise receives 
his hearty suppoi't. He is a pi'ouiinent citi- 
zen and is highly esteemed by all who know 
him. 

The Ryerson family have invented a num- 
ber of useful patents. Our subject, Mr. 
Ryerson invented an adjustable stove leg, 
which was patented in Canada and in the 
United States July 3, 1878. The father, 
John R. Ryerson, invented the metallic book 
heel and sokl his patent for .S]2,U00. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



585 



John COSTAIN, who is engaged in the 
f^ general merchandising business in the 
village of Hawley, is one of the oldest set- 
tlers in Clay county, Minnesota,' having 
locateil tliere in 1ST3 and opened a general 
store in partnei'ship with Mr. Pryor. He sold 
his intei-est to Mr. Pryor, his partner, in 
Mai'ch, ISSO, and formed a partnership in 
the following September with his present 
partner, Walter Tamer, the firm name being 
AV. Tamer »It Co. The subject of this sketch 
is a native of the Isle of Man, born on the 
2(1 day of March, 184-5, and is the son of 
John and Jane (Clague) Costain, also natives 
of the Isle of Man. Tlie father was a sailor 
through life, and is still residing on his native 
island. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject were the parents of the following-named 
children — Kichard, John, Edward, Elizabeth, 
Thomas and Jane. 

John Costain, the subject of this l^iograph- 
ical review, received his education on the 
Isle of Man, where he attended school until 
he had attained the age of twenty -four years. 
At that period in life he emigrated to the 
United States, and after landing in Boston, 
Massachusetts, went to San Francisco, Cal- 
ifornia, where he remained eighteen months, 
working at various occupations. At the 
expii-ation of that time he removed to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, M'here he worked 
'on the Washburn "A" Mill as mason. He 
then went to Dakota county, IMinnesota, 
where he worked for two years as a stone 
mason on vaiious mills throughout that 
county. After leaving there he returned to 
Minneapolis, where he remained one year 
employed as a mason, and then in 1873 
removed to the village of Hawley, Clay 
county, Minnesota, where he has since 
remained. As stated above, he entered the 
general merchandising business in partnership 
with Mr. Pryor, and afterward engaged with 
his present partner, Mr. Tamer. They have 
since carried on an extensive business, and 



are now the leading general merchants in 
the village. They carry a full line of goods, 
and are doing a heavj' business. 

Our subject has done more to promote the 
general welfare and interests of the villatj-e 
and county than, perhaps, any other one 
man. He has held man\' of the responsible 
positions in the county and village, includ- 
ing county commissioner, county auditor, 
recorder, justice of the peace and clerk. He is 
one of the leading and prominent citizens, 
and is highly esteemed by all who know 
him. 

Mr. Costain was married September 28, 
18Y3, to Miss Eliza J. Pryor, and this union 
has been blessed with three children — 
Arthur, Ell)ert and Wilfred. Our subject is 
a republican in his political affiliations. He 
and his family belong to the Congrega- 
tional church, of which he is treasurer, and 
also superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
He is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd-Fellows, of which he is one of the 
officers, in Hawley. He is actively inter- 
ested in all local matters, and any home 
enterprise receives his hearty support. 



aANS MICKLESON, who is the mana- 
ger of the Pelican Papids Roller 
Mills, and is also engaged in the hardware 
Imsiness in the village of Pelican Rajjids, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is a native of 
Norway. He was born on the lid day of April, 
1854, and is the son of Mickle and Mary 
(Anderson) Mickleson, also natives of that 
kingdom. They removed to America in 
1868, and first located in Wisconsin, where 
they engaged in farming. In 1871 they re- 
moved to Clitherall, Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota, where they took a homestead and are 
now residing. 

Mr. Mickleson, the subject of this sketch, 
remained in his native land until Ik; had 



586 



KEl) RIl^ER I'ALLEY AND 



attained the age of fourteen years, during 
wliicL time, he atlcnded school and assisted 
on the home farm. In 18G8 he emigrated 
to the United. States with his parents, and 
after landing, removed to Wisconsin, settling 
in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, wiiere our 
subject I'omained at home with Ids parents, 
at.tendino: scliool and assislin<r liis father 
operate the home farm. In 1871 Hans re- 
moved with his parents to Minnesota, settling 
in Clitherall, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
where he helped his father on the farm for 
four 3'ears. In 1875 he u'ent to Pcrham, 
Minnesota, and for three years bought wheat 
for R. L. Frazee. In 1878 he removed to 
Pelican liapids, Otter Tail county, Minne- 
sota, whore he took charge of the mills at 
that point. The mill was established in 1877 
by R. L. Frazee, and had three run of stone 
with a daily capacity of fifty barrels. In 
the fall of 1882, tlie patent rollers were put 
in and the capacit}^ increased to 250 barrels 
l)er da}', making it one of the best mills in 
the Park Regions. Our subject has had 
charge of the mills since his residence here, 
and in 1882 he established a hardware stoie 
in tiie village, and in 1887 took in as a part- 
nei- J. V. De Long, who has since remained 
in inisiness witii our subject. He is one of 
the pi'ominent and esteemed business men of 
the village and in the hardware line is doing 
a business of aljout it^lO,0()0 a year. He lias 
iield the ofilces of president of the village 
council, justice of the peace, town treasurer, 
etc., and is a prominent factoi' in all affairs 
of a local nature. 

Mr. Mickleson was united in marriaore on 
the 25th day of December, 1879, to Miss 
Alice Lacke}', and this union lias been blessed 
with three children — Edna, IMaud, and Glen, 
who ilied in February, 1883. In political 
matters our subject affiliates with the repub- 
lican party, and is actively interested in all 
matters calculated to advance the interests 
or prosperity of ids home. 



^LBERT ABBOTT, who is engaged in 
L tlie iiai'dware Inisiness in the village 
of Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minnesota, is 
one ot the ])roniin(mt and successful mer- 
chantsin that locality. He is a native of 
Illinois, born in Coles county, on the 27th 
day of Januarv, 18Cii, and is the son of Ben- 
jamin and Mary (Newell) Abbott, natives of 
Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. 
Tiie father and mother of Albert were united 
in nuirriage in Illinois, and in 1871 they 
removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
wliere they engaged in fanning until 1877. 
They then removed to Todd county, T\Iinne- 
sota, where the father homesteaded hind in 
Bertha township, and engaged in farming 
for five or six years. He was one of the 
earliest settlers in the county, and in 18S3 
settled in the village of Eagle Bend, where 
he eniraa'ed in the mercantile l)usiness. His 
death occurred on the KUh of June, 1888. 
He was a democrat in politics and one of the 
leading citizens. The mother died in 18(19, 
and the father was mai'ried a second time to 
a Miss Mary Kraeton, a native of Scotland. 
In their family there were tiie following- 
named children — Edward, Albert, Gilbert, 
Mary, and Lawrence, who died in infancy. 

Mr. Abbott, the subject of this biogra|)li- 
ical sketch, spent his sciiool-days in Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota, where he lived until 
sixteen 3'ears of age. He then removed with 
his people to Todd countv, Minnesota, and 
attended the schools there for two 3'ears. 

From his eighteenth year, until he had 
attained the age of twent3'-two, he aided his 
father on the home farm. 

In 1886, in partnershi]) witii liis brother 
Edward, he opened a groceiy store in the 
viliao-e of Ea>ile Bentl, where thev continued 
in business for two years. Our subject then 
oj)ened his presiMit hardware store in tiie 
village. 

He has since been engaged in the business, 
and now carries a full [line of goods, and is 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



587 



having a large trade throughout the entire 
county. 

Mr. Abbott was united in marriage on the 
ISth day of February, 1888, to Miss Mary 
Ii'eland, a native of Massachusetts. She was 
educated in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
where she had moved with her parents in 
1 870. The subject of this article is an adher- 
ent to the principles of the democratic party 
and is actively interested in all movements 
wiit'i'eby the town or county may derive 
l>enetiL. 



J^EV.SVEN GUSTAF SWENSON is the 
jKf^y, present superintendent of schools of 
Kittson county, Minnesota. He was born 
in Iljortsberga, Smaland, Sweden, June 10, 
1850. 

Mr. Swenson's parents were Magnus and 
Lisa (Johnson) Swenson, both natives of 
Sweden. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and continued in the same business 
after he came to the United States in 1875. 
Tliey settled in Sparta township, Kent 
county, Michigan, where the father and 
mother are still living. 

Tile subject of our sketch was about six- 
teen years of age when his parents came to 
America, and he had had up to this time 
the best of educational advantages in the 
common schools of his native land. At 
nineteen \'ears of age he entered the Augus- 
tana College and Theological Seminary at 
Mock Island, Illinois, and graduated in both 
college and seminary. He graduated from 
the college in lSS-1, and from the seminary in 
188(5. Being thus thoroughly ecjuipj^ed for 
the preaching of the divine word, he was 
ordained as a minister of the Swedish Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. He then 

Minnesota, and 



came to Kittson countv 



took charge of three 



congreoations- 



-Red 



River, Saron and Enimaus — continuing in 
this relation for two and one-half years. In 



1887 he organized a church in Hallock, 
which, with the church at Saron, comprises 
his whole church work. In November, 1888, 
Mr. Swenson was elected superintendent of 
schools of Kittson county, a position he is 
well prepared to till. Eev. Mr. Swenson is 
a power of influence among the people with 
whom he labors, and his intellectual and 
theological training make him a powerful 
defender of the 'tenets of his religious faith. 
He is a man of broad and tender symjiathies, 
and is held in high esteem by all who know 
him. 



^> 



JMLaNS a. LARSON, the present iiicum- 
^'*2L bent of the office of register of deeds 
of Marshall county, Minnesota, is a resident 
of the village of Warren, where he is engaged 
in his official duties. He is a native of Nor- 
way, born in Eidsvold, on the 27th da}' of 
May, 1854, and is the son of Martin and 
Catharine (Olson) Larson, also natives of 
the kingdom of Norway. The parents of our 
subject emigrated to the United States in 
1864 and settled in Eed Wing, Goodhue 
county, Minnesota, whence they removed 
in 1876 to Ellsworth, Pierce count}', Wiscon- 
sin, where they have since remained. They 
are the parents of the following-named chil- 
dren — Hans A., Charles L., Christine M., 
Marie M. and Nicholas A. 

Mr. Larson, the sul>ject of this biograph- 
ical sketch, remained in his native land until 
he was ten years old. During that time, he 
attended the common schools of Eidsvold. 
and in 1864 emigrated to the United States 
with his parents. After reaching America 
they located in Eed Wing, Goodhue county, 
Minnesota, where our subject attended 
school until he was twent^'-one. He then 
commenced in life for himself, and for the 
next four 3'ears he worked out among the 
neio'hborins' farmers. In 1879 he went to 
Marshall count V.Minnesota, and homesteaded 



588 



KED RIVER VALLEY AA'D 



160 acres of land on section 24, Big Woods 
townsliip, where he lived until December 15, 
ISSS. lie tiien removed to the village of 
Warren, where he has since lived. Previous 
to this, while he was on the farm, he clerked 
for three j^ears in a store in Argyle. In 
November, 1888, he was elected to the office 
of register of deeds, and commenced his 
official duties Januaiy 7, 1889, and has since 
filled the position with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to all concerned. 

Mr. Larson was united in marriage on the 
23d day of December, 1884, in Graml Forks, 
Dakota Territory, to Miss Betsy Swanson, 
the daughter of Mathias and Agnetta (Han- 
son) Swanson, residents of the town of Big- 
Woods, and tliis union has been blessed with 
the following-named children — Martin M., 
Alpliia C. and Charles S. Our subject is a 
republican in his jiolitical affiliations, and is 
actively interested in all local matters. He 
has held the position of town clerk for three 
years. He is a man of excellent business 
ability, and is highly esteemed by all who 
know iiim. 



T^UCAS W. SMITH, one of the oldest set- 
1'^; ' tiers in W;ulena count\', Minnesota, 
is living a retired life in the village of Vern- 
(lulc. He is a native of the State of Ver- 
mont, born in Sutton township, Caledonia 
county, on the 15th day of September, 1816, 
and is the son of Jal)ez IT. and Anna Smith, 
natives of Vermont and Connecticut, resi)ec- 
tively. In 1825 the parents of our subject 
removed to New York State, which was then 
comparatively a new Territory. In 1834 
they went to Ohio, where they remained until 
1839; then they removed to Walworth 
county, Wisconsin, where they died. They 
were the parents of the following-named 
children — xilbertina A., Eugene A. and 
Marial C. Smith. 



Mr. Smith, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, renuuiied in his native State, 
attending scJiool until he was nine years old, 
when he removed with his jjarents to St. 
Lawrence county. New Yoi-k. There he 
attended school, and in 1834 went with his 
parents to Lorain county, Ohio. lifter 
remaining at home for three years, he com- 
menced in life for himself, and in 1857 went 
to Green Bay, Wisconsin, which at that 
time was a large Indian trading post. After 
remaining in the northern part of Wisconsin 
for a year or two Mr. Smith returned to 
his home in Ohio, where he remained, assist- 
ing his father operate the home farm for some 
time. In 1839 he started, with a team, as a 
peddler, and was tii rough Ohio and else- 
where, finally locating in Walworth county, 
Wisconsin. Tiiere he took Government land 
and engaged in farming until 1852. He then 
went to the State of Iowa, where he engaged 
in farming for several years. In 1877 he 
started from Charles City, Floyd county, 
Iowa, in company with Washington Young 
and T. Tinklei)augh, for the Northwest, in 
search of a location. Reaching AVadena 
county, Minnesota, they decided to settle, and 
each took farms in the county. Our subject 
took a tract of land near tiie village of Vern- 
dale, which at that time was not even begun. 
By the 10th of Julj^, 1877, our subject had sixty 
acres under cultivation, and after filing u])on 
forty acres more, returned to Iowa. After 
returning from Iowa he entered his land in 
St. Cloud, ]\rinnesota, and established a town 
site, giving it the present name — Verndale. 
Vern, from the name of his grand-daughter, 
and dale, from the beautiful location of tiie 
village. He erected the first dwelling in the 
village, and in 1878 engaged in the general 
merchandise business, in which he continued 
until 1882. He was appointed postmaster, 
and held the position for several years. He 
has since been prominently identified with 
the history and progress of tiie town and 



PARK kEGIONS OF Mj.VNESOTA. 



589 



county, and is well known and highly 
esteemed in that section of the State. He 
still retains his fine farm on section 19, adjoin- 
ing the village, although he is not actively 
engaged in any Ijusiness. 

Mr. Smith was married in 1844: to Miss 
May Maison. and this union has been blessed 
with three children. ]\Ir. Smith and his 
family s\mipathize with the doctrines of the 
Universalist church. He is a stanch repub- 
lican in his political affiliations. He has held 
the offices of justice of the peace and judge 
of probate for a number of years. He is a 
man of the strictest honor ami integrity, and 
is actively interested in all local movements. 



-«-; 



-.»► 



f\MES NOLAN is engaged in the general 
mercantile business in McCauleyville, 
Wilkin county, Minnesota, and is a member 
of the firm of Nolan & Stevenson. 

Mr. Nolan, our subject, was born in Orange 
county, New York, on the Sth day of Octo- 
ber, 1839. He is a son of Joseph and Bar- 
bara (Stevenson) Nolan. The father was a 
cabinet-maker, and the family lived near the 
village of Montgomery. The parents were 
natives of New York, and they had a family 
of six children — George H., Catharine, Mary, 
Harriet, James and Elizabeth. 

The education which our sul)ject received 
in the Montgomeiy village school was supple- 
mented by a course of study in Kingston 
Academy, at Kingston, Pennsylvania. He 
graduated from that institution in 1858. For 
the suceeding three years Mr. Nolan peddled 
tin from a cart in both New York and 
Pennsylvania. AVhile on a trip selling his 
wares, April 19, 1S(>1, found him in Mauch 
(Jhunk in the latter State. This was just 
five days after the firing on Fort Sumter. 
Here he enlisted in Com]>an3' E, Si.\th Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Three Months' Volun- 
teers. He was given a furlough in which to 



return his cart to Binghamton, New York. 
Then he rejoined his company, served the 
three months and was discharged at Harris- 
burg, Pennsylvania. He returned to his 
native State, where, in August, 18(!2, he 
re-enlisted in Company G, Sixty -fourth Kegi- 
ment. New York Volunteers, and served till 
the close of the war. He saw war in all its 
phases under General McClellan in the 
Peninsular campaign, in the second battle of 
Bull Bun, at Antietam, Gett^'sburg, Chan- 
cellorsville, Fredricksburg andthe Wilderness. 
He was through Grant's campaign to Peters- 
burg and Appomattox. On the 7th of May, 
1805, he was discharged at Washington, 
District of Columbia. 

Mr. Nolan now spent a little time at home 
in New York, revisited Washington and from 
there came to St. Cloud, Minnesota. From 
this place he assisted in driving a herd of 
cattle to Fort Abercombie. Eeturning to 
St. Cloud, he clerked in the Central House. 
Then he was employed as messenger for the 
Northwestern Stage and Express Company 
between St. Cloud and Crow Wing. Janu- 
ary 14, 1869, the company put him in charge 
of the Fort Abercrombie end of the route. 
He has since been a citizen, and has also been 
engaged in the hotel business and farming. 
In 1878 and 1880 Mr. Nolan took land of 143 
and 160 acres, respectively under the ]ire- 
eni])tion and homestead acts, which he still 
owns. Tne land is under a high state of cul- 
tivation, with good building improvements. 

On 1886 Mr. Nolan closed his hotel busi- 
ness, spent the following winter in California 
and returned. In the fall of 1887 he, in com- 
pany with Mr. Stevenson, engaged in the 
general merchandise business. 

Our subject was married in 1867, at St. 
Cloud, Minnesota, to Miss Jane Stevenson 
who is a native of Canada. They have no 
children. Mr. Nolan affiliates with the 
republican party. He was one of the first 
county commissioners of Wilkin county, 



590 



KF.n KIVKR \-ALLF.Y AND 



1 



being appointed to the office b}' Governor 
Ilubbord. He lias also been sheriff of the 
county for one term of two years. lie is a 
member of the Good Templars. 



— «-- 



■.^. — 



O^ILLIAM O. BERGERSON. The sub- 
W^ ject of this ai'ticle is a resident of 
the village of Lake Park, Becker county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in the photog- 
rapher's art. lie is a native of the State of 
Iowa, born in Decorah, Winneshiek county, 
on the 22d day of December, 1855, and is the 
son of Jacob and Annie Bergerson, natives 
of Norway. They emigrated to the United 
States in 1845, and settled in Decorah, Iowa. 
The grandfathei' of our subject was Berger 
Bergerson, a native of Norway, and a farmer 
by occupation. He came to America and 
settled in Decorah, and removed from there 
to Freeborn count}', Minnesota, where he 
remained twelve j'ears. He then went to 
Polk county, Minnesota, where he died in 
1884. The father of our subject was a miller 
by occupation, and in 18G-4 removed from 
Iowa to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he 
engaged in his trade for thirteen 3'ears. He 
now is eno-ajjed in farming seven miles north 
of Albert Lea, and has a fine well-cultivated 
farm of 200 acres. The father and mother 
of our subject were the pai'entsof the follow- 
ing-named childi-en — Bernhart, Sojihia, (ius- 
tena, William, Josephena, Kudolj)!!, Harry, 
Louisa and Ludwig. 

William O. Bergerson. tin; subject of this 
article, remained in Decoi'ah, Iowa, until he 
was nine years of age, during which time 
he attended the common schools of that city. 
At the age of nine years he I'emoved with 
his parents to Freel)orn county, Minnesota, 
wiiere he attended school until he was six- 
teen years old. He then went to Albert Lea, 
where he entered the high school, graduating 
from that institution with high honors, at the 



age of twenty yeai-s. He then learned the 
photographer's art, and in 1875 went to Chi- 
cago, Illinois, where the sjK'ut one year ))er- 
fecting his trade. He then returned to 
Albert Lea, where he engaged at his trade 
for three years. In 1879 he removed to the 
village of Lake Park, Becker county, Minne- 
sota, where he opened the first permanent 
gallery in the village. He erected a l>uild- 
ing and has all the modern improvements in 
a])paratus and fixtures. He has a large class 
of customers and turns out some of the best 
work to be secured in th.at part of the State. 
Mr. Bergerson was married in 1881 to 
Miss Nettie Clawson, a native of Albert Lea, 
Minnesota, and the daughter of Peter and 
Anna Clawson.. Mr. and ]\Irs. iiergei'son 
have been blessed with two cliildi'eii — 
Amelia and Jessie. Mr. Bergerson is inde- 
pendent in jiolitical matters, reserving the 
right to vote U\v the best man regardless of 
party lines. He has held tlie offices of jus- 
tice of the peace, town clerk, and has been a 
member of the village council. Mr. Berger- 
son is a man of the strictest honor and 
integrity and is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. He is one of the substantial 
business men of the village and is actively 
interested in all local matters. 

- • ■♦ > -!-^^- < »■ • - 

PETER ALDRIN. The biographical sub- 
ject of this article is a resident of the 
village of Kensington, Douglas county, Min- 
nesota, where he is engageil in the genei'al 
merchandising business in partnership with 
Charles Lilyquist, whose biography will be 
found in another department of this Ai.hum. 
He is a native of Sweden, born on the 19th 
day of November, 1853, and is the son of 
Carl and Catharine (Peterson) Aldrin, natives 
of Sweden. 

Mr. Aldrin, of whom this memoir treats, 
remained in his native country, attending 



PARK REG IDA'S OF MIAWESOTA. 



591 



school, until he was seventeen years old. 
In 1870 he and his father emigrated to the 
United States, and, after landing in New 
York, proceeded to oMinnesota and settled in 
Minneapolis, in June of tiiat year. Our sub- 
ject's niotiier and three sisters emigrated to 
the United States in 1874. After locating in 
Minneajwlis our subject entered a brickyard, 
where he worked until the 25th of October, 
1870, when he secured work on the raili'oad, 
between Stillwater and White Bear. On the 
l.'itli of December, 1S70, he went to Scott 
county, Minnesota, and during that winter 
and the foUowiu"' surinj;- worked for Fred 
Erickson. He then returned to Minneapolis, 
in June, and until the following August 
worked on the St. Louis Railroad. He then 
secured work in a saw-mill for Pettit, Rob- 
inson I'c Co., and after working for them 
until the fall of 1871, returned to work for 
his old employer, Fred Erickson, on the Man- 
itoba line. In March, 1872, Mr. Aldrin 
returned to his farm in Scott county, where 
he renuiined through seeding, then returning 
to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he went to 
work again for Pettit, Robinson & Co. 
On the 15th of November, 1872, he went 
to Urness, Douglas county, Minnesota, 
wiiere he I'eniained with his father 
during the winter, and in the following 
spring resumed work in Minneapolis with 
ills old eniployei's. After working for them 
until October 22, 1873, he returned to his 
father's home in Douglas county, and in the 
spring returned to Minneapolis and went to 
work for Morrison Brothers in a saw-mill. 
In November, 1874, when his mother and 
sisters emigrated to the United States, he 
went with them to their father's and hus- 
band's home, where our subject remained 
until May, 1875, when he again went to 
Minneapolis aiul worked for Morrison Broth- 
ers until July. On tlie 20th of that month 
he returned to take care of his mother and 
sisters, his fatliei- having died April 3, 1875. 



He built a house and took charge of the 
place until 1882. In 1879 he had purchased 
a farm of eighty acres, on which he moved 
in the spring of 1882. This farm is in 
Erdahl township. Grant countv, Minnesota. 
He engaged in farming and general stock- 
raising, and gradualh^ improved and added 
to the land. On the ] ith of February, ] 887, 
he removed to Kensington, Douglass county, 
Minnesota, and in the following April 
engaged in the general merchandising busi- 
ness, in partnership with Lilyquist Brothers. 
When they dissolved, our subject and 
Cliarles Lilyquist took up the business, 
which they have since carried on. 

Mr. Aldrin was united in marriage to Miss 
Christie Anderson on the 23d of November, 
1879, and this union has been blessed with 
the following-named children — Carl V., 
Clara A., Allvilda C. and Alma M. Our 
subject is a reiniblican in his political affilia- 
tions, and while in Grant county was on the 
board of supervisors for two years and 
chairman of that body for one year. Since 
coming to Kensington he has been promi- 
nently and actively interested in all local 
movements, and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. 



-**- 



OHN O. KOLSTAD is a prominent 
W resident of Underwood, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. He has lived a Kfe full of busi- 
ness activities and lias now retired to enjoy 
the competency accunuilated during his busi- 
ness life. He was born in Norway on the 
6th day of August, 1824. 

Mr. Kolstad was a son of Ole and Gun- 
hilde (Anderson) Erickson. botii natives of 
Norway. The}' were farmers by occupa- 
tion, were well-to-do, and occuj)ied j)rominent 
places in the social relations of their native 
land. 



592 



RED mVF.R VALLEY AND 



The subject of our sketch remained at 
home in his native country until wi;!! along 
in years. He received excellent intellectual 
advantages and was given a thorough clas- 
sical education. In 18(59 he determined to 
visit America, and with that in viewtook pas- 
sao-e on an ocean steamer and started for 
the much-heard-of free country. Landing in 
New York he continued his journe}' to Wis- 
consin, stopping for two months in Mil- 
waukee. Thence he went to Rushford, 
Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he taught 
a Norwegian school for one year. He then 
removed to the town of Sverdrup, Otter Tail 
county, same State, and settled on Govern- 
ment land. This was in 1870, and he con- 
tinued to I'un his farm for some time. He 
then concluded to launch out into mercan- 
tile pursuits. So, removing to Undei'wood, 
same county, he formed a partnership with 
a Mr. Sether and built the store building 
now occupied by Bjorge and Sjordal. where 
they opened a general merciiandise business. 
Tills business was steadily continued until 
1886, when it was sold to A. H. Brockamp, 
and Mr. Kolstad returned to the farm. He 
contunied on the farm until the fall of 
1888, when he put it into the hands of a 
renter, and himself moved to Underwood. 
He has an excellent farm of ItiO acres all 
under a high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Kolstad was marri(>d December 28, 
184:5, to Anna Johnson, a luitive of Norwa\'. 
She was a daughter of John Olsen and was 
born in Norway on the 21st of June 182.3. 

Mr. Kolstad is a man of nmch influence in 
the affairs of his community, and is held in 
hi'di esteem bv all who know him. He has 
held the office of supervisor for two terms, 
and by virtue of his good business qualities 
and early and thorough education is well 
(|ualified to hold any position of trust within 
the gift, of the republican party, of which he 
is a zealous supporter. Mr. Kolstad is a 
member of the Unitarian church. 



J©URRE E. BURKEE, the present post- 
-LU master in the village of St. Hilaire, 
Polk county, Minnesota, and also engaged in 
thegeneral merchandising business, is a native 
of tlie kingdom of Norway. He was born 
in Bui-kee, Norwa\', on the 21st da}' of No- 
vember, 1857, and is the son of Erick and 
Syverine (Bergoust) Burkee, natives also of 
that kingdom. The father died in 18fi9 and 
the mother in 187-1. 

!Mr. Burkee, the subject of this article, 
remained at home until the death of iiis 
parents. During that time he attended the 
common schools of his native land, and, at 
the age of twenty, fell heir to the old home- 
stead. Upon the advice of a lirotlier, who 
had returned on a visit from the United 
States, he sold the old homestead and 
emigrated to this • counti-y. In 1882 he 
located at Montevidecj, Minnesota, where he 
attended school two winters, and in tiie 
summers engaged in the merchiindising busi- 
ness in the village of St. Hilaire, I'olk 
county, Minnesota, with his brother John. 
After attending school two winters, at his 
uncle's, he removed to St. Hilaire, where he 
has since remained. Tiiey have a fine stock 
of goods, and are doing a good business. 

Mr. Burkee, the subject of this biograjJiy, 
was united in marriage on the IStli daj' of 
June, 1888, to Miss f/'aroline Larson, a native 
of Manitowoc county, "Wisconsin, and the 
daughter of Ole and ifaria (Kjara) Larson, 
who were natives of Norway. Our subject 
and his estimable wife i)elong to the 
Norwegian Lutheran church, and are exem- 
plary citizens. Our subject is village treas- 
urer, and is also the present efficient post- 
master. Mr. Burkee is a man of the strictest 
integrity and honor, and is highly esteemed 
by all who bear his acquaintance. He is one 
of the leading business men of that portion 
of the countr}', and takes an active interest 
in all matters affecting the welfare of his 
town. 



PARK KECrONS OF M / jV.V E SO T.-l . 



593 



[AMES H. BOYLAN, the present post- 
master at Paynesville, a thrifty repre- 
sentative of the farming community of 
Stearns county, Minnesota, is a resident of 
section l-t, town 122, range 32, where he is 
eno^affeci in extensive and successful fai'minof 
and stock-i'aising. He is a native of JS^ew 
York State, born on tlie 1 3tli day of May, 1834, 
and is tlie son of Fiman and Laura (Flulburt) 
IJoyhm, natives of New Jersey and Massa- 
chusetts, respectively. Mr. Boy]an,of whom 
this biography treats, remained at home, 
attending school and assisting on the home 
farm until he was tvvent\'-one years old. He 
tiien left home and, in November, 1855, re- 
moved to Illinois, settling at Morris, where 
he worked for two and a half years in a 
liardware store. At the expiration of that 
time he went to Anoka, Minnesota, and in 
tiie spring of 1858 engaged in teaming, wliicii 
he followed until October, 1858, when he 
removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, and 
took a claim on section 16, Pa\'nesvilletown- 
siiip. where he engaged in logging for some 
time, then returned to Anoka, Minnesota, 
where he remained until 1859. In January, 
1850, he returned to Paynesville, and the fol- 
lowing summer managed the farm of William 
Bennett. In 18()1 he returned to Allegany 
county. New Y'ork, where he worked at agri- 
cultural pursuits for a year and a half. Then 
he. in partnership with his brother, bougiit 
out the general merchandise firm of 
Lemond Brothei's, and until the spring of 
1866 tliejf followed that business. Our 
subject then sold out and engaged in the 
liardware business until the spring of 1869, 
when he sold out and returned to Paynesville 
and l)ought a farm on section 14, town 122, 
range 32, which he has since occujiied. He 
now owns a fine, well-cultivated farm of 760 
acies, and is engaged in an extensive farming 

OCT O 

and stock-raising business. He has held the 
offices of postmaster, chairman of the board 
of supervisors and assessor. He is one of the 



prominent farmers of the county and is 
highly esteemed by all who k'now him. 

Mr. Boylan was united in marriage on the 
1st day of December, 1859, to Miss Canrissia 
A. Richardson, and this union has been 
blessed with eight children. In political mat- 
ters our subject is an adherent to the 
principles of the democratic ])arty, and is 
actively interested in all local matters. He 
was appointed ])ostmaster under Buchanan 
in the spring of 1859, also under Cleveland 
in February, 1888. 



-«-J^{^-^' 



[AMES SCOTT is a resident of Argyle 
village, Marshall county, Minnesota, and 
is engaged in the wheat business, being agent 
for the Red River Valley Elevator Com- 
pany. He is a native of Scotland, born on 
the 13th of September, 1861, and is the son 
of Michael and Jane (Smith) Scott, natives of 
Scotland and England, res])ectively. The 
father, who was a farmer and miller, died in 
1868, and tlie mother passed away in 1883. 

Mr. Scott, of whom tliis article treats, 
remained at home opei'ating the home farm 
and attending school until 1883. After the 
father's death in 1868 our subject, with his 
bi'other Andrew, carried on the business until 
about 1876, when they closed the mill and 
carried on farming until 1883. Our subject 
then went to England, where he joined his 
brother who had removed nine years pre- 
vious. Mr. Scott again returned to his 
native land and engaged in the wholesale 
potato business during tlie winter of 1883 and 
1884. In June, 1884, he returned home and 
remained witii his uncle in Cupar, Fife, 
Scotland, until the s])ring of 1885. On the 
15th of April, 1885, he set sail for the United 
States, and after landing located in Euclid, 
Minnesota, where he I'emained one month on 
the farm of a Mr. Fairweather. He then 
removed to Argyle village, Marsiiall county, 



594 



KKD RIVEK l-A/./.F.y .-t.VD 



Minnesota, and engaged in buying wheat 
for Mr. Fairweallier. During the next fall 
he removed to Warren, Minnesota, whei-ehe 
was the agent for the Red Eiver Elevator 
Coni])any, and again came to Argyle, where 
lie has since remained employed b}' that 
company, lie is well known throughout the 
county, and devotes iiis lime exclusive!}' to 
his business. lie is popular and esteemed by 
all who know him, and is one of the active 
business citizens of the place. 

In politics he is an adherent to the prin- 
ci])les of the republican party, and is activel}' 
interested in all local movements. lie has 
taken an active part in Ijuilding iqi and 
maintaining the Presbyterian church, and is 
in every way a valued and exemplarv citizen. 



Jp)ROF. JAMES T. McCULLOCH, prin- 
jiP cipal of the high school in the village 
of Perhani, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is 
one of the prominent and representative cit- 
izens of the county in which he lives. He is 
a native of Pennsylvania, i)orn in Westmore- 
land county, on the 2Sth day of December, 
1858, and is the son of Joseph and Harriet 
(Hudson) McCulloch, natives, also, of Penn- 
sylvania. The parents were of Scotch and 
English descent. The father died in 188G. 
He had devoted his life to the jmrsuit of 
various callings — owning a farm, dealing in 
stock, and for a number of years ran a hotel 
and livery in Salem, Pennsylvania. They 
were blessed with a famil}' of the following- 
named children — Porter H., Samual L., James 
T., Welty J., Etta S. and Charles B. 

Professor McCulloch, the subject of this bio- 
graphical review, spent his school-ti;iys [)riii- 
ci pally at Delniont Academy, Delmont, Penn- 
svlvania, and at Westminster College, New 
Wibniiigton, Pennsylvania, where he attend- 
ed school up to the age of twenty-one years. 
He then secured a position as teacher in the 



Leechburg Academy, where he remained for 
one 3'ear. At the expiration of tiiat time he 
entered the law office of Crosbv & Crosby, 
Leechburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained 
one year. In ISS-t he removed to Minnesota 
and took charge of tiie schools at New York 
Mills,OtterTaiI county, Minnesota, remaining 
three years in that ])osition. He then removed 
to Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and 
accepted the principalship.of the liigh school 
at that p!ac(?. He has since tilled the posi- 
tion with credit to himself and satisfaction 
to all. He is a man of versatile and excel- 
lent attainments, and bears the respect and 
esteem of all who know him. He was the 
democratic candidate for county superinten- 
dent of schools in Otter Tail county in 18S8, 
but was defeated by a less majority than any 
other nominee on the ticket. 

Professor McCulloch was united in marriage, 
on the 2Sth day of August, 1887, to ]\Iiss 
HattieCarnahan, the daughter of Adam and 
Ester (Long) Carnahan, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. Our subject and his estimable wife 
sympathize with the Presbyterian churcli. 
In political matters he affiliates with the 
democratic party, anil is actively interested 
in all local matters. He has always taken a 
lively interest in politics, and made forty- 
three speeches in the Gartield-IIancock cam- 
j)aign of 1880, speaking from the same plat- 
form with such men as S. M. Clark, Jacoi) 
Zeigler, Hon. James Mosgrove and Senator 
Laird. 



^ M NDREW OPHEIM, who is engaged in 
Jcr^^>^ the drug business in the village of 
Fertile, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native 
of the kingdom of Norway. He was born 
in Yass, Norway, on the 14th day of Novem- 
ber, 1844, and is the son of Stark K. and 
Anna G. Opheim, also natives of that king- 
dom. The father was a farmer and black- 



PARX REGIONS OF MINUESO TA. 



595 



smith l)v occupation, and died in 1846. The 
f.-iliier and inotlier of our sul)jeet are the 
imrents of tiie following-nanied children — 
Anna, Carrie, Godskalk, Knot, Anna, Jr., 
and Andrew, tlie suljject of this slcetch. 

Mr. Opheiui, tiie suljject of this biograph- 
ical sketch, remained at home and attended 
common school, and afterward entered a 
high school in Vossevangen. and graduated 
from there after a two years' course of stud}', 
when eighteen years of age. He then com- 
menced in life for himself by securing a 
])osition as school-teacher, which profession 
lie followed for eight years. In May, 1871, 
he decided to seek a livelihood in the New 
AVorld, and accord ingly emigrated to America. 
After a voyage of about fourteen days he 
landed in Quebec, and at once removed to 
Wisconsin, where he settled in Spring Prai- 
rie, Columbia (or Walworth) county. Until 
tlie fall of 1S72 he secured work among 
different farmers, and in the month of 
October, of that year, he went to Chicago, 
Illinois. There he secured work on the 
Pan Handle Eailroad, transferring cars, at 
which he worked for nine months. He then 
went to Dodge county, Minnesota, where he 
worked for farmers for two years, and then 
removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota. 
He remained there until 1880, during which 
time he taught school in the winters and 
worked out in the harvest field in the sum- 
mers. In ISSn he paid a visit to the Old 
World and remained eleven months, review- 
ing the scenes of his boyhood -days. In 1881 
he returned to the United States and to Min- 
nesota, again locating in Dodge county. 
During that summer he worked on a farm, 
and in February, 1882, he moved to Aldal, 
Polk county, Minnesota, where he entered 
the drug business in ])artnership with Dr. A. 
Nelson. They remained in business in that 
place until 1887, when they moved their 
goods and buildmg to the village of Fertile, 
where thev have since remained. In 1885, 



however, they put in a general stock of mer- 
chandise and also a dry -goods store. They 
are now running the two stores and are doing 
a heavy business. Our subject is a member 
of the village council and has held the office 
of constable. In 1881 he pre-empted a claim 
on section 28, town 1-17, range 39, Columbia 
township, Polk county, Minnesota, on which 
he lived seven months. He has since proved 
up on the land and has a fine farm. He is a 
member of the Lutiieran church. In jiolitical 
matters he affiliates with the republican 
partv. 

LI WOODMAN, a prosperous farmer 
of Todd county, Minnesota, is exten- 
sivelv enffag-ed in general farming and stock- 
raising on his fine farm home on section 7, 
Grey Eagle township. He is a native of the 
Dominion of Canada, born in Canada West 
on the 10th day of December, 181,5, and is 
the son of Lorenza and Charlotte (Barry) 
Woodman, natives of New York State. 
They were married September 1, 1843, in 
New York. In 1855 they settled in Wis- 
consin, where the father died in 1858. The 
mother passed away in 1886. They were 
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, the father being a class-leader for 
many years. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. They were the parents of the follow- 
ing-named children — Abagail, Eli, Jeremiah, 
Esther, Jane, Harriet E., George and Lor- 
enzo. George and William are deceased. 

Eli Woodman received his education in 
New York State, where he remained until 
nine years of age, when he removed with 
his parents to Wisconsin. He attended 
school there until he had attained tiie age of 
eighteen yeai's, at which period in life he 
enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, 
Companj' D. This was in February, 1864, 
and he served until September 29, 1865, 
when he received an honorable discharge at 



596 



RED KIVER VALLEY AX D 



Madison, Wisconsin. He was in the siege of 
Mobile from Miircli 20th to April 9, 1865, 
besides many skirmishes. After his discharge 
lie settled in Riclibind county, Wisconsin, 
wiiere he remained fourteen years. In 1879 
he I'emoved to Minnesota and settled in Todd 
county, ^finnesota, where he has since lived, 
lie bought land on section 7, Gre}' Eagle 
townsiiij), which lias since been his home. 
He erected tlie first house in the villag'e of 
Grey Eagle and lias donated several town 
lots for cluii'cii and other public buildings. 
He is one of tlie leadiii"' bnsiiu!.ss men in the 
township and one of the jirominent and suc- 
cessful farmers of the county. 

Mr. Woodman was married in December, 
1867, to IMiss Emily Gravatte, who died in 
1877. On January 11, 1880, Mr. Woodman 
wa.s mari'ied to Miss Ella Amerg. Mr. and 
Mrs. Woodman have been blessed with two 
children— Gertrude and Roscoe. Mr. Wood- 
man is a republican in politics. He and 
his family belong to the United Brethren 
church, lie lielongs to the Grand Arm\' of 
the liepublic and is pi'ominently identified 
in all movements of a local nature. 



— — «— 



S'"'i'HARLES H. COLYER, who is engaged 
in the law, loan, insurance and col- 
lection business in the village of Wheaton, 
Traverse county, Minnesota, is a native of 
the State of Wisconsin. He was born in 
Waukesha county, Wisconsin, on the 3d of 
November, 184!), and is the son of Lambert 
and Martha Colyer, natives of New Yoi-k 
State. The\' removed to Wisconsin in about 
184:0, where tlie fatiier is still living. The 
mother died in 1879. They were the parents 
of the following-named children — Francis 
(deceased), William, Mary, Charles, Christa 
(now dead), Algetlia, Martha and Delia. 

Mr. Colyer, the subject of this biograph- 
ical niemoii-, received his education in the 



district schools of his native county, and 
attended one term at the Carroll College, in 
Waukesha. lie then returned home, and 
until he had attained the age of twenty -one 
years' assisted his fatiicr operate the home 
farm. At the age of majority he commenced 
in life for himself, an<l for tiie following seven 
years was engaged in genei'al farming and 
stock-raising operations, in Pierce count}', 
Wisconsin. In 1880 he removed to ^linne- 
sota and located in Ti'aver.se count}', where 
he took a homestead of 160 acres, and also 
a tree claim of like size. lie removed into 
the village of Wheaton in 1887, and engaged 
in the law, loan, insurance and collection 
business. He has since resided there and is 
now doing a first-class business. He still 
owns his farm, which he has gradually 
enlarged until now he has one of the best cul- 
tivated and most desirable 8nO-acre farms in 
that section of the State. He was the first 
president of the village council, serving one 
year. In 1873 he was elected to the office of 
count}' sheriff, which position he held for 
three years. 

Mr. Colyer was united in marriage in Wau- 
kesha, Wisconsin, in 1871, to Miss Elyda C. 
Reynolds. Our subject is actively and 
]iroininently itlentified with all local matters, 
and is an adherent to the '^irinciples of the 
republican party. He is a man of the strict- 
est honor and intcgrit}-, and is highly 
esteemed bv all who know him. 



-«" 



-.^> 



JOHN M. SPICER. The .subject of the pres- 
^ ent article, president of the Wiilmar & 
Sioux Falls Railway, is one of the most prom- 
inent men in Central Minnesota. No man 
has done more than has he to aid in the 
growth and development of the State, and 
woxw have been more prominently identified 
with the history of its progress. A man of 
large ideas, intelligent, enterprising and lib- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



597 



eral, he has been foremost in every project 
to advance the interests of the State and 
countv of his home. 

Mr. Spicer was born in Chambersbnrg, 
Pennsylvania, December 9, IS-il, and is a son 
of John and ]\rary (Maguire") Spicer, who 
wore natives of Switzerhmd and Washington, 
District of Cohimbia, respectively. The 
father was broiiglit to America by his par- 
ents when he was an infant, and they settled 
at Cliambersbui'g, Pennsylvania, where he 
grew to manhood, and subsequently en- 
gaged in tiie mercantile business. In 1852 
lie came West with his family and located at 
Polo, Illinois, where he lived a practically 
retired life until his death, which occurred 
in 1-867. The mother died in 1886. The 
parents had a family of nine children, eight 
of whom are still living. 

John M. Spicer, whose name heads our 
pi'esent article, grew to manhood and received 
his education in Illinois. In 1860 lie went 
to St. Paul, Minnesota, whei'e for ten years 
lie was employed at clerking. At the 
e.^cpiration of that time he went to 
Belle Plaine, Scott countv, Minnesota, 
where he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness antl remained two years. In 
1871 he removed to Willmar, Kandiyohi 
county, ^Minnesota, which place has since 
been his iiome. He has been engaged in the 
mercantile and banking business, and in fact 
nearly all important lines of mercantile busi- 
ness, as well as every important project, have 
felt the influence of his energy, perseverance 
and enterprise. He has prominently identi- 
fi(Ml himself with county and State matters, 
purciiasing a vast amount of property, 
including interests in St. Paul, ilinneapolis, 
Siou.x Falls and other cities and towns. He 
erected the bank Ijuilding on the corner of 
Fifth street and Pacific avenue; a brick 
store building on Si.xtli and Pacific avenue, 
as well as the brick block where he has his 
office in AVillraar. His residence on Nelson 



avenue is one of the .finest in the cit}', and 
the grounds, which include some six acres, 
are beautifiedby shade and ornamental trees. 
He has at all times been closely identified 
with real estate matters, and has probably 
done more to aid in the settlement and 
development of Kandiyohi count}' than any 
other man. 

Mr. Spicer was the originator of the St. 
Cloud & Willmar Eailroad, and the pre- 
liminary work as to its organization and con- 
struction fell upon him. lie served as its 
president for some time. He was also 
the founder of the Willmar and Sioux 
Falls Hail way, and has been president of 
that corporation ever since its organiza- 
tion. He was also the founder and is 
the president of the Willmar & Sioux Falls 
Townsite Compan}'. The capital stock of 
this corporation is $150,000, all of which is 
paid in. They own town sites all the way 
from Willmar to Sioux Falls, including val- 
uable quarries and other- important plants. 
It may be of interest to state that one of 
these towns was named after Mr. Spicer. 
It is locatetl on the banks of Green lake, 
on the line of the St. Cloud it Willmar 
Eailway. 

In political matters Mr. Sjiicer is a demo- 
crat and one of the most prominent mem- 
bers of that party in the State. He was a 
delegate from Minnesota to the National 
Convention at. Chicago in 188i, and also to 
the St. Louis Convention in 1888. He has 
always taken an active interest in local and 
educational affairs, and has served as presi- 
dent of the city council, president of the 
board of education, etc. He is an honored 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Ml'. Spicer is a self-made man in every 
sense of the word. His j)ossessions, which 
are estimated at from $300,000 to $400,000, 
are all the results of his own efforts, as he 
began life a poor boy. He is a man of iron 
determination and he recognizes no such 



sgS 



KED KIVEK VALLE Y AND 



thin<^ as defeat when once he undertakes an 
enterprise. The successful consuuiinationof 
the gigantic projects wiiich he has inaugu- 
rated demonstrate the cliaractei-istics of the 
man. We would have been pleased to have 
given a detailed account of the building and 
organization of the railroads witli which he 
has been so intimateh' associated, but as he 
is a man who is loth to talk of his own 
undertakings, the writer has been confined 
almost wliolly to those facts which are ]nib- 
lic knowledge. 

Mr. Spicer was married in 1869 to Miss 
Francis Deming, and they are the parents of 
seven children — Agnes, Amy M., Mason W., 
Russell P., Jessie L, Ruth and Raymond. 
The tliree oklest have been attending St. 
Mar\''s Hall and Shattuck School, Episcopal 
institutions at Faribault, for the past three 
veai's. 



•S€5^"»- 



_^ 'RANCIS A. HART, the efficient deputy 
W^ sheriff of Pembina county. North 
Dakota, and jailer Pembina, is one of the 
best known officers in that locality. He is a 
native of the Dominion of Canada, born in 
Williamstown on the 12th day of May, 1854, 
and is the son of Andrew and Amelia (Obi- 
champ) Hart, natives of Ireland and Canada, 
respectively. The father died when our 
subject was a small child, leaving him to 
look for his living as best he could. He 
remained at home until he was twelve years 
old, when he engaged at work out amon"- 
the farmers, working in the summers and 
attending school in the winters. When he 
was abont seventeen, he learned the steam 
engineering trade, and for a number of years 
followed that vocation on the St. John's 
river. In 1806 his father tried to have him 
learn the blacksmith's trade, but the coal 
gas was too severe on the lungs and he was 
compelled to abandon it. In 1874 he went 



to North Lake Superior, and worked around 
in the woods on a surveying party, for the 
Canadian Government, and in tiie following 
spring went to Winnipeg, but only I'cmainod 
a short time, then removing to Whiteside 
county, Illinois, where he herded stock for 
some time and then paid a visit to his native 
land. After remaining all winter he engaged 
in engineering- again, and in the following: 
winters worked in a saw-mill. In the spring 
of 1876 Mr. Hart went to Port Arthur and 
ran a locomotive for the Canadian Pacific 
Railroad Company, until fall. He then 
returned to Illinois and secured work on 
a farm, and in 1877 went to St. I'aul, Minne- 
sota, and secured work on a railroad fi-om 
Pi'eckenridge to Glyndon, until October. 
He then built nine Hat boats, loaded tiiem 
with merchandise, and started down the Red 
river for Winnipeg. When they got below 
Grand Forks they would load their freight 
on four boats, and on the others place lumber. 
In this manner they got the lumber, of whicli 
the boats were budt, free of duty to Win- 
nipeg. The}' made several such trips, anil in 
1878 he secured a position in a hardware store 
in Winnipeg, with J. H. Ashdown (fc Co., with 
whom he i-emained until 1882. He then 
moved onto his farm, nine miles southwest 
of Pembina, North Dakota, where he 
remained, engaged in an e.xtensive farming 
and stock-raising business, until January, 
1887. He then nu)ved into tlie village of 
Pembina, having been ajjpointed deputy 
sheriff and jailor, and has since remained 
there, actively engaged in his official iluti(!s. 
He has been assessor foi' two years, and when 
on the other side of the boundary line was 
constable. 

Mr. Hart was married May 29, 1879, to 
Miss Sarah Jane Henderson, the daughter of 
William and Sarah Henderson. This union 
has been blessed with the following-named 
children — William, Alexander, Harry and 
May. Our subject, is a meinber of tlie 



PARK /CEG/OA'S OF MINNESO TA. 



599 



M.asonic fraternity, Bathgate Lodge No. 80, 
A. F. & A. ]\r., and of the Independent Order 
of Odd-Felh)\vs, Gateway City Lodge No. 4. 
In political matters he is an adherent to the 
principles of tlie democratic party, and is 
one of the representative citizens of the 
place. A man of integrity and honor, highly 
esteemed bv all who know him. 



«»► 



(^HERMAN GARDNER. Prominent 
■^^^ among the many " l)ra\'e bo\?s in blue " 
wlio found liomes in tiie fertile regions of 
Northern Minnesota and the Ked River 
Valley, is the gentleman whose name heads 
tiiis article, a resident of the southwest quar- 
ter of section 8, township 134:, range 3.5, 
Wadena county, Minnesota. He is a native 
of the State of New York, born in Jefferson 
county, on the 20th day of May, 1843, and is 
tlie son of Teleg and Julia Gardner, natives 
of Jeffei'son county, New York. 

Mr. Gardner, of whom the present article 
treats, remained in his native iiome until he 
had attained majority. During his younger 
days he attended the common schools in his 
native State, and in the spring of 1801 he 
enlisted in Comjiany A, Thirt^^-fifth New 
York Infantry, and was mustered in on the 
14th day of ' October, 1861. That fall the 
regiment was ordered to Arlington Heights, 
where they remained during the winter 
of 1861-G2. In the spring of 1862 Mr. 
Gardner participated in the Second Battle of 
Bull Run, and was in active service ail that 
summer. lie was in the battles of Antietam 
and South Mountain, in which he was slightly 
wounded. He served through Virginia and 
was at Fredericksburg. On the 5th of 
.lime, 1863, he received an honorable dis- 
charge and then returned to Jefferson 
county, New York, where he remained 
until 1872. In 1872 be left his native 
State and migrated, with his brother, to the 



new Northwest. Upon reaching Minnesota 
they took the railroad as far as St. Cloud, 
where the\' remaineil a day or two looking 
over land in that section of the country. 
While there they met an old friend from New 
York State, who advised them to settle in 
Wadena. Accordingly they went overland to 
Wadena county, Minnesota, and there found 
but few settlers, several oul " lean to's " in the 
village, and that was all. After looking 
over the country they decided to settle, and 
the subject took a tract of land on section 8, 
where he has since remained. He is carry- 
ing on successfully a general farming and 
stock-raising business, and is one of the sub- 
stantial agriculturists in the township. 

Mr. Gardner, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, was united in marriage on the 
26th day of March, 1873. to Miss Sarah 
Allen, a native of the same county as our 
suliiect. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have l)een 
blessed with five children, named as follows 
— Julia Etta Gardner, Benjamin Gardner, 
Ida Gardner, Mora May Gardner and Luanna 
Gardner. Mr. Gardner is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 101. 
He is actively interested in all local move- 
ments, and is higldy esteemed by all who 
know him. 



.^.. ILLIAM BECKER, the proprietor of 
^«M. the pop factory in the village of 
Wadena, Wadeiui county, Minnesota, is one 
of the successful and esteemed business men 
of that region. He is a native of Germany, 
born in the Province of Hessen, on the 24th 
day of August, 1848, and is the .son of Jacob 
and Katreina Becker, also natives of that 
kingdom. The. father and mother of our 
subject remained in their native land all 
their lives, and the father of our subject was 
engaged at the carpenter's trade in that 
land. They were the parents of the follow- 



6oo 



KED A-/VEA- VALLEY AND 



ingiiaiiicd children — "William Becker, John 
Becker and Martin Becker. 

Mr. Becker, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, I'emained in his native land until 
he was fourteen years of age. During that 
time he had attended the excellent common 
schools of that country, early instilling into 
his mind the principles of integrity, honor 
and frugality, which so distinguish the 
nationality from which he sjn-ings. At the 
age of fourteen years he commenced in life 
for himself b\' learning the skate maker's 
trade in llemscheid, Reinland, Westfahlen, 
kingdom of Prussia, and after completing 
liis apprenticeship he worked at his trade in 
Bemscheid for eleven years. In 1874 he emi- 
grated to the United States, and after a voy- 
age of eleven days landed at New York. He 
at once removed to Minnesota and located 
at Red "Wing, wiiere lie secured woi'k in a 
carriage-uuiking establishment, and after 
being employed at that vocation for the win- 
ter he went to Chicago, Illinois. He 
remained there some little time and 
then removed to Pekin, Illinois, where 
he gained a position in a plow factor}', and 
worked there for about two years. He then 
went to Rock Island, Illinois, and after 
working for some time in a plow factory 
there, returned to Red "Wing, Minnesota. 
In 1879 he removed to "Wadena, "Wadena 
county, Minnesota, and was employed with 
his brother John in the mercantile and litpior 
business. They remained in the business for 
three months and then removed to Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota, where our subject was in 
the emplo\' of the Harvester AVorks for 
three years. At the expiration of that time 
he returned to "Wadena, "Wadena county, 
Minnesota, M'here he was in business with 
his brother until October, 18S<). Our sub- 
ject then l)ought the bottling works at 
Detroit and moved them to the village of 
"Wadena, where he has since carried on the 
business. It is the onlv establishnu'Ut of the 



kind between Brainerd and Fergus Falls, and 
it commands all tlie trade of the regions in 
which it is located. He has a good local 
trade in addition to the heavy shi])ments 
anil is doing an active business. 

Mr. Becker, of whom tiiis ai-ticle treats, 
was united in marriage on the 31st of 
December, 1881, to Miss Mar\' Kalluskv, 
who was l)Oi-n in the kingdom of Germany, 
near Berlin, ilr. I'ecker is an in<le})cndent 
in his political affiliations, and an active ])ar- 
ticipant in all movements of a local nature. 
He is a man highly esteemed by all who 
know him and a tliorough business man in 
every sense of the word. 



^ETER RASMUSSEN is the popular 
proprietor of the West Hotel in 
Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota. Tlie 
laml of his nativity was Denmark, where he 
first saw the light on April 6, 1818. 

Mr. Rasmussen's parents wei'e Erick and 
Christina (Hanson) Rasmussen, natives of 
Denmark and farmers by occupation. "When 
their son Peter was born they were living in 
Langlan, Denmark. The father died and 
the mother still lives in Denmark. 

The subject of our sketch lived with his 
])arents, and attended school until he was 
fourteen years of age. He then engaged in 
farm work until he came of age, when he 
left his native country and came to Amei'ica, 
landing in New York City in Ma\', 18G9, 
whence he went to Eau Claire, Wiscon- 
sin. Two winters thereaftei- were spent 
at work in the pinei'ies, the summers being 
occupied with work in a saw-mill. Remov- 
ing thence he went to work teamin"- foi' a 
firm in Oconto, Wisconsin, continuing work 
for the same firm for twelve years. He 
then came to Minnesota, settling on a farm 
of eighty acres, three miles from the town of 
Stephen, in Marshall county. He farmed 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



60 1 



his land for a couple of years, and then 
moved into the village, where he ran the 
Decorah Hotel for two years. June 1, 1888, 
he took possession of the "West Hotel, where 
he is now doing a first-class hotel business. 
'October 3, 1ST5, Mr. Rasniussen was united 
in marriage to Miss Ingle Jacobson at 
Oconto, AVisconsin. Mrs. Rasniussen {nee 
Miss Jacobson) is a native of Sweden and is 
a daughter of Jacob and Marta Anderson, 
natives of Sweden and farmers by occupa- 
tion. Mr. and Mrs. Rasniussen have been 
blessed with three living children — Andrew, 
Mary and Williclm. 

Mr. Rasniussen is thorough as a hotel 
keeper, and makes every effort to provide the 
best accomodations for his numerous guests. 
He runs a first-class hostelry, as all know 
who partake of his hospitalities. Mr. Ras- 
mussen has been supervisor two years, and 
for one year has held the position of school 
director. He is a prominent member of the 
Lutheran church and for thorough and con- 
scientious integrity is highly respected by all 
who know him. 



— «►► 



ARTIN JORGENSON. The subject 
•X¥^ of this article is a resident of the 
city of Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minne- 
sota, where he is enffaged in the manufact- 
ure of harness and saddles, also handling a 
full line of whips, trunks, traveling bags, 
robes, blankets, etc. He is a native of 
the kingdom of Norway, liurn on tiie Inth 
of Octoijer, 1839, and is the son of Casper (J. 
and Mai'cn I). (Smith) Jorgenson, also 
natives of Norway. The father, who was a 
tanner and pros[)erous farmer by occui)ation, 
was one of the jironiinent men of Norway. 
He was one of the signers of the constitu- 
tion of Norway, and raised a large faniiix', 
all of whom were prominently identilied 
with the history of their native land. 



Mr. Jorgenson, of whom this sketch treats, 
received his education in his native land, 
where he attended school until he was seven- 
teen years old. He then secured a position 
in a store as clerk, and after one year entered 
an aericultural school, where he remained 
two years. He then remained one year 
with his brother, and at the expiration 
of that time took charge of the home farm. 
When he was twenty -one years of age he 
emiffrated to America, and after landing in 
Canada, went to Chicago, Illinois, and work- 
ed at the harness trade, which he had learned 
in his native land. In 1861 he enlisted in 
Company A, Fifteenth AVisconsin Infantry, 
and after serving three years enlisted in the 
the Sixth Regiment, Company B, Hancock 
Corps, as sergeant, which position he held 
until the close of the war. He was in 
a great many battles and skirmishes 
and was wounded at the battle of 



Stone River. After 



his dis- 



charge on the 2Rth of March, 1866, he 
removed to Minnesota, settling in Dimon 
Lake, where he took Government land and, 
in connection with farming, followed the 
mercantile business in the village. In 1873 
he went to Rushford, Fillmore county, Min- 
nesota, where he purchased a harness shop, 
and after one year removed his stock of 
goods to Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minne- 
sota, where he has since remained actively 
eneatjed in this line. He has one of the best 
stocked harness shops in the city and is hav- 
ing a good ti'ade. Since settling in Willmar 
he has built himself a tine residence opposite 
the court house. 

Mr. Jorgenson was united in marriage to 
Mrs. L. G. Paulson, of Fillmore county, 
Minnesota, and this union has been blessed 
with four children, named as follows — 
Johannah, Charles, Laura and Amy. Our 
subject is a stanch republican in his j)()liti- 
cal affiliations and is actively interested in 
all local matters. He is stockholder and 



^1 



6o2 



RED jaVKK VALLE Y AND 



director of the Willmar Bank and was one 
of its organizers. lie is a nientber of the 
Grand Army of the RopuWic and is one of 
tlie representative business men of Wilhnar. 
lie is a man of the strictest lionor and 
integrity and is highly esteemed by all who 
know liiiii. 



►^> 



.««: 



|OHN E. OSTROM, who is engaged in the 
real estate, loan and insurance business 
in tlie village of AVari'en, Marshall county, 
Minnesota, is a native of the kingdom of 
Sweden. He was born in Kolback parish, 
Westmanland, Sweden, on the 31st day of 
•luly, 1S.JS, and is the son of John and 
Maria (Johnson) Ostrom, also natives of the 
kingdom of Sweden. The father of our sub- 
ject was a prosperous farmer in the Old 
World. The father and mother of the pres- 
ent subject were the parents of the following 
named-children — Catharina Carolina, John 
E., Anders Gustaf, Sophia Maximiiiana, Per 
August, Ida Josephinaand Amalia Charlotta. 

Jlr. Ostrom, the subject of this l^iograph- 
ical memoir, remaineil in his native land* 
until lie had attained the age of twenty-one 
years. During that time he attended the 
e-xcellent common schools of his birthplace 
and also assisted his father operate the home 
farm. In 1S79 he emigrated to tlie United 
States, and after a voyage of twenty days 
landed in New York. Tie at once removed 
to the State of Illinois, where he settled in j 
Henry county, and engaged in farming ' 
among the neighboring farmers. After ] 
working at various occupations in different 
places in Illinois, for one year and a half, our 
subject went to Michigan, where he .secured 
work in the mines. On the 25th of June, 
1 SSI, he removed to ^Minnesota and settled 
in Marshall county. He tiled on a homestead 
on section 18, township 15-1, range 48, and 
after remaining upon the farm for some 



time sold out, and in 1883 settled in "Warren, 
Marshall county , Minnesota, where he clerked 
in a store for three months. He then secured 
the position of assistant postmaster and 
worked in that capacity for three years. At 
the expiration of that time he engaged in 
his present business, real estate, insurance, 
loans, etc. He is doing an active business. 
He owns over 1,000 acres of farming lands 
and is one of tiie prominent business men of 
the village. 

Mr. Ostrom was united in marriage on the 
7th day of May, 1887, to Miss Matilda Lund- 
gren, and this union has been blessed with 
one child — Arthur William. Mrs. Ostrom is 
a native of Sweden, and the daughter of 
Swan Lundgren. The subject of this sketch 
is an adherent to the principles of the demo- 
cratic party and is actively interested in all 
local matters. He is a man of the strictest 
honor and integrity and bears the esteem of 
all who know him. 



13)OBERT BROOKE BLAKEMORE, real 
Jj-i^, estate dealer, loans and general col- 
lections, of Fargo, although quite a young 
man, is one of the prominent, public-spirited 
and enterprising business men of that city. 
He is the only son of George B. and Clara 
A. (Gist) Blakemore. His father, the oldest 
son of Thomas and Betsy (Brooke) Blake- 
more, was born in Clarke county, A^irginia, 
and passed his youth with his rekitions in 
the Old Dominion, and subsequently was I'oi' 
many years engaged in mercantile ])ursuits 
in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where he 
met his wife. Soon after their marriage thev 
removed to Kentucky, first settling at Oak 
Grove, in Christian county, and soon after- 
ward removed to Ho]ikinsville, the county 
seat, where Mr. Blakemore prosperouslv 
engaged in the dry-goods business untd 1861, 
when he laid aside his ledger and al)andoned 



PARK REGIONS OF MINXESOTA. 



603 



liis business to take up bis sword as a repre- 
sentative of his country in a vain strug<^le 
for independence, leaving his wife with 
the family of James M. Glass, in Hopkins- 
ville, at whose house the subject of this 
sketch, Robert Brooke, was born on the 14th 
of September, 1866. His father at the close 
of the war in 1865 eno-ag'ed in business in 
New Orleans, establishing the commercial 
house of Elakeraore, Wooklridge & Co., of 
which he was the senior partner, and which 
under his leadership commanded such a high 
commercial standing until his death from 
yellow fever, on the 10th of June, 1868. 
Robert's mother had remained at Mr. 
Glass', where slie died two years later, leav- 
ing Robert an orphan at four j'ears, with 
her friend and companion of thirteen years, 
Mrs. James M. Glass, to whose kind and 
motherly hands he owes his bringing up. 
He attended private school in Ilopkinsville 
until the age of eleven, and then entered the 
military school of Major Ferril at that place, 
where he remained until thirteen years old, 
when he was taken to live with his mother's 
sister, then Mrs. John E. Stewart, who lived 
in Anne Arundel county, Maryland. He 
entered St. John's College, at Anna]iolis, 
where he remained four years, and after 
|)assing his Sophomore 3'ear decided to earn 
his livelihood in the West, consequently 
he started direct to Fargo, where he arrived 
July 14, 1883, and soon entered the leading 
liardware house of Judd & Ward in this 
city, with the position of cashier. 'In the 
winter of the same year he returned to 
Maryland to pursue a course of study in 
ISryant ife Stratton's Business College at 
IJaltimore. Upon receiving his diploma at 
this institution at the end of six months, he 
immediately returned to Fargo, entering the 
employ of E. H. Dickson, attorney, loans 
and collections, with whom he remained 
until the fall of 1887, when he returned to 
Annapolis, Maryland, to be married Feb- 



ruary 13, 1888, to Miss Clara Cornelia 
Ta^^lor, daughter of George M., Jr., and 
Alice (Irving) Taylor, natives of Maryland. 
Mr. Blakemore returned to Fargo with his 
wife, where they have a beautiful home. 

Mr. Blakemore, as successor to Mr. E. 11. 
Dickson, who removed to Texas, has estab- 
lished a business of which he may well feel 
proud, being connected with some of the 
largest corporations in both the United 
States and Europe, and annually collects and 
loans for them many thousands of dollars. 

He is a firm advocate and believer in the 
future greatness and prosperity of INorth 
Dakota, and is always identified with an\' 
public-spirited enterprise as one of its 
leaders, and may be counted upon to become 
one of her leading men at a not far 
future. Mr. Blakemore. although identified 
on the side of democracy, is not so biased as 
to overlook the interests of his local govern- 
ment, and is democratic in the broadest 
sense of the term, and an unflinching fol- 
lower in his opinions of right and justice. 
He is a member of the Episcojjal church, 
and a faithful member, as is also his wife, 
•who is a most beloved and estimable lady — 
being both domestic and sociable, she is 
eagerly sought in the society of Fargo. 



— <►► 



^^WAN P. THORNQUIST, a prominent 
"^^J and respected business man of the vil- 
lage of Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, 
is a native of the kingdom of Sweden. He 
was born near Soderham, on the 12th day of 
June, 1843, and is the son of Peter and Greta 
S. (Hammarlund) Olson, also natives of Swe- 
den. The father of the present subject was 
born in 1816 and the mother in 1822. The 
father emigrated to the United States in 1865, 
and located in Watertown, (^arver county, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. He 
is now living in Tacoma, Washington Terri- 



604 



KED KiVER V ALLEY AND 



\ 



toiy, where he removed in 1888. The father 
and mother of our subject are the pai'cnts of 
the following-named chiklren — Swan P., the 
subject of this biograpiiical article; Anna,now 
the wife of Joiui J.ind, of Chicago, Illinois ; 
Erick, who is engaged in general farming 
opci'ations in the townsliip of Little Sauk, 
Todd county, Minnesota ; Hertha, wlio mar- 
ried N. G. Peterson, of Minneapolis, Min- 
nesota; Carrie, now INfi's. Andrew Brink, of 
Taconia, Washington Territory; and John, 
who married Miss Emma Olson, and is en- 
tratred in the drv-soods business in St. Paub 
Minnesota. 

Mr. Thorncjuist, the subject of thisinemoir, 
remained at home in his native land, attend- 
ing the excellent common schools of that 
country until he had attained the age of 
sixteen years. During that period in life 
be had assisted his father operate the home 
farm, and at the time mentioned he started 
in life for himself. He went to the city of 
Soderhaui, Sweden, where he learned the 
tailor's trade, and when he had attained the 
age of twenty-one years he emigrated to the 
United States. After a voyage of thirteen 
da^'s he landed in New York City, and 
at once went to Watertown,°Carver county, 
Minnesota, where he worked out on a farm 
until the fall of ISGi. He then removed 
to the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where 
he engaged in his trade for six years. He 
then removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where 
he followed the tailor's trade for one year- 
At the expiration of the twelve months 
he removed to Watertown, Carver county, 
Minnesota, and purchased fifty-five acres of 
land and engaged in farming. Ixv 1872 he 
sold his farm and removed to Todd county, 
Minnesota, and homesteadeil 100 acres of 
land on section 2, Little Sauk township. 
After living on his farm, engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising operations, four- 
teen years, until October 1, 1886. Mr. Thorn- 
quist removed to the village of Long Prairie, 



Todd county, Minnesota, where he has since 
remained, engaged in the sewing-machine 
business. He handles a full line of the Davis 
sewing machines, and is doing a large and 
increasing business. 

Mr. Thoi'nquist was united in marriage on 
the 25th day of June, 1867, to Miss Betsie 
Peterson, and this union was blessed with 
two children^Emma, who married W. W. 
Chandler, of Long Prairie; and Ceorge, who 
died at the age of six yeai's. Mi-s. Thornquist 
passed away from the scenes of earth to her 
final reward on the 12th day of April, 1870. 
The subject of this article was united in mar- 
riage the second time to Miss Christina 
Peterson, July 15, 1870, and they have been 
blessed with the following named children — 
Amanda, Erick (who died at the age of two 
years and three months, and is buried in the 
Lutheran cemetery at Little Sauk), Carrie, 
Bertha, Leonard and Swan Clinton. Mr. 
Thornquist and his family belongs to the 
Lutheran chui'ch. He has always been a 
republican in politics until 1SS8, when he 
classilied himself with the interests of the 
democratic party. He is a nieml)er of the 
Masonic fraternity, and one of the rejiresent- 
ative citizens of the village of Long J'rairie. 



►^^ 



J^REDRICK KRUEGER, the popular pro- 
JE^ prietor of the Northwestern Hotel, 
and livery and feed stables in the village of 
Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota, is 
a native of Germany.' He was born in that 
kingdom on the 1st day of July, 1840, and is 
the son of John and Keaka (Lawrence) Krue- 
ger, also natives of German^^ In 1853 the 
father and mother of our subject emigrated 
to the Ignited States and settled in Wiscon- 
sin, where they have since remained. 

^Ir. Krueger, the sultject of this biograph- 
ical memoir, remained in his native land 
until he was thirteen vears old. when he emi- 



PAJiK JaiG/OXS OF M/XNESO TA. 



605 



grated with his parents to the United States. 
He at once removed to Wisconsin, where he 
settled in Manitowoc county with his parents, 
lie remained at liome, attending school and 
helping on the home farm until he was 
twenty-one. He then commenced in life for 
himself, by working in the pineries. After 
working at this employment for six years he 
returned home and bought a farm. He 
erected buildings and commenced to improve 
the farm. He renuiined there, engaged in 
general farming- and stock-raising for fifteen 
years. In 1882 he sold out and went to 
Minnesota, where he settled at Red Lake 
Falls, Polk county. He put up a large hotel 
building in Kretzshmar's addition and con- 
tinued to operate the hotel until the spring 
of 1888. He then removed his buildings to 
Holme's railroad addition, where he has since 
remained. He runs a first-class house, and 
commands a good share of the patronage of 
the traveling public. He is highly esteemed 
both as a citizen and business man. 

Mr. Krueger was united in marriage in 
Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, on the 5th 
day of January, 1869, to Miss Augusta 
Krousa, a native of Germany, -and the 
daughter of Frederick and Augusta Krousa, 
also natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. 
Krueger have been blessed with the follow- 
ing-named children — Herman, Clara, Edith, 
August, William, Albert, Charles and Elvina, 
all of whom are living and at home. Mr. 
Krueger and his family belong to the 
Lutheran church. He has held the offices of 
school director, a member of the village 
council, etc., and is an active participant in 
all local movements. 

JTOHN P. SELBY, a prominent attorney of 



Hdlsboro, North Dakota, whore he is 
engaged in an extensive law practice, is a 
native of the State of Pennsylvania. He 
was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, 



on the 24th day of December, 1849, and is 
the son of John F. and Jane (Rogers) Selby, 
natives of Ohio. In 1855 the family removed 
to Ilayfield, Crawford count}', Pennsylvania, 
where the mother died in 1882. The father 
was a soldier in an Ohio regiment, and died 
in the army hospital at Chattanooga, Ten- 
nesee. Thej' were the parents of the follow- 
ing-named children — William A., Mary L., 
Eva P. and John F. 

John F. Selby, the subject of this article, 
attended the common schools and the normal 
school at Edinborough, Pennsylvania, until 
he was about twentv 3'ears old. During 
that time, and after his father's death, he had 
helped support the famil}', and in 1SG5. 
after his brother William had returned froni 
the army, they engaged in the oil business 
in Venango and Clarion counties, Penns}!- 
vania, until 1874, when they both registei'ed 
as students at law under C. W. GillfiUan, 
their immediate preceptor being R. G. Lam- 
berton, of Fi'anklin, A'enango county. They 
were admitted to the bar on the 12th day of 
May, 1876, and then removed to Edenburg, 
Clarion county, Pennsylvania, where they 
were engaged in their profession until March, 
1880. William then removed West and set- 
tled in Traill county, Dakota, locating at 
Caledonia. Our subject remained in Penn- 
sylvania until the 1st of April, 1881, when 
he removed to Hillsboro, North Dakota, 
where he opened an office for the practice 
of his profession, and has since remained. 
He is one of the leading attorneys, and his 
practice is rapidly increasing. In November, 
1884, he was elected county attorney, ami 
previous to that had been attorney for the 
board of county commissioners. He has 
been admitted before the supreme court of 
Pennsylvania and also of Dakota Teri'itory, 
and is one of the most prominent and highly 
esteemed lawj^ers in the county. 

Mr. Selby was united in marriage on the 
rith day of August, 1875, in Franklin, Pcnn- 



6o6 



KED A-/f/:R VAI.I.FY AXD 



sykania, to Miss J[artha J. McCaughtry, 
the daughter of Jolin and Catharine (Grove) 
McCaiigiitry, natives of IMercer county, 
Pennsylvania. Mr. and ilrs. Selby have 
been blessed with one child — Mary L., born 
in Emlenton, Venango county, Pennsyl- 
vania. Our subject is a member of the 
Masonic fratei-nity, Hillsboro Lodge, No. 
32, A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to 
the Royal. Arch Chapter in Grand Forks, 
lie is a hard student, a safe counsel and an 
able adv(jcate. 



APT. WILLIAM C. ROBERTS. The 
■ subject of this iMogrnphical sketch is en- 
yao'ed in the meat-market business in the vil- 
lage of Detroit, Becker county, Min nesota. He 
is a native of Massachusetts, boni in the city of 
Boston, on the 12th day of May, JS35, and is 
the son of William and Paith (Bowker) 
Tloberts, natives of Massacliusetts. The 
father was engaged in farming in active life, 
and in his younger days worked at the boot 
and shoemaker's trade. He is now living in 
Weston, Massachusetts. The mother died 
in 1840. They were the parents of two 
children— Harriet and William. The ances- 
try of our subject were of English descent. 

Ca|)tain Uoljerts, of whom this article 
treats, received his education in Boston, where 
he attended school until he was sixteen years 
of age. After comjileting his education, he 
engaged in the provision and fruit Imsiness 
in Boston and Cambridge, until the outbreak 
of the Civil War. In 1802 he enlisted in the 
Forty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry, and 
after serving nine months as a private was 
promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, 
for bravery at the Battle of Bawles IVIills, 
North Carolina. He was assigned to the 
Fifty-lifth Massachusetts Colored Infantry, 
and remained in that regiment from 18G3 
until Sejitember 18C5. He was promoted to 
lirst lieutenant in June, 1804, and later to the 



rank of captain, and at the close of the w'ar 
was presented with a l)revet commission by 
the President, lie participated in the fol- 
lowing battles — Siege of Little Wasiiington, 
Kingston, White Hall, Goldsborro, James 
Island, Olustee, North Carolina; besides 
Hone}' Hill and many skirmishes. The 
Fifty-fifth was the lirst regiment to enter 
Charleston at the evacuation. In front of 
Charleston, on Fally Island he received a 
sunstroke and contracted malarial fever. 
At that time he was on the staff of General 
Alfred S. Hartwell. He was detached from 
his regiment and sent to Branchville, 
South Carolina, with his company in 
June, 1805, where he had charge of 
the contracts between the planters and 
negroes. He was mustered out with his 
regiment in September, 1865. at Charleston, 
South Carolina. The same fall he returned 
to Boston, Massachusetts, and engaged in the 
meat and provision business, running three 
stores in the city. He remained there in 
business until 1871, and during that time 
was a member of the Boston City Govern- 
ment. He was connected with live different 
military organizations in the city and was 
one of the committee on building the army 
and navy monument on Boston common. 
He was also agent and treasurer for the New 
ICngland Emigiution Society and was active 
in all local movements. In 1871 he removed 
witii a colony of soldiers to ]\[innes(jta and 
settled in Becker county, Minnesota, where 
they took claims. Captain Hoberts took a 
farm of 100 acres, to which he has since 
added 160 acres. He erected the first hotel 
in the village of Detroit, known as the New 
England House, afterward known as the 
American House, which he operated until 
1887. He laid out the original town ()lat, and 
in the fall of 1871 located the Northern 
Pacific Railroad depot. In 1887 he opened 
his present ineat market and has since been 
engajjed in that business. 



PARK' REGlOh'S OF MINNESOTA. 



607 



Captain Roberts was married on the 7th 
(lay of ilay, 186G, to Miss Mary F. Bowker, 
and this union has been blessed with the fol- 
lowino-.named children — "Willie Montgomerv 
(deceased), Harriet Enmiu, Euth Mabel, 
Alice Cary, Daisy Burnside, May Lucretia, 
Harry Wheelwright, Lillian Louise (de- 
ceased), Grace Hartwell, Florence Mildred 
(deceased), Eva Maud, Geneveive, Lin- 
coln, C)live SafFord and Allen Loriniei'. 
Captain Roberts is a republican in political 
matters. He and his family belong to the 
Baptist ciiureli. He is a man of the strictest 
integrity and is highly esteemed by all who 
know iiim. He is a prominent iiiember of 
the Grand Army of the Republic and is the 
present commander of the Park Regions 
Encampment Association. He made applica- 
tion for arrears of pension in 1880, but it has 
not I'eached a settlement as vet. 



J©ERT H. PETTIT, who is engaged in tiie 
JMi' grain business for the Northern Pacific 
Elevator Company, is a resident of the village 
of Vernilale, Wadena county, Minnesota. 
He is a native of tiie State of Iowa, born in 
Charles City on the 8th ilay of March, 1858, 
and is the son of Henry and Jane (Kellogg) 
Pettit, natives of Ohio. The father of our 
subject removed from Indiana to Iowa in 
185.5, and engaged in the boot and shoe busi- 
ness and farming. The father and mother of 
Hertare the parents of the following-named 
children— A. K Pettit, J. C. F. Pettit, A. R. 
Pettit, AYm. Pettit, D. J. Pettit, W. M. Pet- 
tit, McH. Pettit and B. H. Pettit. 

Mr. Pettit, the subject of tiiis biographical 
article, received liis education in Ciiarles 
City, Iowa, wliere he attended school until 
lie iuid attained the age of eighteen years. 
In 187G he removed with his parents to 
Osage, Iowa, where his father and brother, 
A. N. Pettit, went into tiie mercantile busi- 



ness. They remained there for four years, 
and in 1880 our subject, in compau}^ with his 
father antl Ijrother, removed to Wadena 
county, Minnesota. Our subject, with his 
father and brother, opened a general mer- 
chandising store in the fall of 1882. AVhen 
the Northern Pacific Elevator Company put 
up an elevator, Mr. Pettit, of wliom this 
sketch treats, commenced buying wheat for 
them. He lias since been in their emplov, 
and is well and favorably known throughout 
the farming class in the county. In addition 
to his wheat business, Mr. Pettit is the owner 
of considerable real estate in the village, 
Pettit's addition being owned by him. He 
also owns a fine farm of 100 acres near the 
village and two commodious residences in 
the village. 

Mr. Pettit was married in Osage, Iowa, on 
the 22d day of September, 1880, to Miss 
Blanch Brown, of Osage. Mr. Pettit is a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, 
Yerndale Lodge, No. 12-1. In jiolitical mat- 
ters he affihates with the re[)ul)lican jiarty. 
He is a representative citizen of the village, 
and is highly esteemed by all who know 
him. He has always taken an active inter- 
est in all matters of a local nature, and is at 
present a member of the village council. 



—«<-*; 



«4k^ 



/5'a\LAF A. HOLTHER is the present clerk 
>Si3' of the district court of Kittson county, 
Minnesota. He was born in Christiania, 
Norway, December 20, 1858. 

Mr. Holther's parents were Martin A. and 
Mathea J. Holther, both of whom were 
natives of Norway. In 1870 the parents 
came to the United States and located in 
Minneapolis, where the father became a rail- 
road contractor. They remained in Minne- 
apolis until 1881. They are still living. 

The subject of our sketch rem-aineil at 
liome with his parents until he was fourteen 



6o8 



RED KIVER VALLE Y AND 



years of ag-e, when he went southward into 
the State of Iowa, with the purpose of attend- 
in"- Liitlier Colleo-e at Decorali. He remained 
in tliat institution for four years, then return- 
ino- to Minneapolis remained with his ])arents 
about two years. He then went to Stephen, 
Marshall county, where he remained a short 
time, thence removing to Hallock in the year 
1880. He was variously em[)loyed after com- 
ing to Hallock until 1886 — wasin tiie employ 
of Peter Daly for three months, then in the 
employ of C. J. McCoUom in his general 
niei'chandise and drug store. In the fall of 
1886 he removed to Fargo, and remained 
throuo-h the winter witii a relative who lived 
in that city. 

In March, 1887, he returned to Minneapolis, 
and on Api'il 20th was united in marriage to 
Mrs. Josephine Hanscombe, the widow of O. 
JIanscombe, and the daughter of Albrecht 
Rasch, of Christiania, Norway. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ilolther have been blessed with one 
child — Carl Oscar Albrecht, who was born in 
Hallock. April 6. 1888. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ilolther 
started on a bridal trip to Norway, and while 
gone visited Glasgow and Edinlnirgh, Scot- 
land, and other places of note and of interest 
to tourists. Their toui' was quite extensive, 
and they returned to Minneapolis in Septem- 
ber the same year. Remaining in Minneap- 
olis but a short time, they then went to Hal- 
lock. where Mr. Ilolter engaged in clerking 
for McCdIlom it SulTel, with whom he con- 
tinued until January 1, 1889. On that date 
he took charge of his present position, having 
been elected cloi-k of the district court, on 
the ])eople's ticket in November. 1888. Mr. 
Holther [has also been town clerk for some 
years in the village of Hallock. Both him- 
self and wife are leading members of the 
Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Holther 
is an efficient and obliging county officer, 
and is well qualitieil for the duties of his 
repsonsilde position. He is a careful and 



painstaking business man and administers 
the duties of his oIKce with the utmost pre- 
cision and dis])atch; givinge.xcellent satisfac 
tion to all. 

%• < >' — 

OUIS HENRY, a ])ros]ierous farmer of 
Little Sauk township, Todd county, is 
a resident of section 23, and is engageii in 
clerking in the village of Little Sauk. He is 
a native of Fi-ance, born in the eastern part 
of thatcountry on the 21st day of September, 
1834, and is the son of Joseph and Magrette 
(Roch) Henry, natives also of France. • The 
father was engaged in the oil business, and 
died in 1852. The mother die<! in 1SS4. 
They wei'e exem])lary members of the ( 'ath- 
olic chui'ch. Tiiey w ere the [)ai'ents of 
the following childrSn^ — Mary, Josephine, 
Genevieve, Julian.Dominick, Riciiai'd, Mary, 
Claire and Louis, ixnd two who died in 
infancy. 

Mr. Henry, the subject of this sketch, 
spent his school-days in the city of St. Die, 
France, where he attended school until he 
was sixteen years of age. He then secured 
a position as clerk in a cotton and linen fac- 
tory, and after working at that one year, 
returned to his parents. He then clerked in 
an express office in St. Die, and again paid a 
visit to his parents. In 1853 he emigrated 
to the United States, and after a voyage of 
thirt\' seven days on a sailing vessel landed 
at New York City. Aftei' landing he secured 
woi'k on a farm in Ulster county. New "^'(irk. 
at which lie woi'ked twenty months. He 
then left for Lutfalo, New York, and there 
gained employment in a livery stable. He 
remained there one nu)nth and then went to 
Danville, Canada, and after traveling around 
a good deal located at St. Louis, Mis.soui'i, 
having; atjain reached the States. Durino' 
the winters of 185-t and 1856 he worked on 
a farm just across the river from St. Louis, 



PAUK KEGWNS OF MINNESOTA. 



6og 



MTuI in tlie following spring engaged in gar- 
dening below St. Louis. In June, 1856, he 
toolc passage on the steamer " Gossamer" 
for the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1869 
lie moved to Todd county, and settled on 
section 23, Little Sauk township, where he 
has since remained. He clerivs in tlie village 
of Little Sauk. 

Mr. Henry was married July 7, 1858, to 
Miss Alice Courniea. a native of Canada. 
She removed with her parents to Massachu- 
setts when but six j^ears old, and to Minne- 
sota in 1856. Mr. and Mrs Henr^' have been 
blessed with seven children, named as fol- 
lows — Josephine, Albert, Felix, Prosper, 
Paul, Joseph and Lillie. Josepliine and 
Felix are dead. Our subject is a republican 
ill his political affiliations., He held the 
oliiceof county sheriff fi'om 1873 until 1875. 
He also holds the office of district clerk. He 
is a prominent man of his townshiji and is 
activelv interested in local matters. 



[OHN KEENAN, the popular proprietor 
of the Lyon House, in the village of 
Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is a 
native of the Empire State. He was born 
m Caledonia, Monroe county, New York, on 
the 30th day of March, 184-1, and is the son 
of 'George and Mary (Kerwin) Keenan, 
natives of Ireland. The father and mother 
of our subject emigrated to the United 
States in 1830, and settled in New York 
City in 1837, where they were married two 
years later. From there they removed to 
Monroe county, New York, and in 1852 
came West to Wisconsin. They were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Catharine, Peter, James, George, Mary, 
Ji>hn, William and David, all of wliom are 
living, except Catharine, Peter and Mary. 

Mr. Keenan, the subject of this biogra- 
phy, lived on the home farm with his parents 



and attended school until he was fom-teen 
years of age. At that period in life he 
started out for himself, and until he was 
twenty-one he worked out among the farmers 
and in a saw-mill, and in the pineries. He 
made his home with his parents, and on the 
llth of August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, and 
served until September, 1865, when he was 
honorably discharged. He ])articipated in 
the following battles — Prairie Grove, Vicks- 
burg, Yazoo Oity, Port Hudson, Atchathala 
Piver and with Bank's expedition in Texas. 
The company to which our subject belonged 
left Grant at New Orleans and joined Banks. 
LTnder him they participated in a severe 
engagement while at Brownsville, Texas, 
and then our subject was detailed as provost 
guartl, and they captured Fort Morgan, Ala- 
bama. At Mobile he Avas taken sick and 
was confined to the hospitals at Fort Gains 
and New Orleans for two months. He then 
secured a sick furlough and returned to Roch- 
ester, Minnesota, and at the expiration of his 
furlough had it extended. At the expiration 
of the extended time, he repr>rted at Madison, 
where he had it renewed, and returned to 
Rochester, Minnesota. In September he 
again went to Madison, Wisconsin, where lie 
was honorably discharged. After his dis- 
charge he returned to Rochester and for one 
year was employed as bartender. Until 1882 
he was otherwise employed in threshing and 
farming, in Olmsted and Fillmore counties, 
Minnesota, residing in Wykoflf, Fillmore 
county, Minnesota. While in Fillmore 
county he held the office of assessor two 
years. In 1882 he removed to A rgyle, Mar- 
shall county, Minnesota, where he rented a 
farm and also homesteaded 160 acres on 
section 8, Blooms township, where he lived 
for about two years engaged in general 
farming. In November, 1886, he sold his 
farm and removed to the village of Warren, 
Marshall county, Minnesota, and until A])ril. 



6io 



RED RIVER r.llLEY AND 



18S8, was engaged in various occupations. 
On the 14tii of April, 1888, he took charge 
of the Lj'on House, which he has since con- 
tinued to operate. He lias a good class of 
patronage and runs a good house. He is 
l)o]nilai' and esteemed liotli as a landlord and 
a citizen by all with whom he has dealings, 
and lie takes a great interest in the cause of 
temperanc'c. 

Mr. Kecnian was niari'ied June '.», 1867, to 
Mrs. Lottie (Howard) Lew^s, the widow of 
Janes Lewis, by whom she had one child — 
Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Keenan have been 
blessed with the following-named children- — 
William Howard, Lottie, Lettie, Luttie and 
Nellie. IMr. Keenan held the office of con- 
stable while in Olmsted county, and has 
always taken an active interest in public 
affairs. He is a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and is a republican in pol- 
itics. He is actively interested in all local 
movements, and all home enterprises receive 
his hearty sui)port. 

BRITTS, jiroprietor of the Vern- 
dale Flour Mills, is one of the earliest 
settlers of Wadena county, Minnesota. He 
was born in Botetourt count\% Virginia, on 
the 27th of June, 1832. When he was three 
or four years of age his parents settled in 
Indiana, and in 1848 they removed, by team, 
to Madison, Wisconsin. At that time there 
was not a mile of railroad west of Chicago. 
Our subject remained with bis parents until 
he was twenty-one years of age, when he 
started in life for himself. He rented a Hour 
mill at Moscow, Wisconsin, and was thei'e 
engaged in milting for a few years. He then 
built a mill at Primrose, Dane county, Wis- 
consin, which he ran for two \'ears. In 18C0 
he removed to Dodge county, Minnesota, 
and erected a flour mill, which he operated 



for three or four years. At the expiration 
of that time he sold out and bought a flour 
and saw-mill at Money Creek, Houston 
county, Minnesota. He refitted and im- 
proved the ])roperty, and remained there a 
few years. From this time until 187-1 he was 
ensa"ed in the Hour, saw-mill and mercan- 
tile business at various places in Southern 
Minnesota. In 187-1 he went to Osage, Iowa, 
and was there enoag-ed in runnin"' a flourini^ 
mill until 1880, when he decided to find a 
new country in which to devote his enei'- 
gies. In the spring of that year he decided 
upon his present location, a mile and a half 
from Verndale village, on Crow Wingriver^ 
where he has am]ile water power. During 
the summer of 1880 he erected his mill, and 
was ready for business the same fail. 
He put in five sets of buhrs, giving it a 
capacity of 125 barrels per day. It cost at 
the time 811,000, as " the country was 
new, and both lalior and material wei'e 
very high." In 1885 Mr. Britts remod- 
eletl the mill and changed to the roller 
system, so that it now contains ten sets of 
improved rollers and one set of buhrs, and 
has a capacity for seventj'-five barrels ]ier 
day. The mill does a very extensive busi- 
ness anil there is a local demand, including a 
heavy " lumber camp trade," for all they 
can manufacture. An alnindance of wheat 
is I'aised here, although during the first j'ear 
Mr. Britt could not get one third enough 
wheat to run, as the country was so new, but 
since that time there has been a large sur- 
plus. Mr. Britt owns a farm of eighty acres 
inside the village limits where he lives. He 
also has extensive projierty interests in 
Dulutli. He has taken a prominent and 
active jiart in all ])ublic moves, and during 
early times was one of the most active and 
earnest workers in securing emigration. 
Ever since the village was organized he lias 
been a member of the council, exce])t in the 
present year, and in 1887 was president of 



Park regions of Minnesota. 



6il 



tliat body. lie lias also taken a prominent 
part in all moves to advance educational 
interests. Liberal and enterprising, every 
move calculated to l)enefit the village and 
sui'rounding country lias always received his 
aid and encouragement ; a man of the 
strictest integritvjie stands hiyh in the com- 
inunity, both as a business man and as an 
exemjilar}^ citizen. 

In political matters he is a prohibitionist, 
and in 1SS8 his friends placed him on the 
ticket for the legislature, although, as is 
well known, the district is overwhelm ingl}^ 
repuljliean. 

Our suiiject was mai-ried to Miss Rlioda 
L. Corbin, of Argyle, Wisconsin, in 1856. 
They have a family of seven children, as 
hjllows— Charles A., Mary A^., William H., 
(Uara A., Alice 0., Bruce F. and Fred T. 
liritts. 



-«-; 



BAVID McCAULEY, the present county 
superintendent of schools of Wilkin 
county, Minnesota, is one of the oldest 
settlers of the lied liiver Valley. He was 
i)orn on the 27th day of July, 1825, in Mer- 
rimack, Hillsborough county, New Hamp- 
shire. His parents were Daniel G. and 
Mary (Noyes) McCauley. His ancestors for 
several generations were natives of the 
Granite State. The father was a carpenter 
by trade but followed farming. The parents 
had a family of two girls and four bo\'S — 
Mrs. Mary A. Bennett and David, of McCau- 
leyville, Wilkin county, Minnesota, are the 
only ones now surviving. 

Our subject supplemented his study in 
JNashua, with a partial course in the Literary 
Institute of Hancock, Hillsborough county. 
New Hampshire. He left the institute before 
graduating, at the age of twenty. How- 
ever, during the years 1838 to 1841, inclus- 



ive, he had served an apprenticeship as a 
machinist. 

In 1846 Mr. McCauley went to Boston, 
where he remained about four years and then 
I'enioved to Manchester, New IIam})shire, 
where he kept a stationery store. In the 
fall of 1858 he came West, and, in accordance 
with the primitive mode of travel, staged it 
from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to St. Paul. 
Here he found employment as distributing 
clerk in the postoffice. In July, 1861, he 
came to Fort Abercrombie, being appointed 
by Edwin M. Stanton, then secretary of 
war, post sutler, and postmaster at that 
fort. He was also the agent of the North- 
west Express Company. Transportation in 
thosedayswas by stage, which usualh' traveled 
with a militar}' escort up to as late as 1866. 
He was connected with the fort untill 1864. 
Then he crossed the Hed river to the Minne- 
sota side opposite the fort and engaged in 
mercantile business as well as farming. The 
village which now sprung up was named, in 
honor of hiin, McCauley ville. He purchased 
666 acres of land on Indian script and took 
quit-claim deeds, but on account of defective 
title he lost the whole of it. He now has a 
farm of 160 acres, beside his residence in the 
village. 

In 1867 he built a saw-mill at a cost of 
$12,000. He cut over five million feet of 
lumber, which sold at $40 per thousand, and 
which found a market in Pembina, Totten 
and Garry. He would annually, on Govern- 
ment contract, furnish the fort with from 
800 to 3,000 tons of hay. 

Mr. McCauley married for his first wife 
Miss Anna Trott, of Bath, Maine. On the 
5th day of October, 1879, he was married 
the second time to Miss Carrie W. Whitman, 
of Boston, Massachusetts. She is a daughter 
of John N. and Milissa D.(Wolcott) Whitman. 
Her father was a native of New York, being 
born in Batavia, that State. His ancestors 
were Ilollaml Dutch, who emigrated to 



6l2 



XED RIVER VALLEY AND 



America in colonial times. He served his 
country as a soldier, enlisting in September, 
1861, in Company D, Fourth Eegiment, Ver- 
mont Volunteers. He was discharged from 
the service on account of wounds received in 
the battle of Antietam. The mother. Milissa 
D. Wolcott, is a daugiiter of Emers(jn Wol- 
cott and his wife Hannah (Adams) Wolcott, 
a lineal descendent of John Adams. Mrs. 
McCauley's father came West permanently 
in 1874, and engaged in farming in the town 
of St. Olof, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. 
He and his family are now living at Thief 
Itiver Falls, Polk county, tliis State, where 
he is interested in stock-raising. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCauley are the parents of 
one child — Ethel Xoyes. 

Mr. McCauley has served his county as 
superintendent of schools for the last thirteen 
years, and was re-elected to that office again 
in the fall of 1888. He is also ])ostmaster at 
McCaule3'ville. And betook ]iart in organ- 
izing AVilkin county, as well as in organizing 
the town whicii l)ears iiis name. He has also 
held the usual (piota of town offices, and is 
one of the best-known men in theEed River 
Valley. 



-«" 



-^^ 



j^EORGE WASHBURN, the present effi- 
vl^ cient ))ostmaster of the village of 
Pelican liapids, Otter Tail count}', Minne- 
sota, is a native of the State of Vermont. 
He was born in Orleans county, Vermont, 
on the 15th day of March, 1838, and is the 
son of Louis T. and Harriett (Longley) Wash- 
bui'n, natives of JVIassachusetts and Vei'mont, 
respectively. The father of our subject was 
a soldier in the War of 1812, and in 1813 set- 
tled in Vermont, where he was a pi'ominent 
farmer and stock-raiser. The fatlier died in 
1876 in New York State. The mother died 
in 1845. 



Mr. Washburn, the subject of this article, 
remained at home attending school until he 
was thirteen years old, when he removed to 
New York State, where he remained with 
his brother until the war broke out. He 
worked at the carpenter's and joiner's trade 
until the 10th of September, 1861, wnen he 
enlisted in Company E, Si.xteenth New 
York Infantry, and served until July 19, 
1864, when he received an honorable dis- 
charge. He was wounded in the battle of 
Gettj'sburg, and from July until October was 
in the field hosj)ital. He was then removed to 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he received 
his discharge. After being mustered out of 
the service, he returned to New York, and 
settled in Bangor, Franklin county. New 
York, where he was appointed postmaster 
and in connection run a grocery store. lie 
remained there until 1873, when he removed 
westward, and in September, 1873,' located 
in Otter Tail count}', Minnesota, where he 
took a homestead, and until 1883 was 
engaged in general agricultural operations. 
He then removed to the village of Pelican 
I{a[)ids, where he has since remained. He 
was appointed postmaster in 188'J, and has 
since held that position. He still retains the 
farm, which is under good cultivation and 
comprises 240 acres of fine land. He is one 
of the prominent men of the village, and is 
highl}' esteemed by all who know him. 

Mr. Washburn was united in mai'riage on 
the 1st day of January, 1868, to Miss Louisa 
Hoadley, and this union has been blessed 
with the four following-named children — 
Bernice L W., Bayard H. W., i\lamie and 
Daisy Washburn. Our subject and his fam- 
ily are exemplai-y membei's of the Congre- 
gational church. In political matters he 
affiliates with the republican party, and is 
actively interested in that party's campaigns. 
He is a public-spiritetl citizen, and any home 
enterprise always receives his hearty support 
and encouragement. 



PAkK REGICNS OF MINNESOTA. 



613 



/^HARLES LILYQUIST, of the firm of 
V^y Alili'in & Lilyquist, general merchants 
of the village of Kensington, Douglas county, 
Minnesota, is a native of the State of Illinois. 
He was born in Knox county, Illinois, on the 
5th of September, 1857, and is the son of 
Nils anil Hannah Lilyquist, natives of 
Sweden. They emigrated to the United 
States and settled in Knox county, Illinois, 
in 1S54. In 1858 they removed to Minnesota, 
settling in Nicollet county, where the father 
took a homestead and remained until 1SG8. 
He tiien sold out and removed to Osh- 
awa township, Nicollet county, Minnesota, 
where he followed farming until 1876, then 
settling in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he 
remained until 1885. He then went to Win- 
throp, Sibley county, Minnesota, where he 
remained until the time of his death on 
March 14, 1887. 

Mr. Lilyquist, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education in Minnesota, 
where he had removed with his parents 
at the age of one year. He remained 
with his parents, assisting at home on the 
farm and attending school until 1880. He 
then removed toEvansville, Minnesota, where 
he secured a ])osition as clerk for the firm of 
A. Lilyquist & Co. After three years and 
a half he went to Pelican Eapids, Minne- 
sota, and after working in a store for two 
years he returned to Evansville and went 
into liusiness in partnership with his brother, 
under the firm name of Lilj^quist Brothers. 
In the summer of 1887 they closed up the 
l)usiness, and our subject removed to the vil- 
lage of Kensington, Douglas county, Minne- 
sota, and opened the general merchandise 
store he now runs. He has since been 
engaged in a general and increasing business 
and is carrying a stock of aliout §2,500. He 
is one of the most successful anil prominent 
merchants of the village, and has a liberal 
share of the general patronage of the town 
and vicinitv. 



Mr. Lilyquist was united in marriage on 
the 16th day of August, 1885, to Miss Emma 
Peterson, and this union has been blessed 
with one child — Luella. 

In political mattei'S Mr. Lilyquist is a 
stanch republican and is actively interested 
in the campaigns of that party. He is a capa- 
ble business man and an exemplary citizen, 
and is highh' esteemed by all who know him. 



^^LZEAR G. MERCHANT, the present 
x^^ etficient and pojudar nuinager of the 
Lake Park Hotel, in the village of Lake 
Park, Becker county, Minnesota, is a native 
of Minnesota. He was born in Minnea])olis, 
Minnesota, on the 31st day of December, 
1858, and is the son of Samuel and Adel 
(Begin) Merchant, natives of Canada. In 
Ids younger days the father of our subject 
followed the life of an engineer on the St. 
Lawrence I'iver, and in 1850 removed to 
Michigan, where he followed lumbering for 
four years. At the expu-ation of that time, 
in 1854, he removed to Stillwater, Minnesota, 
and from there to ]\rinnea[)()lis, Minnesota, 
where he settled on a farm al)Out nine miles 
from the city. He has since remained there, 
actively engaged in general farming opera- 
tions. He is a representative citizen of that 
locality and aftiliates with the republican 
part^'. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject were the parents of the following-named 
children — Virginia, Elzear, Joseph, Edward, 
Leah, Eleanor, Lewis, Mitchel, Mary, LiUie 
and Laura. 

Mr. Merchant, of whom this article treats, 
remained on the home farm, attending 
school, until he was twenty-one years old. 
Prior to this, however, he had spent two 
years in the pineries, and at the age of 
twenty -one he commenced in life for him- 
self, and for the first year was emjiloj^eil in 
the pineries as a wood sawyer. In 1881 he 



f)l4 



RED RIVER VALLE V AND 



removed to Eecker county, IVfinnesota, where 
he secured work for Tliomas II. Ciinfield. 
After working eight months at farm work for 
Ills employer, our suhject liired out to his old 
emulo^'erfor nineteen months more. In A])rii, 
1883, Mr. Merchant ))urchased a relinquish- 
ment of 114 acres, and made it a homestead. 
In Kovember, 18S3, our subject hii-ed out to 
IIenr\' Smith, the proprietor of the Lake 
Park Hotel. When IMr. Bunnell took charge 
of the hotel our subject was employed as 
clerk and lield that jjosition for eighteen 
months. Since the KUhof November, 1885, 
lie has been emplo^'ed by Mr. Canfield to 
operate the house. He is popular with the 
traveling public and bears the esteem of all 
who know him. The hotel is the only first- 
class house in the village, and its reputation 
is due to the untiring efforts of our subject 
to bring the hotel up the highest standard. 

Mr. Merchant was married on the lOth 
day of June, 1887, to Miss Emma Anderson, 
the daughter of Gustaf and Johanna (Lai'.son) 
Anderson, natives of Sweden. Our subject 
affihates with the democratic party, and is 
actively intei-ested in all public matters. He 
is a man of the strictest honor and integrity 
and bears the esteem of all who know him. 



/^^ VEN S. EVENSON is a member of the 
^^^ firm of Sivertson & Evenson, dealers 
in general merchandise, located in the town 
of Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. 
This firm has a large trade, and is constantly 
athling to their business. Wv. Evenson was 
born in Norway, September 25, 1861, and 
was tlie son of Sivert and Kjirsti (I.odinson) 
Evenson. 

The parents were both natives of Norway, 
where they engaged principally in farming. 
The family came to America in l8iiT, 
landing at Quebec, whence they came to 
"Wisconsin, settling in Menomonie City, 



where they remained one year. They then 
removed to St. Croi.x county, Wisconsin, 
where the father and mother still live. 

Mr. Evenson spent his younger days 
beneath the jiarental roof. He helped his 
father on the farm, and attended the district 
school at times when farm work was not 
pressing. In 18S5 he left his home and 
removed to Underwood, Otter Tail ccninty. 
Minnesota, where he took charge of the 
store while his partner returned to Norway. 
This store was started by Messrs. Sivertson 
and Evenson in 1882, and up to 1885 was 
conducted mainly by the senior partner. 

December 8, 1888, Mr. Evenson was united 
in the holy bonds of [matriniony to Miss 
Anna Gunderson. 

In politics Mr. Evenson is an independent 
and supports no particular party, believing 
that the duty of the voter is to vote for the 
man best fitted for the office in dispute. In 
business Mr. Evenson has been eminently 
successful, and has built up a large trade by 
strict attention to business. By strict integ- 
rity and uprightness he has drawn to him 
a large circle of friends. The partnership 
carries about $3,000 worth of stock and do 
a very extensive business. 



-^f.- 



^^- 



JACOB MARTIN HANSON. One of the 
most capable business men, as well as 
prominent citizens of St. Ililaire, Minnesota, 
is the subject of our present sketch, a justice 
of the peace, and merchant. 

Mr. Hanson was born in ifihvaukee, "Wis- 
consin, May 27, 1858, and is a son of Martin 
and Caroline (Christianson) Jacobson, who 
were natives of Norway. AVhen our sui)ject 
was a small child his parents removed to Eau 
Claii-e, Wisconsin, and took Government land. 
Our subject renniined at home until he was 
ten or twelve years old, when he began woi'k- 
! ing for farmers. "When he was fourteen his 



( 
PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



615 



father died, and he had to go home and work 
tlie farm, aided by his younger brother, 
(yhi'istian. Two years later his mother mar- 
ried again. Jacob then went to Eau Claire 
and beg-an workino- in a lumber mill. AVhen 
lie was between twenty-one and twenty-two 
years of age he met witii a sad misfortune 
in tlio death of a friend, and he then began 
traveiin''- tlirouo-Jiout the Northwest. For 

n o 

some time he roamed about from place to 
])laee in Dakota, and finally went Lac-qui- 
parle county, ^Minnesota, and there picked 
out a claim. He at once wrote his stepfather 
to come, and on his arrival J. M. Hanson 
gave him the claim. We will here make a 
brief explanation of Mr. Hanson's family 
matters. His father, Martin Jacobson, was 
very industrious and soon iiad developed acom- 
foitable place, through his energy, fi'ugality 
and labor. He did all his own work by 
hand : cutting all his grain and hav bv liand, 
and had good buildings ]iut up. On liis 
death he left his family in very comfortable 
circumstances. When the mother married 
again, her second husband, the stepfather of 
our subject, did not succeed very well, nor 
(lid he like to work so hard as the father had 
(lone. He invested in horses and machinery 
and soon spent all tlie money and propertj' his 
predecessor had saved. He got in debt, the 
place ran down, and eighty acres were too 
small to support expenses of that sort. Our 
subject, J. M. Hanson, had to help him with 
money and help him get started again. 
This was the cause of their removal to 
Lac-qui-parle county. Our subject aided 
him on account of his love for liis mother, 
brotlier and sisters. After getting them 
started again in Lac-qui-parle county they 
got along verv well, and are now inde- 
pendent. After seeing them comfortal)ly 
settled our subject went to work for farmers. 
Shoi'tly afterward C. Y. Lang (Mr. McKins- 
try being the agent) wanted a man to run a 
lumber yard in "Watson, Cliippewa county, 



Minnesota, and as a friend highly recom- 
mended our subject, he secured the place and 
took charge of the lumber yard and grain 
elevator. He remained with that firm for 
four years, then came to St. Hilaire. He 
]mrchased property and opened a millinery 
store. He purchased goods in Chicago and 
was doing well, liaving accumulated several 
hundred dollars' worth of goods, and his lia- 
bilities only amounted to about $150. Al)oiit 
tins time a lawyer tried to beat his stock 
tiirough this indebtedness. Our subject 
stood suit, however, ami came out victorious. 
Mr. Hanson now carries on a restaurant, and 
a confectionery and notion store, and is 
doing well. 

Our subject has always taken an active 
interest in public matters, and has held a 
number of the local offices. He was tlie 
second marshal of the village, the first only 
serving about one month. He has been 
street commissioner for some time, and it was 
through his management that the crossings 
were put in, bridges built and sidewalks 
laid in St. Hilaire. He also served for 
several years as village recorder, and is 
now filling the office of justice of the peace. 
A capable, accommodating and painstaking 
official, he has always given excellent satis- 
faction in every ])osition in wliich he has 
been jilaced. 

Duiing Mr. Hanson's service with C. V. 
Lang, he became acquainted with Christine 
M. Waldum, an estimable young lady, and 
daughter of Ole E. Waldum, a farmer liv- 
ing near Watson. After two years of sin- 
cere courtship they were married on the 28th 
day of March, ISS'i, that day being the 
eighteenth birthday of the bride. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hanson ai'e the parents of two children 
— Minnie Caroline and Anton Oscar. 

The family are exemplary members of the 
Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson 



Norwegian 
is a member 
ternity. 



of the Knights of Honor fra- 



6i6 



KED KIVER VALLEY AND 



^^^ARON H. CARLISLE, 
well-known niaiiaiiei 



the ])opular and 
of the old Man- 
sard House, now known as the Carlisle 
Ilonso, is a resident of the village of Paynes- 
ville, Minnesota, where he has charge of the 
hotel which bears his name. He is a native 
of the State of Illinois, born in Plymouth, 
Hancock county, Illinois, on the 25th day of 
December, 1S61, and is the son of James and 
Mai'v (Thoxel) Carlisle, natives of Kentuck\' 
and Pennsj'lvania, respectively. Tiie father 
died on the 4th day of January, 1871, and 
the mother is still living. They were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Hattie, P>elle, Edward, William, Aaron, 
George, Clara, Debbie and Lettie. 

Mr. Carlisle, of whom this sketch treats, 
remained at home until he was eleven years 
old, when he went to Alma City, Waseca 
county, Minnesota, where he attended school 
for one yeai' and then returned to his home 
in McLeod county, Minnesota, where he 
remained, assisting his father on the home 
farm and attending school, until he was six- 
teen 3'ears old. He then secured a position 
in the shoe shop of J. N. Albright, and he 
remained in that position until his employer 
vrent out of business. Our subject then 
secuiT'd a i^osition as clerk in the Merchant's 
Hotel at Glencoe, ami, after working about 
one year, went back to school for two terms. 
After leaving school he clerked in the Wind- 
sor House at Howard City for two 3'ears, 
and then went to Graceville and took charjre 
of the Emerson House for Al. Stewart. He 
remained with Mr. Stewart for ten months, 
and then removed to Litchfield, Minnesota, 
and clerked in the Howard House for Frank 
Minton for about three years. At the 
expii-ation of that time he removed to Paynes- 
ville, Minnesota, and took charge of what 
was the old Mansard House, and which has 
been remodeled and is now known as the 
Carlisle House. It is a first-class house and 
has one of the most popular and most highly 



esteemed landlords on this line of road. In 
political matters our subject affiliates with 
the republican ]>arty and is activel}' interested 
in all local matters. A genial and affable 
gentleman, he is meeting w-ith well-deserved 
success. 



-♦► 



BELCOURT, M. D., of 



/r^\ EDMOND 

xt^ Ai'gyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, 
is one of the most prominent members of 
the medical fraternity in the Red River 
Valley. No member of the profession 
deserves better mention in a work of this 
character, and none stands higher in the com- 
munity where he lives than does he. A 
thorough scholar and an exjjerienced prac- 
titioner, he has met with merited success and 
has attained a prominent position in the 
respected profession of which he is a member. 
Dr. Belcourt was born in La Bale du 
Febvre, district of Trois Rivieres, Canada, 
December 15, 1852. His parents were Esdras 
and Josephte (Precourt) Belcourt, who were 
also natives of Canada. Gursuljject remained 
at home and attended school until he was 
twelve years old, wlien he entered the famous 
Nicolet College. After a thorough course, 
lasting eight \'ears, he was graduated with 
high honors. He then, from 1871 to 1876, 
clerked in a general store for M. Beauj)re, in 
St. Michel d'Yamaska. At the termination of 
that engagement he began the study of 
medicine and entered Victoria University, 
Montreal, from which he was graduated 
and received the degree of M. D. in 1880. 
He opened an office at Hoh'oke, Massa- 
chusetts, and si.K months later removed 
to Three Rivers, jMassacluisetts, where 
he remained for two years. At the 
expiration of that time he came to 
Argyle, Minnesota, where he has since 
remained, engaged in a lucrative practice. 
He is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and is 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



617 



thoroughly posted in all that pertains to his 
profession. He has al\va\'s taken an active 
interest in public matters, and has served in 
various official positions. Has been county 
|ihysician for five years, county coroner for 
a like period, and president of the board of 
iiealth for the past four years, and still holds 
these ])ositions. 

"We can not close the article on Dr.Belcourt 
witliout making a brief mention of one of 
liis relatives that has ])la3'ed an important 
part in the histor}' of the Northwest — his 
uncle, Rev. G. A. Belcourt, who was a 
missionary among the Manitoba Indians for 
about thirty-five years. He was a talented 
and educated man, and a scholar in the 
Indian language. He wrote a grammar and 
dictionary of the Indian tongue, the latter of 
which contained some 30,720 pages in hand- 
writing on foolscap paper. He was a mis- 
sionary apostholig and. vicar-general of 
Bishop Cretin, of St. Paul, in 1S53. He was 
well and favorabh' known all through the 
Northwest, and was beloved by both the 
Indians and whites; and many Indians to 
this day almost worship his memor\', as his 
name is still a familiar one among them. 
This great and good man went to Manitoba 
in 1831, and died in Memramcook, lies de 
la Medelaine, Canada, in 1874. 



-*- 



John BASSETT, a retired farmer and 
^ stock-raiser of section 9, Hartford town- 
ship, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of 
New Hampshire. He was born in the town 
of Wo]fl)ury on the 3d of January, 1812, 
and is the son of Daniel and Abagail (Bean) 
Bassett, natives of Massachusetts. 

John Bassett, the subject of this memoir, 
received his education in New Hampshire, 
where he attended school at Wolfbui'v until 
he was twenty years old. He then worked 
on the home farm for two years, and in 1834 



removed to Illinois, settling in Peoria coun- 
ty, where he remained eighteen months. He 
then went to the Red Mines, Galena, Illinois, 
where he remained until 1837. In 1837 he 
moved to "Wisconsin, remaining there for 
three years. In 1840 he went to St. Louis, 
Missouri, and later went to Indiana. He 
there secured a position as stage driver, and 
in 1842 returned to Galena, where he 
remained six years, employed as stage 
driver. In 1848 he went to Minnesota, being 
one of the earliest settlers in the State. 

In 1865 he moved to Todd county, Minne- 
sota, and took a tract of land on section 9, 
Hartford township, where he engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. He is 
an old and respected citizen of the county, 
and bears the I'espect of all who know him. 

Mr. Bassett was married in January, 1845, 
to Miss Amelia McCornice, and this union 
has been blessed with ten children — only five 
of whom are now living — John, Mary, 
Thomas, Herford, Abbie and Lora, twins. 
Mrs. Bassett is a native of Canada. 



OHN S. LA DUE, a prominent and suc- 



cessful merchant of Polk county, Min- 
nesota, is a resident of the village of Fertile, 
where he is engaged in the general merchan- 
dising business. He is a native of Wiscon- 
sin, born at AVilmot, in Kenosha county on 
the 24th day of February, 1834, and is the 
son of Rev.' S. P. and Sarah M. (AV right) 
La Due, natives of New York State. The 
father was a Congregational minister, and 
in 1855 removed to Iowa, in which State he 
has been engaged in clerical work ever since. 
Mr. La Due, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, removed, when about one year 
old, with his parents to Anamosa, Iowa, 
where he remained two years. At the expir- 
ation of that time they Avent to Mitchell, 
Iowa, and, after remaining there one year, 



6i8 



RED RJVER VALLEY AND 



moved to "Rockford. Towa, wliere he 
remained seven years. It was at that 
place he first attended school, and in 1866 
he wont to Irving, Tama county, where he 
entered the Baptist Academy. After remain- 
ing there two years he went to Plymoutli, 
Iowa,' and commenced scliool teacliing. He 
was only fifteen years of age, but met with 
the best of success in the profession. After 
teaching seven years he engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits, wliich he followed for five 
years. In 18S0 he went to Polk county, 
Minnesota, and located in the village of 
Fertile. In the fall of ISSl he engaged 
in general merciiandising, and lias since 
been employed in tliat line. He organized 
the postofRce, und was postmaster until 
Cleveland's administration, during which he 
was removed from office on party princi- 
ples. He carries a full line of goods, and 
a greater variety than will be found in 
most of the places of that size. 

Mr. La Due was married in Plymouth, 
Iowa, to Miss Sarah A. Kinney, on the 23d 
day of September, 187^1. Mrs. La Due is 
a native of New Jersey, and the daughter 
of Reuben and Judith (Spangenberg) Kin- 
ney, natives of New Jersey. Mr. La Duels 
a republican in pohtics and is a zealous party 
worker. He is a good citizen, a man of 
sii'ict l)usiness integrity, and is recognized 
as one of the most capable business men in 
the countv in which he lives. 



M lBERT H. SPERRY, the subject of 
J^sJl this article, is a resident of the city of 
Willmai', Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in the machinery busi- 
ness, also dealing in live stock, in partner- 
ship with his brother Berton AV., whose 
l)iogra])hical memoir will be found in another 
department of this Album. Mr. Sperry is 
one of the pioneers of the county, having 



settled there in 18.tR, coming from Le Sueur 
to Ilai'rison township, Kandi3'ohi county, 
where he took 160 acres of land and engaged 
in farming. He has been a resident of Will- 
mar since 1880, when he removed from liis 
farm into the city, where he has since 
remained, engaged in business in partner- 
ship with his brother. He is a native of 
New York State, born in Livingston county. 
New York, on the 1-lth day of December, 
1840, and is the son of Jeremiah and Jerushia 
(Osborn) Speriy, natives of New Haven and 
Hartford, Connecticut, respectively. The 
father removed to Michigan in 1840 and to 
Minnesota in 1857, locating in Kandiyohi 
county. He remained there until the Indian 
outbreak in 1802. when he, with other set- 
tlers, had to flee for their lives. The father 
was in two engagements, in Meeker county, 
with the In<lians. and ver\' nearly lost his life 
by being cut oil from the wagon train. The 
mother was so frightened, and also on 
account of exposure, she died the year fol- 
lowing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After 
the second da\-'s fight at Forest City 
the father left to meet his family that 
had gone on aheail, with the exception of 
our subject and his brother, who enlisted 
in the State militia, and were in active 
service for about one hundred days. Oui- 
subject was in a four-days' running conflict 
in Meeker and McLeod counties, and after 
the trouble had been quelled, he joined his 
parents and family in i\Iinnea]iolis, whei'e 
he engaged in tlie carpenter's trade, lielping 
to construct the saw-mills at St. Anthony 
Falls. He remained there until 1803, when 
he enlisted in tlie First Battalion, Minne- 
sota CavaliT, better known as Hatch's Bat- 
talion. He wns in the service three years, 
in Dakota, and was first stationed at 
Pembina, where they built the fort. At 
the close of the service he returned 
to the old homestead in Kandiyohi county, 
and engaged in fariniui;', buvini;- the home- 



PARK regions; of MINNESOTA. 



619 



stead fi-om liis father, and also adjoining 
lands. He owned a fine farm of 400 acres, 
antl in 1876 established a, store in the village 
wliicli lie I'an for four years. In 1S80 he 
removed into "Willmar, and engaged in the 
stock and meat bnsiness, doing a heavy ship- 
ping business. He is also engaged in the 
machinery business, handling all kinds of 
agricultural implements, etc. He has been 
president of the county agricultural society 
since 1SS6. 

Mr. Sperry was united in marriage in 1867 
to Miss Ellen Tracy, the daughter of John and 
Catharine Tracy, natives of Vermont. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sperry have been blessed with six 
cliildren, three of whom are now living, 
named as follows — Roy, Charles and Jennie. 
Mrs. Sperr\' passed away in the spring of 
1S83. She was a devoted member of the 
Baptist church, and was esteemed and beloved 
by all who knew her. Our subject was mar- 
ried, a second time, to Miss Jennie Willson, 
and they have been blessed with two chil- 
dren — Walter, and Eernice, who died a year 
ago. Mr. Sperry is independent in his polit- 
ical ideas, and is actively interested in all 
local matters. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the 
Grand Armj' of the Republic. He is a citi- 
zen of the strictest honor and integrity and 
is highly esteemed by all who know him. 
He is a puldic spirited citizen and one of the 
representative business men of the city. 



v^^ 



r\MES W. HASSEN, furniture dealer in 
the village of Wadena, is a native of 
(-anada. He was born in Lower Canada on 
the 8th of Xovember, 1843, and is the son of 
James and Amy Hassen. The father was 
an extensive farmer through life, and in 
1855 removed to the States and settled in 
Dakota county, Minnesota, where he engaged 
in farming. He was one of the first set- 



tlers in that county, was an esteemed and 
industrious citizen, and died in 1885 at 
the age of seventy-six years. The father 
and mother of our subject were the parents 
of the following-named children — Willard, 
Elijah, Charles, and Ashley (deceased in 
1882 at ten years). 

Mr. Hassen, the subject of this biograjih- 
ical memoir, remained in his native countr}^ 
until he had attained the age of thirteen 
years. During his stay in Canada he 
attended the common schools, and in 1855 
emigrated to the United States with his 
parents. He settled with them in Dakota 
county, Minnesota, where he remained until 
the year 1862. In the spring of that year he 
enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota 
Infantry. He was mustered into the service 
in August, 1862, at Fort Snelling, Minne- 
sota. At the outbreak of the Indian mas- 
sacre his conipan}' was ordered to Xew Ulm, 
Minnesota, where they remained as guards 
for several months. They spent the winter 
of 1862-63 in Little Falls and Fort Rip- 
ley. During the summer of 1863 our subject 
was detailed as guard, and spent the summer 
at Princeton, Sunrise and Fort Snelling, Min- 
nesota. In the spring of 1861 he joined Sully's 
expedition in the Northwest, and was in that 
until the following fall, when he returned to 
Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He was then sent 
to Murfi-eesboro, Tennessee, and was in the 
Twenty-fifth Armv Corps, under General 
Ruger. They followed the Confederates as 
far as the Tennessee river, and then went 
into camp at Stoneman. From there 
they met Sherman's ai'iny at Goldsboro, 
North Carolina, and participated in the 
battle at that place. Our subject was pres- 
ent at Lee's sui'i-ender and the close of the 
war. After the cessation of hostilities the 
subject of this article returned to Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota, where he received his 
honorable discharge. From that time until 
1870 Mr. Hassen made his home in the 



620 



RED RTTER VALLEY AXD 



southern part of the State, engaged in no 
partifiiliir business, when he wiis married 
to Miss Hermine Lambert, of Dakota county, 
Minnesota, after wliich lie engaged in vari- 
ous occupations, wlien in 1878 lie removed 
to Wadena, "Wadena count}', Minnesota, and 
for five years engaged in tlie car])en- 
ter's trade. In 1SS3 he entered into 
partnersiiip witii E. S. Lambert, and tliey 
continued tiie furniture business for three 
yeai-s, when IVIr. Cook purchased tiie 
interest of Mr. Lambert and the firm 
continued as Ilassen & Cook up to Jan- 
uary, 18S9, when Mr. Ilassen purchased Mr. 
Cook's interest. He carries a full line of fur- 
nitui'e, and has an extensive business in the 
undertaking line. lie is doing a good and 
satisfactory business, and isauu)ng tiie most 
prominent men of tiie village. Mr. Ilassen 
is a proliibitionist in |)olitics and a wortiiy 
citizen in every respect. 



.«« 



_ .ICHAEL M. MALLON is a resident of 
"aZlL tlie village of reriiam, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, where lie is engaged in 
tiic liveiT business and also operates a gen- 
eral maciiine shop, handling all kinds of farm 
machinery, etc. He is a native of Wiscon- 
sin, born in Washington county, on tlie 4th 
day of June, 18.55, and is the son of Thomas 
and Catiiarino(Kyan) Mallon, natives of Ire- 
land. When the parents of our subject emi- 
grated to the United States they first settled 
in New York State, where they remaiiied for 
some time, removing from there to Wiscon- 
sin, where they iiave since remained. They 
were aiaont'' the fii'st settkn's in Wasliinirton 
count v, Wisconsin, where they are now 
engaged in farming. They iiad a family of 
the following-named children — Micliael, 
Lawrence, Patrick, Mary, Agnes, Thomas, 
Hannah and James. 



Mr. Mallon, the subject of this biograph- 
ical review, received his education in his 
native State, where he attended the common 
S('hools until he was thirteen years old. He 
then traveled through tile dilferent parts of 
tiie State, engaged in farming, and in the 
pineries of Wisconsin and ^licliigan. From 
tlie latter State he returned to Wisconsin and 
engaged in farming for two years, and in 
1879 removed to ^linncsota and settled in 
Perham, Otter Tail county, where he 
engaged in his present business. lie opened 
a machine shop, and has been engaged in 
that business, in addition to his livery intei*- 
ests, evei' since. lie keeps a first-class livery 
stable, and is doing an extensive trade in the 
machinery business. In addition to his inter- 
ests in Perham, our subject owns a fine farm 
in Dakota, and is actively engaged in buying 
and selling horses. lie is a leading and suc- 
cessful business man of the village, and is 
well and favorably known throughout the 
county. 

Mr. Mallon was united in marriage on the 
28th day of June, 1883, to Miss Jane Stant- 
ley, and this union has been blessed witli 
three children — Arthur, Thomas and Mamie. 
Our subject is a democrat in his political allil- 
iations, and is actively interested in all local 
matters. He is a citizen of the strictest 
integrity and honor, and is liighly esteemed 
by all who know him. 

TOHN KNIGHT, one of the oldest and 
M most prominent settlers of Wadena 
county, Minnesota, is the })resent efficient 
county treasurer of Wadena county. He 
settled in that region in the fall of 1S70, and 
since that time his iiaiiic has been jiroiiii- 
nently identified with the oIKcial history of 
that county, lie is a native of the State of 
New Yorla, born in Jefferson county, of that 
State, on the .5th day of A[)ril, 18.50, and is 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



621 



the son ofWilliaiii and Louisa (Witt) Knight, 
natives also of the Empire State. The 
father died when our subject was eleven 
years old. The mother is still living in 
Minnesota. The fatlierof our subject was a 
meml)er of the Fifty -second Illinois Infantry. 
At the time of his death the family were 
residing in Illinois. After the father's death 
the family rclnrncd to New York State. 

John Knight, the subject of this biograph- 
ical sketcli, remained in his native State during 
his early boyhood, then removed to Illinois, 
where he remained until after his father's 
deatli. At eleven years of age he returned 
to his native State with his rnotlier, 
brothers and sisters. He remained in New 
York until the fall of 1864, during which 
time he attended school. In IStJ-i he enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Eight^'-sixth New 
Yoilc Infantry. He. was mustered in at 
Sackett's Harbor, New York, and served 
throughout the balance of the war. He 
was in front of Petersburg during the 
winter of lS6-t-C)5, and followed Lee in the 
spring campaign of 180.5. The regiment to 
which he belonged was at Lvnchburg, at 
the surrender of Lee in 1805. After the 
close of the war the sul)ject of this ai'ticle 
returned to his native State, where he 
remained until 1870. He then emigrated 
West and located on Parker's Prairie, Min- 
nesota, where he remained one year. He 
then returned to his native State for his 
family, and after returning to Minnesota 
engaged in farming pursuits near Parker's 
Prairie. When Mr. Knight returned to New 
York State he was convei-ted, and was 
licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In 1873 he took charge of the Meth- 
odist church at Parker's Prairie, and success- 
fully lilled that charge for one year. He 
then went to Scott county, Minnesota, where 
h(i filled several charges, and one year later 
took charge of the pastorate at Rush City, 
Minnesota. He lilled that charge for two 



years, and then went to Wadena, Wadena 
county, Minnesota, where he had charge of 
the Methodist church for a period of two 
years. He has since remained in Wadena, 
although he has filled several small charges 
in Otter Tail county. He is a most active 
A^lprker and has organized many churches, 
taking a true and Christian interest in his 
work. In 1880 he was elected to the res^jon- 
sible office of count}' treasurer, which posi- 
tion he has since held, being re-elected in 
1888. He held the office of assessor for the 
village for seven years, and is one of the 
representative and popular citizens of the 
village and county. He is a member of the 
social organizations, Masonic and Odd-Fel- 
lows. He is a member of the United States 
j)ension board of examining surgeons, also 
of the Grand Army of the liepublic. He 
is one of the most active men of the village 
and a democrat in ])olitical matters. 



>>♦' 



-«-; 



I^RANK JERRUE is a, prominent nu'r- 
JP' chant of Warren, INfarshall CDunty, 
Minnesota, where he carries on the furniture 
and undertaker's business. He was born in 
St. Constan Parish, district of Montreal, 
Canada, March 4, 1852, and is a son of 
Anthony and Bridget (Fadden) Jerrue, the 
father a native of the same place as the son, 
and the mother a native of Ireland. The 
grandparents on the father's side were born 
in Paris, France. Anthony Jerrue was a 
veteran of the late war, enlisting in 1801, 
and serving in the Union army until the 
close of hostilities. He was badly wounded 
and was granted a pension of twelve dollars 
pel- (juarter. He (Anthony Jei'rue) removeil 
to St. Joseph county, Michigan, in 1858, and 
his wife followed the next year. The wife 
died in Fulton, Michigan, July 21, 1801. They 
were the parents of the following-named 



622 



/^/■:0 laVI-.R VALLEY AXD 



children — Mary, Francis, Antlion}', Nora, 
Daniel, Maggie and Tillie, all of whom are 
living except Nora and Anthon}'. Nora died 
in Michigan in 1874, and Anthony died in 
Kansas August 10, 1887. The latter left a 
family of four children. 

Frank Jei'rue, the jiresent suljject received 
his education in his native land, and at the 
age of nine years was bound out to a man 
named Orcutt for twelve years, or until lie 
had attained majoi'ity. How^ever, he only 
remained with him eighteen months, for, 
when his father r'eturned from the army, a 
neighbor complained to him about the cruel 
treatment Frank was receiving at the hands 
of Orcutt. Our sul)ject then remained with 
his father one 3'ear, when he was bound out 
to Mr. Kidd, with the agreement that Frank 
was to liave a fair education, and at the age 
of twenty-one was to receive two hundred 
dollars. He remained with him until he was 
eighteen years old, when Mrs. Ividd died, 
and two years later Mr. Kidd passed away. 
There being nine in the family and riot much 
property, the prospects for the two hundred 
dollai'S were meager. Frank then decided 
to shift for himself and hired out to a farmer 
foi' lifteen dollars a month. After working a 
short time, his father heard of the where- 
abouts of his son, and, after making satis- 
factory arrangements with Frank's employer, 
they removed to Benton Harbor, Michigan, 
where he i-emained one summer. He then 
went to Leonidas, Michigan, and attended 
school for one winter, doing chores for his 
boarcL In the spring of 1870 he engaged 
work with a farmer, and after remaining on 
the farm for nine months went to the Michi- 
gan pineries, where he worked in a saw-mill 
(luring the winter. In the spring he went 
back to the farmer with whom he had previ- 
ously worked, renuvining with him through 
harvest, lie then I'emoved to Constant ine, 
Michigan, and worked in a flouring-mill until 
late in the fall. He was then taken sick and, 



upon his recovery, moved to North Grand 
Ila])ids, Michigan, securing work in a saw- 
mill. In the spring he went to driving logs 
on the Muskegon river and shortly after was 
forced, on account of ill-health, to quit work. 
He returnetl to Leonidas, where he was sick 
almost all summer. On the 22d of Sei)tem- 
ber, 1873, he started, with a team, for Kan- 
sas, and on arriving there took a pre-emption 
claim, upon which he lived one year. He 
then abandoned his farm and worked during 
the winter in a grist-mill in Roseville, Kan- 
sas. In the spring he engaged in farming 
for a man by the name of Thayer and proved 
uj) on his original claim. After operating 
his farm for three years he rented it, and for 
a short time lived with his brother Anthony. 
In the spring of 1878 he removed to rhilli})s 
county, Kansas, where his pre-emption was, 
and lived there until the spring of 1884, then 
moved to Mai'shall county, Minnesota, where 
he built a house and entraffed in the milling 
business. In 1885 he traded his farm in Kan- 
sas for one in Marshall county, Minnesota, 
which he now rents. In November, 1887, he 
engaged in the furniture and undertaking- 
business and now has one of the finest stocks 
in the village. He does a general repairing 
trade and has a good business. He still holds 
his interest in the mill and is one of the act- 
ive business men of the town. 

Mr. Jerrue was married August 18, 1877, 
to Miss Elizabeth Davis, the daughter of 
William and Harriett Davis. Her father 
was a Union soldier and served all through 
the Civil AVar, coming out without an injur}'. 
Her mother died August 22, 1857. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jerrue have been blessed with the fol- 
lowing-named children — Emma M., Otis F., 
Eeulah E., Cora E., Ernest C. and Clarence W. 
Our subject was elected justice of the peace 
in 1888. He is a member of the Methodist 
church, with his family. He belongs to the 
Knights of Phythias and is a republican in 
politics. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



623 



/^^^fc\\LE B. GLARUM, t.lie])opular ])n)pri(3tor 
xJ^ of the GliU'um Hotel, on Third street, 
Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, has 
l)ecn a resident since IST'2. when he settled 
in the village anil opened a boot and shoe 
store, which business he carried on until 
18S(), when he purciiased IGO acres of land 
one-half mile south of the city and engaged 
in farming. He lias been identified with 
liotel interests in the city since 1876, when 
he erected his present fine building, which 
he has since run. He is a native of Norway, 
horn in 1844, and is the son of Bendik and 
Maret (Oleson) Glaruni, also natives of that 
kingdom. The parents, who are farmers, 
still reside in their native land. They are 
the parents of six children, named in the fol- 
lowing order — Die, Lars, Ole E., John, liag- 
nild and Ragnild. The parents are devoted 
m(,'ml)ers of the Lutheran church. 

]\Ir. Glarum, the subject of this article, 
spent his younger days in attending school in 
his native land, living at home until he was 
fourteen years old. He then engaged in 
slicep and cattle herding, and after three 
years entered an apprenticesliip to the boot 
and slioe trade. After serving two years 
learning his trade he worked at it as a jour- 
neyman until 1870. Then he emigrated to 
the United States, and went direct to Will- 
mar, Kandiyohi county, JMinnesota, where he 
remained two weelvs. He then went to Min- 
neapolis, Minnesota, and after remaining 
two years working at his trade returned to 
Willmar and opened a boot and shoe store, 
as before stated. Since taking his farm he 
has added 155 acres to it and has fine build- 
ing improvements, and is engaged in an ex- 
tensive and successful fai'ming and stock 
raising. He has always lived in the village 
since his settlement in the county, antl is well 
and favorabl}' known to the general travel- 
ing public. 

Mr. Glarum wa^u^nited in marriage in 1867 
to Miss Johannah Christianson, the daughter 




of Christian and Gaala (Rasbak) Oleson, 
farmers of JSTorway. Mr. and Mrs. Glaruni 
have been blessed with eleven children, five 
of whom have died, as follows — IJastian 
(deceased), Maret (deceased), C. Basten 
(tleceased), Christiana (deceased) and Bendik 
Johan (deceased). Those living are — Mary, 
Bertha, Olena, John, Christian and Anna 
Louise. Mr. Glarum and his family belong- 
to the Lutheran church. He is one of the 
solid and substantial business men of the 
place, and is a republican in his political 
affiliations. He is well known as a hotel man 
and has the reputation of running one of the 
best hotels in the county. He is an exem 
j^lary citizen, and is highly esteemed bv all 
who know him. 



-^^ 



GEORGE S. WHITE. J'rominent 
the leading and csninent 
clergymen of the Northwest is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this article, a resi- 
dent of the city of Fargo, North Dakota, 
where he is pastor of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. He is a native of the State of 
New York, born in Pomjiey, Onondaga 
county. New York, on the 7th of October, 
1832, and is tiie son of John and Clarinda 
(Safford) White, natives of Massachusetts 
and New York, respectively. 

Our subject's boyhood-days were spent on 
his father's fai'in with the usual advantages 
of a tlistrict school, with an occasional term 
at some academy near by, of which there 
were several. Before he was sixteen he was 
engaged to teach the district school at 
Mathew's Mills for the winter, boardina- 
around after the custom of the time. Hav- 
ing a desire for higher scholastic attain- 
ments, our subject's father consented to " give 
him his time," if he thought he could 
do better than to work on the farm. By 
savin"' 



his earnings he was enabled to pros- 



624 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



ecute his studies at De Euyter and Manlius 
academies and Cazenovia Seminary. His 
school terms were considerabl}- prolonged by 
(H-onomy in boarding- himself, sometimes 
alone and at others with fellow students in 
clubs. For three consecutive winter terms he 
was employed as teacher (jf the Peck Hill 
school, the trustees so apjjreciating his serv- 
ices as to advance his salary each succeeding 
term. Receiving the ajipoiutment from the 
assembly district in wliicli he lived to the 
State Normal School at Albany, New York, 
he entered, on examination, the sub-senior 
class, and prosecuted his studies there. To 
I'eplenish his purse, he then served as book- 
kee|)er for a company of railroad contractors 
in Western New York, for the summer follow- 
ing, and then engaged as jirincipal of the 
Union School at Manlius village, which 
])osition he held for two years. While thus 
eini)love(l, he married Miss A. Louisa Fox, 
the daughter of Rev. Wesley Fox, of the 
Oneida conference. His health l)eing much 
imjiaired by the continement and labor of 
school life, he resigned his position, and for 
the two following years was a member of a 
cari-iage factory firm in Marathon, New York. 
At the age of twenty years, while in school 
in Cazenovia Seminary, he was converted, but 
had no thoughts of the ministry until three 
or four years later. While in school he pur- 
sued a mathematical and scientific course, 
for which he had a special taste, and think- 
ing also to prepare himself for civil engineer- 
ing. But before engaging in that occupation 
he felt himself called of God to the ministry, 
and taking his recommend from the Caze- 
novia quarterly conference, where he was 
then residing, was received into the Oneida 
conference, at its memorable first spring- 
session in 1857, at Cazenovia. His pastoral 
ciuu'ffes have been the foUowin"-: North 
Pitcher, Cincinnatus, Greene, Butternuts, 
New York Mills, Chittenango, Seneca Falls, 
Skaneateles, Syracuse, Weedsport, Canastota, 



Lodi, Phelps, and Fargo, where he is at 
the present time meeting with well-mei'ited 
success. 

In 1868 Rev. White was appointed pre- 
siding elder of the Cortland District, in New 
York, in wiiich office he served four years, 
and at the end of the term was ajipointed to 
the Utica Disti'ict. Near tlie close of the 
first year he was prostrated by acute bron- 
chitis, and Iji'oiio-ht near death's door. The 
preachers of the tlistrict kindly persisted in 
asking for his reappointment to the district, 
with a vacation of three months to recuper- 
ate, which request was granted, but the 
severity of the climate and the excessive ' 
duties of the office proved to be too great a 
tax on his debilitated constitution, and at 
the end of the second year, being invited by 
the church at Seneca Falls to become its 
pastor, he resigned the office of presiding 
elder, and received a transfer to the Central 
New York conference and an appointment 
to that church. The charges u])on which he 
has served have almost invariably been vis- 
ited with revivals of religion and an increase 
of general prosi)erity. Concerning his min- 
isterial abilities one of his parishioners writes : 
" As a speaker his clear and distinct enunci- 
ation is noticeable. His bearing indicates 
natural energy of character and large reserve 
force, his perceptions are keen and readily take 
hold of truth in its great outlines. Terse and 
vigorous in his style, direct and forcible in 
his application of truth, his words do not fail, 
under the Divine blessing, to reach the human 
heart. A man of strong convictions, and 
feeling his accountability to God for the 
fidelity with which he expounds the Divine 
Word, tliere is nostojipingto inquire whether 
the truth which he preaches will be palatable 
to his hearers. He has manifested outside 
of his pulpit more than ordinary talent as an 
organizer and administrator, and his social 
qualities invite and secure the confidence of 
all who know him."' 



PARK REGTON^S OF M/NA'ESOTA. 



625 



Rev. and Mrs. White in tiieir union 
liavo l)een blessed witli the following-named 
children — Elbert F., who married ]\[iss Fannie 
Moore, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; George 
A. married Miss JCertie Guliclc, of Lodi, 
New York; Cora M., the wife of Frank Yan 
blew, of Lodi, New York ; and Clarence E., 
now living at home and attending the high 
school. Our subject is a member of the 
Adelphi Council of the Royal Arcanum. 
In the summer of 1SS2 Mr. White, in company 
with two other gentlemen from New York, 
visited Dakota and located a colony of about 
forty New Yorkers on unsurveyed public 
lands in Dickey county, at a place which they 
named Yorktown,now on the "Soo" line of 
railroad, which resulted in the organization 
of a corporate " Yorktown Land Company," 
of which ]\rr. AVhite has since been treasurer 
and for a time secretarv also. 

.In L884 he spent the summer with his 
family in Yorktown, Dakota, for the improve- 
ment of his health, resuming his ministerial 
work in the East in the fall, and continuing 
it until the failing health of his wife led him 
to seek a change of climate for her benefit, 
and to accept an ajipointment to Fargo 
which was proffered him. 



[^ON. CHARLES W. MORGAN, the 
jn-esent efficient postmaster of the 
city of Ilillsljoro, North Dakota, is also 
engaged in an extensive liver\' lousiness. He 
is a nativeof the State of Maine, born in Guil- 
ford, ilaine, on the 13th day of September, 
1848, and the son of Samuel and Emily (LIow- 
ard) Moi-gan, also natives of that State. 

Our sid)ject, Mr. Morgan, remained at 
home on the farm, attending school until he 
was eighteen years old, when he enlisted in 
Company H, Tiiirtieth United States Infan- 
try, at Newport, Kentucky, September 10, 
18G6. He went with his company to Fort 



Russel, Wj'oming Territory .where Cheyenne 
City now stands, and was all through 
Wyoming Territory, LTtah and Colorado. 
In 1868 the regiment was consolidated 
with the Fourth United States Infantry, 
and our subject served until his time expired, 
in September, 1869. While in the service he 
was in the following eno;ii2(!ments- — Fort 
Phil Kearne\', North Park, South Pass Creek, 
Rolling Springs, and a number of skirmishes. 
He was wounded at the battle of Rolling 
Springs, on account of which he was confined 
to the hospital for six weeks. After being 
mustered out he returned to his native State, 
and after visiting for a short time went to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he took 
charge of a crew of men in the woods and 
on the river for Bray, Wilder & French. In 
July, 1872, he removed to the Red river 
and went into the employ of the Hudson 
Bay Company, as clerk in a store at 
Goose River which is now Caledonia. He 
remained there two years, and then, 
with his brother, purchased the store, 
which they ran until liis brother died in 
January, 1880. Our subject then took as 
a partner A. H. Hanson, and they remained 
together until 1885, when they closed out 
the business. In the fall of that year our 
subject was elected to the Territorial legis- 
lature, from the Eighteenth district. He 
then returned to Goose River, and from there 
went to Hillsboro, where he established the 
livery stable he has since run. He keeps a 
first-class stable, and has sixteen horses. In 
July, 1888, he was appointed postmaster by 
President Cleveland, which position he has 
since filled. In September, 1888. the post- 
office was robbed, the safe blown open, and 
between §600 nnd $700 secured. No trace 
has ever been obtained of the I'obbers. 

Mr. Morgan was united in marriage on the 
1st day of April, 1877, to Miss Carrie Gor- 
don, the daughter of H. L. and Carrie (Han- 
son) Gordon, natives of Norwav. Mr. and 



626 



Mr.n RIVER VALLEY AND 



Mrs. Morgan have beeii blessed with the fol- 
lowing-named children — Alice E., Laura C. 
and ]Manley M. Our subject is one of the 
])rominent and well-known citizens of the 
city. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, Ilillsboi'o Lodge, Ko. 3^, A. F. «fe 
A. M., and Casselton Chapter, No. 8. In 
jwiitical matters he attiliates with the demo- 
cratic party, and is actively interested in all 
local niiitters. He is a man of the strictest 
hunoi-and integrity, and every laudable home 
enterprise receives his heart}' support. 



-«- 



«^^ 



^ M, LVIN M. CROWELL is a prominent 
W^ attoincy-at-knv in the village of Long 
Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of New York State, l)orn in Steuben 
county, and is the son of Alvin and Maliuda 
(Covey) Crowell, natives also of the State of 
New York. The father and mother of our 
subject removed to the State of Michigan 
in 1849 or 1850, where he remained until 
1856, when he removed to the State of Iowa, 
later to Minnesota, and settled in Wrigiit 
county in 1880, where he is still living. 
The mother of our subject died in 1887. 
They are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. They are the parents of 
the following-named children — Chancey, 
Hiram, John. Clarissa. Alvin, Melvin. Almira, 
Ira, Aaron, Howard, George, aiul Alice ami 
Almond (twins). 

Mr. Crowell, the subject of this ai'ticle, 
received his education in the States of Miciii- 
gan, Iowa and Illinois, finishing his educa- 
tion at Lowell, ]\Iichigan, in 18C8. He 
commenced in life for himself at the age of 
fifteen years, and at first worked out as a 
laborer, then engaged in teaching in the 
State of Michigan for several years. He 
then removed to Minnesota and settleil in 
Todd county, Minnesota, in 1870, locating in 
Ijirchdale and Grey Eagle townships, where 



he homesteaded land and continued to reside 
for three years. He taught school for sev- 
eral terms whih; holding his homestead. In 
1883 he was marrieil to Sarah A. Thinney ; 
in 1871 he removed to Sauk Centre, Minne- 
sota, where he commenced the study of law 
with Charles Walker, with whom he re- 
mained one year. He was admitted to the 
bar in June, 1874, liy Juilge McKelvy of 
St. Cloud, Minnesota. Mr. th'owcll then 
removed to the village of Long Prairie, Todd 
county, Minnesota, in August, 1874, whei-e 
he commenced the law business and has since 
continued in that profession. He tried "the 
first jur}' case that was ever tried in the 
district court of Todd county," in Decemljci', 
1874. He was admitteil to practice in the 
LTnited States District Court at St. Paul, 
^linnesota, in 1884, and is prominently 
known all over the State. While on his farm 
he held the office of clerk of the township 
for thi'ee terms, and also held the office of 
count}' attorne\' "of said county" for three 
terms. Mr. Crowell is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity ; is a republican in ))olitics 
and one of the most substantial and highly 
esteemed-citizen of Todd county. He is 
now forty years old. 



-*-!€{^- 




[UDGE W. W. ROOSMAN, attorney-at- 
law and city justice in J)etrt)it ('ity, 
Becker county, Minnesota, is one of the oki- 
est settlers in the locality in wliieh lie lives. 
He is a native of the State of New Yoi-k, 
born in Clinton county New York, on the 12th 
day of August, 1829, and is the son of Fred- 
erick and Celia (Iledding) Poosman, natives 
of New York. The father of our subject was 
engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods 
through active life, and is still living in New 
York at the advanced age of ninety years. 
The mother died in 1878. She was a sister 
of Bishop Hedding, of the Methodist Episco- 
pal ciiurch. The father and mother of our 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



627 



subject were tlie parents of thirteen children, 
our subject l)eing tiie oldest. 

Judge lloosuian, the subject of this article, 
I'emained witli iiis parents, working in his 
father's mill and attending school until he 
was twent}' one 3'ears old. lie then learned 
tlie millwright's trade, and followed that 
industry for thirteen years. In 1853 he 
i-euioved to "Wisconsin, where he remained 
three years, and early in 1857 removed to Min- 
nesota, locating in Glencoe, McLeod count\', 
Minnesota, where he remained until 1862. He 
particii)ated in tlie Indian outbreak, serving 
in the home guards. He sent his family to 
Indiana, and enlisted in Company E, One 
Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantr\', 
and served seven months as a private, but on 
account of poor h.ealth received an honorable 
discharge. He then returned to Ulencoe, 
and in 1870 removed to Detroit, Becker 
county, Minnesota, where he was the first 
settler. He took a Government claim of 160 
acres, and has since platted almost all of it. 
He improved forty acres of the land and 
erected a fine residence. He assisted in the 
buihling of many of the edifices in the vil- 
lage, and has held the office of justice of the 
peace since 1871. He held the office of 
deputy register of deeds for two 3'ears, and 
is now a member of the board of education. 
He has been road overseer, assessor, and has 
alwa3's taken an active interest in all local 
matters. 

Judge Roosman was married at Glencoe, 
Minnesota, in 1858, to Miss Mar}' Jane Mc- 
Clelland, of Glencoe. This union has been 
Itlessed with Four children — Frank, Charlotte, 
Ida B. and Helen A. The last named, Helen 
A., was the first white child born in Detroit, 
Minnesota. Our subject is an adherent to 
the princijiles of the democratic party, and 
is one of the prominent and representative 
citizens of the village. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the 
Grand Army of the liepublic. 



^^DWIN H. LOVE is the editor and i)ro- 
x^^ prietor of the weekly newspaper 
called tlie Kittson Coxmty Enterprise^ the 
leading weekly published in Kittson countv, 
Minnesota. 

Mr. Love was born in Wj'oming, Iowa 
county, "Wisconsin, December 28, 1856. His 
parents were Samuel M. and Eliza N. (Nick- 
erson) Love, the former a native of Scotland, 
and the latter a native of New York, The 
parents were well-to-do farmers in "Wisconsin, 
and in 1877 his father was elected as super- 
intendent of the American Sunday-School 
Union of that State, and continued in that 
work until the time of his death, April 20, 
1882. The widow survives him, and renuuns 
at the old home in Baraboo, "Wisconsin. 

Edwin H. remained on the home farm 
until he was fourteen \'ears of age, when he 
was apprenticed to learn the printing trade 
in Baraboo, "Wisconsin. Fof two years he 
followed this business steadil}', and then, feel- 
ing his need of a thorough education, con- 
cluded to take a course at the State Univer- 
sity. This determination was faithfully 
carried out, although in the face of many 
difficulties. For two and a half years he 
pui'sued his course, doing light work, sawing 
wood and the like to pay his way through. 
He then went to Chicago, and worked at his 
old trade for six months in the employ of 
Beach, Barnartl & Co., after which he again 
went to the university, from which he grad- 
uated with honor in 1875. Returning to 
Chicago, he entered the employ of the 
Chicago Irihune as shorthand reporter. 
He continued with the Tribune for 
three years, during which time he attended 
the Centennial Exposition in the interest 
of his employers. He then became their 
traveling correspondent, and spent one 
3'ear roaming in and writing about 
California. Entering the employ of the St. 
Paul Globe, he then traveled extensively 
through the "West on a reporting tour. He 



628 



KED KIVER I'ALLE V AND 



lias continued in their employ ever since on 
a salarj'. He lias, however, given somewhat 
of his attention to other business, and, in 
Auirust, 1S.S2, founded the Perliam Bulle- 
tin., at rerliam. Otter Tail county. Minne- 
sota. He coiitiiiiied proprietor of tiiis paper 
until the spring of ISSfi, when he sokl out, 
and, with his invalid wife, started for Ten- 
nessee. The wife, however, was taken 
fatally sick on the way, and died atEiiimets- 
iiurg, Iowa, May 23, 1S8G. Mr. Love then 
started back to Minnesota with his little 
orphan boy, and hearing that the Enter- 
prise office at llaiiock was for sale, he 
extended his trij) to that place and purchased 
the paper. He has resided here ever since, 
conducting the business of the Enterprise. 

Mr. Love was man-ied in Algona, Iowa, 
June 29, 1879, to Miss May D. Sterner, 
daughter of J. D. Sterner. ]')V this union there 
were two children — Frank Garfield and ><'ina. 
The latter died in the winter of 1885-86. 
Mi's. Love died May 20, 1886, in Emmets- 
burg, Iowa, si.\ years after her marriage. 
Mr. Love's second marriage occurred June 5, 
ls88, when he was wedded to Miss Anna 0. 
Thompson, daughter of George and Anna C- 
(Gibbs) Thompson. Her father is one of the 
leading merchants of the town of Hallock. 

Mr. Love is an able journalist, and has 
brought to his business in Hallock an 
extended and valuable experience in news- 
paper work, having for some years been con- 
nected reportorially with the best journal in 
America. Added to this experience is a 
thorough intellectual training and a love for 
his profession. Combining these (pialitiesin 
the editorial management of the Enterprise, 
it is no wonder that it has become the lead- 
ing newspaper in Northern Minnesota. 
The paper is independent in politics and has 
about eleven hundred subscribers, being also 
the legal pa]ier of Kittson county, which dis- 
tinction it has enjoyed for six years past. In 
1880 Mr. Love was nominated as representa- 



tive in the legislature, and in the election 
ran 700 votes ahead of his ticket. On 
account of sickness in the family he was 
forced to refuse to accept tliis honorable 
position. Mr. Love is a member of the A. F. 
i^' A. M., of Allison. Towa. and of the I. O. O. 
F., of Freeport, IlUinois. Besides his news- 
paper ijusiness, ilr. Love has been turning 
his attention somewhat to raising blooded 
horses, and has some excellent thoroughbi-od 
stock. 

— •♦ > -;^^- < *- • 

^m^USAW LALONE, the present efficient 
X!1L. proprietor of the Central House, in 
the village of Verndale, "Wadena county, 
Minnesota, is one of the old pioneers of the 
county, having located there in 1879. 

Mr. Lalone received his education in his 
native country, where he attended school 
until he was twenty years of age. At that 
))eiiod in life he commenced for himself, and 
for a few vears was engaged in the lumber- 
ing business. In the summer of isr).5 he 
moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he took a 
contract to put up a lot oi cord wood. He 
remained for a year or two, and, in 1867, 
went to the State of Missouri, where he 
worked for two \'ears in the brick-manufact- 
uring business, in Hannibal. In IStiS he 
removed to Milwaukee, AVisconsin, and in the 
fall of 1870 removed to Chickasaw county, 
Iowa, and engaged in farming. 

In 1879 he started overland for Wadena 
county, Minnesota, and, on the 17th of 
November, settled in Yerndale. He at once 
opened a retail liquor establishment, which 
he operated until 1884. He then went to 
Aldrich, Minnesota, purchased the hotel, 
and, after running it for one year, sold out 
and returned to Yerndale, \vhere he purchased 
his present hotel, then kncnvn as the Verndale 
House. After operating the house for one 
year he rented the building and engaged in 
the licpior business with his bi'other. In the 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO T.I. 



629 



spring of 1888 he remodeled the hotel, and 
lias since continued in business. He is a popu- 
lar citizen and lanillord, and bears the respect 
of all who know him. His hotel is in good 
running order, and has the general patronage 
of the traveling ])ublic. 

Mr. Lalone was married on the 28th of Sep- 
tember, 1868, to Miss Emily IToule, a native 
of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Lalone have been 
blessed with the following-named children — 
Mary (now deceased), Margret, Frank, 
Geoi'ge, Racheal, Myrtie, Roy and Trac^'. 

Mr. Lalone is a man of the utmost integrity 
and honor, and is an exemplary citizen. 



-«- 



ANASSES SARFF, the subject of 
"^y^^^.. this biographical memoir is a resi- 
dent of section 13, "Wykeliam township, 
Todd county, Minnesota, where he is en- 
gaged in general farming ami stock-raising. 
He IS a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
York county on the IGth day of October, 
1832, and is the son of John and Saloma 
(Hoke) Sarff, natives also of Pennsylvania. 
The father and mother removed to the State 
of Ohio in the year 1831:, thence to the 
State of Indiana in 1838. They both passed 
away in IstJS. The father was a farmer 
through life, but followed weaving to some 
extent in Pennsylvania. The father and 
mother were the parents of the following- 
named children — Isaac, Jonas, Catharine, 
John, Jacob, Seth, Manasses, Peter, Josuah, 
Joseph and William. Selh and Peter are 
deceased. 

Mr. Sarff, of whom this article treats, 
remained in his native State until he was six 
years old, when he removed with his })arents 
to the State of liuliaua, where he settled in 
Randolph county. He remained there until 
he had attiiined tiie age of twenty-six 3'ears, 
durinji' whicii time he attended the common 

He also engaged in 



schools of that region. 



farming after he had attained his major- 
ity. At the age mentioned (twenty-six) 
he went to Adams county, Indiana, 
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits 
for ten years. In 1870 he started for Todd 
countv, Minnesota, and on the 8tli of June 
homesteaded a tract of land in what is now 
"Ward townshi}) on section 29. He remained 
on his farm for ten years and then removed 
to Wykeham township, in the same county, 
and settled on section 13, where he has since 
resided, engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He has a well-cultivated tract 
of land comprising eighty acres. 

Mr. Sarff was married October 10, 1853, 
in Indiana,to Miss Sarah Shelly, and this union 
has been blessed with the following-named 
children — Jacob F., Saloma M., John W., 
William J., Joseph H., Mary A., Eliza L., 
Peter M., Luciuda F., Arthur K., Manasses 
E., Christian E. and Ervin L. Joseph, 
William, Eliza, Peter and Lucinda are 
married ; Saloma M. and Arthur K. are 
dead. The rest are single and at home. 
Mr. Sarff and his family belong to the 
United Brethren church. Since 1876 he has 
been collecting agent for the Minnesota 
Mercantile Agency. 

He has held the office of c(ninty commis- 
sioner since 1886. He is a democrat in poli- 
tics and takes an active interest in all local 
matters. He has held various offices, includ- 
ing town clerk, county commissioner, school 
clei'k, justice of the peace, assessor, etc. He 
is a representative citizen of the town in 
which he lives, and bears the esteem of all 
who know him. 

^^EORGE C. WINCHESTER, the sub- 
\^A ject of this biographical memoir, is 
engaged in the general merchandising busi- 
ness in the village of Warren, Mai'shall 
county, Minnesota. He is a native of Kew 
York State, born in Madrid, St. Lawrence 



630 



KED KIVEK VALLE Y AND 



county, New York, on the 31st day of Janu- 
ary, 1851, anil is the son of "William and 
Jane(Kesey) Winchester, also natives of the 
Eiiipii-e State. The parents of our sub- 
ject removed to Wisconsin in 1855. They 
had a family of three children, named as 
follows — Justin W. Winchester, G. C. Win- 
chester and Katy Jane AVinchester. The 
last-named drowned when four years old, at 
Ri ver Falls. The fi I'st is proprietor and owner 
of the Winchester House at Pembina, North 
Dakota. 

Mr. Winchester, of whom this sketch 
treats, remaineil in his native State until he 
was four years old, when he removed with 
his parents to Wisconsin and settled at River 
Falls. There he atteiuled school until he 
had attained the age of thii-teen 3'ears,when 
he secured a position in a drug store re- 
maining as clerk for three years. He then 
secured a position in a general merchandis- 
ing establishment, and for the next nine 
years was emplo3^ed in this store and othei's. 
For three years of that time he was in the 
Junction Mills, as cashier and book-keeper, 
and in 1878 he went to Polk county, Minne- 
sota, and took a pre-emption claim, upon 
which he remained four years. In 1882 he 
moved to Warren, Marshall county, Minne- 
sota, and erected a large store building, in 
which he put a full line of general merchan- 
dise. He also established a similar store in 
Angus, in company with Jerry Flint and A. 
D. Andrews. Mr. Flint retiring in 188(5, he 
took in as a special partner Miss Celista 
Andrews, the sister of A. JJ). Andrews, who 
died in 188-1. They have since continued in 
business and have one of the finest stores in 
the village. 

Mr. Wincliester was married in Portland, 
Maine, on the 6th day of April, 1874, to Miss 
Mary Andrews, the daughter of Abraham and 
Lydia Andrews. This union has been blessed 
with two children, Walter and Mildred — the 
latter died in infancv. Mrs. Winchester 



passed away in Ma}', 1878, in San "Rafael, 
California, where she had gone for her 
health. Mr. Winchester was married the 
second time, September 10, 1888, to ^fiss 
Annie White, the daughter of Charles S. and 
llhocardas White, natives of Vermont. Our 
subject belongs to the following social organ- 
izations — A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 150 ; 
Pierson Lodge, No. 41, R. A. C. ; and No. 20 
Commandery, K. T. He is a republican in 
politics, and an active participant in all local 
movements. 

— '«"?^{^-^'— 

pVER C. OLSON, is a resident of Will- 
IL mar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where 
he is engaged in the fui'niture lousiness, cai'ry- 
ing a full line of furniture and undertakei'"s 
goods. He settled in that county in 1871, 
working a farm one mile from the village, 
in Willmar township, where he carried on 
general farming for one year, then settled in 
the village and followed house building for 
nine 3'ears, employing from two to eight 
men. He then engaged in his present busi- 
ness, purchasing his present place on the 
corner of Third street, in 1880. He is a 
native of the kingdom of Norway, boi-n in 
1848, and is the son of Ingebrit and Sarah 
(Jacobson) Olson, natives also of that king- 
dom. The father was a prominent farmer, 
and remained in his native land until his 
death in 1883. The mother is still living in 
Norway. They were the parents of but one 
child, Iver, our subject. 

Mr. Olson, the subject of this article, 
remained on the home farm, in his native 
land, attending school until he was fourteen 
yeai's old. At that ])eriod in life he entered 
an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for a number of yeai's. 
In 1871 he emigrated to the United States, 
and, after landing, i-emoved atonce to Minne- 
sota, settling in Kandiyohi county, where he 
worked on a farm as before stated. He has 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



631 



built a number of houses in tiie village, 
including his fine residence, which is located 
on the corner of First street and Litchfield 
avenue. 

Mr. Olson was united in marriage in 1871, 
to Miss Annetta T. Berg, the daughter of 
John T. Berg. This union has blessed Mr. 
and Mrs. Olson with four children, named 
as follows — Samuel, Ole, Conrad and Inga. 
Our subject and his family belong to the 
Lutheran church. He is a stanch repub- 
lican in his political affiliations, and all local 
matters, whereby the town or county may 
derive benefit, receive his hearty support. 
He is a public-spirited citizen, and is one of 
the prominent representative business men 
of the city. 



[AMES P. WALLACE, cashier and man- 
iger of. the Bank of Pelican Eai)ids, 
I'clicau Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
is one of the prominent business men of the 
Pelican Yalley. He is a native of the State 
of Michigan, born in Washtenaw count}', on 
the 6th day of January, 1844, and is the son 
of Daniel and Laura (Ripley) Wallace, natives 
of Vermont and New York, respectively. 
His parents removed to Michigan in the j'ear 
1830, and settled in Washtenaw county, where 
James was born. His father died there 
October 20, 1875, and his mother is still living 
there. His father was a miller and con- 
tractor, and was one of the representative 
men of Washtenaw county. 

Mr. AVallace, the subject of this biography, 
remained at home, attending school until his 
fifteenth year, when he entered the Detroit 
Commercial College, and after completing a 
course of study at that institution he removed 
to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he remained 
three years employed as book-keeper for a 
large general store. In 1862 he went to 
Detroit, Michigan, as l)ook-keeper in a bank, 
remaining for two years, and then for four 



years with Willard, Parker & Co., provision 
dealers and packers. Then he removed to 
Chicago, Illinois, and for the two succeeding 
years was cashier of a leading wholesale hat 
and fur house. At this time the LTnion Trust 
Company Bank, of Chicago, was organized, 
and Mr. Wallace entered that institution as 
book-keeper and teller, remaining five 3'ears, 
when he returned to the wholesale house 
above referred to as credit and general office 
manager, where he remained until 1882, 
when he removed to Pelican Rapids, Min- 
nesota, bi'inging with him letters and testi- 
monials of the highest character from Chi- 
cago bankers and wholesale dealers, and 
established the Bank of Pelican Rapids, of 
which he is cashier and manager. He is 
president of the village council, having held 
that jiosition for three years. He is a man 
of marked executive ability, and one of the 
representative and prominent men of the 
village and county, who takes an active 
interest in everything which will help to 
further the best interests of his adopted home 
and county. He is a man of integrity and 
honor, and his word is considered as good as 
a bond. 

Mr. Wallace was united in mai'riage Jan- 
uary 30, 1869, to Miss Jennie Scott, and they 
have been blessed with one child — Ray A. 

Politically, oui' subject has always been a 
democrat, a firm believer in the ])rinciplesof 
equal and exact justice to all men, of what- 
soever state or persuasion, religious or ))olit- 
ical, and absolute acquiescence in the decis- 
ions of the majority. 



j^^ONALD McDonald, a resident of 
Verndale, Wadena count\^, Minnesota, 
has been intimately identified and connected 
with the growth of that region since the 
fii'st sign of civilization. He first went to that 
locality in June, 1870, as the general superin- 



632 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



temlent of track department and rail-laying 
of tlie Northern Pacific Railroad from 
Diiluth to Fargo. He reached the Crow 
Wing river with the track about April 1, 
1S71, and from that time until August was 
engaged in surfacing the track and getting 
it in better running condition between 
Duluth and Brainerd. About the last of 
August he again began track-laying, and 
they reached Fargo Christmas eve, 1871. 
At that time tiiere were but few settlers 
along the lino, but once in a while they 
would see a settler or a trapper in a log 
shant}' or tent. At Brainerd the onlj' house 
was the chief engineer's headquarters. At 
Gull river there was an Indian agency, and 
near where Motley is now located there was 
one settler named JakeWilber, better known 
in later years as " Lying Jake." Near the 
present site of Detroit there were two small 
log houses, and from there to Fargo there 
was nothing save a barren waste of prairie. 
It \vas the home of the trapper, and the 
country was full of Indians and wild game. 
All of that region is now well settled. Cities 
and villages have spi'ung up as if by magic, 
and schools, churches, well improved farms, 
with comfortable and often elegant dwell- 
ings <iot the prairie. Such is the con- 
trast. 

As soon ;is the track was finished our 
sul)ject was appointed road master, and 
lield this position for six years. In 1878 
he went South, and was road master on 
a l)ranch of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
Railway', and renuiined four years. In 
1882 he accepted an engagement with the 
Canadian Pacific Railroad along the north 
shore of Lake Superior. In 1885 he came to 
Verndale, and has since lived more of a re- 
tired life. He has extensive proj)erty inter- 
ests in lands along the Northern Pacific Rail- 
road, and owns a fine farm of 300 acres within 
a mile and a half of Verndale, besides a com- 
fortable home in the villao-e. 



Mr. McDonald was born in Scotland in 
1833. He was reared and educated in the 
land of his birth, receivint^ tiie traininjf in 
inteffritv and industrv which are so charac- 
teristic of that race. When he was about 
sixteen years of age he engaged at railroad 
work, and followed it in his native land for 
four years. At the expiration of that time, 
when twent}' years old, he came to America, 
and followed raiiroadino: until locating: at 
A'erndale as mentioned al)ove. ^Ir. McDon- 
ald is a thorough Scotchman, genial, affable, 
hospitable and unassuming, and he stands 
liigii in the community in wiiioh he lives, 
both as a neighbor and an exem[)larv citizen. 



►^ 



W 11, [JAM C. PETERSON is a well- 
to-do farmer on section 32, of Deer- 
horn township, Wilkin count}', Minnesota. 
He owns 160 acres of good land, about fifty 
acres of which is under cultivation, the 
remainder being pasture and meadow. He 
is one of the oldest settlers of the town, locat- 
ing here in 1881. 

Mr. Peterson was born in Holstein, in 
Northern Germany, on the 23d day of Sep- 
tember, 184:7. He is a son of Henry J. Peter- 
son, who was a ship carpenter in his native 
land. The family emigrated to America in 
the fall of 18.53. They came direct to Daven- 
])ort, Iowa, where they remained until the 
following' spring. Then they moved to 
Le Claii'c, Scott county, Iowa. Here they 
remained until the close of the war. The father 
worked at house-building and shop-carpen- 
tering. The parents had a family of four 
boys and two girls — John P., Fred, Henry, 
Christine, Marv and William. 

Our subject secured a common school educa- 
tion in the common schools of Iowa. He 
remained at home until 1863, when fifteen 
years of age, doing whatever he found to do. 
He worked for some time in a machine slioi) in 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



633 



Le Claire, Iowa. On March Y, 1803, Mr. Pe- 
terson entered antl joined tiie Sixth Iowa 
V'ohuiteer Cavalry. He served under General 
Cook and also under General SuUey in Sulley's 
expedition against the Indians. He went up 
the ]\[issouri river, through Dakota, the Bad 
Lands, into Montana, going west as far as the 
month of the Powder river. The expedition 
estalilished forts at different points. Mr. 
Peterson was in the battle of White Stone 
Hill, in 1863, which was fought with the 
Indians about twenty miles west of James 
river. lie was also in the battle of 
Takkaliokuty. He returned with the expedi- 
tion, and was honorably discharged on 
November 1, 1865, at Davenport Iowa. On 
being discharged he returned home and 
worked in the shops till the following spring. 
In the spring of 1866 he came to Winona, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in railroad 
work; this he followed about twelve 
years. Then he built a steamboat, which 
he ran on the Minnesota river for 
two years. Having leased his boat he found 
employment in the mills of Archibald tt 
Shermire. Here he remained about three 
yeai'S. He was the engineer in the old mill 
that blew uji anil bui-ned in 1881. He lost all 
his tools as well as his position by this acci- 
dent. In 1881 our subject came to Wilkin 
county, where he took the above-described 
claim as a soklier's homestead. He has 
remained here since, and carries on general 
farming and stock-raising. He has a com- 
fortable house and good barns. He also 
does blacksmith work and luns a steam 
thresher. 

Mr. Peterson was married in 1872 to Miss 
Julia A. Kluge, of Winona. They have a 
family of two children, named Florence E. 
and Walter. They are both at home. In 
political matters Mr. Peterson affiliates with 
the repul)lican jiarty, and is a member of 
the E. M. Kentield Post, No. Uo, of 
Barnesville, Minnesota. 



/^^LLEF N. JELLUM, a prominent and 
>^^ representative citizen of B(?cker county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of tlie village 
of Lake Park, where he is engaged in 
the wheat business for the Northern Pacific 
Elevator Company. He is a native of Nor- 
way, born on the 26th day of April, 184-1, 
and is the son of Stengrin and Guuild (Sev- 
ertson) Jellum, also natives of that kingdom. 
The father was a farmer in the Old World, 
and emigrated to the United States in 1851, 
settling in Rock county, Wisconsin, where 
he remained about four yeai's. In 1855 he 
went to Minnesota, and settled in Freeborn 
county, where ho followed farming until 
1869. At that time he went to I'ecker 
county, Minnesota, whei'e he has since 
remained. The mother of our subject died 
in 18-1:9, and the father was married to his 
second wife. The fiist marriage was blessed 
by one child, EUef Nilson, the subject of 
this article. 

Mr. Jellum, the subject of this biograph- 
ical review, remained in his native country 
until he was seven years of age, when he 
emigrated to America with his father, in 
1851. After a voyage of seven weeks on a 
sailing vessel, they landed at Quebec, Canada, 
and from there went direct to Rock county, 
Wisconsin. There our subject attended the 
excellent common schools of that locality 
for four years, and in 1855 removed with his 
parents to Freeborn county, Minnesota. 
Until 1859 the subject of this sketch remained 
in that county, during which time he com- 
pleted his education and assisted on the home 
farm. In 1859 he went to Iowa and visited his 
half brother, Ole, with whom he remained for 
about two years. In Septemlxir, 1861, he 
enlisted in the Sixteenth United States 
Infantry, Company A, as a private soldier, 
and served two terms of three years each. 
During the greater part of the time he was 
in General Thomas' corps, and was in many 
battles and skirmishes, including the fol- 



# 



631 



];i:d ktveu i alley .ixn 



lowing — Shiloh (at which battle he was 
wouiuled), Stone Itiver, Ciiiokaraauga, Chat- 
tanooga, Nashville, etc. After his honorable 
(iiscliarge as sergeant, Company A, Six- 
teentii United States Infantry, he returned 
to Iowa and located in Clayton county, 
where he purchased 120 aei-es of land and 
engaged in farming, following that industry 
for live years. He then rented his farm and 
engaged in the machinery business in Farm- 
ersburg, Iowa, where he remained three 
years. At the expiration of that time, he 
went to Becker county, Minnesota, and took 
a soldiers homestead an section -4, Hamden 
township, and engaged in farming pursuits. 
x\fter following farming for five years, he 
took charge of the Con i meed and Lake Park 
fai'ms, owned by T. H. Canfield, employing 
from twenty to forty men, lie held this 
position during 1881 and 1882, and then 
went into the hardwai'e business in partner- 
ship with Ole Nygaard. At the end of two 
years our subject sold his interest and 
enousjed in the freneral merchandisini!- busi- 
ne.ss in partnei-ship with W. .f. Herring, 
remaining in that business for a jiei'iod of 
eighteen months. Our subject then sold his 
interest in the business, and was employed 
by the Northern Pacific Elevator Company, 
with whom he has since remained. He still 
owns his farm, and it now comprises 640 
acres of well improved and desirable land. 

Mr. Jeilum was married May 22, 1868, to 
Miss Mary Larson, the daughter of Peter and 
Bertha (Hulverson) Larson, natives of Nor- 
way. They emigrated to the States in 1849, 
and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, where 
the fathei' die<l in 1870. Tiiey had a family 
of eigiit children — Hans, Mary, Andrew, Ole, 
(Miristena, Lewis, Lena and Beatta. Mr. and 
Mrs. . I ('Hum have been Ijlessed willi the fol- 
lowing-named children — Stenton, Bertie, 
Herburt, Ella, Oliver, Lottie and Lillian. 
Stenton and Bertie are students at the State 
University of Minnesota. Our subject isone 



of the prominent and esteemed citizens of 
the village, and has held the following oiflces: 
Chairman of the town board of supervisors 
for four years, pi'csidentof the village coun- 
cil for three years, and county commissioner 
for one term. He is a republican in politics, 
and is a member of the social oi'gani/.ations — 
Masonic, Grand Arm}' of the liepublic and 
Sons of Temperance. Our subject is exten- 
sivelv enjjaffed in the blooded stock business, 
and owns one of the finest Clydesdale stal- 
lions in the county. The horse is an imported 
animal, and cost $1,200. He also has some 
fine Hambletonian stock. 



y-4^- 



WILBUR S. REYNOLDS, M.D., is a 
leading physician and surgeon of 
ITenning. Otter Tail county. Minnesota. ITc is 
also eniiao-ed larglv in the drug- business and 
carries a heavy stock in this line. He was 
born in Addison, New York, February 15, 
1859, and is the son of Edwin M. and Free- 
love (Smith) Reynolds, both of wliom were 
natives of New York. There were two 
children in the father's family — Wilbur and 
Hiram. 

Wilbur S. remained at home during his 
younger days, attending school most of the 
time. At twelve years of age he went to 
live with an uncle, with whom he remained 
until he was fifteen. He then engaged as 
a clerk in a drug store, in which employ- 
ment he continued for three years, and then 
went to Mansfield, Pennsylvania, where for 
two years he attended the State Normal 
School. He then went to Elmira, New 
York, where his time was occui)ied for about 
one year in clerking in a, drug store and 
studying medicine. He then removed to 
Capron, Ulinois, where he studied medicine 
and worked in a drug store. In 1881 he 
went to Alexandria, Minnesota, and studied 
medicine under Drs. Vivian it McEwen, 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



635 



continuing- his studies for about a year and 
alialf, during wliicli time he clerked a while 
in a drug- store. He then obtained his 
diploma asanM. D., and in 1883 removed to 
Ilenning, where lie practiced his profession 
for three \'ears, then opened up the drug- 
store, whicii he now runs in connection with 
his professional business. 

The doctor was married September 24, 
1880, to Miss Hattie M. Bixby, a native of 
New York. By this union there are two 
living children — Irene and Erma. 

In politics Dr. Eeynolds is a republican, 
and is considered to be One of the best qual- 
ihed men for official position in the county. 
He has good business qualifications and by 
careful attention to his own affairs has built 
up a large and extensive trade. As a phy- 
sician he has attained merited popularity and 
his practice extends over a large scope of 
country. Both as a man and physician 
the Doctor is held in high esteem by his fel- 
low townsmen. 



-«-; 



ip^EV. WILLIAM DAWSON, who has 
L^hV charge of the St. Ililaii-e circuit for 
the Methodist Episcopal church, well de- 
serves a place in this Album, as he is doing 
effective service in this region, and has 
already done much to advance the good cause 
which he represents. Bev. Mr. Dawson was 
born atTodmorden, twent}^ miles from Man- 
chester, England, July 10, 1857, and is a son 
of Abraham and Hannah (Mitton) Dawson 
both his parents also being natives of Eng. 
land. AVlicn our subject was eight years of 
age he began work. First he was a hemp 
spinner, then a cotton spinner, and then a 
cotton dressei'. IIc! woi'ked at the weavinii: 
trade for a number of -years, and while still 
following it he i)reached for one and a half 
years. He then felt that he could do more 
good by adopting the service of Christ as a 




life calling, and accordingly he attended the 
college at East Keswick, Nr. Leeds, York- 
shire, for one year, and in the fall of 1885 
came to the United States. He was first sta- 
tioned as a supply on the Argyle circuit, 
north of Crookston. His circuit was large 
and required much hard work. Many of his 
points were far from railroads, and frequently 
he has been compelled to walk thi-ough the 
dense timber for many miles in order to 
reach his appcjintments. He has continued 
in this portion of Minnesota since that time. 
In the fall of 1887 he was given the St. Hil- 
aii'e circuit, which includes St. Hilaire, Thief 
River Falls and Excel. 

Mr. Dawson is a sincere Christian gentle- 
man, and is accomplishing much good. 



OMEO J. TUTTLE is a resident of the 
P^ village of Baynesville, Stearns county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in a general 
merchandising business. He is a native of 
the State of Connecticut, born in Middlebury, 
Connecticut, on the 7th of Februai-y, 181-9, 
and is the son of James and Alvira (Adams) 
Tuitle. natives of Connecticut and New 
York, respectively. The father left Con- 
necticut with his family in 1857, and removed 
to Minnesota, settling in Farraington, Dakota 
county, Minnesota, where he remained about 
six years, then removing to Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, where he remained two years. 
He then went to Roseville, Kandiyohi 
county, Minnesota, where he purchased a 
tract of land and engaged in farming, also 
running a small store. After remaining 
there five years he removed to Faynesville, 
Stearns county, Minnesota, and opened the 
general store, which our subject is now run- 
ning. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in the real estate busi- 
ness connected with II. S. Fairchilds. There 



636 



RED KIVEK VALl.KY AND 



\ 



wore two children in the father's f am il}' — 
Romeo, the subject of this article, and Minnie. 

Mr. Tuttle, of whom this sketch treats, 
remained at home, assisting in the store and 
attending school until he was twenty-one 
years old. He then hired out to his father 
as a general salesman, a'ld after remaining 
with him for two years bought out the bus- 
iness, andafter running it alone for five years 
took his fatlier into partnershiji. After five 
years more of business our sul)ject sold out 
to his father, and removed to Grove City and 
opened a general store on liis own account. 
He was elected one of the village council 
while tiiere. Two years later he sold out his 
building and removed his stock of goods to 
I'eardsley, ])ig Stone county, Minnesota, 
where he remained in business for two \'ears 
and a half, when he returned to Paynesville 
and brought out his father. Ho has since 
cari'ied on the business and is doing as large 
a trade as any general store in the village. 

Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage in Maj', 
1872, to Miss Jennie M. Lomsbory, who died 
in 1880, leaving the following-named chil- 
dren — Cora, Iva and Maud. On the 1st day 
of July, 1SS2, our sui)ject was mari'ied the 
second time to Miss Minnie L. Phillips, and 
tiioy have been blessed with one child — Vira. 
Our subject besides his store owns a farm 
of 160 acres in Big Stone county, five lots in 
the town of Beardsley, an eighty-acre farm 
in Kandi^'ohi county, six village lots and 
twenty acres of timber land near the village. 
He carries an §8,000 stock of goods and is in 
the most desirable of circumstances. He 
alKliates with the democratic jiarty. He 
has alwa\'s taken an active and prominent 
part in public matters and has held various 
local offices of importance. He has been 
treasurer of the school district and president 
of the village council, and now holds tlie 
latter office, having recently been re elected 
thereto by the citizens of Paynesville. He 
is a Master Mason. 



^^TEPHEN BUTLER, a general collect- 
'^^J ing agent in the village of Perham, 
Minnesota, is one of the oldest settlers in that 
section of Otter Tail County, having located 
there in 1872. He is a native of England, 
born on the 27th day of Februar}^ 1854, and 
is the son of Stephen and Emma (Caily) 
Butlei', also natives of that kingdom. Our 
subject's father was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in his native land, and was one of 
the prominent citizens in the locality in 
which he lived. The father and mother of 
the present subject whore the parents of the 
following-named children — Tlionuis, George, 
Henry, Stephen, Keturah, and Elizabeth. 

Mr. Butler, the subject of this biographi- 
cal memoir, received his education in his 
native countr\', where he attended the ex- 
cellent common schools until he was eighteen 
years of age. During the summers ami 
vacations of his school life he assisted his 
father on the home farm, and in 1872 emi- 
grated to the United States, and landed at 
Duluth, Minnesota, on the 9th da v of August, 
1872. He at once removed to Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, and located in the village 
of Pei'liam, where he has since renuiined. Por 
the first four years ho was employed in sell- 
ing lumber in the village and surrounding 
countr}' for (^lark A: ilcClure, of St. Cloud, 
Minnesota, and the no.xt three years had 
charge of a hotel at Fergus Fulls. He was vil- 
lage marshal for six months, and for one \'ear 
held the ])osition of deputy sheriff of the 
county. He then returned to Perham and 
engaged in his present business of collecting, 
and has since been actively engaged in that 
line. He is one of the best collectors in the 
northern part of the State, nnd is well and 
favorably known throughout the Bed llivor 
Valley. He has held the office of clerk of 
the board of eduoatioTi, and was five years 
in the position ofdopvity slieiitf. 

Mr. Butler was united in marriage on the 
20th dav of December, lS7fi. to Miss 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



637 



Amanda ifcCrea, a native of New Bruns- 
wick, and educated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 
Tiiis union has been blessed with the follow- 
ing-named children — Bertha, Calvin, Opha, 
Nora, ]\ramie and Chester. Our subject is 
a republican in his political affiliations, and 
is one of the representative citizens of 
Peril am. 

^-^ 



:^ROF. HANS S. HILLEBOE, one of the 
prominent educational workers of tlie 
Nortliwest. is professor of the Minnesota 
Lutlu^ran Seminary and Institute at Willmar, 
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of Wisconsin, born in Adams county 
on the 2Stii day of October, 1858, and is the 
son of Sjur H. and Gertrutle (Hough) Hill- 
eboe, natives of Norway. Tlie father emi- 
grated to the United States in 1853 witii his 
parents, Hans S. and Herborg (Moe) Hille- 
eboe, and settled in Adams county, Wisconsin. 
Tlie grandfather of our subject was a school- 
master in his younger days, but engaged later 
in mercantile pursuits and died in 187i>. Sjur 
H., the father of Hans S., our subject, received 
a fine education in his native land and Wis- 
consin. He still remains on the old home- 
stead of his parents, and is actively engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising. He is 
one of the representative citizens of that 
county, and for the past thirty years has 
constantly held various town and count}' 
offices. He is a piominent factor in church 
and school matters. He is a member of the 
Evangelical Lutheran synod. Tlie fatiier 
and mother of our subject were the parents 
of the following-named children — Prof. 
Hans S., Ole S., Herman (who died in 1887), 
Joiin, Anna Tl. (deceased), Anna R., Peter, 
Gertrude, Inger and Sarah. 

Professor llilleboe, tlie subject of this 
biograpiiicai memoir, spent liis younger days 
in sciiool and at home, and at the age of six- 
teen years taught his first term of school. 



He then attended Luther College, at Decorah, 
Iowa, from which he graduated in 1881. 
While attending college he taught one year 
and after gi'aduation returned to his native 
county, where he engaged in the profession 
of school teaching, for one year. The next 
two years were spent in study and si)ecial 
preparation for teaching at the seminary and 
institute, which institution he had helped to 
establish in 1883. During the iirst three 
years Prof. A. M. Hove had charge of 
the seminary, but resigned on account of 
sickness, and since that time Professor 
llilleboe has had full charge. The seminary 
has an attendance of some three hundred 
students annually, the students coming fi'om 
all parts of Minnesota and Dakota, and some 
also from Iowa, Michigan, Illinois and 
Wisconsin. 

Professor llilleboe was united in marriage 
in 1887, to Miss Antonilla Ytterboe, of Cal- 
mar, Iowa. Professor and Mrs. Hilleboe 
have been blessed with one child — Gertrude 
M. Our subject and his family belong 
to the Lutheran church, and are actively 
identified \\\\.\\ all church matters. Our 
subject has devoted his attention exclusively 
to education, and has taken very little part 
in politics, local or national. Mrs. Hilleboe 
is a daughter of Even and Mary Ytterboe. 
Her father was one of the pioneer settlers of 
Winneshiek county, Iowa. He has been a 
very prominent lay member in the Lutheran 
synod for over twenty years, a trustee of 
the synod and also of Luther College, and 
has fi'equently held positions of trust in 
church affairs. 



|ki)HlLO STONE. Prominent among the 
1^ hotel proprietors in the lied River 
Valley is the subject of the present article, 
a resident of the village of Argyle, ]\Larsiiall 
count}', Minnesota, where he is operating 
the hotel, Stone's House. He is a native of 



638 



KED KIVEK VALLEY A XD 



Vermont, born in Sheldon, Franklin county, 
Yorniont, on the SOth da\' of February, 
1818, and is the son of James and Anna 
(Wlialoy) Stone, natives of Vermont. The 
parents of our subject were prominent farm- 
ers in their native State. 

Mr. Stone, tlie subject of tliis l)iogra])hical 
memoir, remained on tlie iionu! farm, attend- 
ing scho()l in t)ie winters and assisting his 
fatlier on tiie farm in the summers, until lie 
was fourteen years of age. At tliat period in 
life he removed to Cattaraugus county, New 
Yorlv, where lie remained two years, on a log 
run on the Alleghany riv^er. At tlie expiration 
of that time he removed to Illinois river, to 
Hennepin, and from there to Ilock Island, 
Illinois. In 1832 lie went to Quincy, Illinois, 
whei'e he remained one wintei', during the 
Black Hawk War. In 1833 he removed to 
New Orleans, in cliolera times, and during 
the ten days lie was there he received $5 a 
day for l)Ui'ying tiie dead. They used no 
coHins, but dumjied tiiem into holes in the 
ground and covered them over Avith dirt. 
Ho ne.xt removed to Port Byron. Illinois, 
where he and his l)rother took a contract to 
cut 2,n00 cords of wood at %\.M a coi'd. 
They filled the contract, and then went to 
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and put in a 
lime-kiln and took a contract to furnish 
lime. They remained there one year, doing 
a good business, and in 1836 went to 
Chippewa pinery, on the Ogalla river, 
where they remained several \'ears, getting 
out square timbers and shingles. They 
then went to the Eau Claire river, built a 
mill, and remainetl there seven \-ears in that 
business. In 18^3 he went to Wabasha, 
Minnesota, and, in company witii General 
Sibley, Shields and others, laid out the town 
site. Our subject was cheated out of about 
.$75,000 worth of land, and he only obtained 
1C>0 acres, for which he had to i)ay §10 ;in 
acre. He sold the farm of 160 acres for 
$1,300, and took a homestead in Middle 



River township, which he has since retained. 
In 1885 he removed to Argyie, Marshall 
county, Minnesota, where he opened a res- 
taurant, and has since remodeled it into his 
present hotel. He runs a good house, anil 
has a good share of the general patronsige. 

Mr. Stone was married in IS-IS to Miss 
Adeline Campbell, who died in 1S69, leaving 
the following children to mourn her loss — 
x\nna, Elizabeth, Addie, Susan and Macia. 
Our subject was married the second time to 
Mrs. Marion Runnel and this union has been 
blessed with two childi-en — Roy and Beulah. 
He is actively' interesteil in all local move- 
ments, and is a man of strict integrity. 



-^-.4^ 



«^. 



^^AMUEL N. HORNECK, the popular 
'^^3' and eiiicient postmaster, also engaged 
in the general merchandise business in 
Detroit Cit}-, Becker county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Ireland. He was born in Old Ross, 
County of Wexford, Ireland, on the 13tli 
day of November, 1830, and is the son of 
John and Sarah (Boyce) llorneck, natives of 
Ireland. The father was one of the wealthy 
and prominent farmers in the county of 
Wexford, where he remained until his death 
in 1839. The mother died in 1803 in AVis- 
consin, where she had emigrated in 1847, 
being one of the earliest settlers in Winne- 
bago county. The father and mother of 
our subject were the parents of ten chil- 
dren, six of whom died in infancy, and of 
the remaining four only Samuel and John 
survive. 

Mr. Horneck, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education in his native lantl, 
where he attended school until the age of 
thirteen years; at that pei'iod in life hesecured 
a position as clerk, and after working two 
years was forced to give it up on account of 
ill-health. He then returned to school, and 
when sixteen again engaged in the mercan- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



639 



tile business as clerk. In 1849 he emigrated 
to the United States and after a voyage of six 
weeks landed at New York. He proceeded 
at once to Buffalo, New York, where he 
engacred in the mercantile business. After 
continuing in the business fornineteen years 
in EiifTalo he went to the city of Franklin, 
Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he 
opened up in business. In 1873 he removed 
westward and located at Detroit Citj% Becker 
county, Minnesota, where he has since 
remained, being one of the oldest merchants 
in the county. He carries the largest stock 
of any in the count\^ and is doing an exten. 
sive business. In 1885 he was appointed 
postmaster by President Cleveland, and lias 
JK^ld the position since that time, lie has 
interested himself in land and city property, 
and has always been actively working for 
the best interests of the county or State. 

]\Ir. Ilorneck was united in marriage on 
the 12th day of December, 1854, to Miss 
Annie E. Mooney, the daughter of G. V. and 
Eliza A. (Shaw) Mooney, of Buffalo, New 
York. This union has been blessed with one 
son — Phillip, who is now engaged in the mer- 
cantile business with his father. Our subject 
is a stanch democrat in his political affilia- 
tions and is actively interested in that party's 
cam])aigns. He is a member of tiie Masonic 
fraternit^r and one of the prominent and 
esteemed business men of the county. 



^1 YLVESTER N. THOMPSON, the sub. 
'^S' ject of this biographical memoir, is a 
resident of the village of Grey Eagle, Todd 
county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in 
the general merchandising business. He is a 
native of Vermont, born in Lamoille county, 
on the 16th day of June, 1846, and is the son 
of John L. and Lucy (Madison) Thompson, 
natives of Vermont and TVlassachusetts, 
respectively. The father dietl in ISSO, in 



Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the mother in 
1858, at Sauk Eapids, Minnesota. They were 
the parents of the following-named children 
— Sarah, now Mrs. Green, of Vermont; Lucy, 
who married Mr. Spear, of Minneajiolis, 
Minnesota; Laura, the wife of a Mr. Smith, 
of Fergus Falls, ifinnesota; W. ()., engaged 
in farming in Minnesota; John L., who died 
in 1867: and Sjdvester, the subject of this 
biography. 

Mr. Thompson, of whom this article treats, 
remained in his native State until he had 
attained the age of eleven years. At that 
period in life he removed with his ])arents 
to Minnesota, and settled at St. Cloud, 
Minnesota, where he remained a short 
time, then removing to Sauk Rapids, Min- 
nesota, where he located antl attended 
school. Up to tiie age of sixteen he had 
devoted his energies to acquiring a good 
education, and at the age of sixteen he com- 
pleted his education at St. Cloud, Minnesota. 
In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the First 
Minnesota Mounted Eangers, and received 
his honorable discharge in 1863. He re-en- 
listed in the First Minnesota Heavy Artil- 
lery and received his honorable discharge in 
1865. He was in many Indian battles, and 
was under Sibley in his expedition across the 
plains. After his discharge he returned to 
St. Cloud, Minnesota, and for some time 
engaged in various occupations. In 1869 he 
removed to Todd county, Minnesota, and 
located in Berchdale township, where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits for eleven 
years. He then established his present busi- 
ness in the village of Grey Eagle, where he 
has since remained. He is one of the sub- 
stantial business men of the village and 
carries a full line of first-class goods. 

Mr. Thompson was married in Januai'v, 
1871, to Miss Mar\' Alishire, a native of 
Ohio, and educated there. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson have been blessed with three 
children, nametl as follows — Laura, Freddie 



640 



KED h-rVF.R fAI.r.F.y .-IXD 



and Clara. Mr. Thompson and his familj'^ 
belong to the United Brethren church. He 
is a member of the Grand Army of the 
Ui'piiblic, Post No. 129. lie is a repub- 
lican in politics and is at present townsliip 
treasurer. He has lield the offices of asses- 
sor, chairman of tlie Ijoard, etc. He is a 
representative man and bears tiie esteem of 
all who know l)ini. 

/^^EORGE H. GREEN, the senior part- 
V^^ ner of the firm of Green & Weeks, 
dealers in heavy and shelf hardware, in the 
village of Wadena, Wadena countv, Minne- 
sota, is one of the successful and prominent 
business men of the county in which he 
lives. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in 
Princeton, Green Lake county, on the 27th 
day of July, 1851, and is the son of Hallett 
T. and Olive il. Green, natives of New York. 
The father and mother of our subject were 
the parents of the following-named children 
— Kate E. Hamar, George H. Green and 
Myron D. Green. 

Mr. Green, the subject of this biographical 
memoir, remained in iiis native State until he 
had attauied the age of twent\^-one years. 
During that time he remained at home and 
attended the excellent common schools of his 
native county. In the s])ring of 1873 he 
started out in life for himself, and with %70Q 
capital and a team started for the West. 
He passed through Northern Iowa, through 
Algona, aiul on to South Dakota, where he 
settled in Union county and took up a Gov- 
ernnumt claim, lie l)uilt a small frame 
house and engaged in general farming. He 
remained thei-e for five years and a half, 
during which time he lost three of the six 
crops he had put in by hail and " hoppers." 
He then removed to Minnesota, and located 
in Wadena county, where his parents had 
moved in 187C. He bought a farm, and 



after erecting a house commenced his farm 
life again. After the expiration of eight 
years lie decided to remove to the village of 
AVadena, and accordingly settled in the vil- 
lage and went into partnership with Mr. 
Weeks. They luive since cari'ied on the 
business, and have one of the finest and Ijest 
equi})ped hardware stores in the village. 
They carry a full line of heavy and slielf 
hardware, and have a large and increasing 
trade. In addition to his business interests 
Ml'. Green still owns his farm, and also is the 
possessor of a fine residence in tiie village. 

Mr. Green was united in marriage on the 
6th day of March, 1872, to Miss Ella Eanta, 
a native of Green Lake county, Wisconsin. 
Mr. and Mrs. Green are now the parents of 
five children, named in the following order 
— George G., Frank B., Madge, Maud and 
Orrilla Green. He is one of the active 
business men of the village, and always 
evinces an active interest in all local alfairs. 
lie is a democrat in his political atfiliati(jns. 
Mr. Green is a inem])er of Wadena Lodge, 
No. 157, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 



.-^^ 



Joseph H. NEER, real estate dealer and 
^ gi'ain buyer at New London, Minnesota, 
is one of the most prominent business men in 
Kandi^'ohi county. He has been one of the 
leading factors in the growth and develop- 
ment of the locality in which he lives, and 
his name is prominently identified with the 
history of the northern half of Kandiyohi 
county. A man of extensive property inter- 
ests, enterprising, liberal and energetic, 
every move calculated to benefit the town or 
county receives his hearty support and encour- 
agement. 

Mr. Neer was born in Springfield, Clarke 
county, Ohio, in 1S;54. and is a son of Amos 
and Hannah Neer, who were natives of Vir- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



641 



ginia. Tlie mother died-wlien ho was three 
years old, and a few weeks after tlie birth of 
his sister Hannah. The fathei' married 
again, and died in IS-tO. 

Joscpii H. Neer spent his boyliood (hi^'s 
and i-eceived Ins education in liis native 
State, attentiing school until he was seven- 
teen years of age. lie then engaged in 
clerking and collecting, and while still a 
boy settled the accounts of four different 
linns in Ohio. In 1855 he came to Iowa and 
located at ]\Iuscatine, where he engaged in 
the hotel business, running the Irving House 
for a 3'ear. At the expiration of that time he 
went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and after 
clerking in a store there for one year, he 
took a preemption in Carver county, Minne- 
sota. A sliort time later he engaged as a 
clerk on .-i steamboat and followed this for 
nine months, when he again returned to St. 
Paul and resumed clerking. He remained 
for some time and served two years as wood 
inspector. In 1803 he entei'ed the quarter- 
master's department and accompanied Gen- 
eral Sibley's expedition across the plains, 
going as far as Big Bend, near the present 
site of Bismarck, on the Missouri river. The 
expedition returned to St. Paul in the fall of 
1863, and our subject remained in the quar- 
termaster's department until the following 
spring, when he, in company with Zeb. Nash, 
went South as sutlers with tlie Sixth Minne- 
sota Infantry. The regiment went into 
cam]i at Helena, Ai-kaiisas, and Mr. Neer 
remained with them until fall, when his 
health failed and he retui-ned to St. Paul, 
and late in 1864 engaged as clerk in the 
Merchants' Hotel. After a year's service 
there, his health still being poorly, his ph^'si- 
cian advised him to go on a farm. He 
accordingly went to Stearns county, Minne- 
sota and assumed charge of Major Cullom's 
farm. He took there 865 sheep which he 
cared for, and they increased in numbers so 
that he re-let the most of them around 



Sank Center and Holmes City. In 1S6S he 
removed to Kandiyohi county and bought a 
farm, where he engaged in farming and 
teaching school during the winter months. 
In 1870 he went to the village of New Lon- 
don, where he has since lived. He engaged 
at that time in the mercantile business in 
compan}^ with S. Adams. They remained 
in partnership about three years, when Mr. 
Adams sold out and Mr. Neer carried on the 
business alone until 1883, when he closed out 
the stock, and has since devoted his atten- 
tion to real estate matters and buying grain. 
He has always taken an active part in public 
affairs, and has been justice of the peace 
for the past twelve 3'ears. He is one of the 
most careful and capable business men in 
the county, and has amassed a fortune 
through his own foresight and business 
sagacity, and he stands high in the esteem 
of all, both as a business man and an exem- 
plary citizen. 

Mr. Neer was married December 7, 1871 
to Hannah E. Knowles, and they are the 
parents of two daughters, named Hattie 
Maj' and Alice Lydia. Mrs. Neer was born 
near Oswego, New Yoi'k, and is a daughter 
of Robert and Lydia A. Knowles. 

The Neer family residence is a neat and 
comfortalile one, being located on their 
farm near the depot at New London. 



JTaMES ASHBURNER, one of the most 
^ prominent and influential citizens in the 
farming community in tlie Red River Valley, 
is a resident of section 21, Wadena township, 
"Wadena county, Minnesota. He is a native 
of England, born in Penny Bridge, Furness, 
Lancashire, England, and is the son of 
Thomas and Eleanor (Lishman) Ashburner, 
also natives of Lancashire, England. The 
father was a ship carpenter by occupation, 
and worked in the naval yai'ds of his native 
county, in Barrow. He is now a n^sident of 



642 



RED KrVKR VALLEY AND 



"Wadena county, Minnesota, where he is 
eno-aged in agricultural j)Ui-suits. The father 
and mother of our subject were tlie parents 
of the following-named children — James, 
]\rary Agnes, Amra IM. and Stephen. 

Mr. Ashburner, of whom this biography 
treats, attended school until he was fourteen 
years of age, when he learned the ship car- 
penter's trade at Barrow, being six yeai's an 
ai)])rentice. lie worked one year' in tiie 
j'ai'ds as a journeyman, and then took up a 
sea-faring life as ship carpenter on board a 
vessel. In 1872 he returned to his home, 
where he remained one 3'ear. In the fall of 
1872 the Furness colon\^ was oi'ganized in 
England, and held meetings at Barrow, the 
result being: A committee of five were 
aj)pointed to emigrate to the United States 
and inspect the land of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad Company in Minnesota. In the 
spring of 1873 our subject, in company with 
the other four who completed the committee, 
came to the United States. They at once 
went to Minnesota and Ma}' 1, 1873, left 
Brainerd in company with the land commis- 
sioner and land examiner, Powers and 
Holmes, res])ectively. After carefully look- 
ing all the land over in the Northwestern 
part of the State the committee finallv 
decided that Wadena county was the most 
desirable location to be found. They accord- 
ingly went to St. Paul, Minnesota, whei'e 
the necessar\' papers were drawn up and the 
bargain closed. Owing to a failure of the 
I'ailroad comjiany the title papers have 
never been handed over to the colonists, and 
tills fact has caused a great deal of dissatis. 
faction and trouble to both parties. The 
subject of this article was one of the earliest 
settlers in the county. In 1873 he took a 
Government claim on section 28 of Wadena 
township. During those early tlays times 
were hard and the necessities of life could 
hardly be obtained nearer than Brainerd. 
He has a line I'aiin of 320 acres under 



good cultivation and having excellent build- 
ing improvements upon it. He is one of the 
substantial farmers and is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. Ashburner has held the offices of 
supervisor, town clerk, justice of the peace, 
treasurer of the school district, etc. He 
is a membei" of the Masonic fraternity, 
having joined in ids native land. He and 
his familv belong to the Cone'retjational 
church. 

» • •♦ > -^^^'^» 

#EORGE COOPER, wliolcsale and 
retail harness dealer of Fargo, was 
born in Dulwich hamlet, Camberwell jjarish, 
London, England, December 3, 18-12, and is 
the son of James and Julia (Morish) Cooper, 
also natives of England. Our subject lived 
at home attending school until lie was ten 
years old, when he went to county Kent and 
lived with his uncle, William Card, until he 
was sixteen, when he returned to his parents 
in London. There he remained until ^laich, 
1804, when he come to Ripon, Wisconsin, 
and enlisted in Company I, Foi-t^'-seventh 
Regiment Wisconsin \'olunteer Infantry, 
and served until September, 18(15, when he 
was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, 
receiving an honorable discharge. IMr. 
Cooper then returned to his uncle's at Ripon, 
where he was sick for some time. In the 
spring of 1866 he went to Markeson and 
learned the harness trade with William 
Paddock, with whom he remained until 
1867, when he went to Chicago and 
worked at his trade as journeyman until 
1871. After the great fire of that year he 
worked as overseer for William and Richard 
Duval, builders and contractors, two 3'ears, 
and in the summer of that year, 1873, went to 
Brainerd, Minnesota, remaining but a short 
time, when lie came to Fargo and worked 
some six weeks for the Northern Pacific 
Railroad Company, after which he went to 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



643 



work in ;i harness sliop for Mr. Plummer in 
Farijo, and was with him during: that winter. 

In the spring of 1874 the quartermaster at 
Fort Abercombie sent for him, and he hired 
out to go as saddler witli the Custer expedi- 
tion to tiie Black Hills, and remained with 
them until October, when he returned to 
Fargo and engaged again with Plummer 
until spring. lie then went to Moorhead 
and started a harness shop for himself, and 
the same summer bought the shop of Mr. 
Plummer at Fargo, and managed both shops 
for some three or four years, when he sold 
his shoj> at Moorhead, and has since that 
time been doing a wholesale and retail busi- 
ness at Fargo. Mr. Cooper was united in 
marriage to Miss Elvira Pinkham, December 
14, 1876, a daugiiter of William Pinkham. 

Mr. Cooper is a member of tiie G. A. R., 
John F. Reynolds Post, No. 44, Fargo, and is 
also a member of Moorhead Lodge, jVo. 20, 
A. F. & A. M. In politics Mr. Cooper is a 
stanch republican. By his honorable busi- 
ness methods Mr. Cuopei" lias built up an 
extensive business, and he ranks among the 
most solid and substantial men of the city. 

-'-•♦ > -i^^- ■ < »■ • 

^^^ARTIN RODMAN, a prominent and 
J^Js^^^ influential citizen of Todd county, 
Minnesota, is leading a retired life in the 
village of Long Prairie. He is a native of 
the State of New York, born in Schoharie 
count^^ on the 25th day of May, 1832, and is 
the son of Asa and Olive (Culver) Rodman, 
natives of Massachusetts. After tiieir mar- 
riage the parents of the present sul)ject set- 
tled in Schoharie county, New York, where 
they remained the rest of theii- lives, engaged 
in farming. The father died in 1842, and 
tiie mother in December, 1880, slie being 
ninety years of age. The father and mother 
of our subject were devoted membei's of the 
Baptist church, and highly esteemed citizens 



in the locality in which they lived. They 
were the parents of fifteen children, thirteen 
of whom grew up, were married and had 
children. 

Mr. Rodman, the subject of tliis liiograph- 
ical review, remained at home until he iiad 
attained the age of sixteen years. During 
that time he had attended the excellent com- 
mon schools of his native State, and at the 
age mentionetl Martin went to the Schoharie 
Academ\', where he entered on a course of 
study, remaining there eighteen months. 
He then removed to the city of New York, 
where he stayed one year and a half, engaged 
in ship building. At the expiration of that 
time he returned to his home, and the next 
winter taught scliool in Schoharie county. 
During the following summer he worked at 
the carpenter's trade, and in the fall entei'ed 
the New York Conference Seminary, where 
he remained one year. He then came West 
and went to Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, 
teaching school during one winter in Illinois, 
1853-54. The .next summer he engaged 
in the carpenter's trade in Lockport, 
Illinois, and then secured a position on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, and this occupa- 
tion placed his headcpiarters in Chicago. In 
1854 Mr. Rodman enlisted in the United States 
Regular Arm\', and served one enlistment. 
After his discharge he went to Chicago, Illi- 
nois, where he remained one winter. In 
1859 he went to Wisconsin, where he worked 
at the carpenter s trade during the summers 
of 1859 and 1860. Mr. Rodinaii returned to 
his native State in the winter of 1860, and 
visited the scenes of his childiiofid. Upon 
his return to Wisconsin he enlisted in Ajjril, 
1861, in tiie Second Wisconsin Infantry, 
and was honorably discharged at Pliiladel- 
phia on the 27th of June, 1803. He partici- 
pated in the First and Second Battles of 
Bull Run, and sjient a week figiiting along 
the liajipahannock. Mr. Rodman was 
wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run, 



644 



RED JUV'ER VALLEY AND 



and tlie result of this was that he was confined 
in tiie hospital in Washington, District of 
Columbia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
foi- ten months. He wer.t to (.^aniac's 
W(Jods Hospital, and was detailed for pro- 
vost duty, and received his honorable dis- 
ehargc in Philadcl]>liia on the 27th of June. 
1803. After leaving the service Mr. Hod- 
man engaged in tiie j)rofession of school 
teaching during the winter of 1863-64 
in tiie State of New York. After the 
expiration of that time he studied medicine 
dui'inc: the summer of ISO-t and winter and 
summer of 1864 and 1865, and in the fall of 
1864 (snlisted in the Veteran Reserve Corps, 
aiul served alxfut fourteen months. In 
Nov('ml)er, 1865, lie received his discharge, 
and then took a trip through Illinois, Iowa 
and Wisconsin. In the spring of 1866 Mr. 
Rodman removed to Minnesota and settled 
in Goodliue county, where he engaged in 
farming for nine years. He then went to 
Red "Wing, Minnesota, where he engaged in 
the grocery business. In 1881 he sold out 
and removed to Todd county, Minnesota, and 
on settling there he bought a home on sec- 
tions 5 and 8, Renolds township, where he 
remained for a number of years, engaged 
successfully in the genei'al farming and stock- 
raising business. In 1885 he moved to the 
village of Long Prairie, Todd county-, Min- 
nesota, where he has since remained, leading 
a retired life. He is one of the prominent 
and representative men of the village and 
countv, and is highly esteemed by all who 
beai' his acquaintance. 

Mr. Rodman was united in marriage on 
the 3d day oC October, 1866, to Miss Pau- 
line Morris, and this union has been IjJessed 
with three children, named as follows — Wil- 
liam, Fred and Pert. Mrs. Rodman is a 
native of the State of New York and is the 
daughter of David and Sally (Millington) 
Mori'is. Mr. Rodman and his family attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church. The sub- 



ject of this article has held many offices 
in his town, including those of assessor, 
chairman of the l)oard of supervisors and 
justice of the peace, and is now a mcml)er of 
the board of health. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity of the village of Long 
Prairie, and also of the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 



-«" 



^AUL H. ROISE. The suliject ol' this 
i?*~ biogr;ii)hical memoir is a resident of the 
city of Willmar, Kandiyohi county, Minne- 
sota, where he is engaged in a general 
merchandising business, in partnership with 
Hans J. Dale, whose biography will be found 
in another department of this work. Mr. 
Roiseis a native of the kingdom of Norway, 
born on the 21st day of August, 1848. and is 
thesonof Ilalvorand xVnna M.(Jenson)Roise, 
also natives of Norway. The father was 
engaged in the farming, lunibei'ing, and 
milling business, and was one of Norway's 
wealthy men. He retired from active life in 
1872, and passed away in 1884. The mother 
is still living. They were the parents of the 
seven following-named children — David, 
Gunhild, now Mrs. Davidson of Swift 
county, Minnesota; John, Paul IL, Ole, 
Edward and Maren E., now Mrs. Melby of 
Norway. All are in Norway except our 
subject and one sister. 

]\Ir. Roise, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home, and attended the excel- 
lent schools of his native land until he had 
attained the age of seventeen years. He then 
emigrated to the United States, and settled 
in Wisconsin, where he attended the high 
school at Sparta for some time anil then 
engaged a position as clerk with O. D. Ran- 
' dall, with whom lie remained eight years. 
At the ex]iiration of that time, in 1874, he 
removed to Minnesota and located in Will- 
mar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he 



PARK KKGIOA'S OF MIN.SESOTA. 



645 



entered into partnership with Mr. Dale in 
the drug and grocer}' business. After con- 
tinuing that business for ten years they 
estalihslied theii' present general merchandise 
business, and have since been engaged in a 
large and increasing trade. In 1881 they 
erected their present brick building, one of 
the finest in the place, in which they have 
carried on business ever since. They have a 
large patronage throughout Pope, Swift, 
Renville, Chipjiewa and Kandiyohi counties 
and are doing the heaviest business of any 
fii'ni in the city. 

Mr. lioise was united in marriage in 1873, 
to Miss Olena Aniundson, and this union has 
been blessed with the following-named chil- 
dren — Ililder A., Tetra O., Mena J. and 
Edward O. In political matters Mr. Roise 
is an adherent to the principles of the repub- 
lican party and is activcl}' interested in that 
party's compaigns. He is a public-spirited 
citizen and any laudable home enterprise 
receives his hearty support. 



.H^-. 



Jp)ETER H. KONZEN is one of the lead- 
J^^ ing attorneys of the village of Hal- 
lock, Kittson county, Minnesota. lie was 
boin in Chickasaw county, Iowa, May 27, 
18.57. 

Mr. Konzen's parents were Mathias and 
Sophia (Conrad) Konzen, both natives of 
Germany. The parents came to America in 
1852, and settled in Chickasaw county, Iowa, 
where they engaged in farming. The\^ are 
still living in Iowa. 

The subject of our sketch lived with his 
parents on the farm until he was fifteen 
years of age, and then commenced teaching 
scliool, following that profession for four 
years. At nineteen he attended the State 
ITniversity at Iowa City, where he completed 
his education. Then, in the summer of 1877, 
he taught school, and the following winter 



took a course in Bailey's Commercial College, 
at Keokuk, Iowa, graduating from that insti- 
tution in the spring of 1878. That summer 
he studied law in the office of II. H.Potter, 
an attorney' of New Hampton, Iowa. In the 
spring of 1879 he went toWatertown, Dakota, 
for the purpose of taking Government land, 
but not being very well pleased with the coun- 
try, he returned east as far as the town of 
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota,where he formed a law 
partnership with L. II. Parker. Here he en- 
gaged in the active practice of his profession 
until in October of that year, when, at the ear- 
nest solicitation of many friends, he returned 
to Chickasaw count\% Iowa, entering the field 
as a candidate for the office of county superin- 
tendent of schools. He made an honorable 
canvass, ami polled a large vote, but was 
defeated by a small majority. There were 
four candidates in the field and defeat by 
such a small vote was almost victory. ■ 
At this time he turned his attention to 
the newspaper business and purchased the 
office of the Lawler Herald, at Lawler, Iowa, 
a town on the Chicago, ililwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad. For one and a half j'ears he con- 
tinued the management of this paper, and 
at the end of that time he concluded to sell 
out and retui'u to the practice of law. His 
paper was soon sold and he startetl out to 
find a good location. He came to the town 
of Ilallock, and liking the lay of the coun- 
try, he concluded to renuiin and open a law 
office. This was in the spring of 1881. 
Soon after coming to Ilallock he was 
admitted to practice before the courts of this 
State, and that fall be was elected to the office 
of county superintendent of schools of Kitt- 
son county, which office he held until Jan- 
uary 1, 1889. 

Mr. Konzen was married June 10, 1884, to 
Miss Sarah A. Gillie, a daughter of John and 
Abigail (McPherson) Gillie, natives of Nova 
Scotia, also the birth-place of their daughter. 
Mr. and Mrs. Konzen have been blessed with 



646 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



two children, tlioir names being Sophia 
Theodosia and Viva Lenore. 

Mr. Konzen has been very successful in 
l)usiness since coniin<;- to Ilallock, and has 
fapidh' accumulated a considerable amount 
of property. He owns the finest residence 
in the village, and also owns two good 
farms, one of 320 acres, within two miles, 
and the other consisting of IfiO acres, 
within four miles of Ilallock. Mr. Konzen 
has risen rapidly in his profession, and has 
become the leading lawyer in this part of 
IVIinnesota. In politics he is a stanch repub- 
lican, and wields a strong influence among 
the members of that party, by whom he has 
been repeatedly elected to office. He is well 
read and thoroughly equipped for the duties 
of his profession. As a writer Mr. Konzen 
wields a trenchant pen, and, notwithstanding 
his professional duties are onerous and 
dveep him well employed, he yet finds time 
to manage the affairs of his farming opera- 
tions, while some of the ablest articles which 
grace the local papers are the productions of 
his pen. At present Mr. Konzen is also the 
actual, although not the ostensible, editor of 
the Ilallock Wecldy News, one of the bright- 
est and most wide-awake local papers in the 
Red River Valley. 

John B. KEI.LY, a retired member of the 
farming community in Wadena county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of the village of 
Verndale, where he is engaged in the real 
(istate business. He is a native of tiie State 
of Illinois, l)oi'n in Joliet on tiie 2d day of 
February, 1838, and is the son of Patrick 
and Mary (Kelly) Kelly, natives of County 
Ualway, Ireland. The father and mother of 
our subject removed to "Wisconsin m 1838, 
where they were among the earliest settlers. 
They wei'e parents of the following-named 
children — John B., Thomas B., Henry W., 
James, Anna, Marie and Delia Kelly. 



Mr. Kelly, the subject of this article, re- 
mained in his native city until the .5th of 
August, 1838, when he removed with his 
l)arents to ^Milwaukee, "Wisconsin, where he 
remained about eigliteen years. During that 
time he attended the excellent common 
schools in that ])laceand in 18.')6 removed with 
his family to Madison, Wisconsin, where he 
remained a few years attending school. He 
then commenced in life for himself, ami in 
1859 removed to Baraboo, Wisconsin, and 
after remaining there a few yea/rs, engaged in 
the butchering business, went to Michigan. 
He settled in Detroit and for fifteen months 
followed the butcher's trade. At the e.xi)ira- 
tion of that time he returned to Baraboo, 
where he worked in tlu; Island Woolen Mills 
at that place for four or five years, and in 
186.5 removed to Iowa. lie settled in 
Mitchell county and there engaged a position 
as traveling salesman for the Paragon 
Woolen Mills. In 1876 he left the road and 
removed to Minnesota, settling in Akli'ich 
township, Wadena county. He was among 
the earliest settleis in the county, and has 
since been closely identified with t"ne inter- 
ests of this region. He took a farm two 
miles south of the village and engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. When 
the town of Vci-ndale was platted our sub- 
ject, in partnership with a Mr. Raymond, 
removed into the village aiul opened the 
first store in Verndale, continuing it foi- a 
year or two. Since that time Mr. Kelly has 
devoted his attention to the mercantile busi- 
ness and farming, and also to the real estate 
business, in which he is now engaged. lie 
has extensive property interests in this 
vicinity, owns a farm of 32() acres in Todd 
county and a stock farm of 280 acres one 
mile east of "Verndale. He is one of the 
most solid and substantial business men of 
the county. 

Mr. Kelly was married in Detroit, IMichi- 
gan, to Miss Sarah Shortt, of Ann Arbor, 



PARK KEG IONS OF MINNESOTA 



647 



l\Iichig;in. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the 
parents of one child, now Mrs. Mont Pettit. 
Mr. Kelly attiliatos with the democratic 
])arfy. Any local enterprise receives his 
hearty sn|)p()rt and he bears the respect and 
esteem of all who know iiim. He has 
erected a nnml)er of business houses in the 
village and has done a great deal to promote 
the general welfare. 



^BEL H. O'DELL, who is engaged ui 
the general uierchandising l)usiuess 
in the village of Clarissa, Todd county, ]\Iin- 
nesota, is one of the leading and representa- 
tive merchants in the county. He is a native 
of Ohio, born on the 27th of November, 
1834, and is the sou of Jacob G. and Mar- 
grett O'Dell, natives of Vermont. At the time 
of our subject's birth his parents were mov- 
ing to Michigan. 

Mr. O'Dell, the sulijcct of this biographical 
sketch, received his education in Wisconsin. 
When a small boy he had removed from 
Michigan to Wisconsin. Ilespent thirty-eight 
yearsof hislifein Wisconsin. Dui'ingthat time 
he followed .farming principally, although 
lie was traveling salesman for the Oakfield, 
Wisconsin, Sash, Door and Blind Factory 
for eleven years. Up to the age of eighteen 
years he attended school, and after com- 
]ileting his education engaged in farming. 
In 1S77 he removed to Minnesota and settled 
in Dodge county, where he followed agri- 
cuitui'al pursuits for two 3'ears; at the expira- 
tion of that time he went to Wadena county, 
Minnesota, and engaged in farming for over 
two years. In 1881 he went to Todd county, 
Minnesotii, and located in Clarissa, where 
he engaged in the general merchandising 
business, also handling sleighs, cutters, 
wagons, buggies, wood, etc. He has since 
followed the business, and now has one of 
the heaviest stocks in the village. He has a 



good business, and is one of the successful 
merchants of the county. 

Mr. O'Dell was united in marriage on the 
"Ist of January, 1854, to Miss Malissa Clui})in, 
wiio died in 1862, leaving three childi'en; 
Martha being the only one now living. Mr. 
O'Dell was married to his second wife in 
Jidy, 1863. She was Miss Mary L. Bucklin, 
a native of New York. This union has been 
blessed with two children, the first being- 
deceased, and Herbei't. Mr. O'Dell is a 
republican in politics. He is a representa- 
tive citizen and has held the office of town- 
ship treasurer. In addition to his store he 
owns several village lots and a well-cultivated 
farm of eighty acres on section 20, Eagle 
Valley township. He is a member of the 
Odd-Fellows fraternity, and is a citizen 
highlv esteemed bv all who know him. 



-•*- 



/^■^^LE J. BECK, a capitalist, and one who 
^^^ has been identified with the hotel 
business in Wilhnar, Kandiyohi county, Min- 
nesota, for many years, is a native of the 
kingdom of Norway. He was born on the 
liUh of June, 1838, and is the son of John 
and Engeborg (Engebritson) Beck, natives of 
Norway. They emigrated to the United 
States in 1S68, and located in Michigan, 
where they remained until their death. The 
father died 1872 and the mother in 1888. 
They were the parents of eight ciiildren, six 
now living, named as follows — Caroline, Enge- 
borg, Ole J., John J., Andrew and Borne, 
now Mrs. Odin Anderson. 

Mr. Beck, of whom this article treats, 
remained in his native land until 1869. His 
younger days were spent in attending school 
in his native countr}', and in May, 1869, he 
emigrated to the United States and located 
in Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, where he 
took a tract of Government land of eighty 
acres, where he remained, engaged in e.vten- 



64S 



RED RIVKR VALLEY AND 



sive fanning and stock raising operations 
until 1880. He then moved into the city of 
Willinar, Kandiyolii county, where he rented 
tlio Mai'low House for one year, and at the 
expiration of that time purchased the same, 
which he has since been identified with. In 
1S8G lie erected the IVLcrchants' Hotel, at a 
cost of 826,000. It is of brick, tiiree stories 
and basement, steam heated, sample rooms, 
billiard parlor, barber shop, and all modern 
improvements. It is one of the best hotels 
in the Northwest and has the general pat- 
ronage of the traveling ])ublic. Mr. Eeck is 
one of the best-known and most prominent 
business men in the count}^, and has done a 
great deal to advance the prosperity and 
welfare of his residence county and city. 
He is a man of sterling business qualifica- 
tions and bears the respect and esteem of all 
who know him. 

Mr. Beck was niari'ied in 1862 to Miss 
Lena Hanson, of Norw ay, and a daughter of 
Hans Hanson, a sailor by occupation. Mrs. 
Beck passed away on the 5th of December, 
1888, and was buried at Willmar. She was 
an estimable lad}' and was beloved and 
admired by all for her many virtues. 

Mr. Beck is a member in the ranks of the 
prohibition party and was the only person to 
cast a ballot for St. Joiin in the city. He is 
one of the soHd and substantial public men of 
th(> city and is actively interested in all local 
mattei's. 

SOMFORT BARNS is engaged in the 
_ mercantile business in Battle Lake, 
Otter Tail county. Minnesota. The place of 
his nativity is Licking county, Oliio, where 
he was born February 8, 1815. 

Mr. Barns' parents were Comfort and 
Cynthia ("Webster) Barns. The mother was 
a first cousin of the Hon. Daniel Webster, 
and the father was descended from a noble 
familv of Irish birth and ancestrv. The 



father settled in Ohio before the War of 
1812, and built the first house in the town of 
Delaware. The ))ai'ents are both dead. 

The subject of our sketch remained at home 
under parental authority until he was thir- 
teen years of age, and at that time com- 
menced to work on the Ohio and Erie Canal. 
He continued at work on tlie canal during 
that season, and then returned home and 
bought his time from his father for seven 
hundred and fifty dollars, after which ho 
went to the Erie and Hocking Canal, where 
he began work buildin"- locks. He Iniilt 
seven large canal locks, and worked in tliis 
line of business for two years. At the end 
of this time he concluded to change his busi- 
ness, and, going to Cohinibus, Ohio. engaged 
in making brick for a firm l)y the name of 
Gill & Atchinson. Continuing in this line 
for two \'ears he then came westward, stop- 
ping in Burlington, Iowa, where he remained 
four years, and during which time he was 
enoaged in building and contracting. He 
built a large court house and jail in that 
cit\'. Leaving Burlington he went to Galena, 
Illinois, where he engaged in mason work 
and brick-making until the spring of 1840. 
He then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, by 
wa\' of a steamer on the Mississip|)i river,and 
on the same boat were Governor Ilamsey 
and family. Mr. Barns remained in St. Paul 
for about four yeai's, and during tliat time 
put u[) a good many business liuildings. He 
built the first stone store in St. Paul, for a 
man by the name of Simpson. Fi-om St. Paul 
he went to Scott county, to the place where 
Shakopee is now located. He Imili the court 
house and jail in that city, and ])ut u}) most 
of the stone and brick houses there. He 
was appointed one of the county commission- 
ers by Governor Kamse\', and was afterward 
elected by the people. While in Shakopee 
he ran a large brick yard until the time of 
the war with the Indians. May 7, 1864, he 
started with Sully's e.\])edition of 123 wagons 



PAKK' KKGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



649 



to cross the ])liiins to the Rocky mountains. 
After spending two 3'ears and three months 
among the mountains, mainly for his health 
he returned to Shakopee and settled on his 
farm. In 1880 he removed to Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, and purchased a farm on 
the shores of Otter Tail lake. After seven 
years of farm life he concluded to move to 
Battle Lake, to which phice he went and 
engaged in mercantile business. 

Mr. Barns was married in 1835 to Mary 
Decamp, a native of New York. This union 
was blessed with seven children. Three of 
tiie sons served their country in the War of 
the Rebellion, and one of them was killed in 
the service. One son was drowned in the 
northern part of the State. One son and 
two daughters are living at present. 

Mr. Barns, in spite of his years, is a thrifty, 
energetic, business man, and occupies a promi- 
nent j)lace in the esteem of his fellow-towns- 
men. He is a leading member of the 
Methodist church, and also belongs to the 
I. O. O. F. fraternity. He was one of the 
charter members of the first I. O. O. F. 
lodge in the State of Minnesota. In politics 
lie affiliates with the republican party, of 
whose principles he has always been 
a stanch defender. Mr. Barns has had a 
wide experience, extending over a large 
territory of country, and having contact with 
many men of many minds, and coming down 
to this time in life, he now enjoys many 
lilessings brought by a useful and well- 
spent career. 



#EORGE S. WATTAM, M.D., the pres- 
ent county physician of Marshall 
county. Minnesota, is a resident of the village 
of Warren, where he is engaged in a large and 
rapidly increasing medical practice. He is 
a native of Canada, born in Prince Edward 
county, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, on 
the 10th of July, 185fi, and is the son of 



William and Mary (Groom) Wattam, natives 
of England and Canada, respectively. 

Dr. Wattam, the subject of this article, 
remained at home, working on the farm and 
attending public school until January, 1871, 
when he entered a course of study at Albert 
College, Bellville, where lie remained one 
year, when he was compelled to give up 
collegiate work on account of ill-health. He 
then returned to the home fai'm, and after 
assisting his father for a year or two 
returned to Albert College, where he gradu- 
ated with the degree of A. B. in four years. 
After graduation he began the studv of 
medicine in Toronto, where he attended 
lectures at the Toi'onto School of Medicine 
and the Toronto General Hospital. He took 
his medical examinations at Victoria Uni- 
versity, from which he graduated with the 
degree of M. D. and C. M., in May, 188-1. 
In August, 1884, he emigrated to the States 
and settled in Warren, Marshall county, 
Minnesota, where he has since remained, 
activeh' engaged in clinical work. He is 
well known and popular throughout the 
county, and gives the best of satisfaction in 
his professional duties. He has held the 
office of county physician for four years, 
during which time he has had an assistant 
for three years. 

In December, 1887, Dr. Wattam was uni- 
ted in marriage in Polk county, Minnesota, 
to Miss Emma White, a native of Wisconsin 
and the daughter of Charles S. and Ricardo 
(Sherbourne) White, natives of Vermont and 
Maine, respectively. The doctor and his 
estimable wife have been iilessed b}' one 
child — Charles Clinton. Our subject is a 
member of the Warren Lodge, No. 150, A. 
F. «fe A. M. In political matters he is an 
adherent to the principles of the republican 
party, and is actively interesteil in all local 
movements. He has a host of friends in 
Warren and vicinity, and is highly esteemed 
bv all who know him. 



650 



RED A'/VF.K VALLEY AXD 



JOSEPH PREVOST is a well-to-do farmer 
residing on section 17, township 136, 
range 48, Roberts townsiiij), "Wilkin count}', 
Minnesota. Here lie owns 100 acres of land 
which lie bought in ISTfi for $1,250. Ninety 
acres are under cultivation. He has good 
farm buildings and trees of his own plant- 
ing. Mr. Prevost was born in the Province 
of Quebec, Canada, on tiie 3(ith day of 
March, 1812. He is n son of Josei)li and 
Mary (Cornell) Prevost. The parents are of 
French descent and natives of Canada. The 
father died in Cana<la in 1887, but the 
mother is still living in her native land. The 
father was a farmer. They had a famil}' of 
ten children, eight of whom are still living. 

Mr. Prevost was etiucated in the common 
schools of Canada, and supplemented his 
course with study in the normal school of St. 
Andre, Canada. Our subject left Canada in 
1864, coming to Detroit, Michigan, where he 
worked till the following fall, when he came 
to St. Paul. Here he worked at tiie carpen- 
ter's trade until May 1, 1865. Then he 
engaged to work on a Government force. 
Accordingly he came to Fort Ransom, in 
Dakota Territorv, about eighty miles north- 
west of McCauleyville. Here he remained 
about fourteen months, working on the fort. 
Then he took a station twenty-two miles 
nearer McCauleyville, where lie remained 
one and one-half years, when he came to 
McCauleyville, in which ])lace he remained 
four 3'ears, working as a carpenter. From 
that village he removed to Fargo, where he 
remained one 3-ear. Then he engaged in 
farming north of the city for three 3'ears. 
On selling out he moved to Wilkin county, 
on the above-described farm. He has 
remained there since, engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. He has full-blood Jersey 
and Durham cattle. 

Mr. Prevost was married in 1869 to Miss 
Welbor Poison, a Norwegian lady. They 
have seven children — Josephine, Mar\', 



Alfred, Ros}', Elizabeth, Melvina and John 
S. Mr. Prevost is a republican, and serves 
his town in the capacity of supervisor and 
justice of the peace. 



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^^^ 



BR. WILBER N. MORELL, one of the 
most successful medical practitioners 
inthe northern partoF Minnesota, isa resident 
of the village of \'('rn(lale, Wadena county, 
Minnesota, where Ik; is engaged in clinical 
work. He is a native of "Minnesota, born in 
Cannon Falls, Goodhue county, on the 8th 
of June, 1857, and is the son of William and 
Jane Morell, mitivos of Canada and Scot- 
land, respectively. The father of our sub- 
ject was one of the earliest settlers in Good- 
hue county, and when Wilber was a baby 
removed from his farm, whicli was within 
a few miles of the village of Cannon Falls. 
He died from typhoid fever contracted in 
the late Civil AVar. The father and mother 
of our subject were the parents of four 
children, named as follows — Weltha L., 
John F., Wilber N. and Ella A. 

Dr. ilorell, the subject of this article, 
remained in Cannon Falls with his inothcr 
until he had attained tlie age of twentv-one. 
During that time he attended .school during" 
thewintersessions,and the balance of the time 
contributed toward the support of the fam- 
ily. A few (lays before he was twenty-one 
he received an injury which disabled him 
from performing manual labor. This gave 
him an opportunity to enter the study of 
medicine, and heat once entered the office 
of Dr. Conley, with whom he remained five 
y<^ars. He took two courses at. the State 
Medical Department, at Iowa City, in the 
winters of 1879-80 and 1881-82. In 
the s])ring of 1882 he took w trij) into the 
Northwest, seeking a location, and on account 
of the extra inducements offered by the citi- 
zens of Yerndale, Wadena couiitv, Minne- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



651 



sota, lie decided to settle there. He has 
since followed his profession in the village, 
and is one of the oldest and most successful 
practitioners in tlie count\\ His practice 
extends all over the northern part of the 
State and is constantly increasing. 

Dr. Morell was married September 23, 
1SS4-, to Miss Minnie Clifford, a native of 
('annon Falls. The doctor was appointed 
county physician in 1886, and is a member 
of the United States Examining Board, 
being treasurer of that body. He is a lead- 
ing member of the Independent Order of 
OddFellows. In jiolitical matter he affil- 
iates with the republican party and is 
activelv interested in all local matters. 



-^ 



JOHN C. MATHEWS, of the firm of 
Mathews & Ives, law, loan, collection 
and insurance agents in the village of St. 
Hilaire, is one of the prominent attorneys in 
Polk county, Minnesota. He is a native of 
the Dominion of Canada, born in the Prov- 
ince of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, on the 
8th day of January, 1843, and is the son of 
E. II. and Catharine (Smith) Mathews, natives 
of New York State and Ireland, respectively. 
Mr. Mathews, the sul)ject of this article, 
remained at home and attended school until 
he was about sixteen years old, when he 
commenced in life for himself. He engaged 
in farming, which he followed until 1862. 
On the 4th day of August, 1862, he enlisted 
at Hudson, Wisconsin, in Company A, 
Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and served 
until September 20, 1865, when lie was 
honorably discharged at Louisville, Ken- 
tucky. After his discharge he returned to 
Hudson, Wisconsin, where lie studied law 
with Henry A. Wilson, and was admitted to 
the bar in November, 1868, during which 
time he was assistant assessor of internal 
revenue. He began active practice with Mr. 



Wilson, and after remaining with him two 
3^ears removed to Ashland, AVisconsin, where 
he practiced law four years, during which 
time he was the first district attorney in that 
place. In 1878 he took a trip South, but as 
the yellow fever was then raging he removed 
to Minnesota, and located in Red Lake Falls, 
Minnesota, where he remained a short time, 
and then in 1885 opened a law office in St. 
Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, where he 
has since remained. In 1886 he took in !Mr. 
Ives'as a partner in the business, and they 
have since carried on a lucrative business in 
law, loans, insurance, etc. Our subject 
is tlie only attorney in the ])lace. lie is vil- 
lage attorney and village recorder and is 
actively interested in all local matters. In 
political matters he affiliates with the demo- 
cratic party, and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him, both professionally and as 
an exemplary citizen. 



^^EORGE HAINES, the subject of this 
\^^ biographical article, is a resident of 
the village of Paynesville, Stearns county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in the livery 
business. He is a native of Canada, born in 
the LTpper Dominion, on the 5th of March, 
1851, and is the son of William Haines, a 
native of Canada. 

Mr. Haines, of whom this article treats, 
remained in his native land attending to his 
education until he had attained the age of 
eleven years. He then emigrateil to the 
United States, and located in Kankakee 
count}', Illinois, where he worked on the 
farm and attended school until 1866. In 
1866 he removed to Minnesota, and located 
inPaynes^'ille, where he remained until 1880, 
workino' on a farm. He then went to 
Manannah, Meeker county, Minnesota, and 
for two years clerked in a general store. 
At the expiration of that time he returned 



652 



KED KllEK VALLEY ANr, 



to Paynesville, Stearns county, Minnesota, 
and after remaining about one \'ear went 
again to Manannah, Meeker county, and 
oi)ened a general store on liis own account, 
lie remained in that business for two years, 
and then went to Litclifield, Minnesota, 
whore he trained trotting liorses during one 
suuiuier, and again returned to Paynesville, 
where he has since remained. He carried on 
a general merchandise store for his brother 
for two years, and then teamed on the i*ail- 
road for one summer. In 1887 he opened his 
present livery stable, which he has since car- 
ried on. He lias one of the best estaljlish- 
mciits in the countv, and in all his business 
transact iiins tjives the best of satisfaction. 

Mr. Ilaines was united in marriage on the 
25th day of December, 1874, to Miss Mary 
IMc'Kinley, and this union has been blessed 
with the following-named children — Chester 
A., Gracie, George and Florence, all of whom 
are living at home. In political matters our 
subject aitiliates with the republican party, 
and is actively interested in all local matters. 
He is a man of the strictest honor and integ- 
ritv, hiHilv esteemed bv all who know him. 



-«« 



«^^ 



JQlASIUS a. HOSLER, the subject of 
1 -i) this article, is a resident of the village 
of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness. He is a native of Germany, born on 
the 14th of December, 1858, and is the son 
of Blasius and Monica- (Zimmerman) Hosier, 
natives of Germany. The father was en- 
fii'an'ed in farmins: in the Old World, and emi- 
srated to the United States in 18(')(j, and set- 
tied in Stearns county, Minnesota, where 
he followed farming and then removed to 
Otter Tail countv, Minnesota, where he 
was one of the pioneers of the county. He 
settled on a farm about three miles from the 
village and remained there, engaged in gen- 
eral farming operations, until 1SS4, when he 



moved into the village and engaged in the 
hardware business, in which he has since 
continued. His son, our suiiject, is in part- 
nership with him and they are the leading 
hardware merchants of the village. The 
father and mother of our subject were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Blasius, Dominick, Agusta, Frank, Aggie 
and Monicka. 

Mr. Hosier, the subject of this biograjih- 
ical review, spent his school-days in his 
native land and in Minnesota, where he had 
removed with his parents when he was eight 
years of age. Up to twelve years of age he 
remained in Stearns countj^ Minnesota, and 
attended school. When he was twelve 
years old his jiarents removed to Otter Tail 
count}', as before stated, and engaged in 
farming. Our subject is now in the hard- 
ware business with his father in the village 
of Perham, where the\' carry a full line of 
heavy and shelf hardware, also doing a gen- 
eral repairing business. They have an 
extensive trade and carry the largest stock of 
any store in the village. They are promi- 
nent and successful citizens of the village, 
and are highly esteemed by all who know 
them. 

Mr. Hosier was united in marriage June 
8, 1880, to Miss Maggie Seiffert, and this 
union has been blessed with three children, 
named as follows — Frank, John and Minnie. 
Mr. Hosier is a democrat in his political 
affiliations and is actively interested in all 
local matters. He is a citizen of the strict- 
est honor and integrity, and an}' laudable 
home enterprise receives his hearty support. 

WILLIAMS BROTHERS, of the firm 
of Williams Brothers & Company, 
proprietors of the roller flouring mills in 
Willmar, Kandiyohi county, ]\rinnesota,are 
among the most prominent and leading bus- 
iness men of that place. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



653 



John "Williams, the senior member of the 
tirm, has been a resident of Wilhnar since 1879, 
.and has been engaged in milling, contract- 
inj; and bnilding- tlirouoliont the l^orthwest. 
He has been connected with the present mill 
since it was built in 1885. Mr. Williams is 
a native of Prince Edward Island, born in 
1853, and is the son of William S. and Cliar- 
lotte (Green) Williams, natives of England 
and Pi'ince Edwai'd Island, respectively. The 
I'allicr is livin"' in Wilhnar, where he is 
enmiyed in contracting- and bnildin"-. The 
in<_)ther ilied in 188?). They were the par- 
ents of six children, five of whom are now 
living, named as follows — Eliza, Mrs. Gould; 
Sarah, now the wife of J. H. Wiggins; 
John, Penjamin and Joseph. John Will- 
iams, the subject of this biographical mem- 
oir, received his education in the common 
sciiools, and after leaving the school-room 
enmiged in the contractino: and buildino- 
business. He has gradually worked into the 
milling industrv, until now he is one of the 
most efficient millers in his county. In 
1879 he settled in Wilhnar, where he has 
since remained, engaged in contracting, build- 
ing and milling. Mr. Williams was united 
in marriage in 1875 to Miss Maggie Sharj), 
thedaughter of James Sharp, and this union 
has been blessed with four children, named as 
follows — Laura E., Zilpha B., Harr\' B. and 
Ethel B. Our subject is a republican in his 
political affiliations, and is one of the promi. 
nent and representative business men of the 
city. He belongs to the Independent Order 
of Odd-Fellows, and also the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. He is alderman from 
tlie Second Ward, and is actively interested 
in all local movements. 

Ben.tamin WiLLiAiMs, the subject of this 
i)i(jgrapiiical review, is a memljer of the firm 
of Williams Brothers tt Company, proprie- 
tors of the Willinar Rollei' IMills, at Wilhnar, 
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, and a brother 
of John Williams, whose sketch precedes 



the present memoir. He is also a native of 
Prince Edward Island, and is the son of 
William S. and Charlotte (Green) Williams. 
Benjamin Williams received his education on 
his native island, and in 1885 engaged in the 
milling business in Wilhnar. The mill is 
doing a heavy business, and is one of the 
lai'gest in the county, four stories high, 
30x40 feet in size, engine room 20x30 feet in 
size, one story, and an addition 14x46. Mr. 
Williams, our subject, has a fine residence 
on Litchfield avenue, and is one of the lead- 
ing and most substantial citizens of the place. 
Mr. Williams was married to Miss Harriet 
Tanton, the daughter of George Tanton, of 
Prince Edward Island. In this union Mr. 
and Mrs. Williams have been blessed witii 
the following -named children — George, 
Mabel F. and Albert L., deceased. In polit- 
ical matters our subject is an adherent to 
the principles which govern the republican 
party. He is a member of the Inilei)endent 
Order of Odd-Fellows, and also belongs to 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He 
is a public-spirited citizen, and any laudable 
home enterprise receives his heai'ty sup))ort 
and encourag-ement. 



JgT.ELLACK O. GILBERTSON, the well- 
JIj^'SL known pharmacist of the village of 
Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, engaged 
in the drug business in partnership with his 
brotiier-in-la\v, F. D. Keye, is also engaged 
in the retail liquor business, and is the ))ro- 
prietor of the billiard parlors in the same 
building as the drug store. He is a native 
of Wisconsin, born in jVloscow, Iowa county, 
Wisconsin, on the 1st of January, 1859, and 
is the son of Ole and Anna Gilbertson, 
natives of Norway. The parents emigrated 
to the United States in 1848, and located at 
Moscow, Wisconsin. 

Mr. Gill)ertson, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, remained in his native 



654 



RED KIVEK VALLE Y A ML 



State until he was nine years of age, when he 
removed to Minnesota witli his parents, and 
settled in Kasson, Dodge county, Minnesota, 
where his parent purciuvsed a farm. During 
his residence in his native State our subject 
attended the public schools, and after coming 
to Minnesota he remained on the home farm 
assisting iiis fatlici', and in the winters 
attended tiie excellent common schools of 
that county, until he was sixteen years of 
age. lie then commenced in life for himself 
and went to college in Decoi'ah, Iowa, 
where he remained five years. lie was then 
taken sick and upon his recovery, after six 
montiis, he at once entered a course of studj^ 
in Curtis' Commercial (College, in Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota. In 1878 he graduated from 
that institution and then returned to Kasson, 
Minnesota, wiiere he secured a position as 
clerk in the store of A. L. Porter, and after 
remaining with ium six mouths was taken 
siciv. As soon as his health would permit he 
went to work for W. E. Porter, in a lumber 
yard, remaining witii him nine months. At 
the expiration of tliat tinu^ lie removed to 
Barnesville, Minnesota, wjiere lie taught 
school for three months and then went to 
Rothsay, Minnesota, and secured a position as 
a clei'k in A.L. Pederson's drugstore, and also 
deputy ])ostmastei-, at which he woi-ked for 
two years, lie thou went to Pelican Rapids, 
Minnesota, and clerk(Hl in the general and 
drugstore of T. Frazee for one \'ear. In 188i 
he removed to Argyle, Marshall county, Min- 
nesota, where he opened his present drug 
store. Aftercontinuing in the business alone 
for one year he took in, as an equal partner, 
F. 13. Iveye, and they have since carried on 
the business, until now they are the leading 
druggists in the county. 

Mr. Gilbertson was married December 29, 
1888, to Miss Emma Iveye, a native of Min- 
nesota and the daughter of Andrew and 
Fredrica Keye, natives of Germany. Our 
subject and his estimable wife belong to the 



Lutheran clmrch. He has held the office of 
village recorder for one year, and is actively 
interested in all local matters. In politics 
he is an adherent to the principals of the: 
republican party. 



M LVIN H. WILCOX. Prominent among 
J[^^ the business men of tiie Park Regions 
of ilinnesota is the gentleman whose 
name heads this article, a resident of 
Detroit, Becker county, ^Minnesota, lie is a 
native of New York State, born in Cattar- 
augus county on the 21st day of January, 
1834, and is the son of Lansing and Miranda 
(Holmes) Wilcox, natives of New V<jrk. 
The father was a farmer in his native State, 
and is still living on the old homestead. He 
is the son of William and Loraina (Green) 
Wilcox, natives of Massacliusetts. William 
Wilcox was a Presbj'terian minister, and a 
graduate of Williams College at PittsHeld. 
Massacliusetts, and of English descent. 
Miranda (Holmes) Wilcox was the (huighter 
of Alanson and Olive (Lee) Holmes, natives 
of Vermont, wliei'e thev wei-e en<>aired in 
farming. Her gramlfather was Orasmus 
Holmes, a native of Massachusetts and a 
soldier in the Revolution. He enlisted under 
Col. EtJian Allen, was pi'csent at the 
taking of Ticonderogaand Crown Point, and 
was afterward transfei'red to Arnold's regi- 
ment. He was taken" prisoner in the battle 
of Quebec, and after his release returned to 
the States and enlisted under General Put- 
nam. He was finally honorably disciiarged, 
and settled in Chautauqua county. New 
York, in 1804, where, he purchased 3,000 
acres of land, including the present site of 
the village of Fredonia. Afterward he 
moved to Oil io. This was in 1S15. He died 
in Millersljui'g, Holmes county, Ohio, in 
1828. The lather and mother of our sub- 
ject were the jmrents of the following 



PAKA' KF.GIOXS OF M/.V.VESOTA . 



655 



named cliildren — Mary S., Alvin H., Charles 
P., Helen S., Lucy, Zetoles and Ilosmer 
II.. all but one of whom are now living. 
Ml'. Wilcox, the suljject of tliis bio- 
grapliical review, remained at home until 
he had attained the age of twenty-one years. 
During that time he attended school and 
assisted his father operate the home farm. 
At the age of twent\'one he left home and 
commenced in life for himself. He went to 
Newark, Oliio, where he worked in a manu- 
factory for two years. In the fall of 1857 
he was appointed county surveyor of Lick- 
ing county, Oliio, serving eighteen months. 
In tlie spring of 1859 he obtained the posi- 
tion of mining engineer of Coshocton county, 
Ohio, and remained there until the war 
broke out. In 18G1 he organized a com])any 
for the Twent\'sixth' Ohio Kegiment, and 
enlisted himself. They went to Columbus, 
but were i-ejected- for having too great a 
nuinber of men at camp. Our subject then 
went to Chicago, Illinois, where he joined a 
compan}' of engineers and bridge builders, 
but they were disbanded shortly after they 
arrived. Mr. Wilcox then went to Steamboat 
Rock, Iowa, and engaged in the profession of 
a school teacher during the winter of 1861 
-62. In the spring of 1802 he went to 
Dakota Territory, and located on the present 
site of Elk Point. In one week the river 
overflowed a few miles above him, drowning 
two settlers, whicli so discouraged him that 
he took the first steamboat going to Fort 
Benton. He went up the Missouri river to 
the Rocky mountains and was beyond any 
white habitation. When he reached Fort 
Benton he learned of the gold mines which 
were being discovered in the West and at once 
became tired with the idea of prospecting. 
He, in com]iany with about a dozen others 
crossed the Rock\' mountains to Gold creek, 
into Montana, then Washington Territory, 
where they found seven miners searching for 
gold. Our subject, with his jiai'tner, Patrick 



Owens, took the first claims and were among 
the first ten men who ever mined in Mon- 
tana. One of the party was Ex-Governor 
Samuel Ha user, and another Graville Stew- 
art, afterward first presiilent of the First 
National Bank at Helena, and now the 
president of the Montana Cattle Company. 
The location of their mining efforts was 
about ten miles from where the golden spike 
of the Northern Pacific Railroad was driven 
twenty-one yeai's afterward. Their efforts 
proved unavailing, for gold was not found in 
paying quantities, and when their jirovi- 
sions became scarce foui' of the partj^, 
our subject included, started for Walla 
Walla, which was the nearest settlement 
they knew of, being 450 miles distant. 
Their provisions soon gave out, and for 
three or four da3's they lived on fish and 
June-berries. They finally arrived at the 
Indian agency, Joco, where they recruited 
for a day or two. Our subject decided to 
remain and work on the Government farm, 
and the others resumed their journey. He 
remained there until the 13th of October, 
1862, and then started for the Milk River 
country on the east side of the Rocky mount- 
ains, alone, with three horses. His purpose 
was to trap during the winter. After trav- 
eling for four days he met an emigrant 
train, under Captain Fisk, the first party of 
emigrants who ever crossed the plains from 
Minnesota, and three men from this com 
pany joined our subject ujjon his return. 
While stopping to hunt a few days, neai 
where the city of Helena now stands, a 
Blackfoot Indian stole one of the horses, 
and, although they shot and wounded him 
and recaptured the horse, the Indian escaped. 
On arriving at Fort Benton they learned 
that the Indian had oi'ganized a war party' 
to pursue them. On account of the trouble 
with the Indians they finally decided to give 
u|) their hunting and trapping jjroject, and 
went u}) in the Rock}' mountains, on the 



t 



656 



KKD KIVER VALLEY AND 



Prickly Pear river, remaining tiiere all 
winter. Tiie simple narration of their priva- 
tions and hardships can not convey to the 
inind their meaning. They were sixty miles 
from ii iiuman i)eing and 500 miles fi-om a 
postoffice. Our subject remained in this 
out-of-the-way place for two years, during 
which time he was engaged in mining, and 
claims the honor of o])ening and operating the 
first gold mines within one hundred miles of 
Helena. For (me period oi tive weeks they 
had notliing Init meat to live on, and our 
subject went sixty nnles in the dead of 
winter to secure a little flour, paying thirty 
cents a pound for it. During that journey 
he did not see a single house, and his bed 
was made with a blanket, with the snow for 
a mattress. In October, 1863, the few 
miners held a genei'al election in the camp, 
and a Jiarty came one hundred nnles to 
inform them that it was election day. 
While on the way an Indian stole his horse, 
but he follow(Hl him, shot him, secured his 
horse, and resumed his journey, but did not 
arrive until (nening, so they voted bj' candle 
light, using an old hat for a ballot l)ox. 
'I'iiei'e were twelve votes cast, whicli included 
all the voters east of tiie Pocky mountains, 
one hundred] miles fi'oin where Helena now 
stands, and it was the first election ever held 
in Montana. On the 15th of August, 1864, 
Mr. Wilcox started back for Ohio, eointr bv 
way of Salt Lake City, 500 miles in a mule 
wagon, and thence to Denver, a distance of 000 
miles, in a stage in six days and six nights. 
Mr. W'ilcox says that that stage trij) was the 
most severe journey he ever made. On arri ving 
at Denver all travel to the States was sus- 
pended on account of Indian hostilities. 
After remaining three weeks in Denver he 
went to Omaha with a train of returning 
miners. Just before they arrived in Onuilia 
they passed the first graders at woi'k on the 
Union Pacific Railroad, a gang of fifty 
squaws. This was in October, 1804. Our 



subject then went across Iowa in a stage, 
and thence to Ohio, and in the following 
spring went to Pennsylvania, on account of 
the oil excitement. There he followed land 
surveying for six months, and then obtained 
the position of first assistant engineer for 
tlie Oil Creek Pailroad Company, work- 
ing in that capacity' for six montiis, until 
the com])letion of the road. He then specu- 
lated in the oil territory, and was unfoi'- 
tunate in losing all he had. He then worked 
on the Alleghany river and in the })ine 
woods for eighteen months. In the s]iring 
of 1808 he went down that I'iver and the 
Ohio on a raft of lumber, on his way back 
to the West. He secured a position as civil 
engineer on a branch of the Chicago, Pur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, and remained 
until the road was completed. From Chicago 
he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and obtained 
the position of deput\' citv engineer, working 
as such for six months. The climate not 
agi-eeing with him, in August, 1800, he 
removed to Minnesota, and in Sei)teml)er 
landed in St. Paul with only i^-l: in his 
pocket. From there he went to Still- 
water, and foi' some time worked in a saw- 
mill, tlien engaging in the j^rofession of 
school-teachina'. In the next August he 
came to the Red River Valley as United 
States surveyor, and during that summer and 
the succeeding fall and winter surveyed 
through Becker, Clay and Wilkin counties. 
Taking a fancy to Becker county he decided 
to settle there, and has since been promi- 
nently identified with the official history of 
the countv. He has since been encra";cd 
more or less in surveying, and in 1871 home- 
steaded 100 acres of land in Detroit town- 
ship, where he settled and commenced to 
make improvements. In 1871 he was elected 
county surveyor, and re-elected in 1873. In 
1875 he was elected county treasurer, which 
position he held six years. He then was 
elected to the county auditor's office, which 



PARIC REGIONS OF MINNESO TA 



657 



lie filled five years. For two years he was 
chief engineer of the Fargo & Southern Eail- 
road. He piirchasetl 4-,000 acres of timber 
land and has since been engaged in the 
lunilxM' business. He employs fifteen hands 
and is doing (juite an extensive business. lie 
owned a mill on the Otter Tail river, but in 
July, ISSS, it was destroyed by fire. He 
has always been actively interested in the 
local interests of the northern part of the 
State. 

Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage on the 
15th day of February, 1859, to Miss Mary 
E. Hannahs, a native of Ohio and the daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Kachael (Paign) Hannahs, 
natives of Licking county, Ohio. Our sub- 
ject is a republican in his political affiliations 
and one of the prominent and representative 
men of the countv. 



;^HARLES H. BOND, a prosperous and 
^y successful farmer of Todd county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of section 13, Wyke- 
ham township, where he is engaged in a 
general farming and stock-raising business. 
He is a native of New York State, born in 
Ashford, Cattaraugus county, New York, on 
the 29th of July, 1 839, and is the son of Sul- 
livan and Maria (Coffrin) Bond, also natives 
of the Empire State. The parents came 
to Minnesota in 1855, and settled in Good- 
hue county, Minnesota, where the father died 
in 1876. He was a farmer through life. The 
mother is still living. They were the parents 
of the followingchildren — Charles H., John, 
Sarah, Caroline, Andrew, Orlando, Emigene 
and Elizabeth. 

Mr. Bond, the subject of this biography, 
received his educati(in in his native State, 
attending school until he was sixteen years 
of age. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-two years old, and during that time 
helped on the home farm. In 1855 he 



removed to Minnesota A;vith his parents, and 
settled in Goodhue county. He remained 
there, engaged in farming, imtil about 1865, 
when he removed to Faribault county, Min- 
nesota. After a six-years' sojourn in that 
locality, engaged in farming, he went to 
Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he 
remained seven years. In 1881 he moved to 
Todd county, Minnesota, and located on 
section 13, Wykeham township, where he 
has since remained. He was among the first 
to settle in the township. He helped lay out 
the town site of Eagle Bend in the spring of 
1882. He is extensively engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, and has a well- 
cultivated farm of 120 acres in Wykeham 
township and 160 acres in Germania town- 
ship. In connection with his agricultural 
pursuits he is actively engaged in the real 
estate business, also the meat market busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Bond was married January' 7, 1860, to 
Miss Minerva Ridgway, and this union has 
been blessed with five children, named 
John S., Frank B., Dora E., Lavinia and 
Harry (deceased). All are married except 
Frank. Mr. Bond is a republican in his 
political affiliations. The family belong to 
the Seven Day Adventist church. Mr. Bond 
was supervisor in Faribault county for three 
years. Special mention should be made of 
his war record. He enlisted in December, 
1865, in the First Minnesota Heavy ArtUlery, 
and received his honorable discharge at 
Nashville, Tennessee. He was stationed at 
Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was under 
Colonel Baxter, and after his discharge 
returned to Faribault county, ]\[innesota. 
He is a representative man of Todd county, 
and is highlj' esteemed by all who know 
him. He is a member of the Grand Armj' 
of the Eepublic, and also of the Odd-Fellows 
fraternity. He has identified himself with 
all movements of a local nature, and is a 
man of the utmost honor and integrity. 



658 



RED mVER VALLEY AND 



J^RANK C. FIELD, the present incum- 
-L'^ bout of the office of county auditor 
of Wadena county, Minnesota, is a resident 
of tiie vilhif^e of "Wadena, where he is 
engaged in his official worlv, also carries on 
a loan, collection and insurance agency. He 
is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born 
in Prescott, on the 26th day of September, 
1857, and is the son of Truman and Abbie 
(Bailey) Field, natives of Vermont and New 
Ilanipsiiirc. The fatlier of our subject was 
engaged in the general merchandising busi- 
ness in Prescott for a number of years and 
was ]irominent in politics in that section. 
The fatiier and motiier of our subject are the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Jesse S. Field, an attorney, and Maud C. 
Field, both residing at Prescott, and our 
subject. 

Mr. Field, of whom this article treats, 
grew up to manhood in his native State and 
received his general education in his native 
town. During his ''off " hours from sciiool 
work he worked in his father's store, and 
afterward was clerk for two large mer- 
chandise concerns in Prescott. In 1877 he 
removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and entered 
the commercial college of Bryant and Strat- 
ton, remaining one year. In 1878 he secured 
a position in the dr}' goods store of Aur- 
baucli, Finch, Culi)ertson & Co., of St. Paul. 
.\fter being witli tlicin a short time he was 
employed by them to dispose of old and 
bankrupt stocks, and remained with tiiem 
until May, 1879, his last work being inYcrn- 
dale, Minnesota, where he took charge of a 
I)aJikrupt st(jciv. In February, 188U, he 
removed to AVadena to assume the official 
position of auditor, having been elected to 
tluit office in 1879. At one time he luid 
charge of the books of the Bank of Good- 
ner & Co., and in 1883 helped to establish 
the Dower Lake Lumber Company, and 
remained in connection with them until 1885. 
lie then formed a partnership with T. F. 



Ostrander, in the i-eal estate, insurance :ind 
loan business,which continued until February, 
1888. Since then our subject has carried on 
the business iilone and is having good success, 
lie still holds his official jjosition and dis- 
charges the duties devolving upon that office 
with satisfaction to all jiarties concerned. lie 
is a member of the Wadena Lodge, A. F. tt 
A. M., also of the Ancient Order of United 
Worlcmen. He is one of the representative 
citizens of the county and is highly esteemed 
by all who know him. In ))olitical matters 
he affiliates with the republican ]iarty. 



«^^ 



J|^ON. NELS QUAM, the subject of oui 
X''"^ present ai'ticle, is the rei)i'esentativ€ 



our 
pi'esentative 
from Kandiyohi county in the lower house 
of the Minnesota legislatui'e, and is a resi- 
dent of section 30, Lake Andrew townshi|), 
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, lie well 
deserves aiipro[)riate mention in a work 
devoted to the prominent men of Northern 
Minnesota, as he is one of the leading repub- 
licans in the county in which he lives, and is 
highly esteemed both as aman and exemplary 
citizen. He is a native of Minnesota, but as 
his parents were born in Norway he s])rings 
from the same race which has furnished the 
Northwest with so manv of its most valuable 
citizens — a race proverbial for integrity, 
frugality and economy. The parents of our 
subject were John Nelson and Anna (^Thomp- 
son) Quam, who were married in Norway in 
1852. They came to America in 1854-, land- 
ing at Quebec, and proceeding at once to 
Koskenong, Wisconsin. There they carried 
on a farm and remained until 1850, when 
they came to Minnesota, and the father took 
a pre-emption in Havana township, Steele 
county, where Nels, our subject, first saw 
the light. In 1878 the father sold out 
and removed to Kandiyohi county, Min- 
nesota, where he purchased a farm in Lake 



PARK' REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



659 



Andrew township, wliere they still reside. 
The parents had a I'aniih^ of eleven children, 
only live of whom, however, are now living. 

Nels Qnam, whose name heads this article, 
was born February 16, 1859, in Havana, 
Steele county, Minnesota, as above indicated, 
lie spent his boyhood there, at work on the 
home farm, and his educational advantages 
were limited until after he had attained the 
age of eighteen years. After that period he 
attended school for two years in Minne- 
apolis, and extensive reading has ripened his 
knowledge so that lie is a well-read and 
well-posted man on all public questions. He 
has since lived on the home farm, and had 
general charge of the business. He has 
always taken an active and prominent part 
in all public matters, and is one of the lead- 
ing citizens in the locality in which he lives. 
He has held various local positions, and in 
1888 was elected to represent Kandiyohi 
county in the house of representatives, by a 
large majority', and is now filling that posi- 
tion with ability. He was the principal 
factor in organizing the local Farmer's Insur- 
ance Company at his home and is president 
of the same. He is also president of the 
Farmer's Alliance. 

Nels Quam was married on the 12th of 
Octol)er, 1879, to Anna Augusta Mankel, and 
they are the jiareuts of five children as fol- 
lows — Andrew, William, Edward, Stella and 
Oscar. Mrs. Quam was born at Northfield, 
Minnesota, December 2-1, 1863. 



♦«- 




-«»► 



J. HILL, 



)ne of the 
dentists of the lied River 
Valley, is a resident of Fargo. He is the 
son of Ephraim and Mary M. (Reed) Hill, 
natives of New York. He was born in 
Caton, Steuben county, New York, May 3, 
1846, where he remained until he was fifteen 
years old, when he went to the Corning Free 



Academv, attending winters and working on 
the farm at home during summer months. 
This he continued for two yeai'S, when he 
enlisted in Compaiiy F, One Hundi-ed and 
Fort3'-tirst New York Volunteer Infantry, 
September 14, 1864, and served until June 
26, 1865. His regiment was in several 
engagements, but at that time our subject 
was on detached duty, and did not partici- 
pate. After being honorably discharged he 
returned home and remained one 3'ear, when 
he resumed his studies and attended school 
at Bath, New York, for some time, after 
which he taught one term of school. He 
afterward went to St. Joseph, Michigan, and 
ran a stationary engine in a brickyard, and 
also worked in a saw-mill, and did all kinds 
of mill work, excejit head sawyer. After 
being in this work about two years he then 
went to Ovid, New York, and attended the 
seminary there one year, when he went to 
the Genesee "Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, 
New York, where he was taken sick. After 
his recovery he studied medicine for two 
years at Ovid, and in that time attended two 
courses of lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, 
and graduated there from the Homeopathic 
Hospital College in the S])ring of 1872. He 
then went to Waterloo, New York, remaining 
some six months, when he went to Franklin, 
Pennsylvania, where he practiced for one 
year and a half; going then to La Mars, 
Iowa, remaining a shoi-t time, when he went 
to Cherokee, Iowa, where he practiced several 
years. Dr. Hill came to Fargo, March 25, 
1878, and engaged in dentistry, having studied 
dentistry when in Iowa. He is president of 
the Territorial board of dental examiners, 
and secretary of the Northwestern Dental 
Association, also treasurer of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and Sunday-school, and an 
active worker in all moral and educational 
matters. He has served as president of the 
board of education of the city of Fargo for 
two terms. Mr. Hill was married in Geneva, 



66o 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



New York, February 2. 1872, to Miss Anna 
Sowies, M. D., daiigliter of Steplien B. and 
Lurancy (Reynolds) Sowies, natives of Ver- 
mont. Mrs. Hill studied medicine in Florence, 
New Jerse}', in Trails llygeo-Tlierapeutic 
Institute, where she graduated, after which 
she attended the Homeopathic Hospital Col- 
lege at Cleveland, Ohio, where she again 
graduated, and has since graduated at the 
Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago. 
Mrs. Hill has only followed her profession 
at intervals. Their union has been blessed 
with five children — Alice M., Agnes L., 
Mary, Edith L. and Ernest S. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hill are membei's of the Methodist church. 
He was lay delegate from the North Dakota 
annual conference, to the general con- 
ference at Xew York City in May, 18S8, and 
is one of the leading members of that societ\' 
at Fargo. He is an active member of the 
Masonic fraternity, past master of the Blue 
Lodge, and high priest of the Chapter. He is 
chaplain of John F. Reynolds Post, G. A. R., 
No. 44-., of Fargo, Dakota Territory. 



-<►► 



I^UCIUS E. STINEHOUR, a prominent 
11^^ merchant of Wadena county, Minne- 
sota, is engaged in the general merchan- 
dising business in the village of "Wadena. 
He is a native of Vermont, born in West- 
ford, on the 12th of Julv, 1852, and is the 
son of Mr. J. C. and Mrs. D. A. Stinehour, 
natives of Verinont. The father and mother 
of our subject were the parents of tlie fol- 
lowinti-named chiklren — Lucius E., Homer 
E. and Jesse B. 

Mr. Stinehour, the subject of this bio- 
grai)hical article, remained at Westford, 
Vermont, until three years of age, when his 
parents moved to Johnson, Vermont. He 
remained there attending the excellent com- 
mon schools of that place until he was 
twentv vears of age. He then removed to 



Essex Junction, Vermont, where he secured 
employment in a drug store for aljout seven 
years. At the expiration of thiit time lie 
removetl to Minnesota and settled at Wadena, 
where he lias since remained with the excep- 
tion of a year's trip in the State of Oregon: 
In 1879 he settled in Wadena and opened 
the first drug store in the village. In the 
last two years the subject of this article has 
gradually been working out of the drug 
business, and has devoted the greater part of 
his time to his general merchandise depart- 
ment. During the first four or five years 
there was no other store of that class in the 
village. He is one of the prominent and 
successful business men in the village and 
count}', and Ijcars the respect and good-will 
of all who know him. He carries a full line 
of fancy groceries and dry goods and has a 
large and increasing trade. 

Mr. Stinehour was united in mai'riage on 
the 25th of February, 1879, to Miss Kittie 
Beach, and this union has been Ijlessed with 
two children — Maud G. and Hugh B. Mrs. 
Stinehour passed away from the scenes of 
earth on the 13th of February, 1887, sin- 
cerely mourned b\' all who knew her. Mr. 
Stinehour is interested in all of the move- 
ments of the republican party and is an act- 
ive participant in all movements of a local 
natui'e. 



aMaANS J. DALE, of the firm of Dale *.t 
-lr3L Roise, leading merchants, of Willmar, 
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, settled in that 
l)lace ill 1874, and commenced business, hand- 
ling drugs, groceries, dry goods, clothing, 
carpets, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., in part- 
nership with Paul H. Roise, whose biography 
will be found in another department of this 
Album. Mr. Dale was born in Norway, on 
the 16th of November, 1849, and is the son 
of Jorgen and Martha (Larson) Dale, also 
natives of that kingdom. The mother died 



PAKA- REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



66l 



in 1853, and the father, who was a farmer, 
emigrated to the United States in 1860, and 
settled in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where 
he engawd in farmino:, owning; a fine tract 
comprising 360 acres of land. Later he sold 
this farm to his son Peter J., and is now 
owner of the well-known Willmar Farm, two 
miles northeast of the cit}^, compi'ising about 
800 acres. He is living witli liis son Peter 
J. on this farm. The father has always 
voted the republican ticket. He and his 
wife belong to the Luthei'an church. Peter 
.1., tiie bi'other of our subject, while in Wis- 
consin was a member of the State legisla- 
ture and held various important offices of 
his county. The parents of our subject had 
a family of the following-nanied children — 
Annie, now Mrs. Peter Goldberg; Peter J., 
who is living on the Willmar Farm ; and 
Hans, the subject of this sketch. 

Hans J. Dale, of whom tiiis article ti'eats, 
emigrated to this count}' when he was ten 
years old. Until he was seventeen years 
old he remained on tlie home farm and 
attended the district schools of the county. 
At the age of seventeen years he entered 
the school in Sjiarta, Wisconsin, where he 
remained three years, tiien engaging as drug- 
clerk for O. F. IS'ewton of that place, with 
whom he remained six years. In 187-1 he 
removed to Willmar, Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in partnership 
witii Mr. Poise, in the drug and grocerv 
business. The}' continued in that business 
until 1884, when they put in a full line of 
general goods, as before stated. They are 
among the leading and successful merchants 
of the village, and are doing an extensive 
business. In 1876 he erected his fine resi- 
dence on LitciiHeld avenue, one of the finest 
places in the city. He is one of the stock- 
holders in the Willmar Bank, and is also a 
directoi' of the same. He also owns an inter- 
est in the town site of Britton, Marshall 
county, Dakota Territory. 



Mr. Dale was united in marriage in 1874, 
to Miss Adrine Seierstud, who died January 
11, 1879. Our subject married, for his second 
wife. Miss Martha Iverson, the daughter of 
J. H. Iverson, of Martell, Wisconsin. Mr. 
Dale is a republican in his political affilia- 
tions, and is actively interested in all local 
matters. He is a member of the board of 
education, and is one of the prominent and 
representative business men of the county. 
He is a man of the strictest honor and integ- 
ritv, and is highly esteemed and respected 
bv all who know him. 



-*" 



^R. J. FRANK LOCKE. Prominent 
^ among the medical practitioners of 
Todd count}', Minnesota, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this article, and a resident 
of the village of Pillsbury, where he is 
extensively engaged in clinical work. He is 
a native of the State of New Hampshire, 
born in Ossipee on the 27th day of April, 
1844, and is the son of James and Mary 
(Townsend) Locke, natives also of the State 
of New Hampshire. The father of our sub- 
ject was a nuister builder by trade, and 
remained in his native State until 1860, when 
the family removed to Maine. The father 
died in 1884 and the mother passed away 
the same j'ear. They were the parents of 
the following-named children — Jacob T., 
Simon J., AVilliam P., J. Frank, Arvilla V., 
Charles A. and Ida B. 

Dr. Locke, the subject of this biographical 
article, spent his school-days in New Hamp- 
shire and Maine, attending school until he 
had attained the age of seventeen years. 
He then commenced the studv of medicine 
in Ilollis, Maine, but, before finishing his 
medical education, responded to President 
Lincoln's call for " 300,000 more," and, on 
the 2d day of June, 1862, enlisted in the 
Sixteenth Maine Infantry, and served until 



662 



RED KIVER VALLE Y AND 



1864, when lie received an honorable dis- 
chai'ge, by special act of President Lincoln, 
who knew that the father and four sons all 
enlisted in one conipan\', and all were killed 
or disabled but J. F. He was offered the 
position of captain, but refused. He served 
ill the battles of Antietam and Fredericks- 
liiiry, beside many skii'inislies. Our subject 
was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, 
anil, ill c()ns('(|iience of which, was con- 
fined to the hospital of ^laredian, Washing- 
ton City, District of Cohiiiil)ia, for six months. 
After liis discharge he returned to his 
father's, in Maine, where for three years he 
was an almost liolpless invalid from diseases 
contracted in the service. 

After recovering his health he studied 
theology under private tutors, and then 
entered the Free Baptist Theological Semi- 
nary at New Hampton, New Hampshire. 
His first charge was at Wolfboro, New 
Hampsliire. He was ordained at South 
Berwick, Maine, June 15, 1870, where he 
served two years. He then accepted a call 
to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where he 
remained five years as a Free Baptist min- 
ister. Ho then accepted a call to Laconia, 
New Haiiiiishire, where he remained one 
year, and tlicn on account of ill-health was 
obliged to give up ministerial lalior. He 
then began to make use of his medical edu- 
cation, and in 1S78 removed to Minnesota 
and commenced to practice under the State 
laws. He is now one of the largest land- 
owners ill Todd county, ^Minnesota, and for 
a period of six years was engaged in the 
mercantile business in the village of Pills- 
bury in connection with his clinical work. 
In 1888 he erected the roller mills in the vil- 
lage, and is now the proprietor of the same. 
He is extensively engaged in the practice of 
medicine, and is one of the most successful 
physicians in this region. 

Dr. Locke was married in September, 1868, 
to Miss Etta Ilemick, and this union has 



been blessed with two children, named as 
follows — Grace and Allie, the latter now 
deceased. Mrs. Locke passed away from 
the scenes of earth to her final reward in 
1873. Mr. Locke was married September 23, 
1878, the second time, to Miss Annie Pease, 
a native of Maine, and the daughter of 
"Winthrop Pease, a contractor of J\[aine. 
Dr. Locke and his familv belonji' to the Free 
Baptist ciuirch. The doctor is one of the 
esteemed citizens of this locality, and has 
iield tlie offices of president of the village 
council, member of the board of trustees, 
etc. He is a member of the Itoyal Arch 
Masons and also of the Grand Army of the 
Eepublic. He is one of the most successful 
ph\'sicians in the county, and commands a 
large and increasing practice. As a jmblic 
speaker Dr. Locke takes high rank, and, when 
in the East, had all the engagements in 
lyceum courses he could fill, receiving larae 
pecuniary rewards. A stanch republican 
in politics, every poUtical campaign finds him 
at the front. He is also a constant contrib 
utor to the leading papers and magazines of 
the countrv, and derives no inconsiderable 
income from his facile pen. His more noted 
publications, " Fun in Camp,"' '• Evenings in 
Camp" and •' A Trip to the Yellowstone" 
have delighted thousands of readers. 



-«" 



J^UON. JOHN WAIT, who is engaged in 
-Lr3l. the milling business in the village of 
Long Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Canada. He was born on the 8th 
day of December, 1841, and is the son of 
Alexander and Eii]ihenna (Colburn) Wait, 
natives of Scotlanil. They emigrated to 
Canada at an early day and settled in county 
Kent. The father was a ship carpenter by 
trade and died in 1872. The father and 
mother of our subject were the parents of two 



r.lRK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



663 



children — John, the present subject, and 
Anna, who is now Mrs. George Gray, of 
Dodge county, Minnesota. 

IMr. Wait, the subject of tliis biograpliical 
memoir, remained in liis native hind until he 
had attained the age of twelve years. During 
th;it time he attended tlie excellent common 
schools of his native countr\', and at the age 
mentioned removed to Detroit, Michigan. 
He remained there two years and then went 
to the northei'n shore of Lake Huron, where 
he remained five years, engaged in fishing. 
In 1862 Mr. Wait removed to Minnesota and 
settled in Minneapolis. Shortly after settling- 
there he enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota 
Infantry and served until lSt35, when in 
August he received his honorable discharge. 
Tiie })i'iucipal battle he participated in was 
Wood Lake, and he was with both of the 
Sibley expeditions. While in one of these 
expeditions he was an eye witness of a most 
singular phenomenon. One of the soldiers vras 
killed by lightning. On the day on which it 
transpiretl there was a cloudless sky and no 
appearance of a storm. He was also in 
Canby's expedition from N5w Orleans to 
Mobile, and engaged in the last battle of the 
war, Blakley, in May, 1865. After the close 
of tiie war Mr. Wait went to Todd county, 
Minnesota, and located in the township of 
Hartford, and took land on which he proved 
up and resided for five j'ears. At the expira- 
tion of that time he removed to the village of 
Long Prairie, and ensaoed in the general 
mercantile business in partnership with 
Chandler & Fishei'. 

After following that business for ten or 
twelve years, during which time he was also 
engaged in the wheat business, Mr. Fisher 
sold his interest and Mr. Wait continued one 
year in partnership with Mr. ('handler. He 
then purchased the flouring mill and has 
since operated it, being sole proprietor. The 
mill has a cajjacity of fifty barrels per day 
and is doing an extensive business. 



Mr. Wait was married October 29, 1871, 
to Miss Emma Chandler, a native of Indiana 
and educated in Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wait have been blessed with the following- 
named children — Melvin S., Florence N., 
Koscoe C, Pearl, Carlton, Paul and jSTellie. 
Mr. Wait was elected in 1876, as representa- 
tive from the fort}' -first senatorial district, 
and served one term in the State legislature. 
He is a republican in ])olitics and is a re]>re- 
sentative man in the locality in which he 
lives. 



Is^sFlLLlAM GILGER, the proprietor of 



the Willmar brewery, Kandiyohi 
county, Minnesota, settled in that place in 
1878, where he erected the brewery on the 
shores of Foot lake and has since remained. 
He is a native of tlie kingdom of France in 
Alsace, which with Lorraine became a part of 
the German Empire in 1871. He was born in 
1850, and is the son of George and Catharine 
(Keiffer) Gilger, also natives of that locality. 
The father was engaged in the pottery busi- 
ness during active life, and a few years before 
his death, which occurred in 1859, led a 
retired life. Tlie mother is still living in her 
native land. The ]iarents of our subject wei'e 
blessed with the three following-named chil- 
dren — George, Catharine and William, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Ml'. Gilgei", of whom this article treats, 
received a fine education in his native land, 
and after leaving school engagetl in the bank- 
ing business for twoyears. At the expiration 
of that time he entered the mercantile busi- 
ness, and for the succeeding seven years had 
a larc-e retail and wholesale trade. While in 
his native land he acquired a knowledge of 
the brewing business, although he did not 
follow that occupation while tliere. In 1873 
he emig-rated to the United States and located 
in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he followed 



664 



RED RIVER VALLEY A KfD 



the brewing business, in partnership with 
William Constans, for five3'ears. In 1S78 he 
stjld out antl i-enioved to Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota, where he purchased eleven acres 
of land in Willmar, where he built his resi- 
dence and brewery at an expense of sl."'),00(>. 
lie now has one of the largest establishments 
in that region, employing five men, and is 
doing- a heav}' business throughout this and 
adjoining counties. 

Mr. Gilger was united in marriage in 1876 
to Miss Harriette Lambrecht, of St. Paul, 
Miimnesota, and the daughter of Franz and 
Henrietta (Schleif) Lambrecht. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gilger have been blessed with one child — 
Stella IT. In political matters our subject is 
indi'iiendent, reservin';: the rioht to vote for 
the best candidate regardless of party lines. 
He is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odil-Fellows, and also the Sous of Herman, 
of St. Taul. He is one of the prominent and 
substantial business men of Willmai', and is 
a man of integrity and honor, his word being 
considered as "ood as a bond. 



-«•-; 



-^^ 



^ARVEY E. MUSSEY, the editor and 
])roprietor of the Warren (Minne- 
sota) Sheaf, is one of the best-known news- 
paper men in the Red River Valley. A 
trenchant, ready writer, a thorough printer, 
a capable business man and a hard worker, 
he is meeting with merited success, and is 
ali'eady recognized as one of the most 
forcible editorial writers in the northern 
part of the State. 

Mr. Mnssey was born in Romeo, Macondj 
county, Michigan, March IS, 18-10, and is the 
son of Hon. Dexter and l.ydia (Russell) 
^[ussey. The parents were both natives of 
Connecticut, and ai-e still living in Armada, 
Michigan. In October, 1886, thev celebrated 
their golden wedding, and on this occasion 
four generations were represented, and. 



strange to say, not a single death had 
ever occurred in any of the families rcpie- 
sented. Harvey K., at the time of the cele- 
bration, slept in the house where he was 
born, antl his parents still occupied the 
room where his birth occurred. Harvey's 
father, Hon. Dexter Mussey, is a lawyei-, 
and a man who has been prominently identi- 
fied with the political and oHicial history of 
Michigan, having served several terms in 
the State legislature, and was speaker of the 
house for several years. He is still actively 
engaged in practice. 

Harvey E. Mussey, whose name heads 
our present article, remained at home 
attendino: school until he was eighteen, 
when he commenced learning the printer's 
trade in the office of the Romeo Ohserver, 
where he remained for about eighteen 
months. At the expiration of that time 
he engaged in various occupations, such 
as working in the mills and pineries, 
until 1881. A portion of this time was 
spent at his trade, but most of it was in 
"roughing it" in the woods. In August, 
ISSl, he arrived in Fargo, Dakota Territoi-y, 
and went to work at farming. On the 10th 
of November he went to Glyndon, and 
became foreman in the office of the litil 
River Valleij Neios, for L. Osborn, where he 
remained until February, 1882. He then 
went to Minneapolis and followed his trade 
until the following A|)i-il.wlienhewentbackto 
Fargo and engaged on the farm where he li;id 
previously worked. About the middle (jf 
November we find him at jMoorhead, where he 
worked in the J^ews office, and two months 
later went to the Xcws at Glyndon. ]\\ the 
s[)ring of 1883 he went to Ransom county, 
Dakota Territory, ami spent the summer on 
a claim which he had previously filed upon. 
He proved \\\^ on the claim, but has since 
lost it on a tax title. In the fall he went 
back to Glyndon and worked in the Red 
River Valley JVeics office again until March, 



PARK REGJQNS OF MINNESOTA. 



665 



ISSfi, when he went to Fargo, and was there 
employed on the Argus nntil tlie office was 
burned, a few weeks later, after which he 
worked in vai'ious offices until June 1, 1886, 
when he went to Warren. He hired to A. 
J. Clark, ])roprietor of the Warren Sheaf, 
and tiiis arrangement was continued until 
September 1st. At that time Mr. Mus- 
sey and J. P. Mattson bought the War- 
ren Sheaf and Marshall County Leader, 
and in the foUowins: December bought 
the Marshall County Banner, of Argyle. In 
August, 1888, our subject bought the inter- 
est of his partner, and in October sold the 
Banner, so that he now conducts the Warren 
Sheaf aj\A the Marshall County Leader. The 
latter is ]mblished at Stephen, Marshall 
county, Minnesota. Under Mr. Musse3''s 
maiiagemont the papers have already attained 
a creditable circulation, and are assuming a 
prominent place in the newspaper circles of 
" the Yalley." 

Mr. Mussey was married November 25, 
18S4, to Miss Ella M. Lyon, and they are the 
parents of one son — Homer Franklin. Mrs. 
Mussey was horn in High Forest, Olmsted 
county, Minnesota, and is the daughter of 
Orson and Sarah (Wood) Lyon, natives of 
New York. 

Mr. Mussey is one of the most prominent 
business men at Warren, an affable, genial 
gentleman, and one whom it is a pleasure to 
meet. 



^^DMUND A. EVERTS is at present 
V^^ eno-aoed in dealing in lumber and 
Hour and feed in Battle Lake, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. lie was born Novem- 
ber 12, 18-40, in Carroll county, Illinois. 

Mr. Everts is the son of Ilezin and Saph- 
ronia (Preston) Everts. The father was a 
native of Ohio; the mother a native of 
Massachusetts. The father was a farmer by 
occupation, and left Ohio at the age of 



twelve years, going to Indiana in about 1828. 
He remained in Indiana, engaged in car- 
penter work until 1837, thence he removed to 
Illinois, where the subject of our sketch was 
born. The mother is living in Hamlin, Min- 
nesota. The father died May 3, 1881, and 
was buried in the town of Maine, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. 

Edmund Everts came with his parents to 
Winona county, Minnesota, in 18.55. He 
lived with his parents ujjon a farm, and 
attended district school until about the break- 
ing out of the war. Early in 1861 he 
enlisted in Company A, Second Regiment 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served 
during the entire war, and was discharged 
July 11, 1865. being mustered out of the 
service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. His 
father enlisted November 5, 1865, in the 
First Minnesota Battery, and was discharged 
July 1, 1805. On his return from the service 
Edmund rented a farm in Winona county, 
Minnesota, and for four years followed the 
occupation of farming. June 1, 1871, he 
removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
and settled on a homestead on which he 
lived for ten years. At the end of that time 
he moved into the village of Battle Lake, 
where he engaged in the business of buying 
wheat for A. J. Sawyer. Continuing in Mr. 
Sawyer's employ for one year he then 
entered into an engagement to work for the 
Northern Pacific Elevator Company, with 
whom he continued one year. During this 
time, however, he carried on his present busi- 
ness in Battle Lake. 

Mr. Everts was married August 26, 1866, 
to Miss Rozilla Hinkston. Miss Hinkston 
was a native of Hlinois, ami is a daughter of 
Philo and Emily Hinkston. Mr. and Mrs. 
Everts have been blessed with three children 
— Harry S., May and Fred, all living at the 
present time. Mrs. Everts' parents were 
natives of Ohio and are now dead, the mother 
dvino' in Winona, in March, 1867. 



666 



KED KIVER VALLEY AXD 



Mr. Everts is a man of considerable promi- 
nence in the business circles of his adopted 
town. He has been enffagod in a number of 
commercial enterprises, and in every instance 
has met with merited success. In politics he 
exerts a great influence among the republi- 
cans of his county, and for many yeai's has 
been honored in being placed in positions of 
responsibility and trust. He lias held tiie 
office of town supervisor for nine 3'ears, and 
for two tci-ins was town treasurer. He is a 
leading nieuiber of the Masonic fraternity, 
and also of the G. A. R., Everts Post, 
No. 13S. Mr. Everts owns considerable 
property in this county, seven lots in the 
village, an excellent dwelling house and 
l)usiness building, and also 200 acres of land 
not far distant from tlie village. He is a 
man of excellent business qualifications, 
cautious and conservative in his business 
ventures, and by industry and thrift has 
gathered unto himself much valuable prop- 
erty, and has l)uilt up a hirge and extensive 
ti'ade. 

OHN L. EDDY, a prosperous and esteemed 
business man of the village of Verndale, 
Wadena county, Minnesota, is engaged in 
tlie livery business in tiiat place. He is a 
native of the State of Iowa, born in 1843. 
Ilis parents were among the earliest settlers 
in Iowa. 

Mr. Eddy, the subject of tijis article, spent 
ilis early days in Iowa, where he attended 
school until the second call for volunteers in 
the war. He enlisted in Compau}' E, Third 
Iowa Infantry, and served until he received 
ilis honorable discharge at Keokuk, Iowa. 
He served in tiie South and was in several 
battles and skirmishes. In the spring of 
1S(>5 he re-enlisted in the Forty-fourth Towa 
Infantry, and served as teamster until tiie 
war. After tiie war lie returned to his 
native State, and settled in liutler county. 



Iowa, where he remained until 1877. In 
the fall of 1877 he started with a team • 
for the Northwest. He settled in AVadena 
county, Minnesota, where he took a claim, 
and in the following sju-ing sold out and took 
a farm about two miles from where Yerndale 
is nojv located. lie remained there ten 
years, engaged in agricultural jiursuits. In 
lss2 he commenced the luinhcring business 
on a small scale, having a portalile steam 
engine. Later he extended the business, and 
devoted his attention exclusively to that 
industry until the winter of 1S88. In 1886 
he erected a steam mill, twelve miles from 
Verndale, on the Red Eye river, and he con- 
tinued until 1888. He then engaged in the 
livery business and is interested in the Park 
Rapids Stage Line. They ran a daily stage 
from Yerndale to Park Rapids, a distance of 
sixty miles, starting at 7 a. m., and reaching 
the destination at (5 ]>. jt., chanjiing horses 
at Shell City and Central House on Cat 
river. Our subject has a tirst-class livery 
stable and has the l^est of traveling outfits 
and rigs. He is doing a good business and 
is well-known throughout the county. He 
is a member of the C. C. Parker Post, Xo. 
113, Grand Army of the Repulilic. 

• • ■' > •^^fg^--»— — 

AMES C. HAINES is a resident of the 
village of Paynesville, Minnesota, where 
he is engaged in the hardware business. 
He is a native of the Dominion of Can- 
ada, born on the oth of November, 1840, 
and is the son of William Haines, a native 
of Canada. Our subject's mother, who was 
a native of Scotland, died at Paynesville at 
the age of fifty-two years. 

Mr. Haines, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home until he had attained the 
age of twent^'-three years, tluriiig which 
time he had attended school and engaged in 
the lumbering business to some little extent. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



667 



In 1862 he removed from Canada to Kankakee 
county, Illinois, where he engaged in gen- 
eral farming operations until 1867, when he 
went to Minnesota and settled in Stearns 
county, and took land near Paynesville, 
where he rented a saw-mill and for about 
three years followed that industry. At the 
expiration of that time he engaged in the 
carpenter's trade, and after working a few 
years at that vocation removed to the vil- 
lage of Paynesville and opened a general 
merchandise stoi'e, wliich he carried on for 
about twelve years. lie was agent for the 
McOorniick Machine Company, and in 1886 
sold out and platted the new village on the 
Minneapolis & Pacific, or Soo, Railroad. In 
June, 1888, he purchased his present hard- 
ware store, which he has since carried on. 
lie runs a first-class store, carrying a full 
line of heavy and shelf hardware, and doing 
a good business. 

Mr. Haines was married the first time to 
Mrs. Harriet Starkey, who died in 1882, and 
was interred in Paynesville. The fruits of 
this union were five children, all deceased 
but the two following — Hubert and Clem- 
ent. Mr. Haines was united in marriage, the 
second time, in 1883, to Miss Augusta Pein, 
and they have been blessed with two chil- 
dren — Alice and Estella. Our subject has 
held the office of justice of the peace for 
five years, and has been town treasurer since 
1879, also supervisor for one term. In the 
fall of 1888 he was on the ticket as candi- 
date for member of the legislature. In 
political matters he affiliates with the repub- 
lican party, and is actively interested in 
all local matters. No man has done more 
to aid in the development of this locality, 
and every enterprise calculated to benefit 
the town or county receives his active and 
hearty support. A man of the strictest 
integrity, he is held in the highest regard 
both as a business num and an exemplar}' 
citizen. 



—^AMUEL M. DIANARD, who now has 
"'^^ charge of the lumber yard for Mallory 
& Spafford, in the village of St. Hilaire, Polk 
county, Minnesota, is a native of the Empire 
State. He was born on the 22d day of Jan- 
uary, 1862, and is the son of Alfred and 
Mary Ann Dianard, natives of Canada and 
America, respectively. 

Mr. Dianard, the subject of this biograph- 
ical review, remained at home and attended 
school until he had attained the age of four- 
teen years, when he entered an apprenticeship 
to the lumber business. He has since that 
time been actively engaged in the business, 
making it a life work. For many years his 
work and time was divided between saw-mills, 
lumber yards, contracting, and in every form 
and department of the business. He is one of 
the most competent lumbermen in the North- 
west, and is familiar with ever}' branch of 
the business. He was raised in Canada, and 
in 1876 removed to Michigan. In 18SJ: he 
removed to Minnesota and located at St. 
Hilaire, where he ran a circular saw for three 
months and sawed shingles. For the suc- 
ceeding two months he took charge of a lum- 
ber yard for Darling & Welch, and con- 
tinued in that capacity for one year. Mr. 
Dianard then took charge of the American 
House, which he operated for six months, 
and at the expiration of that time again 
returned to the lumber business. He was 
then employed b}' Larson Brothers to saw 
shingles, and in the spring of 1888 engaged 
in that business on his own account for a 
time. He then operated a circular saw for 
Item & Qualm for one month. At the 
expiration of that time he started out with a 
threshing engine and was engaged in that 
occupation until Sejitember, 1888, when he 
took charge of i\Ialiorv & Spafi'ord's lumber 
yard, which he is now running. He is one 
of the best-known lumbermen in the county, 
and has the reputation of being master of 
everv branch of the business. 



668 



hed river valley and 



Mr. Dianard was united in marriage in St. 
Ililaire, on tiie20th day of ilarch, 1885, to Miss 
Nettie Andei-son, the daughter of Andrew 
and Anna Anderson, natives of Norway. In 
this union Mr. and Mrs. Dianard have been 
blessed with two children — Edna and Lulu. 
In political matters our subject aiRliates with 
the republican party, and is actively inter- 
ested in all local movements. He is one of 
the prominent business men of the village, 
and is doing an extensive lumber business 
tliroughout tiie county. Mr. Dianard was 
elected president of the village council of St. 
Ililaire and justice of the ]ieace in 1889. He 
is a man of the strictest integrity, and his 
word is considered as good as a bond. 



^^STHN I. ROYEM, the county auditor 
\L:^ of Marshall county, Minnesota, is a 
resident of the town of AVarren, where he is 
engaged in his official duties. He is a native 
of the kingdom of Norway, born in Mera- 
ger, on the 31st day of April, 1855, and is the 
son of John and Ingrid (Eisteinsen) Rovem, 
also natives of tiuit kingdom. 

Mr. iu)yem,( he subject of this biographical 
sketch, remained in his native land until he 
was fifteen \'eai's old. During tliat time he 
attended the excellent common sciiools of 
his native land. At the age of fifteen he 
emigrated to the United States and settled 
in Calumet, Michigan, where he secured work 
in a boarding-house. He remained at that 
work for about fourteen months and then 
removed to Dakota. During the first two 
summers he worked with a surveying party 
and one winter attended school. He then 
found emplovment in a hardware store in 
Sioux Falls, with PhilHp Cross, with whom he 
worked two j^ears. At tiie expiration of 
tiiat time he secured a position as clerk in 
the postoffice, and after working four years 
paid a visit to his native land. He spent one 



summer amid the picturesque hills of his 
native country, and in ISSO again crossed the 
ocean for the United States. He settled in 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he found 
work in Hans O. Peterson's general store, on 
.AVashington avenue, as clerk. He retained 
the ]iosition three months and then went to 
Marshall county, settling in "Warren, wliere 
he clerked for Johnson, Allen & Co. for one \ 
year, and then for Gilbert Conson for one 
and one-half years. In November, 1881. he 
was elected to the responsible position of 
county auditor. During the first year he 
had a de})uty, but has since attended to the 
office himself. He has been elected four 
times, and discharges the duties devolving 
upon that official position witii credit to 
himself and satisfaction to all parties con- 
cerned. He is an exeni]ilai-v citizen and is 
highly esteemed by all who know him. 



«»► 



Jp-REDERIC CLAYDON, proprietor of 
J^ the City Drug Store, in the village of 
Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is 
one of the leading jiharmacists in the north- 
ern part of tlie State. He is a n;itive of 
England, born in London, on the 17th day 
of May, 1841, and is the son of Charles and 
Mary (Brook) Claydon, also natives of that 
kingdom. The responsible jiosition of l)ursar 
to Trinity College, Cambridge, England, 
was iield by the family for upward of 150 
years. 

Mr. Claydon, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education in his native countr\', 
where he attended school until he was fifteen 
years of age. He then entered a lawyer's 
office and engaged in the study of law for 
five years. He then enteretl the commercial 
business, which he followed for four years, 
and then established a bank, in which he 
was employed for ten years. In 1879 he 
emigrated to the United States, and after 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



669 



landing in Ne^^' York City removed to Min- 
nesota, wliere he settled on a farm in Leaf 
Lake township, Otter Tail county, where he 
remained three years. In ISSl he removed to 
the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, 
where he assumed the office of secretary' of 
the Prairie Mills Company, which position Jie 
held for six years. In 18S7 he bought out 
Mr. "Wallace's di'ug store and has been en- 
gaged in that business ever since. He held 
the office of justice of the peace for three 
years, and is one of the prominent and 
respected citizens of the village. 

Mr. Claydon was united in marriage in 
1SC7 to Miss Harriet Anna Aslett, and this 
union has been blessed with the following- 
named chiklren — Frederic, Leonanl, Richard, 
Pei'C}', Isabelle and Edith. Our subject and 
his family belong to the Episcopal church. 
In political matters he affiliates with the 
ilemocratic party, and is one of the active 
members of the Independent Order of Odd- 
Fellows. He is a man of the strictest honor 
and integrity and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. and liis honorable business 
methods have built him an extensive trade. 



^M.NDREW O. SATHER, of the firm of 
J[?^>^ Larson A: Co., general merchants of 
Willniar, Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Norway. He was born in 1848, 
and is the son of Ole and Johannah (Otter- 
son) Sather, also natives of that kingdom. 
The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, 
emigrated to the United States in 1852, with 
his familv, and located in Jefferson county, 
Wisconsin, where he followed his trade until 
1854, when he removed to Pierce county, 
Wisconsin, where he is still residing, engaged 
in farming. 

Mr. Sather, of whom this sketch treats, 
emigrated to the United States with his par- 
ents in 1852. He remained at home, attend- 



ing the common schools until he was 
seventeen years old, when he entered the pub- 
lic school at Hudson, Wisconsin, and after 
remaining one term engaged in the profes- 
sion of a school teacher, which vocation he 
followed for two years. At the expiration 
of that time be entered the high school at 
River Falls, Wisconsin, and after leaving 
there again engaged in school teaching. h\ 
1870 he went to Winona and entered upon a 
course in the normal school, from which he 
graduated in 1872. Then, after teaching for 
two years, he took a business course at the 
Curtis Business College. in Minneapolis, grad- 
uating in 1875. In 1877 he was married to 
Miss Carrie A. Anderson, of Martell, Wis- 
consin, and removed to Cannon Falls, Min- 
nesota. After remaining there for six 
months, engaged in the mercantile business, 
in 1884 his store was destroyed by fire, and 
he came to Will mar and became a member of 
the above-mentioned firm. 



^ENRY KEYE, who is agent for the 
Farmer's Union Elevator Company, 
is a resident of the village of Argyle, Mar- 
shall county, Minnesota. He is a native of 
Minnesota, born in Frontenac, Minnesota, 
on the 14tli day of October, 1856, and is 
the son of Andrew and Fredereca (Ouden) 
KcN'e, natives of the Province of Brunswick, 
German}^, and the kingdom of Prussia, 
respectively. 

Mr. Keye, the subject of this biograpliical 
sketch, remained at home, attending school 
and assisting his father operate the home 
farm, until he had attained the age of 
twenty-one years. He then engaged in 
farming on his own account near Frontenac, 
Minnesota, and after following that occupa- 
tion for two years removed westward, and 
in 1881 settled in Argyle, Marshall count}', 
Minnesota. He rented land of his brother, 



670 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



and for two years carried on the l)usiness of 
general farming and stock-i-aising. He then 
homesteaded IfiO acres on section 10, Argyle 
township, Marshall county, Minnesota, wiiich 
he lias since held. It is a desiral)le farm, 
well-improved and under good cultivation. 
In 1883 he commenced buying wheat and 
since that time has been employed by the 
Farmer's Union Elevator Company. The 
elevator was built in 18S4-, and prc'vious to 
that tiie griiin was stored in tem])orar3' ware- 
houses. His farm now (■oni])rises 240 acres, 
230 acres of which are under cultivation. 
When Mr. Keye commenced in life for him- 
self he had $600 as a start, and by hard 
work, energy and economy he has placed 
himself in the most desirable circumstances. 
He has a comfortable dwelling in the vil- 
lage. 

Mr. Keye was united in marriage on the 
25th day of May, 1878, to Miss Sophia 
Meyer, a native of Galena, Illinois, and the 
daughter of Frederick and Minnie Meyer, 
natives of Brunswick and Hamburg, respec- 
tively. Mr. and Mrs. Keye in this union 
li;iv(^ l)een bles.sed with the following named 
children — Minnie, Lydia, Harry and Maud. 
Our subject in his political faith belongs to 
the democratic party. He is actively inter- 
ested in local matters, and any laudable 
home enterprise receives his hearty suppoi't. 



■•V' *! 



[AMES D. VAN DYKE, one of the leading 
lawyers at Long Praii'ie, the county 
seat of Todd county, Minnesota, is a member 
of the law firm of Davis h Van Dyke, and of 
the real estate, loan and insurance firm of 
Bressler, Davis & Van Dyke. The law firm 
is composed en personnel of R. E. Davis 
and James D. Van Dyke, and the real estate 
firm includes these gentlemen and also 
George N. Bressler. J. 1 ). Van Dyke is a 
native of Wisconsin, born in Summit, Wau- 



kesha county, on the 10th of May, 1859, ami 
is the son of Samuel W. and Annie (Pat- 
terson) Van Dyke, natives of the State of 
Pennsylvania. The parents of our subject 
settled at Summit, Wisconsin, in 1834, where 
they have since remained. The father is a 
graduate of Marshall College, in Pennsyl- 
vania, and was admitted to the bar in 1833. 
The fatliei' and motherof our subject are the 
])arents (jf the following-named children — 
William J., Harry L., Carroll, James, Nor- 
niiin E. and Annie D. 

James D. Van Dyke, the subject of this 
l)iographical memoir, remained at home 
attending the excellent common schools of his 
native State until he had attained the age of 
fourteen years. At that jieriod in life he 
entered the Allison Classical Academj' at 
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, from which he 
graduated with high honors in 187-1-. After 
his graduation he entered the senior class of 
the pre])aratory department of the Nashotah 
Episcopal Theological Seminary. He then 
attended the State University, and graduated 
in 1881. In 1881 he removed to the State 
of Minnesota and settled in Ale.xandria, 
where he taught school for some time. He 
then entered into the study of law in the 
office of Barto & Barto, the leading attorneys 
in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. After studying 
one year with tliat iii'in he entered the office 
of Tolmaii & Baldwin, of St. Cloud, Min- 
nesota, remaining with them some six months. 
At the expiration of that time Mr. Van Dyke 
returned to the University of Wisconsin at 
Madison, and entered the law dejjartment, 
from which he graduated in June, 1887. In 
October, 1887, he returned to Minnesota and 
located at Long Prairie, Todd county, where 
he has since remained. He was admitted to 
practice in ail the State courts, and is one of 
the most able and successful lawyers in Todd 
county. On the first of June, 1888, Mr. 
Van Dyke entered into partnershii) with 
Mr. Davis, and thev have since been 



PARK RF.GWXS OF MINNESOTA. 



671 



togetlier, carrying 011 a lucrative law practice, 
and, in connection with Mr. Brassier, they do 
an extensive business in real estate, loan and 
insurance matters. They are one of the 
most extensive law firms in the county, and 
are well and favorably known in that 
localit}'. 

— -^-S^J^-^— — 

WILLIAM J. ANDERSON, the present 
incumbent of the office of county 
auditor of Grand Forks county, North 
Dakota, is a resident of the city of Grand 
Forks, where he is engaged in his official 
duties. He is a native of the Dominion of 
Canada, born in Vienna, Elgin count\% 
Ontario, on the 20th day of May, 1854, and is 
the son of William and Jane (Plowman) 
Anderson, natives also of the Dominion. The 
fatlier died when our subject was a small 
child, and in 1S5S the mother removed to Le 
Sueur county, Minnesota. 

Mr. Anderson, the subject of this article, 
remained with his mother in Le Sueur county, 
Minnesota, until 1802. Then on account of the 
Indian trouble they were forced to leave 
the country, and removed to St. Paul, Minne- 
sota, where he attended the public schools 
until 1868, when he graduated with high 
honors from the grammar school. He tlien 
went to Toronto, where he attended a private 
school for one year, and again went to St. Paul. 
For the succeeding three j'ears he was cabin 
boy on steamboats on the Mississippi river, 
and for the two or three years following was 
a newsboy on the steamer "Key City," and 
other steamers. At various times he worked 
as a farm laborer, quite a period for Pende- 
gast & Carter in the flax culture. In the 
spring of 1875 he removed to Grand Forks, 
North Dakota, where he clerked on a steam- 
boat foi" one summer, and then was emplo3'ed 
by the Red River Transportation Company 
as general and purchasing agent, which 
position he held for three years, attend- 



ing to the company's affairs, receiving and 
paying out all the company's money at 
Grand Forks. His first public office was that 
of justice of the peace, to which he was 
elected in 1870, in Grand Forks. He then 
formed a partnership with Messrs. Budge 
and Eshelman, the style of the firm 
being Budge, Eshelman & Co., in 
the general merchandising business in 
Acton, Pembina county, North Dakota. A 
portion of their trade was with the Indians, 
north as far as the Turtle mountains and 
including that tribe. While there Mr. Ander- 
son received the mail contract from the 
Government, and his route was from Acton 
to a place called Sweden, passing through 
the spot where Grafton now" stands. In 1880 
he was appointed receiver of the land office 
by President Flayes, and on the 2oth of 
April, 1880, the first papers were filed in 
the district. He was re-appointed by Pres- 
ident Arthur and held the office until Sep- 
tember, 1888, during which time he did an 
immense amount of business, over $3,500,000 
passing through his hands and about 100,000 
different entries. In October, 1888, he was 
nominated by the republicans for county 
auditor of Grand Forks county, and after 
one of the hardest political struggles the 
county ever had was elected by 370 
majority, 4,160 votes being polled. He has 
since held the office, and in the discharge of 
the duties which devolve upon the position 
has given satisfaction to all parties. 

Mr. Anderson was united in marriage in 
November, 1870, in Grand Forks, to Miss 
Josephine R. Russell, the daughter of Martin 
and Belle (Gassman) Russell, nativesof Den- 
mark and Norway, respectively. The union 
has been blessed with two children — Vir- 
ginia Edith and Raymond Gassman. Our 
subject is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
Acasia Lodge, No. 15, and a member of the 
Conimandery. He has also taken fourteen 
degrees in Scottish Rite Masonry, and is a 



672 



nF.iy RTTEK VALI.F. Y A. YD 



member of the Knights of Pythias. He is 
one of the most prominent and leading citi- 
zens in the county as well as in Xort h Dakota, 
and his name has been prominently identi- 
tied with the history of tiiis region. Wiiat- 
ever success he has attained in life is wholly 
due to his indomitable energy and will, as 
he was thrown entirely upon his own resour- 
ces to carve his own way, receiving neither 
aid nor money from any one. One of the 
events of liis life lliat lie is particularly proud 
of, and wiiich he now recalls with jjleasure, 
is tlie fact that lie was one of the carriers or 
newsboys for the old St. Paid Press, doing 
tliis while attending scliool. ilr. Anderson 
is a republican in political matters and is one 
of the leading members of that i)arty in the 
locality in which he lives. A man of the 
strictest integrity and honor, his word is 
I'ecognized as being as good as a bond, and 
he is highl}' esteemed wherever known, both 
as a business man and an exemplary citizen. 
Active, enterprising and energetic, he takes 
an active interest in all matters effecting 
home interests, and every laudable enterprise 
receives his support and encouragement. 

^^\ ARTIN L. VOUGHT, the editor and 
^"^'i^V. proprietor of the Trihune, a 
weekh' democratic periodical published in 
in tlie village of AVadena, Wadena county, 
Minnosota, is a ])oi)ular and esteemed mem- 
ber of the newspaper fraternity of the Park 
Rcoions. He is a native of the State of 
Pennsylvania, born in Montour county, on 
the 14th of January, 1861, and is tiie only 
child of Peter S. and Jane C. VougJit, 
natives of Pennsylvania. In 1874 the par- 
ents removed to Western Pennsylvania, set- 
tling at Lionesta, Forest count}'. 

Mr. Yought, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, received his education in his 
native State. Up to the age of fourteen 
vears he remained at home on the farm, 



assisting his fathef operate the same and 
attending the common schools of that county. 
At the age of fourteen he entered a doctor's 
oflice and commenced the study of medicine. 
After working a few months for the doctor 
our subject decided that he was not cut out 
for a physician, and accordingly changed his 
aj)prenticeship to that of a printer in the 
office of the doctor, who was also engaged in 
the printing business. After being engaged 
in the printer's trade for two 3'earshe helpeil 
establish \.\\e Cominonicealth, oi Lionesta, a 
greenback paper. He remained in connec- 
tion with that pa[)er for three years, and he 
then caucjht the "Western fever." Not even 
the proffereil situation of editor and man- 
ager of the paper could induce him torenuun, 
and in 1881 he removed to Minnesota. He 
settled in what is now the Fifth Ward of 
Crookston, Minnesota, known at that time as 
Carman. lie at once took charge of the Car- 
man Courier oi that place, and remained there 
until June, 1882. In August of that year he 
started the Ashby Avalanche, in Grant 
count}', Minnesota, which he published for 
one year. At that time he moved to Her- 
man, Minnesota, and assumed charge of the 
mechanical department of the Herald, which 
position he retained for two years. At the 
expiration of that time he moved to the vil- 
lage of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, 
where he ]iurchased his present paper. He 
I'.as since materially impi'oved the paper, 
and it now has a wide circulation. He is 
prepared to do all kinds of job and advertis- 
ing' work at reasonable rates, satisfaction 
being guaranteed. The paper is strictly 
democratic in princii)les, and Air. Vought is 
recognized as one of the most able editorial 
writers in the northern pai't of the State. 

Mr. Vought was united in marriage on the 
Sth of May, 1883, to Miss Alice Z. Ilolman, 
a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. 
Vought have been blessed with one child — 
Bertha May, born May 2, 1886. 



PAkK REGIONS OF MiNK'ESO TA. 



673 



OHN H.THOMPSON. Prominent among 



the business citizens of the village of 
Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minnesota, is the 
subject of til is biographical memoir, who is 
engaged in the mercantile business. He is a 
native of the State of Ohio, born in Colum- 
biana county, on the IGth of February, 1845, 
and is the son of John and Ann Jane (John- 
son) Thompson, natives of Pennsylvania and 
Ireland, respectively. The father of our 
subject was a farmer in Ohio, and died in 
1881. The mother passed away in 1847, 
when our subject was eighteen months of 
age. The\' were the parents of the follow- 
ing-named children — Hugh, Arthur J., Kosa, 
Sarah and John. The father was married 
the second time to Miss Eliza Joince, who 
died a few years after her marriage. 

Mr. Thompson, of whom this memoir 
treats, received his education in Ohio, attend- 
ing school until sixteen years of age. From 
that period until he was twenty-one he 
worked at almost anything he could find to 
do, and in 1866 removed from Ohio, and in 
the month of July settled near North field, 
Minnesota, where he remained from 1866 
until 1871. In 1871 he went to Todd county, 
Minnesota, and in June horaesteaded a farm 
on section 30, lona township, where he 
remained twelve years, engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. In 1883 he 
removed to the village of Eagle Bend, Todd 
county, Minnesota, and opened his present 
store. He is doing a good mercantile busi- 
ness and carries a full line of general mer- 
chandise. 

Mr. Thompson was married on the 7th 
day of April, 1869, to Miss Mary H. Bates, 
a native of New York, and the daughter of 
Alvan and Sarah (llobinson) Bates. Mr. 
and Mrs. Thompson have been ble«sed with 
five children, named as follows — Anna B., 
Rosettie, Elmer, Arthur li. and Sadie. Mr. 
Thompson and his family belong to the 
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is 



trustee and a local preacher. In political 
matters he affiliates with the democratic 
party. He is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd-Fellows and is noble grand 
of the lodge. He is a representative citi- 
zen of the village, and is highly esteemed by 
all who know him. 



.^^ 



I 



AMES A. COLEHOUR is the proprietor of 
oneof themost delightful summer resorts 
in Northern Minnesota. The Prospect House, 
which he owns, is situated on the banks of 
Battle Lake, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
and during thesumnier months its rooms are 
crowded with guests from all parts of the 
South and East. The Prospect House and 
its location have become the favorites of 
many tourists. The lake abounds with vast 
numbers of the finny tribe, and the woods 
furnish a field full of game for the sports- 
man. 

Mr. Colehour was born in Chester county, 
Pennsylvania, January 28, 1842. He is the 
son of Henry and Hannah (Richards) Cole- 
hour. On the mother's side he is descended 
from the French, and on the father's side is 
descended from the German. The father 
was a farmer by occupation and followed 
that line of business in Pennsylvania. In 
1854 they removed to Illinois, and settled in 
Mount Carroll, where the father died in 
1856. 

The subject of our sketch remained at home, 
helping his mother on the farm and attend- 
ing school at eveiy opportunity until 1859. 
That year he went to Philadelphia and 
engaged in clerking in a grocery store 
owned by his brotlier Isaac. At the end of 
that time he returned to Mount Carroll, 
Illinois, and on September 4, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company I, Ninety-second Regiment 
Illinois .Volunteer Infantry. He saw much 
severe service, and was in a number of 



674 



RED RIVER VALLEY A.\'t> 



hard-foufflit battles. lie was wounded at 
the battle of Chickamauga, and was in 
College Hill lIosi)ital, Nashville, for three 
iiioiitiis. He was again wounded in a 
battle near Florence, Alabama, and as a 
result lay in the hosjiital for two 
months. Tiien he obtained a furl(jiigii 
and was allowed to return home, wljeie he 
stayed for two months. He then rejoined 
his resiiment, and continued with them until 
the close of the war. He was honorably 
discharged from the service June 21, 1865. 
He then went to Chicago, where he worked 
in the postoifice for fourteen years, and in. 
March, 1882, came to Battle Lake, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. Finding the beautiful 
location wliei-e his hotel now stands, he put 
u^) the building and rented it until the fall 
of 1888, when he took personal charge of the 
business. Up to that date he had been 
engaged in the lumber trade. 

Mr. Colehour was united in marriage May 
1, 1872, to Miss Katie Catlin, a native of 
Illinois, and daughter of Seth and Ilellen 
Catlin. This marriage has been blessed with 
three children — Robert A., James A. and 
Kathrina H., all of whom are still living. 

Mr. Colehour has always been numbered 
among the prominent citizens of this county. 
From his first settlement here he has taken 
a deep interest in the ])rogress and improve, 
ment of his adopted town, and he has never 
failed to take a lively part in the welfare of 
all local business interests. He is, therefore, 
heart and soul with this country, and has 
proven himself a valuable aid in its upbuild- 
ing. Mr. Ccilehour is a courteous, kindly 
gentleman, classically educated, genial and 
warm hearteii, and makes an ideal hotel 
keeper. His caravansary is the favorite 
resort of many Southern tourists. He strives 
at all times to provide his table with the 
most popular of delicacies, and by thus doing 
has won the deserved distinction of keeping 
one of the best ])laces of resort in Northern 



Minnesota. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. 
and to the Everts Post, No. 138, G. A. R., of 
which he was department commander one 
year. He was the commander of the First 
Park Region encampment held at Battle 
Lake. In ])olitics he affiliates with the repub- 
lican party, and is a pi'ominent meml)er of 
the Baptist church. 

— " — 'v* '^Sj2?5' "C* ' • 

Pjl^ILLlAM KISSACK, a successful and 
industrious agriculturist of Wadena 
county, Minnesota, is a resident of section 28, 
Wadena township, where he is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. He is a 
native of the kingdom of Great Britain, born 
on the Isle of Man, on the 31st day of July, 
1846, and is the son of Thomas and Eleanor 
(Gale) Kissack, natives also of the same 
island. The father was a hat manufacturer by 
occupation. The father and mother of the 
present subject were the parents of the fol- 
lowing-named children — Thomas and Rob- 
ert, who died in infancy, and Jane, who is 
now the widow of the late William Relph, 
attorney -at-law, Barrow-in-Furness, England. 
Mr. Kissack, of whom this article treats, 
remained on the island of his birth until he 
was nineteen years of age, during which time 
he attended school, early instilling into his 
mind those principles of thrift, integrity and 
frugality which so distinguish the nationality 
from which he springs. In 1861 he became 
articled as a pupil teacher in the Thomas 
Street Wesleyan day-school, in Douglas, of 
that island, where he remained for something 
over three years employed as a teacher, when 
by mutual agreement the indentures were 
cancelled. In 1865 he removed to Barrow- 
in-Furness, England, where he entered his 
brother-in-law's law office. He remained 
with him one year and then paid a visit to 
the home of his childhood on the Isle of 
Man, where he secured a position in the gen- 



Park HEGtOh'S OF MI.VNESOTA. 



675 



era I postoffice at that place. In 1868 he 
returned to Barrow and ao^ain entered his 
brother's office, receiving the position of 
managing clerk. In 1S73 he joined the 
Fnrness colony, which is fully described in 
tlie biograjihical memoir of James Ashburner 
and others, found in another department of 
this Album. Tiiey emigrated to the United 
States in the spring of 1874 and at once 
removed to the State of Minnesota, where 
they settled in Wadena county. Our subject 
took his present claim on section 28, Wadena 
township, where he has since remained, 
engaged in a successful farming and stock- 
raising business. 

Mr. Kissack was married on the 21st day 
of May, 1S70, to Miss Mary Agnes Ash- 
liurner, the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor 
Ashburner, natives of ]'arrow-in-Furness, 
England. This union of Mr. and Mrs. Kis- 
sack has been blessed with nine childi'en, 
named as follows — Eleanor Lishman, Thomas 
Ashburner, James Stephen, William Relph, 
Amelia Anna, Frederick Gale, Ethel Gale, 
Charles Edward and Mai'ie Isabel. Our sub- 
ject has been town treasurer for several 
years, as well as clerk of his own school dis- 
trict, No. 3, and is one of the active men 
of the count}'. In political matters he is a 
strong protectionist, and affiliates with the 
republican party. 



— 4— 



.ry^OUlS LARSON. 

_£^ man in Kandivohi county Avho is 



There is probably no 
man in 

more worthy of favorable notice in a volume 
devoted to the pioneers of Minnesota than 
the subject of our present article, Louis 
Larson, the proprietor of the mill at New 
London, Minnesota. He is one of the pio- 
neers of that locality, having been a resident 
of that village for over thirty years ; and 
through his uniform integrity and honorable 
business methods he is rated as one of the 



most solid and substantial citizens of the 
county, and his word is recognized as being 
as good as a bond. 

Mr. Larson came here in 1859, and during 
the first three years was engaged in hunting, 
farming and trapping. In June, 1862, he 
commenced building a saw mill, Ijut was 
soon forced to abandon it on account of the 
Indian outljreak, which began in August of 
that year. With the other settlers he was 
driven away by the Indians, and he went to 
St. Paul and Minneapolis, where he remained 
until the spring of 1865. He then returned 
in company with Samuel Stoner, and in part- 
nership they completed the saw mill, which 
was the first mill erected within the present 
limits of Kandiyohi county. In 1872 Mr. 
Stoner sold his interest and our subject 
formed a co-partnership with others, under 
the name and style of Adams, Larson, Sperry 
& Wright. This firm owned the saw mill 
and erected a flouring mill, and tlie}' ran both 
for a period of ten years, when the saw mill 
was discontinued. They still continue to 
operate the flouring mill, which has been 
greatly improved and remodeled. It is now 
equipped with eight sets of patent rollers, 
and has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour 
per day. They do quite an extensive ship- 
ping trade and also supply the home market. 

Mr. Larson, whose name lieads this article, 
was born in BoUnas, Ilclsingland, Sweden, 
on the 21th of June, 1836, and is a son of 
Peter and Christine Larson, who were 
farmers in Sweden. In 1852 the family 
came to the United States and located in 
Waupaca, Wisconsin, Avhere they engaged 
in farming. Louis Larson came to Minne- 
sota in 1857, and was followed by the 
family in 1858. They remained at St. Peter 
until the spring of 1859, when they came to 
Kandiyohi county and located at Nest Lake. 
The father is still living, a resident of New 
London ; the mother died in April, 1876. 
The parents had a family which consisted of 



676 



RED mVER VALLEY AND 



the following children — Louis, Peter, Erick, 
Oliver, Martha, Nels, Christine and Erick. 
The two Ericks are dead, and all the others 
are still living. 

Louis Larson was mai-ried January 19, 
18(19, to Carrie (Jlson, and they are the 
parents of two daughters — Mary Christine 
and Carrie Elizaiieth. Mrs. Larson is a 
native of Sweden, and tiie daughter of Peter 
and Martha Olson. Her parents came to 
the United States in the fall of 1853, and set- 
tled in Chicago, where h(>r mother died dur- 
ing the following year. Her father died in 
Felji'uarv, 1875. 

Mr. Larson, after tiie Indian outbreak, 
aided in re-organizing Monongala county, 
it being the north half of what is now Kan- 
diyohi county. New London was the county 
seat. Our subject also took a prominent 
part in the organization of the township and 
village of New London. He has always 
taken an active interest in all public affairs 
and has held various official positions. He 
was chairman of the board of supervisors 
for numy years and also town treasurer. 
For twelve years he held the position of 
postmaster, and every move affecting the 
welfare of his town or county receives his 
active support and encouragement. He is a 
stanch republican in jiolitical matters, and 
a member of the Lutheran church. 

Mr. Larson has extensive property inter- 
ests — besides his mill and other pi'operty, he 
owns a farm of 300 acres under a high state 
of cultivation, which he rents. 



-^: 



:-• 4- 



^JII^HOMAS H. STOREY, the leading tax. 
3L idermist of the Northwest, and propri- 
etor of the museum at Fargo, North Dakota, 
well deserves extended mention in a volume 
devoted to prominent citizens of the Red 
River Vallev. The museum, whicii he has 



been the means of establishing at Fargo, is 
one in which any city may take a just pride, 
as it contains one of the finest collections of 
this line of specimens to be found anywhere 
in the North. 

Thomas H. Storey was born at Peterboro, 
Ontario, Canada, August 14, 1848, and is a 
son of John and Margaret (Edniison) Storey. 
The motiier was a native of Tweed, Scot- 
land, and the father of Cumberland, Eng- 
land. The grandfather of our subject was 
one of the celebrated weavers of fine fal)rics 
of England, and all the Storeys in the United 
States are descended originally from the 
same family. One strange peculiarity noticed 
in some members of the family is the fact 
that occasionally one of them is found who 
has two thumbs on one hand, and this same 
strange feature is found to have cropped out 
every now and then in their ancestors. On 
his father's side our subject is a descendant of 
the Blacks. This family has been engaged 
in manufacturing spades, ditching tools, etc., 
for the jiast century, and the business is still 
carried on under the original name. Nearlv 
all the spades and shovels found in the North- 
west on British soil come from the Black 
factoiy. 

John Storey was engaged in manufactur- 
ing edged tools. Our subject, Tlioinas, 
remained at home attending school and assist- 
ing in the factory until he was sixteen years 
of age. He then learned the painter's trade, 
which he followed for about eight years. At 
the expiration of that time he removed to 
Lindsay, Canada, and there engaged in the 
floi-al business, which he followed success- 
fully for twelve years. In the spring of 
1881 he removed to Pembina county. North 
Dakota, and settled on section 6 of Lincoln 
township, taking a homestead, tree claim 
and pre-emption all on the same section. His 
family still live on the farm, and he still 
owns the three claims. In April, 1888, he 
came to Fargo, and in company with 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



077 



W. H. Williiims eng-acred in the business 
of taxiilerniy, to wiiicli business he has 
devoted more or less attention for the past 
twenty-seven years. Tliey also opened 
the museum, which they still carry on. 
It contains many features whicli would 
merit extended mention, but our space 
limits us to a few of the most important. 
They have the lai-gest moose and elk that 
have ever been placed on exhibition. The 
moose measures 6 feet 5 inches high at 
shoulders, and 8 feet 4 inches to top of 
horns, and is 9 feet 6 inches from tail to 
nose, girting 7 feet and 2 inches. Its 
weight was 1,400 pounds, and it must have 
been at least sixteen years old. It was 
killed in Jlanitoba in December, 18S7. The 
elk was killed at about the same time in the 
Turtle mountains, North Dakota. It is 10 
feet high to top of horns, stands 5 feet 6 
inches at shoulder, spread of horns 4 feet 
10 inches, girts 6 feet 2 inches, measures 
9 feet 6 inches from nose to tail, weight 
was 800 pounds. They have a fine specimen 
of the mountain lion, measuring 8 feet 4 
inches from nose to tip of tail. They not 
only have a fine display of animals, but also 
a splendid collection of native birds of the 
Northwest, and also imported birds. 

Mr. Storey was married in Canada, Sep- 
tember 5, 18()0, to Miss Sarah Williams, a 
daughter of Thomas and Eachel (Trimblet) 
Williams, \vho were natives of England. 
They are the parents of the following- 
named children — Emma, Ida, Charles, 
' Lillian, Nellie, Thomas, Mabel, Frank, Lulu 
and Girtie. Emma married Dr. McFadden, 
and resides in Emerson, Manitoba. All of 
the children were born in Canada except 
Lulu and Girtie. 

Mr. Storey is a man of the strictest integ- 
rity, and is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. He is a memljer of the Masonic 
fraternity, holding membership with the 
Shiloh Lodge of Fargo. 



©ONALD ROBERTSON, a thorough 
and successful business citizen of Mar- 
shall county, Minnesota, is engaged in the 
drug business in the village of Argyle. He 
is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born 
in Hillsburg, Ontario, July 4, 1859, and is 
the son of C. Robertson and Anna (Ramsey) 
Robertson, natives of Scotland. 

Mr. Robertson remained at home until 
he was nine years of age, attending school 
in the district schools in his native land. 
He was then forced to begin life for 
himself, and until he was sixteen he was 
engaged in almost ever3'thing he could 
find to do, and attending school in the spare 
hours. In 1875 he engaged work on a farm, 
and worked at that industry until he was 
twenty-one. During that time he had the 
opportunity to go to AVinnipeg and engage 
in farming on a farm, which his uncle would 
have given him. His uncle sent him $500, 
which his mother purchased property with. 
At the age of twenty-one he removed to New 
York State, but after working for a short 
time was taken sick and returned home. 
Upon his recovery he engaged in the meat 
market business with his father. As this 
mode of life was not suited to the inclination 
of our subject, he decided to follow another 
business. He bought out a small shoe store, 
pa3'ing one-half down and the other $80 
in a short time. Although he had never 
had any experience in the business, he 
established the store, and for eighteen months 
carried on a successful boot and shoe busi- 
ness. At the expiration of that time he sold 
out, realizing a profit of about $125. In a 
short time he started for the new Western 
States, and spent considerable time in look- 
ing over the country in the Red River Val- 
ley. While in Fargo, Dakota Territory, he 
met a brother Odd-Fellow, who gave him a 
position at mason work in Stephen, Marshall 
county, Minnesota. After working for about 
one year he secured a position in the hotel 



678 



RED K/VER VALLEY AXD 



at Warren, Minnesota, whei'e he remained 
tliree months, then erointj into the mason 
work and contracting business, removing to 
the village of Argyle, where he has since 
remained. Tlie winter Ijefore settling in 
Argyle he taught school in Polk county, 
with such success tiiat lie was tendered the 
principalship of the j)ublic schools in Euclid, 
Minnesota. Until 1881 he followed histrade, 
doing an extensive contracting business. 
In December, 1888, lie purchased his present 
store, where the postoffice is located. He is 
doing an excellent business and carries a 
good stock. In addition to the store he 
owns 160 acres of fine farming land near 
the village. He is now a member of the 
board of health, and has been village mar. 
shal and justice of the peace. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and joined 
the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows in 
Ontario, Canada, in 18S1. He is one of the 
.popular and prosperous business men in the 
village, and affiliates with the republican 
party in his politics. 



-^^ 



^M^ J. BROKER, one of the leading attor- 
Jp!^^ neys in AYadena county. Minnesota, 
is a resident of the village of Wadena, where 
he is extensively engaged in ])rofessional 
work. He is a native of Prussia, born in 
that kingdom in August, 1854. His parents 
emigrated to the United States in 1857, and 
settled in Wisconsin, where they have since 
remained. 

Mr. Broker, the subject of this memoir, 
remained in his native land until he had 
attained the age of three years, when he emi- 
grated to the United States with his])arents, 
and they settled in Walworth county, Wis- 
consin, where our subject remained until six- 
teen years of age. During that time he 
had attended the common schools of Wal- 
worth count\', and at that age lie entered 



the normal school at Whitewater. Wiscon- 
sin, where he i-emained one year. At the 
expiration of that time he taught school for 
one term, and then entered ^Miltcm College, 
where he remamed for one year. lie then 
entered the State University of Wisconsin, 
located at Madison, which he attended for 
three 3'ears, taking a modern classical course. 
After leaving the university he taught school 
for several terms, and in the spring of 1870 
entered a law office at Janesville, Wisconsin, 
where he remained until the spring of 1882. 
On the 6th of May he was admitted to the 
circuit court, and on the 10th of the same 
month was admitted to the supreme court of 
Wisconsin. In 1882 he removed to the vil 
lage of Wadena, Wadena countv, Minnesota, 
where he was in the law office of E. E. Luce 
as clerk for three months, and then engaged 
in the law business for himself. In 1883 he 
was elected as village recorder, and in the 
fall of 1883 was elected as county attorney, 
which office he has since filled with satisfac- 
tion to all parties concerned. He is doing a 
straight law business, and is one of the lead- 
ing and prominent attorneys of the village 
and county. He is a pleasant and genial 
gentleman, and is highlv esteemed bv all who 
know him. He is a stanch democrat in his 
political affiliations, and is a member of the 
State central democratic committee, and an 
active worker in the same. He is an hon- 
ored member of the Masonic fraternitv. 



--^J^J^-^- 



WASHINGTON McNElCE, oneof the 
popular i)usiness men of Todd 
county, JMinnesota, is engaged in the milling 
business in the village of Little Sauk. He is 
a native of Pennsylvania, born in Hunting- 
ton county, on tlie 10th day of Septomber, 
18-11, and is the son of William and Elizaljotli 
(Stauffer) McISTeice, also natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. The father was a carder and cloth- 



PARK REGIOXS OF .trf.V.VFSO TA. 



679 



dresser. He died in 1864. The mother is 
still living in Indiana, and is seventy years of 
age. They are members of the Christian 
church. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject are the parents of the following-named 
children- — Mary, John, Nancy, ]\Iihih A., 
Nicholas R., Emma and Washington. 

Mr. McNeice, the suliject of this biograph- 
ical article, received his education in Indiana, 
where he removed at an early day. He 
attended the excellent common schools until 
he was nineteen years old, and then engaged 
in carding and cloth-dressing until 1866. He 
then moved to Minnesota and located in 
Douglas county, remaining there one j'ear. 
He then went to Stearns county, Minnesota, 
and eno-aged in the milling business. He 
i-emained there for sixteen or seventeen 
years, and in May, 1883, moved to Todd 
county, Minnesota, where he has since 
remained. He has an extensive trade and is 
doing an increasing business. The mill has 
a capacity of 100 barrels per day and turns 
out an excellent brand of flour. 

Mr. McNeice was married on the 25th day 
of March, 1 872, to a Miss C. E. Dolson, a 
native of Indiana, and the daughter of Jesse 
and Easter Dolson, farmers of Canada. 

Mr. McNeice, the subject of this article, is 
a member of the ]\Iasonic fraternitv and for- 
merly of the Odd-Fellows. He is one of the 
representative men of the village, and is an 
active jiarticipant in all local enterprises. In 
political matters he affiliates with the demo- 
cratic party. He is highly esteemed by all 
who know him, and is a man of sterling busi- 
ness qualifications. 



JpEENRY KEMPER, the popular and effi- 
Jr"rl. cient postmaster of the village of 
Perhara, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the 
oldest settler in that village. He is a native 
of Ohio, born in C'incinnati, on the 11th day 
of November, 1845, and is the son of Henry 



and Clora (Spenthoff) Kemper, natives of 
Hanover, Gei-many. The parents emigrated 
to the United States in 1835, and settled in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father was man- 
ager of a saw-mill for eighteen years. In 
1850 they removed to Mercer county, Ohio, 
where the father remained until his death in 
1S68. They were members of the Catholic 
church, and were the parents of the following- 
named children — Mary, Dianah, Henry, 
Philemena and Bei'nard. 

Mr. Kemper, the subject of this l)iograph- 
ical article, remained in the city of his birth 
until he was five years old, when he removed 
with his parents to Mercer county, Ohio, 
wiiere he received his education. He at- 
tended school in that county until he had 
attained the age of fifteen years, when he 
entered an apprenticeship to the carpenter's 
trade. He remained there, working at his 
trade, until he was twenty -four years of age, 
when he removed to Rush Lake, Minnesota, 
and opened a general store, remaining there 
about two years. At the expiration of that 
time he removed into the village of Perham, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he was 
the first person to locate. He built a frame 
house on thenorth side of the Nortiiern Pacific 
Railroad track, and in July, 1872, opened a 
general store and was appointed postmaster. 
In 1874 our subject, brother and Mr. Drah- 
mann established the first newspaper in the 
village, which they afterward sold to S. 
Burke foi- forty acres of land. In January, 
1878, Mr. Kemper, together with his brother 
and H. Drahmann, erected the first mill in 
the county, also built a second mill at Toad 
river, and they were the princi]ial factors 
in the erection of the Prairie Mills. They 
then erected a building — a fine business 
structure — into which our subject moved the 
postoffice, lock boxes, etc. He has since 
been engaged in the general merchandising 
business, and is also emjiloyed in postoffice 
duties. He owns a fine dwelling house in 



68o 



KF.n RIVEK VALLEY AND 



tlic village, and is one of tiie oldest settlers 
in the count}'. 

Mr. Kemper was united in marriage to 
Miss Ttegina Steinliach, a native of Ger- 
many, and this union lias been blessed with 
five ciiildren — Clara, Cecelia, Antonette, 
Tlosa and Mary. Our sul)ject is a democrat 
in his political affiliations. He and his 
family belong to the Catholic church. He 
lias held the office of postmaster for twenty 
years. He is actively interested in all local 
matters, and is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 



/^LEV O. OTTERNESS, formerly a 
KSlS^ prosperous and prominent member 
of the farming communit\' of Kandiyohi 
county, Ifinnesota, is a I'csident of Willmar, 
Kandiyohi count}', ]V[innesota, where he is 
living a retired life. He is a native of the 
kingdom of Norway, born on the 2d of Feb- 
ruary, 1821, and is the son of Ole and Anna 
(Oleson) Elifson, natives of Norway. The 
pai'cnts emigrated to the United States in 
1850, and remained with our subject for 
fifteen years. Then, until their death, they 
remained with their other children. They 
were the parents of five childi-en, four of 
whom are still living — Ole, of Wisconsin; 
Elev, our subject; Peter, now deceased; 
Martlie, now Mrs. A. Oleson, of Wisconsin ; 
and Bertha, the wife of O. Gunderson, also 
of Wisconsin. 

Mr. Otterness, the subject of this biog- 
I'aphv, remained at home in his native land 
until he had attained the age of eighteen 
years, during which time he attended school, 
early instituting into his mind those princi- 
ples of industry, integrity ami economy 
which so distinguish the nationality he rep- 
resents. He then entered an apprenticeship 
to the blacksmith's trade, at which he 
worked for four years. In 1845 he emigrated 



to the United States and settled in Dane 
count}', Wisconsin, where he worked out 
among the farmers for one year, in order to 
repay the money he had used in his passage 
to this country. The second year he worked 
among the farming community, during 
which time he received fi'om 50 to 75 cents 
a day for his work. At the expiration 
of that time he removed to Columbia 
county, Wisconsin, where he settled on 
a farm, and for eighteen years devoted 
his attention to general farming and 
stock-raising operations. In 1865 Mr. Otter- 
ness removed to Goodhue county, Minne- 
sota, and purchased a farm of 1*)0 acres in 
Wanomego township, and after living there 
for nine years went to Kandiyohi county, 
]\Iinnesota, where he had purchased a farm 
of 400 acres previously. He remained there 
three years, and at the expiration of that 
time went to Dover township, Kandiyohi 
county, Minnesota, where he bought a farm 
of 400 acres, where he lived, engaged in a 
successful farming and stock-raising business, 
for a period of seven years. In 1884 he 
removed into Willmar, Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota, where he has since remained, 
leading a retired life. He has a fine resi- 
dence, surrounded by a beautiful grove of 
trees, and has two city lots, located in the 
best portion of the city. He has held many 
offices in the different localities in which he 
has lived, including su])ervisor and school 
trustee while in Wisconsin, and since in 
Minnesota has been supervisor, county com- 
missioner, member of the school board, city 
councilman and supervisor. 

Mr. Otterness was married in 1847 to Miss 
.Tohannah Bottelson, the daughter of Cliris- 
tenson and Eanda (Johnson) Bottelson, 
natives of Norway. This union has been 
blessed with the following children — Baut- 
well, who married Miss Oleson and now has 
three living children — Elif, Alma and Olena; 
Annie, now Mrs. Larson, of Otter Tail county. 



PARK REGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



681 



Minnesota, and tlie mother of seven children — 
Ellen, Rosa, Josephina, Charles, Leonai'd, 
Arthur and William ; Petrina, now the wife 
of L. A. Vile, the assistant cashier of Willmar 
Bank ; Christian, who married Miss Helmer, 
and has been blessed with three children — 
Elanor, Alphia and Eliza ; John ; Martin ; 
George and liobert. 

Our subject is a republican in his political 
affiliations, and is actively interested in all 
local matters. He and his family belong to 
the Lutheran church, and he is trustee of the 
Lutheran Seminary. He is actively inter- 
ested in all church and educational matters, 
and has subscribed liberally to all such enter- 
prises. He is a strong temperance advocate, 
although he does not accept the principles 
which govern the third party. He is a citi- 
zen highly esteemed hy all, and is a man of 
the strictest integrity and honor, his word 
being considered as good as a bond. 



-♦- 



/^jLIVBR LETOURNEAU, the subject 
>^!^ of this sketch, is a resident of the 
village of Argyle, Minnesota, and the pres- 
ent incumbent of the office of deputy sheriff 
of Marshall county. He is a native of the 
Dominion of Canada, born in Montreal on 
the 9th day of June, 1858, and is the son of 
Peter and Matilda (Beaudin) Letourneau, 
also natives of the Dominion. 

^[r. Letourneau, of wliom this sketch 
treats, lived on the home farm and attended 
school until he was sixteen years old. He 
then taught school for two years, and worked 
for farmers in Canada and Minnesota for a 
number of years. In 1878 he removed to 
Crookston, and for two years clerked in 
Mary Kerchmar's store. In 1880 he en- 
gaged on the railroad as bridge carpenter, 
which vocation he followed for two years. 
At the expiration of that time he went to 
Wisconsin, and for about two years was in 



the lumber woods of that State, running a 
cajup as foreman, then returning to Crook- 
ston, where he remained during one summer. 
He then went to Brainerd, Minnesota, and 
after working in the woods in the winter 
returned in the following spring to Crook- 
ston. In 1878 he worked on the river as 
foreman in driving logs, and then went to 
Argyle, Minnesota, where he put up a build- 
ing in the fall of 1882, and engaged in the 
retail liquor business. After following the 
business for three years he sold out and 
opened a general farm machinery shop. 
In 1882 he was ap])ointed deputy sheriff, 
which position he has since held, still follow- 
ing the machine business. He also owns 
320 acres of land on sections 3 and 5, and 
has a village lot. He holds the offices of 
village constable and notary ))ublic. 

Mr. Letourneau was united in marriage on 
the 21st day of December, 1887, to Miss 
Mary Verbunceur the daughter of Adolphus 
and Julia (Labisoniere) Verbunceur, natives 
of Canada and Minnesota, respectively. 
This union has been blessed with one child 
— Adolphus Oliver. Our subject and his 
wife belong to the Catholic church. In 
political matters he affiliates with the repub- 
lican party, and is a public-spirited citizen, 
taking- an active interest in all local mattei-s. 



-^- 



li^EWIS F. YE AXON, one of the earliest 
J!^^ settlers in Wadena count\', Minnesota, 
is a resident of section 18, Wadena township, 
where he is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He is a native of Maine, born 
in Washington county, on the 2d day of 
September, 1840, and is the son of Ethil 
and Rosanah (Pineo) Yeaton, natives of 
the State of Maine. 

Mr. Yeaton, the subject of this biograph- 
ical sketch, remained in his native State until 
1872. In his younger days he attended the 



682 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



excellent common schools in liis native 
county, and after completing his education 
he engaged in the lumber business. He 
followed tliat industry for a number of years, 
and on tlio 2Sth da}' of Sejitember, 1S61, he 
enlisted in Company H, Ninth Maine Infan- 
try, lie was mustered into the service in 
Augusta, ifaine, and from that place went to 
Washington, District of Columbia. Late 
tliat fall the regiment joined the Port Royal 
expedition, and they remained in the Depart- 
ment of the South for two years. In the 
summer of 1862 they went to Florida and 
participated in the following battles and 
engagements : Fernandina, Jacksonville and 
St. Augustine. Tiie division, after the cap- 
ture of tlie above-named places, was sta- 
tioned at Fort Clincli. Florida, where it 
remained from April until November, 1862. 
From Fort Clinch tiiev were ordered to Port 
Royal, where they remained during the winter 
of 1862-63. In the spring of 1863 the 
company to wliich our subject belonged 
moved to Morris Island, Chelsea Harbor, 
where tliey participated in that siege and 
remained until the spring of 186-t. They 
then joined the Army of the Potomac, and 
were under General Butler during that sum- 
mer. They were in the battle of Druiy's 
Bluff, Cole Harbor, and before Petersburg 
until the fall of 1864. As the time of enlist- 
ment had expired, Mr. Yeaton returned to 
his native State. During his entire three 
years' service he did not receive a wound, and 
was off dut}' only a very short time. In 
1S72 he removed to Minnesota and .settled in 
Wadena county, Minnesota, where tie has 
since remained. He took a tract of land, 
which now joins the city limits, and on 
wliicii he has since lived. He has a fine farm 
of 350 acres, 150 acres of wiiich ai-e under 
cultivation. He is extensively engaged in 
the dairy business and supplies the village 
with uiiik. For a number of years the sub- 
ject of this article had charge of the mercan- 



tile establishment belonging to Dan Pineo, 
but since 1878 Mr. Yeaton has devoted his 
whole time and energy to his agricultural 
interests. 

Mr. Yeaton was united in mai-riage on the 
14rth day of June, 1865, to IVIrs. Martha J. 
Lindsay, a native of the State of Maine. Mr. 
Yeaton has held many offices in the village, 
including those of postmaster, member of the 
board of count}' commissioners and sheriff. 
He is one of the representative farmers of 
Wadena county. He is a stanch republican, 
and highly esteemed by all who know him. 



-*"fS^*-^* 



^^ ARTHUR SCOTT, a resident of the 
'^^^ village of Long Prairie. Todd county, 
Minnesota, is a leading real estate, loan, 
insurance and investment broker. He is a 
native of Intliana, born in Wells count}' on 
the 23d day of August, 1864, and is the son 
of Thomas and Amanda (Chandler) Scott, 
natives of Indiana. The father and mother 
of the present subject were married in Olm- 
sted county, Minnesota, on the 25th day of 
November, 1863, and settled in Wells county, 
Indiana, where they still remain. The father 
is retired from business, being formerly 
engaged in farming, stock-i'aising and deal- 
ing in agricultural machinerv, and is an 
esteemed and prominent citizen of AYells 
county. Indiana. The father and mother of 
Arthur are the parents of three children, 
named in the following order — S. Arthur, 
Geneva May and Clarence O. The only 
daughter, Geneva, died on the 8th day of 
August, 1884, being seventeen years of age. 
Mr. Scott, of whom this article treats, 
received his education in Indiana, attending 
the graded schools at Montpelier, where he 
afterward served as jirincipal for some time. 
He attended the Eastern Indiana Normal 
School, from which he graduated with hon- 
ors in the spring of 1884. While in atten- 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXNESOTA. 



683 



dance there he taught the district school two 
terms, during vacation. After serving the 
principalsliip in Montpelier for two yeai's he 
removed to Todd countj, Minnesota, in Sep- 
tember, 1SS6. During that fall he worked at 
the painting trade, which he had acquired 
in liis younger days in Indiana. Mr. 
Scott tlien enjiao'ed in the real estate, loan 
and insurance business. His business ex- 
tends over Todd and adjoining counties. 
lie is one of the rising young business men 
of Long Prairie and Todd county, and is 
lugiily esteemed by all who know him. Mr. 
Scott is still a single man, and is identified 
with the Baptist church of Long Prairie 
village. The late Edwin M. Stanton, who 
was war secretarv under President Lincoln, 
was a first cousin to our subject's father. 



5)ETER BRATE, a ])rosperous and indus- 
trious member of the farming commu- 
nitv of the famous Park Regions of Minne- 
sota, is a resident of Wadena county, where 
he is engaged in agricultural pursuits on 
section 5, township 134, range 35. He is a 
native of the State of New York, born in 
Albany county on the 14th of Marcii, 1841, 
and is the son of Peter J. and Hannah, 
Brate, natives of New York State. The 
father and mother of our present subject 
were the parents of the following-named 
children — Catharina, Jacob, William, Maria, 
Harriet, Charles and Racliel. 

Peter Brate, the sul)ject of this article, 
remained in ids native State until 1867. 
During that time he had attended the excel- 
lent common schools of Albany countv,New 
York. In 1867 he removed from his native 
State to Iowa and settled in Hancock county 
where he purchased a farm and engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. He was 
among the earliest settlers in that county, 
and he remained there until 1876, when he 



decided to seek newer fields for his labors in 
the Northwest. Accordingly he started out 
with a covered wagon, his team and house- 
hold goods, for Wadena county, Minnesota. 
After a two weeks' journey he arrived at his 
destination, and on the 6th of June, 1876, 
secured his present farm, which was railroad 
land. The town of Wadena at that time con- 
sisted of only twelve houses, and the county 
possessed only sixteen voters. Since the 
gi'owth of the village the farm of our subject 
is included within its limits, thus placing a 
greater value on his propei'ty. He now 
owns a fine, well-cultivated tract of land, 
comprising 170 acres, 130 acres being 
improved. He has the best of building im- 
provements, and withal has one of the most 
desirable farms in the county. He is exten- 
sively engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, and is one of the successful 
farmers of this region. 

Mr. Brate was united in marriage on the 
20th of November, 1862, to Miss Margrette 
Keefer. and this union has been blessed with 
two children, named as follows — Hattieand 
Cora. Mr. lirate is one of the representa- 
tive men of the village, and has held the fol- 
lowing offices : Chairman of the board of 
supervisors, sheriff, member of the village 
council, etc. He belongs to the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, being a charter 
member of the Wadena Lodge. He is a 
democrat in his political affiliations and an 
active participant in all local matters. 

• ^ » -^^^-» 

[OHN DOWER, the present clerk of the 
district court of Wadena county, Min- 
nesota, is a I'esidentof the village of Wadena, 
where he is engaged in his official duties. 
He is a native of IMichigan, born in Ontona- 
gon county, on the 7th day of July, 1864, 
and is the son of Sampson and Mary Ann 
(Gilbert) Dower, natives of England. The 



684 



J<ED KIVEK VALLE Y AXD 



father and mother of our subject were the 
parents of fourteen chilili-en. The father 
of our subject is now a prosperous farmer of 
the eastern part of Wadena county. Mr. 
Dower, the subject of this biographical 
article, remained with his parents until 1886. 
During that time and liis minority his time 
iunl been tal^en up witli sciiooling, and in va- 
cations and in odd hours he assisted li is father 
on tlie Iionic farm. ITis father was early in life 
engaged in mining, but has been an exten- 
sive farmer for the past fifteen vears, and is 
still following that calling. In 1880 tlie 
subject of this memoir was elected to the 
responsible office of clerk of the district 
court, and he still holds the position, with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to all par- 
ties concerned, lie was elected to hold the 
position for four years, and in the discharge 
of the duties devolving upon that office he 
fulfills the expectations of all. He is one of 
tiie most active men of the village, and any 
move of benefit to either town or county 
receives his hearty su))j)ort. He is a stanch 
republican in his political affiliations, and is 
actively interested in that party's campaigns. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of 
Wadena Lodge, No. 156. He is a man of 
the utmost honor and integrity, his word 
beinii: as good as his bond. 

MtoN. ANDREW RAILSON, tlie sub- 
J['^-JL ject of our ])resent article, is one of 
the most prominent citizens in the central 
j)ortion of Minnesota, being a resident of 
section 9, Lake Andrew township, Kandi- 
yohi county. His name is indissolubly asso- 
ciated with the history of the county in 
which he lives, as he was one of its early 
settlers and has filled many impoilant pulilic 
offices. lie took a prominent part here 
during the Indian outbreak ol 18(12, and is 
one of the survivoi's of that memorable time. 



Mr. Railson was born in Sigdal, in the" 
central part of Norway, August 16, 1833, 
and is a son of Heinef and Christie Railson. 
The mother died during the same year in 
which our subject was l)orn. Later the 
father was again married, and in 1849 came 
to the United States. 

Andrew Ilailson, whose name heads this 
sketch, spent his boyhood days and was edu- 
cated in the land of his birth, receiving the 
same training as to industr}' and integrity 
whfch is so characteristic of the race from 
which he springs. At the age of seventeen, 
in 185U, Andrew came to tlie United .States, 
and went at once to Green countv, Wiscon- 
sin. He remained about five years, working 
in the pineries and at various other occupa- 
tions, and at the expiration of that time, 
returned to his native land, remaining there 
nine months. In 1856 he again came to the 
United States and settled at Stillwater, 
Minnesota, where he remained for two 
years at work in the saw mills. At the 
expiration of that time, in 1858, he went 
to Monongala county, Minnesota, now the 
north half of Kandiyohi county, in com- 
panj' with his brother. Even. They each 
preempted 160 acres of land, on which they 
still live, and named the lake near by 
Norway Lake, which name it still l)ears. 
They were among the earliest settlers 
in that region, and during pioneer days 
they underwent man}^ hardships and disad- 
vantages. In 1862 the terrible Sioux Indian 
outbreak occurred, and this region was in 
the heart of the hostile Indian country. A 
great many were killed throngh here, and 
the pioneers lost a great deal through the 
Indians burning buildings, running off stock, 
etc. Andrew Itailson. together with his 
brother Even and others, buried the Broberg 
and Lundlierg families, the victims of the 
New Sweden massacre. Upon the beginning 
of the outbreak all the settlers went to 
Pa3'nesville, and our subject and his brother 



PARK MEGIO.VS OF M/jVNESOTA. 



68 s 



joined the volunteers, and participated in 
the movements against the Indians from 
St. Cloud, under Captain Freeman, who was 
afterward killed by the redskins. 

In ISGo our subject returned to his land, 
and after living alone through the winter 
was then joined by his family. This has 
since been their home. 

Mr. Railson was married in 1860 to Bertha 
Johnson, a native of Xorway, and they now 
liave five children — Robert, Maria, Edwin, 
Anna, and Ida. 

Mr. Railson has always taken a very 
active and jjrominent part in all matters of 
a public nature. He represented his district 
in the lower house of the Minnesota Legis- 
lature during the session of 1871, and was 
State senator during 1872 and 1873. He 
was one of the most influential members of 
tiiat body, and was prominently identified 
with some of the most important legislation 
in the history of the State. He then served 
for five years as county treasurer of Kandi- 
yohi county, and was mail agent on the 
Manitoba Railway, between St. Paul and 
Breckenridge, for about five years. In 1884 
he was appointed receiver of the United 
States land office at Redwood Falls, and 
served until January, 1SS7. He served in 
every position with ability, and his official 
career as well as his private life has been 
unsullied. He is a man of the strictest 
integrity, and stands high both as a man 
and as an exemplary citizen. 

In political matters our subject is a stanch 
republican, and in religious views a Lutheran. 



••^ 



«4». 



pi^OUlS ERICKSEN, a prominent citizen 
IIM^ of Wadena county, Minnesota, is a resi- 
dent of the village of Wadena, where he is 
engaged in the retail boot and shoe business. 
He is a native of Norway, born in Birid on 
the 28th of September, 1843, and is the son 



of Lars and Ingeberg Ericksen, also natives 
of the kingdom of Norway. The father 
was engaged in farming in his native land. 
The father and mother of our subject were 
the parents of the following-named chil- 
dren — Louis, Ellen, Gilbert, Marten, Bernt, 
Otto, Ingvald and Anton. 

Mr. Ericksen, the subject of the present 
biographical sketch, remained in his native 
countr\' until he was twent\'-three \'ears of 
age. During his bo3'hood he attended the 
excellent common schools of the locality 
in which he lived and cojnpleted his educa- 
tion. In 180(3 he emigrated to America, 
and after a voyage of five weeks landed in 
(Quebec. He at once removed to Wisconsin, 
and settled in La Crosse, where he remained 
for four years. In about 1870 he started for 
northwestern Minnesota, and journeyed by 
railroad to St. Cloud, Minnesota, the termi- 
nus of the line at that time. He then hired 
a team and went to Alexandria, Minnesota, 
and then on to Parker's Prairie. He there 
stalvcd out a claim and engaged in farming. 
Soon he returned to Alexandria, where he 
worked at his trade during the winter 
of 1870-71. In March, 1871, he went 
back to his claim, where he remained 
engaged in farming for six vears. In 1877 
he removed to Wadena, Wadena county, 
Minnesota, and in Augu.'^t opened his present 
business. Since that time he has been 
identified with the business interests of the 
village, and is the owner of the only estab- 
lishment of the kind in the place. He carries 
a heavy stock, and is prepared to do all kinds 
of repairing, etc. He is doing a lucrative 
business, and is one of the prominent mer- 
chants of the county. He still owns his 
farm, which he rents. 

Mr. Ericksen was married on the 20tli of 
July, 1868, to Miss Maggie Knutson, and 
this union has been blessed with four chil- 
dren, named as follows — Charles, Ida, Willes 
and Emma. Our subject and his family 



686 



RED UrVlJi VALLE Y AND 



belong to the Lutheran church. Tie has held 
the offices of assessor, scliool director, etc.. 
and is one of the active men of that region, 
taiviiig a prominent part in all local move- 
ments in wliicli the town or count}' may 
derive l)enefit. In political matters he affil- 
iates witli tlic repuljlican party. 



JEV^ARS J. OLSON, a prominent and suc- 
jl^^ cessful merchant of Todd countj^, 
Minnesota, is a resident of the village of 
(Jlarissa, where he is engaged in a general 
hardware business, in partnersliip with his 
brother, Nels, whose biograpliy will be found 
in another department of this work. He is 
a native of Sweden, born on the 19th day of 
February, 1848, and is the son of Jeppa and 
Carrie Olson, natives also of Sweden. The 
fatlier is an extensive farmer in the Old 
World. Tiie fatlier and mother of our sub- 
ject were the parents of tiie following named 
children — Ole, Boel, Peter, Lars, Ceiia. 
Christena, Nels, John and Carrie. 

Mr. Olson, of whom this article treats, sjient 
his boyhood da3's in attending school in his 
native land. During odd hours he assisted 
on the home farm, and after leaving sciiool 
entered an apprenticeship to the carpenter's 
trade. After learning his trade he worked 
at it until he was thirty years old. In 1880 
he emigrated to the United States. After a 
fourteen-da^'s' voj-age he landed at Castle 
Garden, New York, where he remained a 
sliort time and then started westward. He 
located at Grove City, Meeker county, Min- 
nesota, where lie clerked three months in a 
store. He tlien moved to Dakota, and from 
there to Sauk Centre, Minnesota, where he 
remained eight years. During this time he 
was engaged in the carpenter's trade, and in 
18SS settled in Todd county, Minnesota. In 
partnership with his brother, Nels, he opened 
a hardware store. They have since been 



engaged in tiiis line, antl are one of the 
heaviest firms in tiie county. They carry a 
iieavy and complete stock of goods, and are 
prepared to do tiie best of work in the tin- 
ner's line. 

Mr. Olson, the subject of this article, was 
married Marcli 22. 1878, to Miss Tilda Mar- 
tinson, and this union lias been blessed witli 
four children, named as follows — Carri 
Tofu, Gerda Augusta, Minnie Amalia and 
Jennie Amanda. Mrs. Olson is a native of 
Sweden, and the daughter of Peter and 
Gertrud Martinson, also natives of Sweden. 
Mr. Olson and his family belong to the 
Lutheran church, of which organization he 
is secretary. In political matters he is a 
republican, and any laudable home enter- 
prise receives his liearty support. 



..^« 



►^^^ 



J^RANK B. NUTTING, who is a promi- 
-l^-^ nent and esteemed business man of 
Todd county, Minnesota, is a resident of the 
village of Clarissa, where he is engaged in 
the general merchandising lousiness, and also 
discharges the duties of postmaster. He is a 
native of Minnesota, born in the city of Fari- 
bault, Rice count}', on the 19th of Decem- 
ber, 1858, and is the son of Frank and Saraii 
(Brown) Nutting, natives of Massachusetts. 
Tlie parents were married in Minnesota, 
where they had removed in 1854. The 
fatlier is now engaged in the milling busi- 
ness in Todd county, and is doing an exten- 
sive business. The father and mother of 
our subject are the parents of the following- 
named children — Frank B., Arthur L., 
Maude L., Harry A., Jcjliii T., Laurance A. 
and Ethel. 

Mr. Nutting, the subject of this biograph- 
ical sketch, received his education in Fari- 
bault, Rice county, where he attended the 
high school until he was eighteen years of 
age. After graduating, with high honors, 



PARK kEGIOh'S OF Af/XMESOrA. 



687 



he secured a clerkship in a clothing store, 
at which he worked five years. At the 
expiration of that time lie removed to Todd 
county, Minnesota, and engaged in the mill- 
ing business with his father. Soon after- 
ward they started a general store and oper- 
ated the store and mill in partnership, until 
1888, when they dissolved, our subject tak- 
ing the store and his father taking charge of 
the mill. Our subject is still operating the 
store and is having an extensive trade. He 
carries a full line of general goods, and is 
doing; an increasino- business. 

Mr. Nutting was unitetl in marriage on 
the 12th of Octobei% 1887, to Miss Orpha 
Coen,a native of Wisconsin. This union 
has been blessed with two children — Oliva 
and Archibald. 

Mr. Nutting is a democrat in his political 
affiliations and a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. He is one of the representative 
men of the village and was appointed post- 
master in 1886, which position he still holds, 
giving satisfaction to all parties concerned. 



-«« 



►^^ 



JTOHN JUNG, the leading druggist in the 
^ village of Perham, settled in Otter 
Tail county on the seventeenth da}' of April, 
1875, and located on a farm in Eush Lake 
township, where he engaged in farming 
for some eight years, then removed to 
the village of Perham, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in the drug 
business, and now commands the greater 
part of the general patronage. He is a 
native of Wisconsin, born in Sheboygan 
county, Wisconsin, on the 10th day of May, 
1851, and is the son of John and Catharine 
(Silbernagel) Jung, natives of Germanv. 
The father, who was a carpenter and 
builder in his native land, emigrated to the 
United States, and settled in Wisconsin in 
about 1816. He lived there, engaged in agri- 



cultural pursuits, for thirty-four years, and 
then removed to the State of Minnesota, 
where he is now living a retired life. The 
father and mother of our subject were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Jacob, John, Peter, Christopher, Richard, 
Blandina and Anna, all of whom are still 
living. 

Mr. Jung, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, received his education in Sheboj'gan 
county, Wisconsin, where he attended school 
until he had attained the age of fourteen 
\'ears. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-two, assisting his father operate the 
home farm, and in 1873 he started out in 
life for himself. For the three succeedins: 
3'ears he worked out, and then moved to 
Minnesota and settled in Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, where he has since remained. As 
before stated, he took a tract of land and 
remained there engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising for eight years. He then 
went into the village and established his 
present drug store, and has been engaged in 
the business ever since. He is one of the 
leading and prominent druggists in the 
Northwest, and is doing a gootl business. 

Mr. Jung was united in marriage on the 
13th day of November, 1878, to Miss Caro- 
line Hasslei', a native of German}', who 
came to the United States in 1869. This 
union has been blessed with two children — 
Frankie and Adeline. Mr. Jung and his 
family belong to the Catholic church, and 
are one of the leading families in Perham. 



••*"fS{^'-^* 



BENNIS O'BRIEN, vice-president of the 
Kandiyohi County Bank and the pres- 
ent efficient postmaster of Willmar, Kandi- 
yohi county, Minnesota, has been a resident 
of the count}' since 1870. He is a native of 
Ireland, born on the 7th of July, 1839, and 
is the son of Martin and Mary O'Brien, also 



688 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



natives of that land. In 1841 the parents 
of our subject emigrated to America and 
located in tlie Dominion of Canada, where 
they engaged in farming. 

Mr. O'Brien, of wliom this sketch treats, 
emigrated to Canada witli his parents when 
lie was two years old. He received a fair 
education in the common schools of Canada, 
and after leaving the scliool-room com- 
menced in life for liimself by clerking in a 
store. In 1802 he came to the States, and 
for the succeeding eiglit years was engaged 
in mining ojierations in California, Nevada. 
Idiilio and Montana. He was successful in 
this venture, and after the expiration of 
eight years returned eastward and located in 
Minnesota, where he purcliased (Mo acres of 
land in Kandiyohi county, wliere he remained 
engaged in general farming and stock oper- 
ations for sixteen years. In 1880 he partici- 
jiated in the organization of the Kandiyohi 
County Bank, with which he has since been 
identiiied. He is also actively interested in 
real estate and loan brokerage, and was 
formerly connected with a syndicate which 
owned thirteen elevators in different sections 
of the country. He, with Mr. Peterson, 
owns the elevator at Kandiyohi station. He 
is a meinber of a syndicate at Willmar 
interesteil in St. Paul and Minneapolis real 
estate. On the -1th of March he was 
appointed postmaster by President Cleve- 
land, which iKjsition he has since filled with 
satisfaction to all parties concerned. He 
owns one of the finest brick residences in 
the city, which he purchased at an expense 
of $6,000. In 1886 he removed into the city, 
where he had for many years been identified 
with its business interests. 

Mr. O'Brien was married in 1869 to Miss 
Kate Findlan, and this union has been blessed 
with the four following-named children — 
Mary, who is attending and will graduate in 
June, 1889, at the St. Cloud Normal School ; 
Martin, who assists his father in the post- 



ofBce ; Andrew and Julia. Mr. O'Brien is 
one of the prominent and solid business men 
of Willmar, and is an adherent to the prin- 
ciples of the democratic party. In 1888 he 
was chairman of the county tiemocratic cen- 
tral committee, and for the last twelve 
3'ears has regularly Ijeen a delegate to tiie 
State democratic convention. 



-«<- 



^^^ 



ELS J. OLSON, of the firni of Olson 
Bi'others. hardware dealers in tiie vil- 
lage of Clarissa. Todd county, Minnesota, 
is a native of Sweden. He was born on the 
IStli day of June, 1858, and is tiie son of 
Jeppa and Carrie Olson, also natives of that 
kingdom. The father and mother of our 
subject were the parents of tiie following- 
named children — Ole, Isabelle, Peter, Lars, 
Celia, Christena, Nels, John and Carrie. 

Nels Olson, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education in his native land, 
where he attended school until lie attained 
the age of twenty-one years. Then he emi- 
grated to the United States, and after a voy- 
age of twenty da3's landed at Quebec, Can- 
ada, and at once removed to the States, set- 
tling in Stearns county, Minnesota. He 
remained there for a number of yeai"s. He 
engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he 
followed for five years. He also clerked in 
a store for six months in Sauk Centre. In 
1888 he removed to Todd county, Minnesota, 
and, in partnership with his brother, Lars, 
engaged in the mercantile business in the 
village of Clarissa, They have since been 
engaged in the same business and are having 
a good trade. The}' carry a full line of heavj' 
and slielf hardware, besides doing a general 
repairing and tinning Ijusiness. The}' are 
rej)resentative and prominent business citi- 
zens of the village, and command the general 
patronage. 



PARK KEGIO.VS OF MINNESOTA. 



6S9 



Mr. Olson is a republican in politics, and 
takes an active interest in that party's cam- 
paif^ns. He is highly esteemed by all who 
know him, and is a man of the strictest 
honor ami integrity. 



"^►^ 



John M. RYAN, the subject of this bio- 
^ graphical memoir, is a resident of the 
village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minne- 
sota, where he is engaged in the retail liquor 
business, and is proprietor of the well-known 
"Pioneer" billiard parlors in the village. He 
is a native of Massachusetts, born in Boston 
on the SSth day of December, 1S54, and is 
the son ol Mathew and Mary Ryan, natives 
of the kingdom of Ireland. The father died 
when our subject was a small child. The 
parents had emigrated to the United States 
and located in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1850. 
The mother died in Minnesota, December 29, 
1872. 

Mr. Ryan, the subject of this article, lived 
with his relatives until he was about fourteen 
years of age, during which time he attended 
school. He then commenced in life for 
himself by securing work with farmers. 
He removed to Galena, Illinois, and after 
remaining there a short time went to Du- 
buque, Iowa, but only remained there a few 
weeks. From there he went to Wabasha, 
Minnesota, and foranumber of 3'ears worked 
at various occupations in that locality. On 
the 26th of May, 1880, he removed to Argyle, 
Marshall county, Mmnesota, where he secured 
the position of foreman of some large farms 
in the county. He held that position satis- 
factorily for three years, and at the expira- 
tion of that time removed into the village, 
and on the 16th day of February, 1885, 
opened the large saloon and " Pioneer bil- 
liard hall" which he now operates. It is 
one of the finest institutions of the kind in 
the county, and he handles all grades and 



brands of the finest whiskies, brandies, wines, 
cigars, etc. He pays a village license of 
$500 and a Government license of $27.40. 
His affable disposition and straightforward 
business methods have given him a large 
trade and he is doing well. 

Mr. Ryan was united in marriage in Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota, on the Ith day of August, 
1885, to Miss Carrie Brustle. Our suliject 
and estimable wife belong to the Catholic 
church. He is one of the prominent men of 
the village, and has held the office of presi- 
dent of the village council for three years. 
In political matters he affiliates with the 
democratic party. In addition to his busi- 
ness and saloon building he owns several 
village lots and two well-improved farms, 
two and five miles, respectively, fi'om the 
village. He is actively interested in all local 
movements and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. 



aKLENRY B. HAMLIN, one of the pros- 
JL ^ perous and infiuential business men 
of the village of Wadena, Wadena county, 
Minnesota, is engaged in the lumber, livery 
and brokerage business in that place. He is 
a native of Ohio, born in Huron county, on 
the 5th of October, 1850, and is the son of 
Alamanza and Mary R. Hamlin, natives 
of Massachusetts. The father and mother of 
the subject of this sketch were the parents 
of the following-named children — David, 
Henry and William. 

Mr. Hamlin, the subject of this biographical 
memoir, remained in his native State during 
his younger daj's and attended the excellent 
common schools of that State. He also took 
a course in the Commercial Institute of 
Oberlin, Ohio, and Berea College, Kentucky, 
where he attended two or three terms. He 
then started in life for himself b}^ engaging 
in the grain and lumber business, which 



690 



RED RIVER VALLEY A NTj 



occupations be followed until 1883. In the 
spring of 1883 Mr. Hamlin removed to the 
State of Minnesota, and settled in the coimty 
of Wadena, where he has since resided. 
When he first settled in AVadena he 
bought out the luralber firm of Knud- 
sen ifc Everts. He re-established tiie 
yard and continued to operate the business 
until 188r>, wJien W. S. Ilorr bouglit an equal 
interest and tliey have since carried on the 
business. In the spring of 1886 Mr. Hamlin 
engaged in the liver}' business in partnersiiip 
witli William Iloif, and they have since 
carried on tiie livery and sale stables, devot- 
ing special attention to the sale of imjiorted 
horses, and doing an extensive business in 
selling buggies, wagons, cutters etc. 

Mr. Hamlin was united in marriage on the 
8tli day of January, 1873, to Miss Abbie C. 
Horr, of Lorain county, Ohio. Mr. Hamlin is a 
stanch republican in his political affiliations, 
and always takes an active interest in all 
local matters. He is very successful in his 
business relations with everyone, and is 
highly esteemed both as a citizen and 
business man by all who know him. 



-*'-: 



«»^ 



J^iCHARD HANDY, a prominent raer- 
Ji^^ chant of Todd county, Minnesota, is 
a resident of the village of Long Prairie, 
where he is engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness. He is a native of England, born in 
Westbury, Wiltshire, in February, 1842, 
and is the son of Thomas and Anna (Hill) 
Handy, also natives of England. The mother 
died in her native land, and the father re- 
moved to the United States in 1850, and set- 
tled in Erie county, Pennsylvania. He was 
accidentalh' drowned in April, 1866, at 
Dundas, Rice county, Minnesota. He had 
charge of the Archibald Mills at that place, 
where he had moved in 1863. The father 



and mother of our subject were the parents 
of the following-named children-^Elizabeth, 
Richard, Chai'les and John. 

Mr. Handy, the subject of this article, re- 
mained in his native land until he was eight 
years old, at which time he emigrated to 
the United States, and settled with his father 
at Erie. He remained there two and a lialf 
years. In the year 1853 the family removed 
to Dundas, Canada West. At the age of 
eleven he left the paternal home to seek his 
own livelihood, and at the age of fifteen 
ceased his educational career. For some 
time he secured work in a hotel, and soon 
afterward commenced the tinner's trade. In 
1866 Mr. Handy removed to Minnesota, and 
settled in Rice count}', Minnesota, where he 
remained three months. At the expiration 
of that time he went to Dodge county, 
where he worked at the tinner's trade for 
two years. He next moved to Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, where he worked at the bench for 
five or six months, moving from there to 
Otter Tail county, Minnnesota, and tocjk 160 
acres of land, on which he remained two sum- 
mers engaged in farming. In 1868 he was 
engaged by Henrj' Keller, of Sauk Centre, as 
tinsmith, and in the fall returned to Sauk 
Centre, Minnesota. He staid in Sauk Centre, 
engaged principally at the tinner's trade,until 
1873. In 1873 Mr. Handy went to Long 
Prairie, Todd county, Minnesota, and estab- 
lished his present hardware business. He 
carries one of the largest stocks in the village 
and handles all kinds of shelf and heav}' 
hardware. 

Mr. Handy was united in marriage in 
March, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Gough, and 
this union was blessed with six children — 
Anw, Beatrice, Pauline, Bessie, Ruth and 
Rolland. Mr. Handy is a republican in his 
political affiliations, and is one of the sub- 
stantial and esteemed citizens of the village. 
He and his famil\' lielong to the Ba])tist 
church, of which he is a deacon. He has 



PARK' REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



6gl 



been president of the village school board 
and a member of the village council. He is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd- 
Fellows and a representative man of the 



village. 



— — "^^^^"4- 



WILLIAM SMITH, a successful mer- 
chant of Todd county, Minnesota, is 
a I'esident of the village of Eagle Bend, where 
he is engaged in the general merchandising 
business. He is a native of Kentucky, born 
in Pikesville, Pike county, Kentuckj^ on the 
21st day of October, 1844, and is the son of 
Aaron and Jennie (Justices) Smith, natives 
of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The 
father is still engaged in farming on the old 
home in Kentucky'. The mother was educated 
in her native State, and died there August 
28, 1805. They were the pai'ents of three 
children — William, John and George. John 
is in Virginia and George is living in 
Kentucky. 

Mr. Smith, the suliject of this biographical 
article, remained in his native village, Pikes- 
ville, until he was twenty-five years old. 
Until he had attained tlie age of seventeen 
years lie attended tlie common schools of his 
native town, and in 1870 removed to West 
Virginia, where he remained two years. At 
the expiration of that time he went to the 
State of Minnesota, and settled in Meeker 
county, Minnesota, near Dassel, where he 
purchased a farm, and engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits for about seven years. In 
1879 lie removed to Todd count}^ Minnesota, 
and homesteaded a tract of land on section 
2, W\'keham township, wiiere lie remained 
five years, engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He was one of the earliest 
settlers in the township and a successful 
farmer. In 1884 Mr. Smith renujved to the 
village of Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minne- 
sota, and engaged in the litpior business for i 



two years. He then opened his present store 
and has since been engaged in the business. 
He carries a complete stock of general 
merchandise and is doing a good business. 

Mr. Smith was united in marriage on the 
12th day of January, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth 
Ford, a native of the State of Kentucky, and 
the daughter of William Ford, a farmer and 
merchant. She is one of twelve children, 
being the fourth in order. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith are the parents of the following-named 
children — James, Malinda, Mary, Minnie, 
Ida, Rosy, Arleiy, Katie and Lizzie. Malinda 
is the wife of John Goble, a resident of Todd 
county, and Mary is a Mrs. Burton of Eagle 
Bend, Todd county, Minnesota. The sul)ject 
of this article is a democrat in his political 
affiliations and an active participant in all 
movements of a local nature. He is one of 
the leading citizens of the village in whicii he 
lives and has held various offices, including 
treasurer, school director, etc. A man 
of the strictest integrity, he stands hign in 
the community in which lie lives, both as a 
business man and an exemplary citizen. 



ijOHN H. WIGGINS, of the firm of Wil- 
^ liams Brothers & Company, prominent 
millers of Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, is a 
resident of Willmar, where he is engaged in 
the milling business with the above-named 
firm,' being the company of the same. He 
is a native of Prince Edward Island, born 
in 1850, and is the son of James and Eleanor 
(Green) Wiggins, natives of Grand Lake, 
New Brunswick, Canada, and Prince Edward 
Island, respectivel}^ Early in life the 
father was a house carpenter by trade, tiien 
followed farming and later in life engaged 
in the lumbering and milling business in 
Prince Edward Island, in the village of Alber- 
ton. The mother died in 1883, and the 
father is now retired from active life. They 



692 



KKD KH'ER VALLF.Y AKD 



were the parents of ten children, the follow- 
ing-named being the onl\" ones now living — 
Virgenia, the wife of T. F. "Walker ; Sarah, 
now Mrs. "Wright; Elizabeth, who married 
J. French; John H. and Samuel 11. 

Jolin IT. AYiggins, the subject of this 
article, remained in his native island until he 
was twent^'-one. Dui'ing that time he had 
.attended school in the winters and in the 
summers assisted his father operate the 
home farm. At the age of majorit}^ he 
commenced in life for himself, and for the 
succeeding five years followed agricultural 
pursuits. At the expiration of that time he 
entered the milling business in partnership 
Avith his father and brother, but after three 
years they were burned out, losing all he had. 

Oui" subject had to commence at the foot 
of the ladder once more. He now sjient two 
years woi-king in a machine shop on his 
native island, then went to New York City, 
where he secured a position in a machine 
shop, where he worked for one year. Then, 
in ISSU, he removed westward and settled in 
Kerkhoven, Swift county, Minnesota, where 
he remained for a period of five years, 
engaged in elevator work. In 18S5, in part- 
nership with "Williams Brothei's, he pur- 
chased a custom mill at "Willmar, Kandiyohi 
county, Minnesota. After three months the 
mill was destroyed by fire, and the}' pur- 
chased several lots and erected their present 
mill. It is one of the finest in the county, 
and they are doing a heav}' local and ship- 
])ing business. They employ five men, and 
are among the prominent and leading millers 
in that part of tiie State. 

Mr. "Wiggins, of whom this article treats, 
was united in marriage in 1870 to Miss 
Sarah D. Williams, a native of Prince 
Edward Island, and the daughter of "William 
S. and Chai'lotte (Greene) "Williams, natives of 
Englantl and Prince Edward Island, respect- 
ively. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins in this union 
have been blessed with one child — William I 



D. In his political aflBliations Mr. Wiggins 
is an adherent to the principles of the rejjub- 
lican party. He is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. He has a fine 
residence on Benson avenue, surrounchnl 
with beautiful evergreen and sha<le trees. 
In all jniblic matters, whether political oi' 
local, Mr. W^iggins is actively and jjromi- 
nently identified with them, always giving 
liis sup])ort to any laudable cnterpi-ise. He 
is an exemplary citizen, and is higiily esteemed 
and respected by ail wlio know him. 



.«- 



i^ETER I. HOLEN, of the firm of Olson 
& Ilolen, general merchants of the 
village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minne- 
sota, where they are engaged in a general 
merchandising business, is one of the jirom- 
inent and respected business men of the 
county in which he lives. He is a native of 
Norway, born in Guldbransdalen, on the 
12th day of February, 1S59, and is the son 
of Tver and Johanna (Korstad) Ilolen, 
natives also of that kingdom. The mollier 
died in 1861, and the father in 1S7:5. 

Mr. Holen, the subject of this biographical 
review, received his education in his native 
country, where he attended school until 
he was twelve years old. After his father's 
death our subject was compelled to seek his 
own livelihood, and until he was sixteen 
he worked out at whatever labor he could 
obtain.. In 1876 he emigrated to the United 
States, and after a voyage of four weeks 
landed in New York City. From there he 
removed directly to Minnesota, and located 
in Pelican Rapids, where he worked on a 
farm during the summers and attended 
school for two winters. At the expiration 
of that time he secured a position with Pen- 
dergast & Blyberg, genei'al merchants of 
Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, and with whom 
he remained one j'ear. After leaving the 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



693 



store he took a two weeks' trip into Dakota, 
to look over the land, and again returned to 
Pehcan Ilapids, where he secured a position 
as clerk in the general store of Theodore 
Fi'a/.ee. Our subject remained in that posi- 
tion for four years, when he removed to the 
village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minne- 
sota, and in partnersliip with Andrew Olson 
Iniilt a store ami put in a full line of gen- 
eral merchandise. They have a double 
store, one department devoted to groceries, 
iiardware, boots and shoes, and the other 
to (li'V goods and clothing. It is the finest 
and largest stocked store in the village, and 
the}^ are doing an extensive and increasing 
business. 

Mr. Holen was united in marriage in 
March, 1885, to Miss Annie Melgaard, the 
daughter of Lars H. and Anna (Melgaard) 
Myhre, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holen have been blessed with two children 
— Julia and Oscar. Our subject and his 
family belong to the Lutheran church. He 
lias been a member of the village council, 
and is one of tlie most active and prominent 
business men of the county. 



-*-?^{^-^' 



^^:;:|^1LLIAM F. M.4RKUS, the present 
incumbent of the office of register 
of deeds of Wadena county, Minnesota, is a 
resident of the village of Wadena, where he is 
engaged in his official duties. He is a native of 
the State of Minnesota, born in Shakopee on 
the 17th day of June, 1858, and the son of 
William and Wilhelmina Markns, natives of 
Germany. The father and mother of our 
subject were the parents of the following- 
named children — Charles, William, Henry, 
Minnie, Emma, George, Rose, Augusta and 
Edward. 

Mr. AEarkus, tlie subject of this biogra]ih- 
ical article, remained in bis native town until 
he was fifteen years of age. Up to the age of 



fourteen years he attended school, and after 
leaving school he secured w^ork in a 
drug store. When he was fifteen years 
old he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and 
found employment in a drug store, where he 
remained one year. He spent the summer 
of 1875 in Henderson and New Ulm, Minne- 
sota, working in a drug store, and during 
the winter of 1875-7C he had charge of a 
drug store in Dulutii, Minnesota. In the 
following spring he returned to Sliakopee, 
where he remained until the following 
August, and then removed to Litchfield, Min- 
nesota, where he remained several months. 
In the fall of 187(5 Mr. Markus went to St. 
Paul, Minnesota, where he clerked in the 
International and Slierman hotels until 1879, 
wiien he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
and secured the position of clerk in the Mer- 
chants' Hotel. Wliile at the Merchants' he 
attended the business college of Curtiss & 
Hyde during his leisure hours. He remained 
in that capacity until the spring of 1881, 
when he went on the road as a " knight of the 
grip," and in the following spring removed to 
St. Cloud, Minnesota, and leased the West 
Hotel for one year. He then removed to Ald- 
ricii, Minnesota, and while there was one of the 
Aldrich Mill Company. While there he had 
the misfortune to lose his right hand, and he 
at once went to the " cities " for superior 
medical treatment. In the spring of 1884 
he was able to return to Wadena county, 
Minnesota, and after remaining at Aldrich 
for a few months made a trip through 
Dakota and located at Lisbon, where he 
leased the Headquarters Hotel for one year. 
In the spring of 1885 he went to Litchfield, 
Minnesota, where he remainetl during the 
summer, and tlien located at Aldrich, where 
he enti'aaed in tlie fire insurance business. 
In 1886 he was elected to the office of regis- 
ter of deeds, which position he has since 
held with satisfaction to all parties con- 
cerned, and was re-elected in 1888. 



6g4 



K ED RIVER VALLEY AND 



Mr. Markus was married in Februar\% 
1880, to Miss Lizzie French, of Litchfield, 
Minnesota. They have been blessed with 
four children — Leola, Rene, William and 
George. In the fall of 1886 they had tlie 
misfortune to lose their eldest son, Eene. 
Mr. Markus has alwaj's identified himself 
witli the republican party, and is actively 
interested in all movements of a local nature. 
Mr. Markus is also engaged in tiie loan and 
fire insurance business. lie is a member' of 
the Odd-Fellows fraternity and is the present 
treasurer of that organization. A man of 
the strictest integrity, and one of the most 
cai)able business men in the county, he is 
highly respected and esteemed. 



Y't^^/aLTER S. HORR, of the firm of 
jK^^dL Hamlin & Ilorr, dealers in lumber 
and all kinds of building material, has been 
closely identified with the business interests 
of the village of Wadena, Wadena county, 
Minnesota, since the 1st of Deceml)er, 1885. 
He is a native of the State of Ohio, born in 
Wellington on the lith day of August, 
1863. He remained in liis native State 
until 1885. During his earlier days he 
attended the excellent common schools of 
Wellington, and then entered the high school 
of that place, graduating with high honors 
in June, 1S81. He then secured a position 
as book-keeper with a large wholesale lumber 
firm in Wellington, with whom he remained 
for a period of four years. This firm did an 
extensive business all through the State and 
country, and our subject held a responsible 
position with them. In 1885 he decided to 
seek new fields in which to employ his ener- 
gies in the new Northwest, and accordinglv 
started for the West. Reaching Minnesota 
and seeing the beautiful village of Wadena 
and the business interests there, he concluded 
to settle. He purchased a one-half interest 



in the lumber establishment of II. R. Ham- 
lin, whose liiographical memoir will be found 
in another department of this Ai.hcm, and 
they have since continued the business 
together. They carry a heavy stock at all 
times, and are one of the most extensive lum- 
ber firms in the county. They carrv all 
kinds of lumber, lath, shingles, lime, siding, 
building paper, etc., and are doing a heavy 
business. 

Mr. Ilorr, of whom this article treats, was 
married on the Sth da\' of July, 18S(i. to 
Miss Julia Bacon, a native of Oberlin, Ohio, 
and a graduate of Oberlin College in 1883. 
Mr. Horr afliliates with the republican 
party, and is an active participant in all 
local movements whereby the town or 
county may derive benefit. He. is a capable 
business man, a man of the strictest integ- 
rity, and is highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 



«« 



•^*sr* • — - 



^^EORGE D. HAMILTON, editor and 
x^i proprietor of the Detroit Record, 
]iublished at Deti-oit, Becker county, Min- 
nesota, is one of the most popular and highly 
esteemed citizens of Becker' coimty. He is 
a native of Wisconsin, born at Two River-s, 
Apr-il 3, 1856, and is the son of Henry and 
Dianthy (Smith) Hamilton, natives of New 
Yor-k State. They were mar-ried in Two 
River-s, Wisconsin, where the father was 
engaged in the gener-al mer-chandising. mill- 
ing and manufacturing business. He enlisted 
as quarternuxster in the Twenty-fir'st Wis- 
consin Infantry, and seri'ed one year. He 
then engaged in business in Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, where he r'emained and was taken 
suddenly ill and died in 1S61. The mother 
is now living with our subject in Detr'oit. 
The father and motlier were the parents of 
the following-named children — Edwar'd, 
Laura, Heni-y and George. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINN ESQ TA. 



695 



Mr. Hamilton, the subject of this biograph- 
ical sketcli, spent his younger days in attend- 
ing school in Two Ilivers, Wisconsin. At 
the age of thirteen he commenced in life for 
himself. Until he iiad attained the age of six- 
teen years he was employed in vai'ious 
manufacturing establishments, and at the age 
of sixteen entered tiie office of the Mani- 
toiooG County Chronicle, at Two Rivers, 
Wisconsin. He helped publish the first 
paper and remained until September, 1876, 
when he went to Nebraska, and took the 
position of foreman on the Saline County 
JVeios, at Crete, Nebraska. After remaining 
one year, he returned to Two Elvers, Wis- 
consin, and took charge of the Manito-woc 
Coxmty Chronicle, remaining there until the 
fall of 1878. In November, 1878, he went 
to Detroit, Beclvcr county, Minnesota, and 
purchased his present paper. Tlie paper is a 
six column quarto, re|)ul)lican in its pohtical 
views, and lias a circulation of 800 copies. 

Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage on 
the 20th of September, 1880, to Miss Mary 
G. Dunning, of Detroit, Minnesota, and the 
daughter of Warren S. and Anna (Maxwell) 
Dunning, natives of Valparaiso, Indiana. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been blessed 
with one child — Hubbard. Our subject is a 
republican in politics, and a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. He is actively interested 
in any laudable home enterprise, and through 
his strict integrity, honorable methods and 
business capa1)ilities iie is recognized as one 
of the most prominent citizens of the county 
in which he lives. 



.^^ 



^^.-^ 



Frederick w. hartung, a retired 

W" farmer of Todd county, Minnesota, is 
a resident of the village of Long Prairie. 
He is a native of Germany, born in Prussia 
on the 7th day of March, 1828, and is the 
son of Casper and Eva Hartung, also natives 
of the kingdom of Germany. The father 



and mother of our subject are the parents of 
the following-named children — Godfried, 
Anna, Maria, Frederick W. and Jacob. 

Mr. Hartung, the subject of this biograph- 
ical review, received his education in the 
land of his birth, attending the excellent 
common schools of Prussia until he had 
attained the age of fourteen years. He 
enlisted in the German army in Frankfort- 
on-the-Main, serving one 3'ear and five 
months and receiving his honorable discharge 
in 1851. He remained in his native land until 
1868, when he emigrated to the United 
States, and after remaining one year in this 
country returned to his native land. He 
remained a short time, visiting the scenes of 
his childhood, and again emigrated to 
America. After landing on America's shores 
he removed to the State of Ohio, and after a 
short sojourn in that State went to Todd 
county, Minnesota, and took land on section 
8, where he lived until 1887. After remain- 
ing eight years on his homestead Mr. 
Ilartuno- arain imid a visit to his native 
country, and then returned to his farm. He 
remained, as above stated, upon his farm 
until 1887, engaged extensively in genei'al 
farming and stock-raising operations. He 
was one of the most successful farmers in 
the county, and still has a fine farm of 640 
acres, besides eiglitj^ acres within the incor- 
porate limits of Long Prairie. He rents a 
part of his land, and this gives him a 
moderate income. In 1887 Mr. Hartung, 
seeing tliat old age was approaching and 
tiiat he was becoming unequal to hard 
manual labor, decided to retire from active 
life, and accordingly' removed to the village 
of Long Prairie, Todd count}', Minnesota, 
where he has since remained. He owns a 
fine brick house, which is built from material 
made on his own farm. 

Mr. Hartung was united in marriage on 
the loth of March, 1854, to Miss Johannah 
Anholt, a native of the kingdom of Germany. 



696 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



Mr. and Mrs. Hartung have been l)lessed 
with three children, named as follows — • 
Jacob, Charlotte and Anna. The two first 
named are marrieil, and Anna is at home. 
Mr. Hartung is a republican in politics, and 
is one of the representative citizens of Long 
Prairie. He and his family belong to the 
Lutheran church. 



-«"! 



-^. 



Tf^R. E. N. FALK, postmaster at Cale- 
V^J (lunia, North Dakota, and editor and 
})roprietor of the IraUl County Times, is 
one of the most prominent and leading citi- 
zens of the Red Elver Valley. A man of 
excellent business capabilities, enterprising 
and energetic, he has taken an active part in 
the development of this region, and his 
name is indissolubly associated with its his- 
tory. 

Dr. Falk was born in Bergen Stift, Nor- 
way, on the 24th of February, 1847, and 
there spent his childhood days. In 1854 he 
was brought to the United States by his 
parents, and they settled in Dane county, 
Wisconsin. There our subject remained on 
the home farm, receiving his education in 
the district schools of that vicinity- until he 
was sixteen years of age. At that time, in 
January, 18G4, he enlisted in Company H, 
Twenty -seventh Wisconsin Infantr}', and 
went into the service. He participated in 
all the battles and skirmishes in which that 
gallant regiment was engaged, principal 
among which was that of Mobile. Pie saw 
a good deal of hard service, but came out 
witliout a wound. After receiving an hon- 
orable discharge in December, 1865, he went 
to Chicago, where he attended Hush Medical 
College, graduating and receiving the degree 
of M. D. in the spring of 1870. After this 
for about two years he traveled through 
the South and West, and in 1873 he 
removed to Minneapolis and accepted a 
position as physician and surgeon for the 



Northern Pacific Construction Companj', 
retaining this position for about one year. 
About this time he located at Northfield, 
Minnesota, where he was engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession until 1877, when became 
to Traill county, Nort!; Dakota, and located at 
Caledonia, where he engaged in medical 
practice. He was very successful in his pro- 
fessional work, and served two veal's as 
county physician. He continued practice 
until elected to the office of county auditor, 
when he devoted his attention to his oltlcial 
duties, serving in this capacity for four j'ears. 
Since that time he has devoted his attention 
to his newspaper work, having established 
the Traill County Times in 1885. The 
paper ranks among the best local pa- 
pers in the valley, and has a circu- 
lation of about COu. It is democratic 
in political matters. The doctor is a man of 
excellent literary attainments, well read and 
an able writer. He has always taken an 
active part in public affairs, and at this writ- 
ing ranks as colonel on Governor Church's 
staff. He was ajipointed postmaster in ISSO, 
and still holds that position. While living 
at Northfield, Minnesota, he was nominated 
by his party for secretary of State, liis oppo- 
nent being General Jennison, but was 
defeated. 

Dr. Falk is a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, holding membership in 
a Dane county, Wisconsin, post. He also 
belongs to the Odd-Fellows fraternity. He 
is a man of the strictest integritv. 



•«- 



-^, 



JOSEPH W. WHITE is engaged in the 
^ general merchandise business at Vin- 
ing. Otter Tail count}', Minnesota. He was 
born in Count}' Armagh, Ireland, January 
28, 1856. 

Mr. White is the son of James and Mar- 
garet (Watson) White, natives of Ireland. 



PARK REGION'S OF MINNESOTA. 



6c)7 



The mother died in Ireland in 1861. The 
father and the rest of the family came to 
America in 1863, and after stopping a few 
days in New York City went to Smith 
Falls, Canada, on a short visit to relatives 
living in that place. After a few months 
they moved to Bruce county, Canada, where 
the father rented a farm and engaged in 
fai-ming for one year. His experience in 
farm! no- had been exceedingly limited, for 
prior to this time he had worked on a farm 
but about si.\ months. In 1864 the family 
moved to Southampton, Canada, and for 
some time the father followed the trade of 
weaving. He soon gave that up, however, 
and bought some village property, on which 
he has been engaged in gardening ever 
since. 

Joseph W. left home at the early age of 
eleven years, up to which time he had been 
attending school, but on reaching' the age 
above mentioned he was bound out to a man 
by the name of James Perdue, to be retained 
by that gentleman until he was twentv-one 
years of age. Joseph remained with Mr. 
Perdue about two years, during which time 
he attended school and worked on the farm. 
He was dissatisfied, however, and was seeking 
some chance to leave what he called his bond- 
age. Mr. Perdue had a son to whom was bound 
James AVhite, a brother of Joseph. So when 
his son, of the same place, came to Mr. 
Perdue's place on a short visit, Joseph 
returned with him to his home. Joseph 
and James, the brothers, were thus thrown 
together, and Joseph set out to pre- 
vail on his brother to desert his mas- 
ter, and finally succeeding, the bovs 
started out to walk to Southam])ton, where 
the father and the rest of the family were 
living. Here he attended school for four 
winters, working at home during the sum- 
mer months. At the end of these four years 
he apprenticed to learn the drug business 
and telegraphy with a Mr. Frood. He con- 



tinued his apprenticeship for about two years, 
and then, because Mr. Frood took in a part- 
ner, left his employ and lived at home with 
his father about six months. He then 
obtained a situation with a Mr. Shepard, of 
Lucknow, Ontario, working at the drug 
business and telegraphy. His em])loyment 
with Mr. Shepard lasted six months, when 
he again returned home and lived with his 
father for about one year. In May, 1879, 
he came to Minnesota, remaining during one 
summer with a brother-in-law in Aldrich, 
Wadena county. Here he practiced tele- 
graphy in the Northern Pacific Piailroad 
office, and in November, 1879, went into the 
woods as book-keeper for a lumljer firm, 
remaining in the employ of that firm until 
the first of the next May. At this time he 
returned to Aldrich and entered the employ 
of W. A. Bryant & Brother as a clerk in 
their general merchandise store, remaining 
with them until the following fall. He again 
went into the woods as book-keeper for 
Charles Ilarkens, and while in that gentle- 
man's employ Messrs. Mealey & Staples 
came to him with such an excellent offer that 
he could not refuse to become their book- 
keeper at Staples' Mill. He remained with 
this firm for two years as their general man- 
ager, and during this time he also handled 
lumber, ties and wood on his own account. 
The most of this private business, how- 
ever, was done during the last yes^v of 
his engagement with the firm. Then Mr. 
Mealey sold out to a man by the name of 
Shellabarger, and Mr. White was retained to 
settle up the affairs of the old firm. A little 
later Mr. Shellabargei- bought out Staples, 
and the subject of our sketch was retained as 
book-keeper by the new proprietor, remain- 
ing with him during one winter. His time 
was mostly spent in outside work as a kind 
of general manager. In the sin-ing Mr. 
White returned to Aldrich, and after remain- 
ing there a short time struck out for the 



698 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



AVcst, with the intention of taking up a 
claim. lie bought some propert}^ in Grand 
Forks, Dakota, and took up a claim in Polk 
county, Minnesota. Getting his aifaii"s in 
shape so he could leave his claim and other 
property, he went to Staples' ]Mill for a 
short stay, and thence went on a visit to 
Canada in company with his brother. After 
spending some time visiting with his father's 
family and with friends in Canada he returned 
by way of Chicago to Staples' ]\rill,and after 
a siiort sta}' there came to Yining in August, 
1883. He built a store ])uilding and went 
into jiartnership with George H. Putnam in 
the general mercliandise business. This 
partnership was continued until 1887, when 
Mr. AVliite bought out his partner and since 
which time he has conducted the business 
under his personal supervision. 

December 23, 1884, Mr. White was wedded 
to Miss Ada E. Barrett, a native of Iowa. 
This union has been blessed with two chil- 
dren — Clifford "W. and Eva E., both of whom 
are now alive. 

In politics Mr. White has always affiliated 
witli the democratic party. He has once 
ijeen a candidate for county auditor, and also 
a candidate for clerk of court, but each time 
was defeated. Had he been elected he would 
luive made an al)le and efficient officer. By 
l)iisiness training and education he is well 
<iualilied to hold any ministerial office within 
the gi ft of his fellow-townsmen. He has held 
man}^ positions which have proven his busi- 
ness capabilities. For some time he was 
baggage-master in Brainerd for the Northern 
Pacific Railroad Company, a position for 
whicli he was indebted to W. H. Lowe, gen- 
eral baggage ae:ent. However, when Mr. 
J^owe resigned the express agency at Brain- 
erd, to which office he had been api)ointed, 
Mr. White was thrown out of his position. 
Mr. White was also a station agent on the 
Northei-n Pacific Railroad, which position 
he lield for one year. He has been engaged 



in many kinds of work since coming to this 
country, but he has always been careful and 
conscientious in the services rendered to his 
employers, thus winning their respect and 
further confidence. He has accumulated 
consideral)le property, and is now enjoying 
the comforts and blessings brought by a suc- 
cessful and useful life. His cai-eer has been 
a successful one, altogether, and as he is yet 
quite a young man he has still a long record 
of usefulness to make. 

• -> ''^^-^—^ 

f^MES. S. L.\ GRO. Prominent among 
the business men of the village of 
Paynesville, Stearns county. IMinnesota, is 
the gentleman whose name heads this article, 
a dealer in fui'niture. He is a native of 
the State of Massachusetts, born in Spring- 
field, Massachusetts,on the 21:th of November, 
1851, and is the son of Peter and Mary La 
Gro, natives of Canada. The grandfather 
of our subject fought under Napoleon and 
secured the title of De Ste. Maure. 

At an early day the La Gro family settled 
in Kandij'ohi county, Jlinnesota, and in 
the Indian trouble in 18*12 they lost' every- 
thing they had except their farm, and llie\' 
with the rest of the settlers were ilriven 
to St. Cloud, Minnesota. 

J. S. La Gro, upon attaining manhood, 
went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for 
four years was engaged in teaming and 
gardening. At the expiration of that time he 
engaged in the furniture business in the city, 
and continued in business until 1888. In 
September, 1888, he removed to Paynesville, 
Minnesota, and engaged in the furniture 
business there. He has since been engaged 
in that line, and is having a good trade. He 
carries a full line of goods, and has one of 
the best stores in the village. 

Mr. La Gro was united in marriage on the 
23d of December. 1880, to Miss Anna M. 



PARK REGIONS OF MTNNESOTA. 



699 



Hanson, and this union has been blessed 
with three children, named as follows — 
James (deceased), Etta M. and Pearl 
(deceased). Our subject is one of the prom- 
inent and representative business citizens of 
the village, and is actively interested in all 
local matters. Enterprising and energetic, 
any laudable home enterprise receives iiis 
hearty support. He is a man of the strict- 
est integrity and honor, highly esteemed by 
all who know him. 



^^►•^ 



^«« 



PSAAC C. SUTTON, the efficient and 
'IL accommodating hotel proprietor and 
storekeeper in the village of Browerville, 
Todd county, Mmnesota, is a native of Indi- 
ana. He was born in Jay county on the Sth 
day of November, 1844, and is the son of 
Samuel and Nancy (Marin) Sutton, botli 
natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to 
Indiana in 1844, where the mother died in 
1853. The father is still living in Indiana, 
and is a well-known farmer and stock-raiser. 
They were both devoted members of the 
Methodist Episcoj)al church. They were the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Jacob, Pheobe, William, Elizabeth, Platte, 
Mary, Lydia and Isaac. 

Mr. Sutton, of whom this sketch treats, 
received his education in Kandolph count}', 
Indiana, where he attended school until he 
was seventeen years old. On the 12th of 
August, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth 
Indiana Infantry, Company G, Thirteenth 
Corps. He participated in many skirmishes, 
but was in no ]>itched battle. He received 
his discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, on 
account of general disability contracted in 
the service. After his discharge he went to 
Union City. Indiana, where he remained 
until 1870, when lie removed to Minnesota. 
In the spring of 1870 he settled in Todd 



county, section 2, Hartford township. He 
took a homestead and continued to reside 
there for eleven years, during which time he 
was actively engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He was one of the first set- 
tlers in the township, and took a leading 
part in all local matters. At the expiration 
of the eleven years he removed to the vil- 
lage of Old Hartford and engaged as clerk 
for D. C. Davis & Co. Soon afterward the 
firm moved to Browerville, and our subject 
began the erection of a stoi'e building. This 
was on the 6th of July, 1883, and this building 
was for a hotel. Our subject took charge of 
the hotel, but in a short time was obliged to 
give it up on account of ill-health. He 
finally sold the hotel property and then 
erected a dwelling house, in which he lived 
for two years. During that time he had 
charge of a lumber yard for Mr. Harrington, 
and also acted as cook in a logging camp on 
Eice lake. He then took charge of a saw- 
mill about nine miles from Browerville, and 
later returned to the village. He erected 
another dwelling house, in which he lived 
until he took charge of the Browerville 
House, at Browerville, on the 1st of January, 
1889. In 1887 he formed a partnership with 
James Hart in a general store, and they have 
since carried on the business. Mr. Sutton is 
highly esteemed by the traveling public and 
those who know him. He runs a first-cla?s 
house and is doing a good business. 

Mr. Sutton was married March 22, 1863, 
to Miss Lavina Whipple, a native of Indiana, 
and the daughter of Jason and Eliza Whip- 
ple, natives of Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island. Mr. and ]\[rs. Sutton have been 
blessed with the following-named children — 
Frank, Henry, Daisy and Jason Oak. Mr. 
Sutton is a republican in politics, and a vnem- 
ber of the Grand Army of the Eepublic. He 
is actively interested in all local movements, 
and any laudable home enterprise receives his 
hearty support. 



700 



KF.D KIVEK VALLEY AND 



/V^HARLES H. HODGE is one of the 
v^ leading citizens of Motley, Morrison 
county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in 
tiic drug business. He is one of the earliest 
settlers in this region. Iiaving located in the 
village above mentioned in March, 1879, 
tlie place then consisting of some fifty 
people. There were but very few frame 
buildings in the town, most of them being 
built of logs, the hotel being nothing but a 
log shant}^ some 20x30 feet. Mr. Ilodge 
came to this place to engage in work as a 
millwright for IT. B. Morrison, who was 
then putting up the present flouring mill 
and some dwelling houses. In the fall of 
1882 he put in a stock of drugs, which was 
the first stock in the city and which he has 
since been conducting. He is also agent for 
L. P. White's real estate, Mr. White being 
the original proprietor of the town plat. 

Mr. Ilodge is a native of Vermont, and 
was born in Lamoille county, August 17, 
1833. He remained with liis parents in the 
place of his nativit}' until the breaking out 
of the war, receiving advantages for a good 
education in the district schooh When the 
war broke out he was fired with patriotic 
zeal, and August 14, 1861, enlisted in 
Company D, Fifth Regiment Vermont Vol- 
unteer Infantry, being mustered into the 
service at St. Albans, Vermont. September 
Kith. His regiment fell to the allotment of 
the Army of the Potomac, and joined that 
army preparatory to active service at the 
front. In December Mr. Hodge was taken 
sick and sent to the Union lIos))ital at 
Georgetown, and later was discharged from 
the Judiciary Hospital, Washington, June 17, 
lSn2, after a long and sin'ere illness. This 
termination of his militarv life was to him 
extremely unsatisfactory, so he determined 
to at once re-enlist and try again the fortunes 
of war. June 20th, three days after his dis- 
charge, he re-enlisted in Company II, Ninth 
Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantrv, as 



a private. July 9th of the same year he 
was promoted to the position of sergeant, 
and January 4, 1863, received his commission 
as second lieutenant in Com])any H. Sep- 
tember 15, 1862, he was with his regiment 
at the surrender of Colonel ]S'iles,at Harper's 
Ferry, and with them was taken prisoner, 
but on the following day was paroled and 
sent to Chicago. January 10, 1863, he was 
exchanged, but remained in Chicago until 
April following, when he was ordered 
to report at Fortress Monroe, remaining 
in that stronghold until October of that 
year. Altogether, Mr. Hodge was in 
some eight or ten of the severest battles 
of the war. besides seeing service in a 
number of lighter skirmishes. While in Chi- 
cago, from January lOtli until April, Mr. 
Hodge was occupied in guarding rebel pris- 
oners and was sent with a large company of 
them into the far South, where a number of 
them were exchanged. The war experience 
of Lieutenant Ilodge was a severe one, being 
full of hanlships and exposure. He went 
through it all, however, with a bravery 
worth}' the grandeur of the cause for which 
he fought, and the honors he received were 
but just recompense for the courage and 
valor he exhibited. 

In the spring of 1866, after the war was 
closed, j\Ir. Hodge came to Fond du Lac, 
Wisconsin, and after remaining in that 
place about one year he removed to Green 
Bay, Brown county, thence going to 
Chippewa count}'. As we have alread}' 
stated, in March, 1879, Mr. Hodge settled in 
Motley, Minnesota, where he has since 
resided. On coming here he found the town 
site covered with ])ine trees, not a street cut 
out or cleared, and indeed a veritable wilder- 
ness. This state of affairs, however, rapidlj' 
underwent a change, and Mr. Hodge has 
witnessed a transformation from that wild 
wilderness scene into a bright, busy village. 
Mr. Ilodge has taken an active interest in all 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



701 



matters pertaining to the welfare of the 
township and village, and has served in a 
nunil)er of official positions. He lias been a 
member of tlie school board for the last 
seven years, and has proven a very efficient 
officer. 

Mr. Ilodge was united in marriage Octo- 
ber 25, 1865, to Miss Myra M. Titus, of 
Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Ilodge have a family 
of two children. 

Tlie subject of our sketch "takes an active 
intei'est in the affairs of the 1. O. O. F. lodge 
of tills ])lace, of which he Is one of the most 
Influential members. Ills connection with 
the G. A. R, Stannard Post, No. 101, is an 
important item in his record since coming to 
Motley. The post was organized May 7, 
1887, Mr. Hodge being a charter member 
and commander. He is also junior vice- 
commander of the Park Eeglons Associa- 
tion of the G. A. R. Mr. Hodge is a man 
of wide influence in Morrison county, and is 
esteemed and respected by all who know 
him. 



!APTA1N ALEXANDER GRIGGS, the 
^^y present mayor of the city of Grand 
Forks, will form the subject of our present 
article. No man in North Dakota has done 
more to promote the interests of that locality, 
nor been more prominently identified witli 
its growtli and progress, and his name is 
indissolubly associated witii the history of 
the Red River Yalley as well as the North- 
west. A man of iron determination, of 
energy, enterprise and perseverance, he 
recognizes no such thing as defeat in any 
project he undertakes, and the man\' gigantic 
enterprises which he has Inaugurated and 
carried to successful completion demonstrate 
the characteristics of the man. 

Captain Griggs Is a native of the State of 
Ohio, born In Marietta, on the 27th of Octo- 



ber,1838, and is the son of William and Esther 
(McGibbon) Griggs, natives of New York and 
Ohio, respectively. Alexander remained in 
his native State until about two years old, 
when he removed with his parents to Bee- 
town, Grant county,"Wisconsin, where he lived 
for five or six yeat-s, and in 1849 removed to 
St. Paul, Minnesota, where he secured a 
position as cabin boy on a steamboat. From 
that position he was promoted rapidly, and 
at the age of nineteen we see him captain of 
the steamboat lola. He acted as pilot when 
he was so small that he had to stanil on a 
box to manage the wheel. He remained on 
the Mississippi river and tributaries until 
1870, when he removed to Fort Abercrombie, 
which he made his lieadtjuarters. He was 
engaged in the transportation business In 
connection with J. J. Hill, president of the St. 
Paul, Minnea()olis it Manitoba Railroad, and 
during 1870 and 1871 had headquarters at that 
place. In June they removed their liead- 
quarters to McCauleyvllle and then to Grand 
Forks, North Dakota. "While at Fort Aber- 
crombie they built the steamer Selkirk and 
a number of barges," which run on the Red 
river. Wiien our subject first located in 
Grand Forks he took a farm where the 
heart of the city now Is, and owing to the 
unsettled condition of the country it was 
five or six years before he moved upon it. 
He located there with tlie determination to 
build up a city, and platted his land, graded 
the first street and built the first sidewalk. 
He built a steam saw-mill, and opened a 
general store, doing a general milling and mer- 
chandising business with the firm known as 
Griggs, Walsh & Company. After two j^ears 
they sold out to the Hudson Bay Company, 
and our subject then went into the steamboat 
business, increasing the trade year after year 
until the\' had seven steamboats and fourteen 
barges. Since that time the railroad com- 
petition has about retired tliis line of indus- 
try, until the business is carried on bv two 



702 



RED RIVER VALLEY A. \T> 



steamers and a few barges. The captain 
followed navigation actively for tliirty years, 
(luring whicli time lie was captain of the fol- 
lowing steamers : Humboldt, Little Dorrit, 
Aerial, Clii])pewa Falls, Favorite, ' Jennie 
Baldwin, Albany, Otter. Countess, Mankato 
Otter, St. Antiiony Falls, City of St. Paul, 
Selldrlc, Cheyenne, Manitoba, International, 
Alpha, Dakota. Alsop and Pluck. He is 
without a doubt tiie oldest man in that line 
in the West, and is widely known. Since 
settling in Grand Forks he has been closely 
identified with all the interests of the 
cit}^, and to-da}' is recognized as the 
literal "father of Grand Forks." He has 
done more to advance the prospei'ity of the 
locality than any other man, and is \^et the 
most prominent public citizen of the city. 
He built the first saw-mill, as well as grist 
mill, and is now the heaviest stockholder in 
the gas works. He is president of the Sec- 
ond National Bank and is serving his fourth 
year as railroad commissioner for Dakota. 
Since coming to the city he has been con- 
nected with tlie following lousiness firms : 
lied River Transportation Company, McCor- 
inick, Griggs & Company, Griggs & Com- 
pany, Griggs, Grosvener & Company, Budge, 
Griggs it Company, Henderson & Griggs, 
Grio'crs & Son. in liverv business, etc. In 
1888 he was elected maj^or of the city, 
which position he still holds. 

The cajjtain was united in mari'iage in Le 
Sueur, Minnesota, on the 27th day of Decem- 
ber, 180)5, to MissEttie Strong, the daughter 
of Lucius E. a-iid Ann (Slieppardj Strong, 
natives of Massachusetts. The Captain and 
his estimal)le wife have been blessed with 
the following named children — Lois A. 
Charles E., Ansel, Mary (who was the first 
white child born in Dakota), Ettie, Bruce, 
James and Clifford, all of whom are living 
except Charles. Ansel is engaged in the liv- 
ery business in Grand Forks. In political 
matters our subject affiliates Avith the repub- 



lican party. He has held a great many local 
offices, and since the organization of the 
county has filled various county offices at 
different times. He is prominently con- 
nected with the business interests of the city 
and vicinity, and is a man of the strictest 
honor and integrity, his word being consid- 
ered as good as a bond. 



♦f€^' 






ELS S. MUNSON, the head miller and 
manager of the Warren Roller ]\Iills 
at Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is 
one of the most highly respected citizens of 
that locality. He is an old settler in Minne- 
sota and has been a resident of Warren since 
1882. He has had charge of the mill ever 
since it was erected. It now has aca])acit\' of 
150 barrels per day, and is one of the finest 
mills in the valley. Mr. Munson is a 
thorough miller and is familiar with every 
branch of the business. He is a num of the 
strictest integrity, and is highly esteemed 
both as a business man and an exemplary 
citizen. 

J-^ 

#AMES E. WILLIAMS, who is engaged in 
farming in Grant county, Minnesota, 
is a native of the State of Iowa. He was 
born in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, on 
tiie 9th day of May, 1854, and is the son of 
James D. and Margaret A. (White) Williams, 
natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. 
The father was captain of Company K, 
Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry. He is now 
living in Ackley, Iowa. The father and 
mother of our subject were tiie parents of 
the following children — Joseph, Charles, 
William, Fi-ederick, one daughter (who is 
now the wife of John Wirt, of Alden, Iowa), 
and James, the subject of this sketch. All 
the boys served in the war, and Charles died in 
the service. All but our subject and William 



PARK REGIONS OF MIXXF.SOTA. 



703 



are in Ackley, Iowa. "William is living in 
Grant county. 

Mr. Williams, of wliom tiiis article treats, 
remained at home until 1871, when he 
left home and for the succeeding three 
years was conductor on a railroad. In 
1874 he took a trip to Fort Gar}^, Dakota 
Territoi'v, and then went to Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota, and clerked in the Mer- 
chants' Hotel for about one year. He 
then engaged in the wholesale grocery 
business with Newell & Harrison, remaining 
with them until the fall of 1877, when he 
returned to his father's home, remaining 
during the winter. In March, 1878, he 
removed to Grant county, Minnesota, 
purchased a piece of land and took a tree 
claim, which he (iiially proved up on as a 
homestead. He has since remained on his 
farm, situated on the north bank of the 
beautiful sheet of water. Lake Comorant, 
which is four and a iialf miles long, two and 
a half wide, its clear, pure water abounding 
with many varieties of fish, and a pictur- 
esque, timbered island nestling in the center. 
His farm comprises 560 acres, 250 of which 
are under a high state of cultivation. He is 
extensively engaged in farming, owns twelve 
horses and twenty-five head of cattle, good 
buildings, etc. 

Mr. Williams was married October 6, 
1876, to Miss Mary Peterson, the daughter 
of John O. and Catharena Petenson. Our 
subject has been prominently identified with 
the local progress of Grant county since his 
residence there. He has held the office of 
justice of the peace since 1878, when he was 
appointed to that office and since that time 
. has been re-elected each term. He has been 
register of deeds, deputy sheriff, clerk of 
court, school clerk, and was appointed one of 
the State land appraisers. Mr. Williams has 
been a State and senatorial delegate, and has 
been chairman of the board of county com- 
missioners several times. He is one of the 



prominent citizens and highly esteemed by 
all who know him. " He was instrumental in 
securing the rigiit of way of the INIinneapolis 
& Pacific Ilailroad Company, being delegated 
to confer with them. 



-«-; 



ILMIENRY a. BRUNS. Among the earliest 
JtTJL settlers at Moorhead, Minnesota, was 
Henry A. Bruns, the proprietor of the Grand 
Pacific Hotel, and he has taken a leading part 
in every move or enterprise ever inaugurateil 
to build up the city or develop the surround- 
ing country. It is no injustice to, or refiec- 
tion upon, others to sa}' that he has done 
more toward making Moorhead what it is 
to-day than any other resident. 

Mr. Bruns is a son of Henry and Sophia 
(Stetnian) Bruns, who were natives of Ger- 
many. They came to America before their 
nmrriage, and were married at Sheri'ill's 
Mount, Dubuque county, Iowa. There the 
father took a pre-emption claim of 160 acres, 
and still lives upon it, retired, however, from 
the active cares of business. His son Edward 
carries on the farm. Henry Bruns, Sr., and 
wife were the parents of seven children — 
Henry A., Rosenna (now Mrs. Hinde), 
Sophia (now Mrs. Koerner), Edward, Annie, 
Mary and Otilla. The parents are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 
political matters the father is a republican. 

The parents of Sophia (Stetman) Bruns 
came to America at an early day and settled 
in Illinois, the father taking Government land 
within twelve miles of Chicago. There the 
parents lived through life, to the ripe old age 
of eighty-five and eighty-six, respectively. 
They were the parents of four children.- 

We now return to the princi})al subject of 
this sketch, Henry A. Bruns, whose name 
heads this article. Henry A. Bruns was 
born April 9, 18-17, at Sherill's Mount, 
Dubuque county, Iowa, lie attended the 



704 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



common schools until lifteen years of age, 
and was graduated from Bailie's Commercial 
College, at Dubuque, at sixteen. From that 
time until he was twenty he worked on his 
father's farm during the summer, and in the 
stores m Dubuque city, and after that time 
until 1S71 as clerk, book-kee[)er and traveling 
salesman in the State of Iowa. In 1871 he 
traveled four months througli Wisconsin, 
Minnesota and Dakota. 

Early in the spring of 1871 Mr. Bruns 
went from St. Cloud to Brainerd, which 
was then the end of the jS'orthern Pacific 
track. From Brainerd he rode to Oak Lake, 
which was then the engineer's headquarters 
of the road. Here he met Gen. Tiiomas 
L. Rosser. The Northern Pacific had sur- 
veyed its line to the Red river, striking that 
stream at Elm river, some twenty -eight' 
miles below Moorhead. Mr. Bruns was 
prospecting — looking out for chances and 
opportunities. lie now returned to St. Paul 
antl bought a load of provisions and ready- 
made clothing, and took them to Red River. 
At a point where Mr. Probstfield's house 
afterward stood he found an encampment of 
tents, and here were II. CI. Finkle, J. B. 
Cha])in and John Haggart. This was about 
June, 1871. Mr. Bruns opened out his 
troods here in a tent like the rest. Mr. 
Finkle was prospecting — was waiting for 
something to turn up. Here Mr. Bruns 
took Mr. Finkle in as a partner. They re- 
mained at this point, Oakport, until the 
last day of Sei)tember, 1871, when, the town 
of Moorhead having been staked out, they 
all removed there. They lived in and did 
business in tents through the following win- 
ter. In March, 1872, Mr. Bruns went to 
McCauleyville and bought a lot of lumber, 
hired teams and " hauled it to Moorhead. 
Tliev then took the tents off the frame sides 
of their building,which was on Fourth street, 
and built u]) a second story and roofed it in. 
The building was 22x50 feet. The people 



then thought they were going in too heavily 
in building so substantial a building, and 
prophesied that that would go " busted." 
They dealt in general merchandise, includ- 
ing almost everything exce])t liquor. This 
was not the first frame buiUling, as Rev. O. 
II. Elmer had built a little house, and Knap- 
pen & Sloggy (Capt. C. P. Sloggy) liad 
Imilt in the fall of 1871. In 18(51 Dr. Kurtz 
built a dwelling and also the house where 
Mr. Storla dieil, which iwo houses were the 
first plastered liousesever budt here. Bruns 
•k, Finkle carried on their business in the 
former store until ls77, when they built the 
large brick block on tiie corner of Front and 
Fourth streets, afterward occupied by II. G. 
Finkle, at a cost of $12,000. 

Early in 1872 Mr. Bruns purchased 500 
bushels of seed wheat, and brought it into the 
valley by teams over the snow, which wheat 
he distributed among the farmers of Clay 
and iS'orman counties, Minnesota, ami Cass 
and Traill counties, Dakota, thus starting the 
seeding of wheat. The facilities for raising 
being poor, and the grasshoppers very de- 
structive, there was no sur])lus above the 
amount required for seed until the fall of 
1873, and it was then the general opinion 
that the Red River Valley was a failure 
as a wheat country. At about this 
time, or early in 1874, he placed himself at 
the head of a stock corporation and built 
the Moorhead Manufacturing Company's 
fiouiMnginill and saw-mills at an expense of 
$30,000, antl the Hour-mill soon demonstrated 
that the wheat raised here was of a superior 
quality for making strong rtour and excellent 
bread. The Hour was awarded first premium 
at the Minneapolis and State fairs two con- 
secutive seasons. The saw-raill cut timber 
for the construction of steamboats, the Min- 
nesota and Manitoba having been built at 
Moorhead in 1875 by the Merchants' Trans- 
portation Company, of which James Douglas 
was president. These were the best boats 



PARK REGIONS OF MTNNESO TA. 



705 



ever on the Red river. This helped to open 
up Manitoba and Northwest Territory mar- 
kets. Later on tlie Upper Missouri and 
Bhick Hills countries were secured, and later 
still the Yellowstone country, for markets for 
the flour. In 1878, seeing the necessity for 
more storage for the ra})idly increasing acre- 
age of wheat, Eruns & Finkle erected a large 
steam elevator at Moorhead. 

It was the first steam elevator built in 
the country, as well as the best and most 
substantial building of the kind then erected 
anywhere in the Red River Valley. 

The country quickly recovered from the 
effects of the panic of 1873, and the Northern 
Pacific Company, which was pushing their 
line through a wild country inhabited by 
Indians, required a large amount of provis- 
ions, grain, tools, etc., to supply the con- 
struction and engineering departments of 
the road. Mr. Bruns being familiar with 
the country, was entrusted with the entire 
business of the railroad people, and for the 
four years while the road was being built 
from Mandan to Helena, his supply store 
teams and depots lined the whole distance 
along the line of the road between those 
points. The construction took over $2,000,- 
000 worth of goods, which were at all sea- 
sons delivered upon the work as required to 
the full satisfaction of the contractors and 
the railroad company. 

In 1880 Bruns cVs Kurtz (T. C. Kurtz) 
built the bank block, which is a two-story 
solid brick, 100x50 feet, and comprises three 
stores and the Merchants' Bank in the first 
story, the opera hall and offices in the 
second story, and began the banking busi- 
ness in partnership, which they have ever 
since carried on. In the same year the St. 
Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad was 
building north across the Northern Pacific 
at Moorhead, through Fargo, and on to 
Winnipeg, which inaugurated a boom in 
everything here. 



In 1881 Mr. Bruns built the Grand Pacific 
Hotel, which was finished and opened on 
Thanksgiving Day of that year. The hotel 
is one of the finest in the State and is not 
equaled anywhere in the Northwest outside 
of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Its cost, 
including furnishing, was $150,000. The 
boom of 1880-82 enabled Mr. Bruns to sell 
off portions of his town and farm 
property and to invest liberally in all public 
improvements, such as Red River Manufact- 
uring Company's planing and saw mill ; 
Electric Light Company, Moorhead Foundry, 
Car and Agricultural Works, Bishop Whip- 
ple School, etc. The depression coming on, 
the former laid dormant, but the others have 
worked themselves through, the foundry 
having in the meantime been sold to 
A. Anderson & Sons, formerly of St. Cloud, 
who have added the manufacturing of 
wagons, and are now progressing success- 
fully. Mr. Bruns is the present owner o 
the Moorhead Flouring Mills. 

Mr. Bruns has built a large number 01 
dwelling houses and other buildings, and 
owned a half-interst in the row of ten stores 
east of the Grand Pacific Hotel, which were 
burned. Mr. Bruns made a great deal of 
money in Moorhead during the earlj' years 
and in the boom period from 1880 to 1882, 
and during the three past years of depres- 
sion has, doubtless, lost large sums by 
shrinkage and the unproductiveness of the 
blocks of property, but he has exhibited an 
unusual amount of "sand," and we doubt if 
anybody has ever heard him complain, even 
though his purse-strings must have been 
pulled very hard. He has always exhibited 
much public spirit, encouraged all projects 
which promised good to the city and county 
by liberal donations of money. His confi- 
dence in the ultimate growth of this region 
has never waned. 

On the organization of the city of Moor- 
head Mr. Bruns was elected mayor, and was 



7o6 



.KED KIVEK VALI.E Y AND 



twice re elected. During his occupanc}' of 
this office the city water works were built, 
extensive sidewalks were laid, and sewer 
improvements put in, and two iron bridges 
were built across Red river, thus giving 
Moorliead closer connection with Fargo. 
Of otlier offices held were coroner of the 
county, of which he was tiie fii'st incumbent, 
when persons used to die witli their boots 
on. He was also county treasurer for 
several terms, and used to carry the office 
and l)ooks, around in his coat pocket. He 
also iilled tlie office of county commissioner, 
but never follows ])olitics to the detriment 
of business. He is a republican in political 
faith. 

In 1877 Mr. Bruiis was married to Miss 
Matilda Sharpe, a native of Winnipeg, whose 
fatlici", Edwai'd Siiarpo, and family emigrated 
from England in tiie forties Ijy the Hudson's 
Bay route, and at the instance of tliat com- 
pany. Mr. and Mrs. Eruns are the parents 
of tiiree cliildren — Henry E., Tilley M. and 
Arthur S. The family attend the Presby- 
terian church. 



iJELSON A. MOTT is a prominent liv- 
■fjl er^'uian and dealer in horses in Fertile, 
Polk county, Minnesota. He was born in Can- 
ton, Wayne county, Miciiigan, October 3, 
1856. 

The parents of tlie subject of our sketch 
were Joseph G. and Amy C. (Mason) Mott, 
natives of New York. When Nelson was in 
his eleventh year his parents came to Minne- 
sota, settling on a farm near Sauk Centre, 
Stearns county. Here he remained with the 
parents, working on the farm and attending 
school until he was twenty years of age. He 
then removed to Ada, Norman county, where, 
in company with his brother, A. W. Mott, he 
engaged in the general merchandise business. 
Continuing in this line for two vears. he then 



sold out to bis brother, and engaged in the 
farm machiner}' business, running a branch 
liouse for Messrs. Moser & Moechel for two 
years. Then, in i)artnership with a Mr. 
West, he engaged in the same line of busi- 
ness for two seasons, at the end of which time 
he purciiased Mr. West's interest and con- 
tinued the management thereof until 1880. 
In this year he sold out the entire business 
and took a trip to New Orleans, going from 
thence on a visit to his native county in 
Michigan. After a short time spent in visiting 
friends in the ])lace of his nativity, he re- 
tui-ned to Ada, Minnesota, and engaged in 
the brokerage business until the spring of 
1887, when he went to Minot, where he on- 
gaged in the general mercliandise and lumber 
business in company with Thorp Brothers. 
One month after this l)usiness was opened 
they were burned out, and almost the whole 
of their stock was destroyed, entailing a loss 
of about 814,000, with no insurance. In spite 
of this severe loss, however, the firm at once 
rebuilt and continued in business until in 
June, 1888. Mr. Mott then sold his interest 
to his partnei's and engaged in dealing in 
horses, buying and shipping, and also run- 
ning a livery. In July of that year he went 
to Fertile, Polk county, where he opened in 
the same kind of Inisiness. He still owns a 
fine residence in the town of Ada, and also 
has a livery in Fosston. 

Mr. ]\Iott was married in Caledonia, Da- 
kota, to Miss Nora A. Campbell, daughter of 
James V. and Lydia (Ilarronn) Campliell. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mott have oneciiild — Isla May. 

Mr. Mott is of English ancestry, and liis 
family can be traced back for many years. 
They were people of wealth and high social 
position and left large fortunes, which will 
one day be distributed among the American 
descendants. Mr. Mott is a wide-awake, 
energetic business man, and has taken a deej) 
interest in all public matters since coming to 
Fertile. He is a genial, warm-hearted, pleas- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



707 



ant gentleman, and is liked and esteemed b}'' 
all who know him. While residing in Ada 
he held the office of justice of the peace, and 
is now constable of the town in which he 
liv'es. He is a leading member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen of Ada. 



-.^- 



^^UNDER OLSON, the present incum- 
^^A bent of tiie office of sheriff of Walsh 
county, North Dakota, is one of the most 
prominent and efficient officers in the great 
Northwest. He is a resident of the city 
of Grafton, Walsh county, North Dakota, 
where he is entjajred in his official duties. 
He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, 
born in Seljord, Telmarken, Norway, on tiie 
8th day of September, 1852, and is the son 
of Ole and Torbor (Salie) Knutson, also 
natives of that kingdom. The parents of 
of our subject emigrated to the United States 
in about 1852 and located in the State of 
Iowa, where they still remain. 

Mr. Olson, of whom this article treats, 
commenced in life for himself at the age of 
nine years, when he went and lived with his 
aunt, doing chores and odd errands for her and 
attending the common schools until he was 
ten or twelve years of age. He then engaged 
in farming, working by the month, at which 
he engaged until he was about twenty-three 
years old. He then engaged in the farm 
mq,chinery business, in Winneshiek and How- 
ard counties, Iowa, but finding that he 
could make more money at farming, worked 
for a Mr. Bean on a farm for eight years. At 
the expiration of that time he engaged in 
farming on his own account, and in the 
spring of 1882 removed to Dakota and set- 
tled in Walsii county, where betook a liome- 
stead of IGO acres on section 29, Lampton 
township. He then sold his farm to his 
brother Jaines, and after his brother proveil 
up on it our subject purchased the land and 



then hired out to Sproot, Orniston & Com- 
pany, of Grand Forks, to sell farm machinery. 
After working for that firm for ten months 
he hired out to A. J. Stacy, with whom he 
worked for one year. Our subject then, in 
partnership with John Code and Fred Car- 
penter, purchased the business, which they 
carried on together for one year, when he was 
elected to the office of county sheriff, which 
position he has since held. He is well known 
throughout that section of the country, and is 
highly esteemed for the thoroughness in 
which he discharges the duties devolving ujwn 
his position. Mr. Olson was united in mar- 
riage in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 10th 
of September, 1885, to Miss Ann Thompson, 
and this union has been blessed with one 
child — Alletie Gleora. In addition to his 
official duties he is engaged in the farm 
machinery business in Park Eiver, where he 
employs five men and is one of the leading 
business citizens. In political matters he 
affiliates with the republican party. Since 
he has been in the office of sheriff he has had 
two murderers under his charge; the first one 
killed his own brotlier and then died in the 
insane asylum. The other was James Col- 
lins, who killed Lyman Moore on the ith of 
July, 1888. After he was captured there 
were strong demonstrations of lynching him, 
and our subject telegraphed for the Grafton 
militia, bringing them here on a special 
train in time to stop further proceedings. 
Collins was convicted and was sentenced for 
life. 



P^ARL M. IVERSLIE. The gentleman 
^^y whose name heads tjjis article is a 
resident of Belgrade village, Stearns county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandising business in partnership 
with Mr. Erickson, the firm name being 
Ei'ickson & Iverslie. He is a native of the 
State of Wisconsin, born in Waupaca count}'. 



7o8 



RED RTVER VALLEY AND 



on the 22d of January, 1804, and is the son 
of Thomas and Andrea (Torgorson) Iverslie, 
natives of Norway. 

Mr. IversHe, the subject of this biograpliy, 
remained in liis native State but a short 
time, his parents moving to Minnesota when 
he was four months old and settling in 
Kandi\^ohi county, where they took a home- 
stead and engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. Our suljject remained with 
his parents and attended school until he was 
nineteen years of age, when he commenced 
in life for himself. He then went to "Will- 
mar, and, after attending school for one 
winter, rented a farm and engaged in farm- 
ing on his own account until October, 1886. 
He then removed to the village of Belgrade, 
Stearns count}^ Minnesota, and in partner- 
ship with Mr. Erickson established a general 
merchandise store, which they have since 
carried on. They are doing a good l)usiness 
and are carrying about a $5,000 stock. They 
have a liberal share of the general patronage 
and are highly esteemed for their fair and 
upright dealing. 

Mr. Iverslie was married December 20, 
1888, to Miss Lena Berg, of Kandiyohi 
county. Our subject is a republican in his 
political affiliations, and now holds the office 
of village recoi-der. He is a gentleman of 
integrit}' and honor and is actively inter- 
ested in all local matters. 



-*"JS{^"4^> 



ALTER C. AINSWORTH, a pros- 
perous and esteemed farmer of 
Wilkin county, Minnesota, is engaged in 
agricidturai operations on section 30, town- 
ship 132, range 45. He is a native of New 
York, born in Cazenovia, Madison count}'. 
New York, February 27, 1839, and is a son 
of Pharmenus Ainsworth, also a native of 
the same place. Our subject's mother's luinie 
before her marriage was Miss Keziah Webber. 



She died in 1848. They were the parents of 
four children — Lucian, Lucretia, Walter and 
Harriette. 

Mr. Ainsworth received his education in 
Cazenovia, where he attended school until 
he was fifteen years old. He was then 
thrown upon his own resources, and for the 
succeeding five years engaged in the creamery 
business. He followed tiiat vocation in con- 
nection with farming until he removed to 
Minnesota, locating in Wilkin county. In 
1861, on May 11, he enlisted in the Thirty- 
fifth New York Infantrv, and served until 
June 13, 1863, when he was honoraijjy dis- 
charged at Elmira, New York. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Bull Run (second 
battle), Antietam and Frederickslnirg. A fter 
his discharge he returned to New York and 
followed the creamery business until he 
removed to Minnesota. Since settling in 
Wilkin county he has been successfulh- 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
and is one of the leading farmers in the 
county. 

Mr. Ainsworth was married April l.'J. 1S(!1, 
to Miss Elenora S. Davis, and this union has 
been blessed with one child — Leurell. Mrs. 
Ainsworth was educated in her native county, 
Madison count}'. New York, and is a daughter 
of Edmund and Ada C. (Curtis) Davis, 
natives of Connecticut. Her father died in 
1855, and the mother in 1885. 

Our subject is one of the leading and sub- 
stantial men of the county. He is a stanch 
democrat in his jjolitical affiliations. He is 
a man of integrity and honor, anil an exem- 
plary citizen. 



■HAUNCEY L. BAXTER. Prominent 
among the leading and successful attoi'- 
neys in the Park Regions of Minnesota is the 
subject of this article, a resident of the vil- 
lage of Perham, Otter Tail count}', IMinne- 
sota, wliere he is en"a<jed in a large and 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



709 



increasing law practice. He is a native of 
Carver county, Minnesota, born on the l-ith 
day of May, 1S59, and is the son of Judge 
L. L. and Emma (Ward) Baxter, natives of 
Vermont and Wisconsin, respectively. The 
fatlier was raised and educated in Cornwall, 
Vermont, and in I80S settled in Carver 
countv, Minnesota, where he remained until 
ISSl. lie was in the service during tlie war 
and i-eturned in lS6i. The mother of our 
subject died in 1872. They were devoted 
members of the Episcopal church. They 
were the parents of four children, named — 
Cliauncey, Arthur, Mabel and Mary. 

Mr. Baxter, the subject of this biographical 
review, received his education in the various 
schools of tlie State and completed at the 
State University, from wiiich he graduated 
with high honors in 1882. He then entered 
the newspaper business in Valley City, 
Dakota Territor\', and after remaining there 
one year soki out and removed to Fergus 
Falls, Minnesota, where he ran a paper for 
some time. He then took a trip through 
the East and South, and finally returned to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he entered 
the law office of Eugene Wilson, with whom 
he remained six months. He then entered 
the law department of the State University 
of Ohio, from which lie graduated in 1885. 
He at once returned to his native State, and 
located at Wadena, Minnesota, where he 
opened a law office and for eighteen months 
was engaged in his profession at that place. 
At the expiration of that time he went to 
Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where 
he has since remained, engaged in the prac- 
tice of law. He is prominently known as a 
lawyer and citizen throughout the northern 
l)art of the State. He is actively interested 
in all political matters and affiliates with the 
democratic party. It is unnecessary to say 
mucii of the personal ciiaracter of our subject, 
after introducing him as the son of so promi- 
nent and well known a man as Judge Baxter. 



^^EaNS L. MELGAARD, proprietor of the 
M^ Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in 
the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Min- 
nesota, is one of the leading business men of 
the place, and has been prominently identi- 
fied with its business interests. He was born 
in Fron, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, on the 
4th of November, 1859, and is a son of Lars 
and Anna (^Melgaard) Melgaard, who are suc- 
cessful farmers in Norway. 

Hans L. Melgaard, whose name heads this 
article, remained on the home farm and 
attended school until he was fourteen years 
of age. He then secured a position in a gen- 
eral store in Ringebo, with an uncle, where 
he remained for three years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he secured a clerkship in 
the wholesale and retail store of A. Berg- 
seng, one of the heaviest merchants in Lille- 
hammer, Norway, and retained this position 
for five years. He then, in 1882, came to 
the United States and proceeded directly to 
Fargo, North Dakota, and immediately 
secured employment as book-keeper in the 
First National Bank, one of the heaviest 
monetary institutions in the Northwest, 
which position he held for three years and a 
half. At the expiration of that time he 
removed to Crookston, where he opened a 
loan and insurance office in ]iartnership with 
Judge C. O. Christianson. This was contin- 
ued for about one year, when Mr. Melgaard 
removed to Argyle, and opened his pres- 
ent bank. The paid-up capital of the bank 
at this time is $15,000. Mr. Melgaard is 
doing a very large business in real estate 
mortgage loans, and represents some of 
the strongest foreign loan companies. He 
has been very successful in his business ven- 
tures, and the bank ranks among the most 
substantial and solid business houses of the 
count}'. Mr. Melgaard is a man of the 
strictest integrity, and is highly esteemed 
both as a business man and an exemplary 
citizen. In political matters he is a repub- 



7IO 



RED RIVF.R VALLEY AND 



lican ; has at different times represented his 
count}' in State, district and county conven- 
tions, and in fact takes an active interest in 
all matters affectinf"- the welfare of Arffvle 
and vicinity. 



JOHN S. ANDERSON, a hardware mer- 
chant at Caledonia, North Dakota, is 
one of the leading citizens of the county in 
whifli ho lives. He has taken a prominent 
j)art in public; affairs, has held some of the 
most important. offices in the county, and his 
name is indissoluljly connected with the his- 
tory of that locality. 

Mr. Anderson was born in New Yoi-k City 
on the 10th of January, 1860. When he 
was five years old his mother died and he 
was sent to the Orphan's Home, where he 
remained for thirteen months. He then 
was sent to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he 
lived with a Mr. F. L. Frisby for about one 
year. At that time he went to live with 
Andrew Staaleson in Vernon county, Wis- 
consin, where he remamed on the farm until 
1875. At that time he began working for 
himself, but continued making his home with 
Mr. Staaleson until 1S7S. He evincetl a 
strong desire for an education and about all 
the money he earned during the summers 
was spent for scliooling in the winters. In 
1878 he went to Norman county, Minne- 
sota, which then formed a portion of Polk 
county, where he taught school, worked 
on farms and followed various kinds of labor 
until the fall of 1880, when he removed to 
Caledonia, Traill county, North Dakota. He 
clerked for the county treasurer and register 
of deeds " off and on" until 1882, when ho 
was apjiointed deputy i-egister of deeds. He 
filled tills office acceptabl}' until July, 1883, 
when he received the appointment of count}' 
treasure)', and wns elected thereto for the 
term lieginning January 1, 1884. Upon the 
expiration of his term, January 1, 1887, he 



engaged in the real estate and loaning busi- 
ness, and in July, 1888, he opened a hard- 
ware store, and still carries on these lines of 
business. He made an excellent record as an 
official, is a man of the strictest integrity 
and of good Inisiness capal)ilities, and is 
highly respected in the community. 

He was first married at Caledonia to Miss 
Anna Thorson, who is now deceased, leaving 
one child — Ansoph Elesa. He was again 
uiinri(Hl at Caledonia to Anna A. Dale, a 
tiaughtor (jf Andrew and Ingra Dale, who 
were natives of Norway. By this marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the jiarents of 
two children — Josephine Adaline and Ervin 
Archibald. 

Mr. Anderson is an honored member of the 
Masonic fraternity. 

ElaEWIS D. PLATT is one of the leading 



I'^V' citizens of Hillsboro, North Dakota, 
where he is cashier and book-keeper for the 
North Dakota Eoller Mills of that place. 

Mr. Piatt was born at Alden, Erie county, 
New York, May 29, 1859, and is a son of 
Charles M. and Aseneth A. (Dayton) Piatt, 
who were also born in the Empire State. 
The father and mother had a family of the 
following children— Lewis D., our subject ; 
Fi-ank L., a locomotive engineer of liich- 
mond, Virginia : Louise M., now Mrs. F. L. 
Barnet, of Alden, New York; Nettie D., 
single and living with the mother. The 
father died in 1875. 

Lewis D. Platt,whosename heads our pres- 
ent article, spent his boyhood-days in and 
about his fathers mill. He received a good 
education, attending school and working in 
the mill during vacations and after sciiool 
hours. When he was eighteen years of age 
he went to the Clarence Academy, at Clar- 
ence, New York, and took a thorough course, 
gi'aduating from that institution in 1882. 
In the meantime, however, he had devoted 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



711 



considerable time to teaching school, teach- 
ing three winters at Crittenden, Erie county. 
New York, and vicinity. After his gradua- 
tion he went to Buffalo, New Yoi'k, and en- 
gaged as clerk and book-keeper for Bissell 
& Finn. For two years he was with them 
at 14 Central Wharf, and then for two 
years on Seneca Street. 

During six months of the four 3'ears he 
was book-keeper for the Buffalo Lubricating 
Oil Co. In the spring of 1886 he removed to 
Hilisboro, Traill county. North Dakota, and 
engaged with W. W. Greene, as book-keeper 
in the North Dakota KoUer Mills of that 
place. lie has since retained his connection 
with the mill, and is rated as one of the most 
capable and thorough business men of the 
place. In July, 1888, when the North 
Dakota Mdlers' Association was organized, 
our subject was elected secretary and treas- 
urer. 

The North Dakota Koller Mills, of Hilis- 
boro, with which Mr. Piatt is connected, is 
rated as one of the best in the Red Elver 
Valley. It has all the modern improvements 
known to the milling business, and has a 
capacity of 250 barrels per day. It was 
erected" in lS85-S(i by E. P. Allis & Co., of 
Milwaukee. 

Mr. Piatt was married at Alden, Ei-ie 
county, New York, October 18, 1887, to 
Miss Anne A. Hawthorne, who was born at 
that place, and a daughter of Ira B. and 
Carrie (Moore) Hawthorne, who were born 
in Vermont. Her father is a prominent 
farmer of Ei'ie county. New York. 



^^^v\ H. MVRAN. Among the prominent 
>^^ citizens of the village of Ada, Minne- 
sota, who are of Scandinavian birth, and who 
have done so much for the growtii, develop- 
ment and public welfare of that community, 
may be cited the gentleman whose name 



appears at the head of this article, who is 
engaged in carrying on the agricidtural 
implement business in that village. 

Born in the kingdom of Norway, January 
IS, 1853, Mr. Myran I'emained in that far 
northern land with his parents until 1868, 
when the family, with the natural ambition 
to better their condition, bade farewell to 
their native land, and, crossing the wild and 
stormy Atlantic, landed after a tedious voy- 
age on the shores of the New World. They 
for about a year made their home in the 
State of Illinois, but in 1869 removed to 
Goodhue county, Minnesota, where our sub- 
ject was reared to manhood on a farm. His 
earlier education was obtained in the land of 
his birth, where the school-house is better 
appreciated than an\' where else in Europe, 
and finished in this State. Mr. Myran 
remained at home Avith his parents, assisting 
his father in the family nuiintenance until he 
had attained his majority, and then, with the 
view of following a mercantile life, entered 
a store and was there employed as a clerk 
and salesman for a j'ear or two. At the 
e.\])iration of that time he removed to the 
extreme western part of Minnesota, and tak- 
ing up a claim in Lincoln county, com- 
menced to open up a farm. For some five 
or six years he remained there, following 
agricultural pursuits, but in May, 1881, came 
to Ada, and foreseeing its future prosperity 
and promise, decided to locate there. He at 
once had erected the building known as the 
Northwestern Hotel, which he had ready by 
July 1st, and which he opened, as landlord, at 
that time. He continued at the head of that 
hostelry until the fall of 1882, when he leased 
it to another party and devoted his attention 
to the sale of agricultural machiner}', steam 
threshing machines and engines, a business 
which he has followed with excellent success 
ever since. During his residence here he has 
erected several business houses, part of which 
he has sold and a portion rented. Besides 



712 



RED Kir ER VALLEY AND 



his ])ropert3' in the village he is the owner of 
a tine farm of 315 acres of excellent arable 
land in the county, 100 acres of which are 
under cultivation. 

In all movements for the general welfare 
of the community or the prosperity of the vil- 
lage, Mr. Myran is ever foremost, and merits 
and receives the respect and esteem of all 
with whom he comes in contact. The inde- 
pendence of his nature, so strongly charac- 
teristic of the race from which he sprang, 
has won him many friends, whom he has 
strongly attached to liimself by his kindly 
and affable manners. 

Mr. Myran was united in marriage in 1875 
with Miss Mar}' Nelson, who, however, died 
October 19, 1886, leaving three children. 
In ISST Mr. Myran married Miss Carrie 
Nelson, but two months later she was taken 
a\vay bv death. 



-*— ; 



^^►' 



^^EORGE H. CLARK, one of the prom- 
^^A inent farmers of Wadena county, 
Minnesota, lives about two miles south of 
Yerndale. He was one of the first settlers 
of that village, having located there in the 
spring of 1878. In November of the year 
previous he left Floyd county, Iowa, where 
he then lived, and came up into the State of 
Minnesota to prospect and find, if possible, 
a desirable location. After traveling over 
considerable territory he finally landed in 
the southern part of Wadena county, and, 
being taken with the looks and lay of the 
country, he concluded that here was the 
place to locate. So, after a short time, he 
returned to Iowa, and on the last dav of 
Ajtril, 1S7S, left his home in that State, and 
in company with Wash. Young, Eugene 
Smith, the family of L. W. Smith, and 
with six teams and a lot of cattle drove 
across the country, reaching Wadena county, 
May 19th, of that year. This was a long. 



tedious trip overland, but was not without its 
pleasant side. They were twenty days on 
the waj% and saw much delightful country, 
coining l>y way of Albert Lea. Waseca, 
Litchliekl, Sauk Centre and Parker's Prairie. 
As soon as Mr. Clark arrived he at once 
commenced operations and broke a portion 
of the eighty acres of land which he had pur- 
chased the fall before. He also put up a 
2)art of the present Bolton House and called 
it the Clark House, where he engaged in 
running a hotel for three j'ears. He then 
rented the property, but remained as a resi- 
dent of the village until 1882. In the fall 
of that year he sold his hotel, and conclud- 
ing to turn his attention to agricultural 
pursuits, purch.ased a fai'm one mile south of 
the village. He broke 100 acres of land on 
this place and continued his farming opera- 
tions there for four years. Then, in company 
with his son, he purchased another farm, 
which was run for a time as a partnership 
business. In the fall of 1888 he purchased 
his present place, two miles south of the 
village. 

Mr. Clark is a native of Gallia county. Ohio, 
where he was born in 1829. Mr. Clark was 
much attached to his early home and re- 
mained with his parents, acquiring a good com- 
mon school education, until he was twenty- 
one 3'ears of age. He then started out to face 
life's duties alone, removing to Stark county, 
Illinois, where he engaged in farming: for 
two years. Then in the spring of 1852 he 
started with his wife and two other families 
to go by team to Chickasaw county, Iowa, 
where he became one of the first settlers. 
They settled on Government land witiiiii one- 
half mile of where Nashua now stands, 
liuilding a log cabin, he covered it over with 
bark and laid the floor of "puncheons," and 
lived in this primitive dwelling for some two 
years. He then concluded to find some place 
near what he called civilization, so he sold 
his farm and removed to Floyd county, 



PARK' REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



713 



where lie turned his attention to speculating 
in farms until the spring of 1878, at which 
time he removed to Wadena county, Min- 
nesota. Wliile in Floyd county, Iowa, he 
opened up seven new fai'nis, his plan being 
to purchase unimproved lands, impi'ove them 
tiioroughly, then sell out and again move 
upon a new unimproved farm and follow the 
same plan as before. In this way Mr. Clark 
accumulated considerable means, and became 
one of the prominent citizens of Floyd 
county 

Mr. Clark was married September 13, ISiS, 
to Miss N. C. Armstrong, a native of Gallia 
county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have a 
family of seven children — six daughters and 
one son — all of whom are still living and all 
but one married. 

Mr. Clark has lived along life of usefulness 
which has been at the same time filled with 
difficulties and embarrassments; but in spite 
of these hardships, such as are experienced 
by the pioneer settlers of every country, he 
has lived through it all to now enjoy the 
blessings and comforts resulting from a well- 
spent and honorable career. In his business 
ventures he has been at all times the recipient 
of merited success. In all public matters he 
has proven himself liberal spirited and by 
his energy and push in public as well as 
private matters has drawn to himself many 
warm friends, aJid is respected and esteemed 
bv all who know him. 



-.^►^ 



h5^R. L. B. WOOLSON, who will form 
the subject of our present article, 
is the leading physician of At water, Kandi- 
yolii county, Minnesota. He is an old settler 
of that place, having been prominently identi- 
fied with its business interests and his name 
is indissolubly associated with its historv. 
A kindly, genial gentleman, a man of high 
character and integrity, and a skillful piiysi- 



cian, he is highly esteemed both profession- 
ally and as an exemplary citizen. 

Dr. Woolson was born in Plainfield, "Wash- 
ington county, Vermont, on the 7th of Sep- 
tember, 1812, and is a son of Charles E. and 
Susana (Bancroft) Woolson. His mother 
came from one of the most intellectual and 
noted families known to American genealogy, 
being a niece of the historian, George Ban- 
croft. The father of our subject was drum- 
major of a regiment during the War of 1812, 
and participated in the battle of Plattsburg. 
Charles E. Woolson and wife were the 
parents of ten children — Preston, Fannie, 
George (all of whom died in childhood), 
Ephraim, Moses, Sarah (died April 11, 1888, 
aged ninety-one), Gardner, Albina, Loina and 
George. The father moved to A^ernon, 
Oneida county. New York, in ISK!, where 
the family was raised and educated. 

Dr. Woolson, whose name heads our 
present article, was raised and educated in 
Syracuse, New York. He received an excel- 
lent education, attending the common schools 
and taking a course at the high school in that 
city. He then took a thorough and practi- 
cal course of reading in medicine at Favette- 
ville. New York. In 1856 he came to the 
then Territory of Minnesota, landing at the 
village of St. Paul on the 12th of March. 
He went to Shakopee, where he remained 
two months and then settled at Belle Plaine, 
Scott county. Minnesota. There he kept the 
old Basswood Hotel, and took an active and 
prominent part in the development of that 
locality, remaining there until 1871. During 
that year he came to At water, Kandiyohi 
count}', where he has since lived. He has 
practiced medicine continuously since his 
settlement hei'e, and in 1S76 opened a drug 
store, which he ran in connection until it 
was destroyed bj= fire in May, 1888. The 
doctor is a republican in political matters. 
He is still hale and hearty, having borne 
well the brunt of lif(;'s l)attles, and after a 



;i4 



SED RIVEK VALLEY AND 



long life of usefulness and uncommon activ- 
ity is spending iiis declining N'oars, enjoy- 
ing, in tlie fullest sense, the esteem and 
regard of all who know liini. 

Tiie doctor was married on tlie 22d of 
June, 1835, to Miss Annie Downie, of Esper- 
ence, New York. Slie died March 31, 1S88, 
aged seventv-one years. 



"4- 



-«" 



JOHN PETERSON, one of the successful 
and enterprising farmers of Lund town- 
sliip, Douglas county, Minnesota, is a native of 
Sweden. lie was born in Smallen, Sweden, 
January 13, 1850, and is the son of Swan and 
Anna (Daniels) Peterson, natives of that king- 
dom. There was a family of five children — 
Sopiiia, Matilda, Jenetta, John and Emil. Our 
subject came to the United States in 1859 with 
his parents, and settled in Red Wing, Minne- 
sota. They i-emained there for two years, 
and then removed to a farm ten miles from 
Spring Creek, Goodime county, Minnesota. 
They followed agricultural pursuits on this 
place for one year, when they settled in the 
town of Goodhue, in Goodhue county. After 
remaining in this place for one year and a 
half they returned to the old farm, and the 
parents of our subject soon moved to St. 
Cloud, Minnesota, and from there journeyed 
to Douglas county. The mother died in 
lS(i3, and the father is now living in Grant 
count}', Minnesota. 

The subject of this biographical sketch 
received his education in Cannon Falls, 
Minnesota, and at the early age of fourteen 
years commenced in life for himself. As 
soon as he had reached the requisite age he 
homesteaded 160 acres of land in Lund 
townsliip, Douglas county, Minnes()ta,where 
he has since resided. His well-cultivated 
land lies in sections 27 and 28, and comprises 
463 acres. In January, 1865, Mr. Peterson 
enlisted in the Minnesota Heavy Artillery, 
entering and leaving as a private. While in 



the service he went as far south as (yhatta- 
nooga, Tennessee, and was honoi'ably dis- 
charged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in the 
fall of 1865. 

Mr. Peterson was united in nuiri-iage 
December 26, 1879, to Miss Emma P>ergrin, 
by whom three children have Ijeen l)orn — 
Oscar A., Clara J. and Aarnt V. Mrs. Peter- 
son is a native of Sweden. The family are 
members of the Luthei'an church, of which 
organization Mr. Peterson is a deacon. He 
is one of the substantial and enterprising 
citizens of his town and county, and takes 
an active part in all puljlic and educational 
matters. He holds the office of supervisor 
of his township, and is school treasurer ; lie 
is also a member of the Grand Army of tlie 
lte[)ublic. Ml-. Petei'son is extensively 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
dealin<r in Holstein cattle. 



^m^HOMAS C. MYERS. Tlie subject of 
yl[/ our ))resent article is one of the most 
active and prominent business men in 
Wadena county, ^Minnesota, and is propri- 
etor of the Verndale Saw and Planing Mills. 
He went there in the spring of 1880 with E. 
M. Britts, for whom he erected a gristmill. 
After finishing this mill he engaged in con- 
tracting and building, and during that season 
erected from $25,000 to $30,000 worth of 
buildings, employing from twenty-five to 
thirty men. He remained there working at 
this line until February, 1881, when he 
returned to his former home in Troy, Ohio. 
In May, 1885, he again came to Verndale 
and engaged in contracting and building, 
erecting the present school building at a 
cost of $8,000, and numerous other buildings 
throughout the county. He brought his 
family to Verndale in the fall of 1885. 
During the same fall he purchased his 
present mill property, Avhich was then in a 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



715 



very dilapidated condition. He rebuilt and 
put in an improved engine and necessary 
machinery, and now has a mill with a 
capacity for sawing 12,000 to 13,000 feet per 
day. The mill is finely equipped with 
planing macliine, matching and moulding- 
machines, sash, door and blind machinery, 
and does an extensive business. 

Mr. Myers is a tliorough American — liis 
foreparents, on the paternal side, having 
come to til is country with William Penn, 
and his Grandfather Myers was an officer in 
tlie Revolutionary War, and afterward 
died from the effects of wounds received 
in the service. After the close of that war 
he took as a homestead the present site of 
Perrysburg, Pennsylvania. On the maternal 
side the ancestry runs back as Americans 
into the sixteenth century. 

Thomas C. Myers Avas born in Troy, Miami 
countv, Ohio, in 1848, and is the son of 
Samuel and Frances (Pettit) Myers. His life 
was spent in his native village until February 
17, 18G5, when he enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Ninet^'-fourth Oliio Infantry, being 
then but little over sixteen years of age. 
Immodiatcly after his enlistment his com- 
pany joined Sheridan's army in tiie Shenan- 
doah Valley, where he served'until July 17. 
He was then ordered to Washington, and in 
October was sent to Camp Chase, where he 
received an honorable discharge November 
2, 1865. He then returned to his native 
home, where he remained a short time and 
then started out in life for himself. Since 
that time he has followed the trade of a car- 
penter and builder, and has visited nearly 
all parts of the United States. 

On New- Year's eve, December 31, 1873, 
he was married to Miss Phoda A. Parke, of 
Troy, Ohio. Our subject is an active mem- 
ber of the Grand Arm}' of the Republic, and 
is adjutant of C. C. Parker Post, No. 113. 
He is also an honored member of the Odd- 
Fellows fraternity. 



/g^ DWARD T. THOMPSON. Prominent 
^^^ among the county officials of Pembina 
county, North Dakota, is the subject of this 
biographical memoir, the present incumbent 
of the office of county treasurer, and a tem- 
porary resident of Pembina, wliere he is 
engaged in the discharge of the duties 
devolving upon his official position. His 
home is in the village of St. Thomas, North, 
Dakota, where he has been prominently 
identified with the mercantile interests since 
September 1SS2. He is a native of the State 
of Iowa, born in McGregor, low^a, on the 
11th day of November, 1862, and is the son 
of O. P. and Thonette Thompson, natives of 
Norway. They emigrated to the United 
States and located first where Edward was 
born, and shortly afterward removed to 
Decorah, Iowa. 

Mr. Thompson, of whom this article treats, 
removed, when he was a small child, with 
his parents to Decorah, Iowa, where his 
boyhood-days were spent at home, with the 
usual educational ad vantages of the common 
schools, and then graduated from the Decorah 
High School in 1881, and from the Decorah 
Business College in 1882. After leaving 
school, at the age of nineteen, he removed to 
the Red River Valley, locating in St. Thomas, 
North Dakota, in September, 1882, and 
engaged in the mercantile business wnth 
Olson and Thompson, the firm name being- 
Olson. Thompson & Company. He has 
since remained in business in that place and 
is one of the leading and most successful 
business men of the county. They carry a 
full stock of general merchandise, and are 
eng;iged in an extensive trade. In Novem- 
ber, 1888, Mr. Thompson was elected county 
treasurer of Pembina county, and at once 
i-emoved to Pembina to take charge of his 
duties. He has since resided in Pembina, 
although his business interests are centered 
in St. Thomas. He assumed his position as 
treasurer on the 7l!h day of January, 1889, 



-i6 



RED j<ivj:r i:4L/./:V .i.vn 



and since that time has discharged the duties 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to all 
])arties concerned. 

Mr. Thompson is closely connected with 
the best intei'ests of St. Thomas, and is the 
president of the board of trustees of that 
village. He is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd-Fellows of St. Thoma.s, North 
Star Lodge and Olive Encampment, St. 
Thomas. He has held the offices of noble 
grand of the Star Ivodge, and is C. P. of the 
Encampment. In political matters Jie is an 
adlierent to the principles of the republican 
party and is actively interested in all the cam- 
paigns of that organization. He is a public- 
spirited citizen and encourages in every 
way any and all home enterprises. A man 
of integrity and honor, he is highly esteemed, 
both as an exemplary citizen and a practical, 
enercretic business man. 



^.^.- 



«^^^ 



OHN GUMMER. Prominent among the 



•espected and successful farmei's of 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is the subject 
of this biographical sketch, a resident of Fra- 
zee (/ity, Jiecker county, where he is devoted 
to agricultural pursuits, his farm being 
within two miles of the village. He is a 
native of Canada, born in the Province of 
Ontario, on the 17th day of March, 1837, 
and is the son of William and Jane (Hopper) 
Gummer, natives of England and Ireland, 
respectively. The motlier died in 1SC9, and 
was a devoted member of the Presbyterian 
church. The father of our subject emigrated 
to Canada when he was about eighteen years 
old, and settled in Ontario,wliere he remained 
until his death. He was a meml)er of the 
Ejiiscopal church, aiul a prominent citizen of 
the locality in which he lived. They were 
the parents of the following-named childi'en 
— John, jS'ancy and Edward. 

Mr. Gummer, the subject of this biograph- 
ical article, received his education near the 



city of Kingston, Ontario. After leaving 
school, at the age of nineteen years, he 
remained at home until after his father died, 
and then took charge of the old homestead 
until he emigrated to the States. He set- 
tled at Frazee City, Minnesota, and for the 
first two years engaged in farming. He 
then removed into the village, and after 
remaining there for four years returned to 
his farm, where he has since remained, 
engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 
ing. He is one of the prominent and repre- 
sentative members of the farming community, 
and is highly esteemed b}' all who know 
him. 

Mr. Gummer was united in marriage on 
the 1st day of May, 1S5'J, to ]\Iiss Almena 
Chilton, and this union has been blessed with 
the following-named children — Emma, 
Edward, Edgerton and Hannah. Our sub- 
ject now affiliates with the republican party, 
and while in his native land was an adherent 
to the principles of the consei'vative party. 
He had been a member of two different tem- 
perance organizations, aiul to-day is one of 
Becker county's most respected citizens. 



-«-: 



-»► 



A^^ENRY SHEPHARD, county coroner, 
J!r2L has been prominently identified with 
the official history of Polk county,Minnesota. 
He is an old settler in the Red Piver Valley, 
and has remained here ever since the days 
when the settlers were few and far between, 
and when the present cities were being plat- 
ted and laid out, and he deserves appropri- 
ate mention in a work devoted to the pioneers 
of the Northwest. 

Henry Shephard was born in Sothering- 
ton, Connecticut, May 11, 1830, and is a 
son of Amos and Statira (Alcott) Shephard, 
who were also nativesof Connecticut. When 
our subject was about fifteen years of age 
his father died and tliesu])port of his mother 
fell upon him. He worked at the trade of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA, 



111 



iron-moulder, at wliich he continued until 
1858, when he came to Minnesota. He set- 
tled at Henderson, in Sibley county, where 
he engaged in running a ferry boat and 
remained there until the winter of 1870. In 
May, 1871, he went to the present site of 
Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he en- 
gaged in cooking for Griggs, Walsh, McCor- 
mick & Co., who laid out that place and also 
built a mill. He remained tiiere until April, 
1872, when he went to Polk county, Minne- 
sota, and "claimed" land twelve miles east 
of Grand Forks, where he supposed there 
would be a railroad crossing. In this he 
was disappointed and in June he abandoned 
his claim and went to Crookston, where he 
has remained since. In the fall of the same 
year the first election for county officers was 
held and Mr. Shephard was chosen the first 
justice of the peace in the county. He held 
this office until 1882, and since that time has 
been constable. He has held the office of 
county coioner for nearly three terms — now 
on his third. At the last election he was 
nominated h\ the republicans and indorsed 
by the democrats and prohibitionists. Mr. 
Shephard also holds a commission as deputy 
United States marshal under United States 
Marshal W. M. Campbell. He is a gentle- 
man of excellent business abilities, genial 
and affable, and has made many friends 
throughout this region. 



..i^ 



i^ RNEST P. Le MASURIER, editor and 
^^^ proprietor of the Hallock News, is 
one of the enterprising business men of 
Kittson county, Minnesota. He was born in 
London, England, April 16, ISGl, and is the 
son of Phillip and Sarah (Stone) LeMasurier. 
His parents were also natives of England, 
but when our subject was six years old the 
family emigrated to America and settled on 
a farm near Arilla, County Simcoe, Canada, 



where Ernest P. grew to manhood and re- 
ceived his education. In 1881 they sold out 
and removed to Kittson county, Minnesota, 
and secured land both by homestead and 
pre-emption. The parents are now living in 
Hallock, and our subject has always lived 
with them. Phillip Le Masurier and wife 
were the parents of the following fainily of 
children — Ernest P., Phillip, Anna, Fred, 
Flora, George, "William, Arthur, Louis and 
Charles. Phillip married Katie O'Connor, 
and is engaged at farming near St. Vincent. 
Anna married Martin Ray, a school-teacher 
of St. Vincent. The family are honored 
members of the Church of England. 

Ernest P. Le Masurier, in company with 
William G. Deacon, established the Hallock 
News, January 1, 1889. The paper is one 
of the leading journals of the county. It is 
ably edited and neatly made up and printed, 
and it is meetino" witii well-merited success. 



ON. JOHN H. ALLEN is the president 
and manager of the Fergus Falls 
Flouring Mills at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota. He is one of the leading 
business men of the city and county. He is 
a native of Franklin county, Maine, where 
he was born March 19, 1832. 

Mr. Allen's parents were Nathaniel C. 
and Hannah (Lake) Allen, natives of Jay, 
Maine. The father was a carpenter and 
carriage-maker by trade, which business he 
followed until forty -five years of age. Then, 
in lS5(j, he came to Minnesota, settling at 
Minneapolis, and later at Princeton, Mille 
Lacs county, Minnesota, where he engaged in 
mercantile business with his son, John II., the 
subject of our sketch. The father returned 
to Maine in 18G8, where he engaged in the 
mercantile business until his death in 1879. 
His father was Aaron Allen, who was a 
native of Maine, and by occupation a farmer 



718 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



Aaron Allen reared a familj' of three chil- 
dren, two of whom are still living — Stephen 
and Sainuol. Hannah Lake's parents were 
John and Betsey (Johnson) Lake, natives of 
Maine. They lived upon a farm and reared 
a large family of children, twelve of whom 
lived to see manhood and womanhood ; five 
of them are now living — John, Joshua, Jere- 
miah, Arthur and Eliza A. Hannah Allen 
died in 1837. Nathaniel C. Allen had a 
family of two children — Edwin and John H. 
John H. Allen, the subject of our sketch, 
spent his younger da^ys on the farm, remain- 
ing under parental authority until he 
was sixteen years of age. At this age he 
was apprenticed to learn the boot and 
shoemaker's trade, at which business he 
worked for four years, in the meantime 
attending the high school at Farmington, 
Maine. Later he turned his attention to 
teaching school. In 1854 he came to Min- 
nesota, stoi)ping first at St. Anthony, where 
he worked at tlie lumber business and gave 
some attention to farming. He commenced 
the mercantile business in 1857 at Prince- 
ton, Minnesota, following the same imtil 
1863, in which year he sold out his business 
interests in that place. During the war he 
was deputy provost marshal. After the war 
closed he moved to Anoka, where he pur- 
chased a flour mill and engaged in the man- 
ufactui-e of flour for two years, after which 
time he sold out and removed to Princeton, 
where he built a large mill costing some 
§S,000. He ran this business until 1876, 
after which time he rented it to another 
party until 1888, in which year he sold out. 
In 1876 he was appointed receive)- of the 
United States land office located in Alex- 
andria, Minnesota, to which place he 
removed, remaining there until the land 
office was located at Fergus Falls. He held 
the position until 1884. He was the first 
town clerk in the town of Princeton, and 
served as representative in the State legisla- 



ture from Mille Lacs county. For a term of 
four years he held the position of county 
treasurer in that county, and was chairman 
of the board of supervisors for several years. 
Since 1884 he has been a director and vice- 
president of the Fergus Falls National I'ank, 
whicli institution he helped to organize. 
At the first organization of the Fergus 
Falls Flouring Mills he was a stockholder, 
but has since been elected president and is 
now manager of the mills. The mills were 
built in 1881 ; their capacity' is over 2ii(i 
barrels of flour per day. 

Mr. Allen was united in marriage in 1S.")S 
to Miss Mary Goulding, of Princeton, Min- 
nesota. They have four children living — 
Nellie J., now Mrs. 0. C. Bell, who lias one 
child, by name Alice M.; Eunice, now Mrs. 
L. J. Daubner, Charles H. and Ada M. 

Since coming to Fergus Falls Mr. Allen 
in all his business ventures has been emi- 
nently successful. He has acquired a large 
fortune and stands at the head of his busi- 
ness competitors in the city and county. 
He has been honored in many ways by posi- 
tions of trust which have been given him by 
the franchises of his fellow-citizens. He was 
the first mayor of the city of Fergus Falls. 
Formerly he was a republican, but he has 
changed his views and for some time has 
affiliated with the prohibition part}' and was 
the candidate on that party's ticket for the 
position of State treasurer. Financially he 
is one of the most solid, substantial men of 
Fergus Falls. 

[OHN B. MARTIN, wlio is engaged in the 
real estate and loan business for Ste- 
phen J. Sprague. also handling insurance 
for himself, is one of the prominent and 
respected business men in the village of Red 
Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of Canada, born on the 31st da}' of 



PARK JiEGIOATS OF MINNESOTA. 



719 



Jaiuiarv, 1851, and is the son ol' Edward and 
Jane (Bathwell) !^rartin, natives of Canada. 

Mr. Martin, the subject of this biography, 
remained at home and attended tlie public 
schools until he had attained the age of six- 
teen years. At that period in life he entered 
an apprenticeship to the miller's trade, and 
for four years followed that occupation in 
Cumberland, Ontario, as an apprentice. At 
the explication of that time he emigrated to 
the States and located at Sandwich, Illinois, 
where he worked on a farm for three months, 
when he went to ]\[orris, Illinois, and secured 
a position in the mill at that place. After 
one year he moved to Millington, Illinois, 
and remained there four years working at 
his trade. Then he went to Somonauk, Illi- 
nois, and took charge of the mill at that 
place. After one year the mill was destroyed 
by fire, and our subject removed to Red 
Wing, Minnesota, where he secured the posi- 
tion of head miller in the mills at that place. 
After remaining there two years he went to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for about a 
year was employed in the mill of Christian 
Day & Company. He returned to Red 
Wing, and after remaining there for a.period 
of tv.'o years went to Chippewa Falls, Wis- 
consin, and fitted up and took charge of an 
eight-run mill which he operated for twelve 
months. At the expiration of that time 
he went to Minnetonka, Minnesota, and 
for the succeeding eighteen months had 
charge of the mill at that point. He then 
went to Champlin, Minnesota, and took 
charge of the mill there, which he ran for 
ten years. He next removed to the village 
of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Miiyiesota, 
and became the agent in the real estate and 
loan business for Ste|)hen Sprague. He is also 
engaged in the insurance business on his own 
account, and is one of the most capable 
business men of that locality. 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage in 
May, 1873, to Miss Delia Hastings, the 



daughter of W. T. and Deborah (Lyebolt) 
Hastings. This union lias been blessed with 
the following-named children — Edna, Nina 
and Clyde. He has held the office of school 
clerk for two terms. He is a member of the 
following social organizations : Knights of 
Pythias, Sons of Temperance and Good 
Templars. He and his family belong to 
the Baptist church, of which he is Sunday- 
school superintendent. He is an exemplary 
citizen, and is highly esteemed by all wlio 
know him. 



^RANK T. SATRE. The subject of this 
l^ biographical memoir is a prominent 
business man of ihe village of Audubon, 
Becker county, Minnesota, where he is man- 
ager of the general merchandise store be- 
longing to Severt Olson, of Willmar, Minne- 
sota. He is a native of Minnesota, born in 
Carver county, on the 10th day of Septem- 
bei", 1802. He remained in his native county 
until he was five vears of age, when he re- 
moved with his parents to Willmar, Minne- 
sota. He received his education in Minne- 
apolis, and after attending the common 
schools he entered the Augsburg Seminary, 
where he remained three years. He then 
took a year's course at the Arcliil)ald Busi- 
ness College, and at the expiration of that 
time returned to Willmar, Minnesota. There 
he secui'ed a position as clerk in a general 
store, and after three years I'emoved to 
Audubon, Becker count}', Minnesota, where 
he has remained since 1883. He is manas-er 
of the store and is one of the leading busi- 
ness men of the village. 

Our subject has held the office of town- 
ship clerk for the last five years, and also 
holds the office of president of the village 
council, to which position he was appointed 
in 1889. He isprominentl}' identifiecl with all 
local movements and is actively interested 



720 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



in iill matters pertaining to the welfare of 
the village. 

Mr. Satre was united in marriage on the 
2Jrth day of August, 1883, to Miss Emma 
(^iiande, and tliis union lias been blessed 
with the following-nanu'd children — Clara, 
Frank and Augusta. Our subject is a 
democrat in Jiis jroiiticai affiliations and is 
one of the representative citizens of the 
place. He and his family belong to the 
Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a man 
of stei'ling busiiu^ss qualifications and is 
highly esteemed l)v all who know him. 



-«— 



^^RNEST C. EDDY, the head of the 
^^ banking house of E. C. Ed.ly iV: Co. 
at Fargo, North Dakota, is one of the best 
known financiers, and well deserves space in 
a volume devoted to the prominent men of 
the Red River Valley. He has been inti- 
mately connected with the growth and devel- 
opment of the city in which he lives, and 
every enterprise enhancing tlie public wel- 
fare has received his hearty aid and encourage- 
ment. A man of high moral character and 
of the sti-ictest integrity, lie stands high both 
as a pi'oniinent factor in business and finan- 
cial circles and as an exemplary citizen. 

Jfr. Eddy was boi'n at Plainview, Wabasha 
county, Minnesota, June 24, 1856, and is a 
son of Ezra B. and Jane B. (Wilson) Eddy. 
The father who was one of the best known 
anil most highly respected financiers in 
northern Dakota, died at Fargo, in 1885, 
and the mother still lives with her children 
in that city. Their children are as follows — 
Ernest C, our subject; Ira, cashier in E. C. 
Eddy & Co.'s bank ; Inez, now Mrs. Rev. P. 
Clare, of Winnebago City, Minnesota : and 
Ethelda J., in E. C. Eddy it Co's bank. 

Our subject, Ernest C. Eddy, grew to man- 
hoodand received his early education at Plain- 
view, Minnesota, graduating from the public 



schools there in 18'i'2. He then spent one 
term at the Shattuck School in Faribault, 
and the same fall went to the Racine College 
in Wisconsin, where he remained three j'ears, 
serving during the last two years as prefect 
of that institution. He left there in June, 
1875, and went to Plainview, and in the fol- 
lowing September became clerk and book- 
keeper in his father's bank, receiving, how- 
ever, no compensation. In 1S76, when he 
was twenty years of age, he became cashier 
of that institution, and, althougli still with- 
out salary until August, 1877, he renuxined 
until January 1, 1878. He then resigned 
and removed to Fargo at the request of his 
father and others, with the intention of 
opening the Bank of Fargo. He found, 
however, that parties had opened a bank 
under that name four days previous, and he 
at once took stejis to organize the First 
National Bank, which was consummated bj' 
March 1st. During the meantime and on 
the 11th of January, 1878, he opened the 
doors of the banking institution under the 
name of the Bank of Dakota, and a little 
later, he, with his father, E. B. Eddy, N. K. 
Hubbard, E. S. Tyler, M. B. Erskine, G. O. 
Erskine, H. C. Stevens and S. G. Roberts 
re-organized it under the name of the First 
National Bank. They ran this for nine 
years. Our subject began as cashier, then 
vice-president, and was president Avhen he 
withdrew in January, 1887. On the 15th 
of April, 18S7, he opened the banking house 
of E. C. Eddy & Co., which is still maintained. 
E. C. Eddy was married in Plainview, 
Minnesota, August 2, 1877, to Jliss Ida Hop- 
son, and the}^ have been blessed with the 
following children — Wayne G., Carrie J., 
Ifattie G., Ray W., Ezra B. and Ernest 
C, Jr. Mrs. Eddy is a daughter of Capt. A. 
S. and Caroline Hopson, who were pioneers 
of Wabasha county, Minnesota, having 
located there in 1855. Her father was 
Captain in Company C, Tenth Minnesota 



PARK REGIOMS OF MINNESOTA. 



fix 



Infantry. A sketch of his life will be found 
elsewliere in this volume. 

It should have been stated above that Mr. 
Eddy's father was a veteran of the late War. 
He served as first-lieutenant and quarter- 
master in Company G/riiird j^Iinnesota Vol- 
unteer Infantry. 

As an index to the standing of the firm of 
which our subject is the head we quote the 
following article, which recently appeared in 
a local publication : 

E. C. KDDY <fe CO. BANKING HOUSE. 

The Banking House of E. C. Eddy & Co., 
although of recent formation, its chief and 
managing member is no stranger to Fargo 
or the financial community of the Northwest. 
E. C. Eildy, the manager of the banking 
house of E. C. Eddy & Co., has lived in 
Fargo ten years. He was born at Plain- 
view, Minnesota, in 1856, and lived there 
imtil he moved to Fargo in 1878. He 
received a liberal ethication in the Shattuck 
School and in the Racine College at Racine, 
Wisconsin. In 1875 he went in as a clerk 
for his father, who was a member of the 
Plainview Bank of Eddy & Erskines at 
Flainview, and subsequently Ijecame cashier. 
He came to Fargo with the intention of 
opening a branch of the Plainview Bank, to 
be known as the Bank of Fargo. This idea 
was merged into another until ji charter was 
obtained incorporating the First K^ational 
Bank. He was cashier of the First National 
from 1878 to 1882, and then vice-presideht 
until May, 1885, and its president until 
January, 1887, opening the ])resent bank- 
ing liouse the first of April of this year. 
E. C. Eddy & Co. is really an Eddy institu- 
tion, Mother Jane B. Eddy and E. C. Eddy 
composing the firm. E. B. Eddy, his father, 
was tlie founder of the Plainview Bank, 
Minnesota, anil was one of the best known 
and most higlily respected financiers in 
Northern Dakota. E. C. Eddy shares the 
commanding ability and the unquestionable 



uprightness of his father, and is looked upon, 
not only in Fargo, but throughout Northern 
Dakota, as a young man of much promise. 
He has the confidence and good-will of all 
the people of Fargo, and business in his care 
is as safe as a government security. The 
capital stock of E. C. Eddy & Co. is $25,000 ; 
available capital stock, $35,000. Since its 
opening they have Ijeen very successful, and 
with the increased prosperity of Fargo it 
will, in a short time, take its place among 
the leading financial institutions of the city. 
E. C. Eddy e% Co. deserve the encourage- 
ment and patronage of the business men of 



Fargo. 



►^. 




ICHARD W. WITTSE. Prominent 
among the wheat buyers of Traverse 
county, Minnesota, is the gentleman whose 
name heads this article, a resident of the 
village of Wheaton, where he is agent for 
the National Elevator Company. He is a 
native of the State of Iowa, born in Clayton 
county, on the 11th of March, 1858, and is 
the son of Wellington and Aurilla Wittse, 
natives of Pennsylvania. The parents, who 
were prosperous farmers, were blessed with 
a family of the following-named children — 
Grace, Emeline, Charlotte, Loise, Julia, Alta 
and Richard. The parents are still living in 
Iowa Falls, Iowa. They are now leading a 
retired life and are well advanced in years. 
Mr. Wittse, of whom this sketch treats, 
received his education in Iowa, and after 
leaving school engaged in farming until he 
was about twenty-four years old. He then 
engaged in the carpenter trade, and after, 
also, remaining eighteen months in a hotel as 
clerk, in Iowa, removed to Dakota, where he 
engaffed in elevator Avork. In 1886 lie 
removed to the village of Wheaton, Traverse 
county, Minnesota, where he took charge of 
the elevator for the National Elevator Com- 



722 



RED KIVER VALLE Y A XV 



pany. He lias since remained in their 
employ, and is one of the best known and 
most capable and reliable business men in the 
count}'. 

Mi-. Wittse was united in marriage on the 
4th of October, 1888, to Miss Ada MacGray, 
the daufi'litcr of Frank and Lena MacGray, 
natives of Trescott county, Wisconsin. Mrs. 
Wittse com]ileted her education in North- 
field, Minnesota, and previous to her mar- 
riage to our subject was a school teacher by 
profession, having taught twenty -seven terms 
of school. Our subject is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, and in his political ideas 
affiliates with the principles of the repub- 
lican party. He is an exemplary citizen, and 
all local matters receive his hearty support 
and encouragement. He is a man of the 
strictest integrity and honor, and his word is 
considered as good as a bond. 



«^> 



'^P^HEODORE FRAZEE, a prominent 
tlj merchant of the village of Pelican 
Eapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is 
engaged in a large and successful general 
merchandising business. He is a native of 
the State of Ohio, born in Vinton county, 
Ohio, on the lUli day of May, 1848, and is a 
son of Ei)liraim Frazee. The parents removed 
to Ohio at an early day. In 1859 they 
removed to Arkansas, and after remaining 
two 3'ears went to Jonesboro, Illinois; then 
went back to Ohio. In 1863 they again 
went to Illinois, where the father died. 

Mr. Frazee, of whom this sketch treats, 
remained at home and attended school during 
hisbovhood days. He went with his parents 
to Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, and then back 
asain to Illinois, where he remained about 
five years. In 18G8, in company with his 
two brothers, he removed to Minnesota, and 
first located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where 
thev each took a farm. In December, 1868, 



our subject purchased one of his brother's 
farms, and after remaining there for about 
four years, went to Frazee City, which was 
named after his brother. Our subject took 
charge of the saw-mill and lumber yard of 
his brother's at that i)lace, and later, in 
partnership with his brother, bought a 
general merchandise store. In 1877 our sub- 
ject removed to the village of Pelican Rapids, 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and opened a 
genoi'al store, which he has since carried on. 
In 1882 the Bank of Pelican Kapids was 
established, with our subject as vice-))resident 
and his brother asjiresident. They are doing 
a general Ijanking business. 

Mr. Frazee is one of the most prominent 
business men of that region, and is doing an 
extensive general merchaiulise i)usiness 
throughout that section of the countJ^ 

Mr. Frazee was united in marriage on the 
1st day of July, 1869, to Miss Mai'v Cox, and 
this union has been blessed with six chihlren, 
the following-named three now living — 
Arthur, Eoy and Oliver. In political mat- 
ters Mr. Frazee is an adherent to the princi- 
ples of the democratic party. 



-«" 



.^^^ 



fOHN BECKER, a prominent dry goods 
merchant of the village of Wadena, 
Wadena county, Minnesota, is a native of the 
empire of Germany. He was born in 1850. 
He spent his younger days in the school 
rooms of his native land, having access to 
the superior educational advantages of that 
country. In 1873 he emigrated to the 
United States and removed to Indiana, 
where he secured employment at farm labor. 
In 1874 he moved to Minnesota and settled 
at Red Wing, where he worked on a faiin 
for about six months. At the expiration of 
that time he engaged in the peddler's mer- 
cantile business and for some time sold his 
wares through the northern ])art of the 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



723 



State. Upon arriving in Wadena he decided 
that it would be a good place to locate. In 
July, 1879, he settled in the village, pur- 
chased a lot and erected a small dwelling- 
house, lie opened a saloon and also a mer- 
cantile establishment, which he operated for 
some time. He then relinquished his mer- 
cantile business and for a year or two 
devoted his whole attention to the liquor 
business. In 1SS3 he erected his present 
store, and after having rented it for two 
years, he, in 1885, gave up the liquor trade 
and put in a full line of dry goods, groceries, 
gents' furnishing goods, etc., which he has 
since continued to operate. He is one of the 
most prominent and extensive merchants in 
the village and in addition to his present 
business he owns the postoiRce building, two 
other stores, his commodious residence, and 
forty acres of land north of town. 

Mr. Becker was united in marriage in 
February, 1883, to Miss Mary Peiter, and 
this union has been blessed with two chil- 
dren, named as follows — William J. M. and 
Adolph. Mr. Becker and his family be- 
lonof to the Evangelical Lutheran church. 
He is a representative and esteemed citizen, 
and is a man of the utmost honor and integ- 
rity, his word being considered as good as a 
bond. 



v^- 



^4*- 



JOHN A. DANIELSON. The subject of 
this biographical sketch is engaged in 
the mercantile business in the village of Lake 
Park, Becker county, Minnesota. He is a 
native of Sweden, born on the 4th day of 
July, 1853, and is the son of Daniel and 
Sarah (Anderson) Danielson, natives also of 
Sweden. The father, who was a farmer and 
miller by trade, came to the United States 
in 1868 and settled in Kansas, where he 
remained two years. In 1870 the family 
emigrated to the United States and located 
in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they i-eraained 



a few months, and fi-om there they removed 
to Becker county, Minnesota, where they 
settled in Lake Park township. The father 
pre-empted land about three miles from the 
village, and has since been actively engaged in 
general farming operations. The father and 
mother of our subject were the parents of 
the following children — Caisa, Carl, Olof, 
John and Edwin. 

Mr. Danielson, of whom this sketch treats, 
received his education in his native land, 
and in 1870 emigi'ated to the United States. 
After a voyage of eleven days he landed in 
New York, and went directly to Minnesota, 
settling in St. Paul. There he secured a 
position as clerk, and remained in that capa- 
city for about seven years. In 1876 he pur- 
chased land in Clay county, and at the 
expiration of the seven years removed to 
his farm and commenced farming. He 
erected a dwelling-house and improved the 
farm, remaining there for three years. He 
settled permanently in Lake Park in 1878, 
and secured a position as clerk in the general 
merchandising store of R. H. Abraham, with 
whom he remained three years. Our subject 
then purchased the stock of his emploj'er 
and engaged in the same business on his own 
account. He carries a full line of goods, 
and is doing an extensive business. In 1885 
he built his present elevator on the ISTorthern 
Pacific Railroad, and is extensively engaged 
in the wheat business. 

Mr. Danielson was married on the 15tli 
day of August, 1886, to Miss Helma Ander- 
son, a native of Sweden and the daughter of 
Gustuf and Margaretha Anderson, also 
natives of that kingdom. Our subject and 
his wife belong to the Lutheran church, of 
which organization he is secretary. He aflBl- 
iates with the republican party, and any 
laudable home enterprise receives his hearty 
support. He has been treasurer of the vil- 
lage, and is one of the leading men of the 
county. 



724 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



m 



UON. E. G. HOLMES is the president 
of the First National Bank of Detroit, 
Becker county, ]\Iinnesota, and is one of the 
solid financial characters of the city. He is 
at present State senator from the Forty- 
fourtii senatorial district of Minnesota, and 
is one of the most influential members of 
tlie upper liouse of the legislature. 

Mr. llohnes is a native of Madison count}'. 
New York, wliere he was born in IS-tl. 
His parents, Henry and Almira (Denison) 
Holmes came to Madison county. New 
York, from the place of their nativity at 
Stonington, Connecticut, in an early day. 
The father for many years was a prominent 
merchant and wealthy man in New York. 
Some years before his death he had retired 
from active life, and was living in the enjoy- 
ment of blessings and comforts resulting 
from a long, successful career. The grand- 
parents came to this country from England, 
and the family, therefore, ti'aces its history 
back into English ancestry, among which 
are to be found men ami women of high 
staniling. 

The subject of our sketch remained with 
his parents in the State of New York until 
he had nearly attained his majority. Dur- 
ing his early life he lived on a farm, contin- 
uinii: thereon and attendini^ school at everv 
opportunity from the age of twelve years 
to twenty. Then, on the 18th of April, 1861, 
he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-sixth 
Regiment, New York Yolunteers,enteringthe 
ranks as a private. He saw service for two 
long \'ears, and particijiated in the second 
battle of Bull Run, where he was taken pris- 
oner b}' the rebels. Shortly after his cap- 
ture he was paroled and returned to the loyal 
States. Going to Chicago, Illinois, he 
entered Bryant & Stratton's Commercial 
College, from whicii institution he gradu- 
ated about one year later. From thence he 
removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he 
engaged in clerking in a mercantile estab- 



lishment for the period of two j'ears. From 
thence he removed to Holmes City, Douglas 
count}', same State, where he engaged in 
a mercantile career, continuing with good 
success some two years, at which time he 
removed to Otter Tail City, opening a store 
at that place and also one at Detroit in 1871. 
Moving to Detroit in 1872 he then made 
his |)erniancnt settlement, erecting the first 



frame building 



in the count}', and also 



becoming first merchant therein. Mr. Holmes 
engaged in the baidving business in 1S74, 
becoming cashier of the Bank of Detroit, 
whicii institution is now known as tiie First 
National Bank, to which it was changed in 
1885, one year after the subject of our sketch 
became its president. In ]niblic euter]>i'ises 
and improvements Mr. Holmes has always 
been a prominent character. He built the 
Minnesota Hotel, a summer resort for tourists, 
at Detroit, in 1883. He built the large block 
on Washington avenue opposite where the 
First National Bank now stands, containing 
several stores and an opera house. In July of 
1888 this large building was destroyed l)y 
fire. He has laid out three additions to tiie 
city of Detroit, besides owning the old 
Minneapolis fair grounds, consisting of 
eighty acres of land, now platted into lots, and 
which, in 1887, cost him s260,(Hi(i. He is a 
large landholder, owning some 17,000 acres 
of excellent land in Becker and adjoining 
counties. 

In 18(i9 Mr. Holmes was united in mar- 
riage to Lucy Sherman, of St. Cloud, Min- 
nesota. 

The subject of our sketch is one of the 
most ijrominent re])ublicans in this part of 
Minnesota, is a leading member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and one of the most influ- 
ential of Becker county's wealthy men. His 
business interests have been many and of 
varied kinds, and in whatever lines his 
attention has been occupied he has always 
met with the highest degree of success. For 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



725 



years past lie lias taken large contracts for 
furnishing lumber and ties for the I^orthern 
Pacific Railroad Conipan3\ out of which he 
has realized large sums of money. He owns 
numerous buildings in Detroit and lives in a 
beautiful and costly residence in the southern 
part of the city. A man of the strictest 
integrity, the word of E. G. Holmes is recog- 
nized as being- as good as a bond. 



:-^— 



EV. ISAAC F. DAVIDSON, the pres- 
ILJH>' ent jiastor of the Methodist E]iiscopal 
church in Warren, Marshall county, Min- 
nesota, is a native of Canada. He was born 
in Oxford county, Ontario, Canada, on the Gth 
of March, ISCO, and is the son of Isaac and 
Christiana (Cameron) Davidson, also natives 
of Ontario, Canada. The father of our sub- 
ject was of Irish descent, and the mother 
was of Scotch extraction. 

Mr. Davidson, of which this article treats, 
remained on the home farm, with the usual 
educational advantages of the comlnon schools 
until he had attained the age of twenty-three 
years. He then worked on a farm for one 
year, and then decided to follow the ministry, 
feeling called to that profession. His first 
regular charge was in Pelican Pa])ids, Min- 
nesota, although he had done considei'able 
work in this line while in Manitoba. After 
remaining in Pelican Papidsnine months, in 
October, 1SS5, he removed to Osakis. Minne- 
sota, where he had charge of the Methodist 
congregation for two 3'ears. At the expira- 
tion of that time he was stationed at 
Aitkin, Minnesota, and for the succeeding 
j'ear had charge of the church at that place. 
During three months of that time, however, 
on account of sickness, his pulpit was filled 
l)y a supply. On the IGth of October, 1888, 
he removed to "WaiTen, Marshall county, 
Minnesota, where he has since discharged 
his ministerial duties. He is an able minis- 



ter, a man of wide reading and information, 
a true Christian, and is highl}' esteemed by 
all who know him. 

Mr. Davidson was united in marriage on 
the 10th of April, 1883, to Miss Eva A. 
Holmes, and this union has been blessed with 
two children — Etta Grace and Francis 
Willford. Mrs. Davidson was born in Nova 
Scotia, and is the daughter of Joshua and 
Naoma (Lockheart) Holmes, also natives of 
Nova Scotia. Our subject is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. 
He is an exemplary citizen, and a man of 
more than ordinary al)ility. 



— -♦- 



r-» 



OHN BRENEMAN, a farmer who resides 
'0 at Caledonia, is one of the most liighly 
respected as well as solid and substantial 
citizens of Traill county, North Dakota. 
He was born in Clarion county, Pennsyl- 
vania, July 22, 1836, and is a son of John 
and Mary (Young) Breneman, who were also 
natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject was 
brought up on the farm with his parents, 
attending school until he was about fifteen 
3' ears old and then engaged in boat buililing, 
although he made his home with his parents 
until he attained his majority, having been 
given his " time " by his father when nineteen 
years old. When he was twenty-one years 
of age, in 1857, our subject went to Houston 
county, Minnesota, where he was employed 
at carpenter work for about two years. In 
1859 he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, 
Colorado, and engaged in gold-mining, his 
partner being John McDonahugh. His 
success at mining was not very satisfactory 
and they went to Kansas City, Missouri, 
and from there with a Government train 
to Salt Lake City. They then engaged in 
hunting and trapping through Colorado 
and the far Southwest. At this they 
were very successful, killing as many as 



726 



RED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



ninety-six buflfaloes in one clay. They 
endured many hardships and went through 
many perilous and exciting adventures. 
They were among the Indians a good deal, 
but never had any serious trouble with them 
until just as tliey were leaving, when 
tiie redskins fired upon them and tried 
to stampede their stock. In 1860 they 
returned to Houston county, Minnesota, 
but our suliject did not do much of any- 
tliing until ISGl. On tlie 26th of Sep- 
temltei, 1861, he enlisted in Compan\' M, 
Eighth Missouri Volunteer Zouaves, the only 
regiment with twelve companies in the 
service. He served for three years, or until 
the expiration of his term of enlistment, and 
participated in the following battles : Fort 
Henry, Fort Hymen, Fort Donaldson, Pitts- 
burg, Shiloh, Corinth, Haines" Bluif, Vicks- 
burg, Arkansaw Post, and Jackson, Tennes- 
see. He then went back to Memphis, where 
he was appointed wagon-master, and he held 
that position until he was mustered out of 
the service. From Memphis he went to 
Atlanta and participated in the siege; then 
went to Blue Mountain at the time Sherman 
was in pursuit of Hood. About this time 
Sherman ordered the wagon-train cut down 
to serviceable dimensions. Our subject fol- 
lowed orders, and secured a man named 
James Carr to take charge of the train, 
while he got the balance of his train and 
effects ready to turn over to the Government 
at Chattanooga. In the meantime Sherman 
had commenced his "March to the Sea," and 
as our subject was too late to join this ex- 
pedition he returned to iiis home in Min- 
nesota. He was engaged in clerking during 
that winter and then went to the Pennsyl- 
vania oil fields and worked around the oil 
wells on Walnut Island. In the fall of 
1865 he returned home, was married, and 
engaged in farming in Houston count}^ 
"While in tlie 'arm\'^ he had contracted a 
disease of the eves and in 1871 it terminated 



I 



in hissroinff totallv blind. He did not recover 
his siglit until 1874, and renuiined upon his 
farm until 1875. He then put in one year at 
grading on a railroad near Big Stone Lake, 
after which he returned to his farm. The 
next spring lie sold out and put in another 
season at railroad work. In the fall of 1877 
he came to Traill county, Dakota, and bouglit 
a farm of 1(')0 acres adjoining the town site 
of Caledonia. He still owns tliis farm. 
althougli he lives in tlie village. His farm is 
one of the most valuable in the county and 
he also owns a nice residence and a business 
building in the village. Mr. Breneman has 
always taken an active interest in public 
affairs, and every enterprise calculated to 
benefit this locality receives his hearty aid 
and encouragement. He is a member of the 
Odd-Fellows fraternity, and served for four 
years as deputy sheriff. He is a man of the 
strictest integrity and his word is considered 
as good as a bond. 

Mr. Breneman was married on the 5th of 
November, 1865, to Miss Mary L. Patten, 
a daugliter of William and Mary Patten, 
who were natives of Scotland. Their mar- 
riage has been blessed with the following 
children— William, Mabel, Fred, Doi-a, May, 
Chester, John and Leon. 



-«-. 



NDREW T. LUND is one of the most 
prominent business men of "\'ining. 
Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he is 
enoaired in several lines of business. In 
partnersliip with Mr. Nyhud he is engaged 
in the general merchandise trade, ])erson- 
ally conducts a large lumber and flour and 
feed business, and also has charge of the 
Northern Pacific elevator. In all his busi- 
ness except that of general merchandise he 
is sole proprietor. Mr. Lund was born in 
Kolvereid Prestejold, Norway, near the city 
of Throndhjem, August 10, 1848. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



727 



Mr. Lund is tlie son of Targoe B. and 
Bolatba IVI. (Andrews) Lund, both of whom 
were natives of Norway. During his whole 
life-time the father was a sailor and held 
the position of mate on a sailing vessel. He 
also farmed to some extent, and was one of 
the best known persons along the coast of 
Norway. 

Andrew T. spent liis early years with his 
parents in the old country. He attended 
the common schools and obtained a good 
education. In June, 1866, he came to 
America, landing at Quebec, where he 
remained but one week, and from thence 
came westwanl to St. Croix county, Wiscon- 
sin. He worked for farmers in the neigh- 
borhood until winter came upon them and 
the ground became so frozen as to stop \vork. 
He then took his departure and started for 
Menomonee, fifty miles distant. He started 
out with but little money, and was forced to 
walk the entire distance, which he did in one 
day. Reaching that point, he hired out to 
Knap, Stout «fc Company, lumbermen, for 
whom he worked fifteen months. He then 
returned to St. Croix count}', and the next 
summer, in company with a man b}"^ the 
name of Myher, bought six yoke of oxen, 
and ran a breaking team until the next 
fall. He then secured work in a saw-mill 
owned by a man named Bailey, continuing 
to work for him for §26 per month, but, sad 
to say, has never received one cent for tliat 
winter's work. His next move was to New 
Eichmond, Wisconsin, where he hired out to 
a man by the name of Jacobs, owner of a 
large lumber business and a large farm. Mr. 
Lund continued working in the woods dur- 
ing tlie winter, and in tlie spring found work 
on the river, in the summer finding work on 
the farm. Mr. Lund remained in the emploj^ 
of Mr. Jacobs for eight years, at the end of 
which time he went to Hudson, Wisconsin, 
where lie engaged at car|>entering and paint- 
ing until 1S70. \\\ tiiat year he went to 



Otter Tail county, Minnesota, settling on a 
homestead, where he has continued to live 
ever since. His land being the town site 
of Vining, much of the building that 
has been done in Vining has been done 
through his instrumentality. He laid 
the side-track for the railroad company, 
working about thirty men, and made numer- 
ous other improvements. He was appointed 
postmaster during President Garfield's 
administration and holds the office yet, 
having also established the postoffice. 

November 5, 1871, Mr. Lund was united 
in the bonds of wedlock to Miss Anna K. 
Ammondson, a native of Norway. Eleven 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Lund, eight of whom are now living — Tiiea 
A., Melvin B., Charles A., Oscar A., Harry 
A., Andrew T., Emil A. and Godrund O. 

Mr. Lund has been closely identified with 
the business and financial interests of Vining 
since its foundation, and in every way has 
he striven to add to its prosperity and rapid 
growth. Being the earliest settler and the 
owner of the town site on which the village 
stands, he is certainly entitled to the right 
of being called the father of the town. He 
is a man of broad ideas, thoughtful and in- 
telligent, and thoroughly posted on the cur- 
rent events of the day. He is indeed a self- 
made man, iiaving acquired nearly all of his 
store knowledge by private study and in- 
struction. He is a leading member of the 
Lutheran church, ami also of the L O. O. F. 
In politics he affiliates with the republican 
party. He has held numerous offices of 
trust within the gift of the people, and in 
every case has proven himself worthy and 
capable. He has been town clerk, justice of 
the peace nine years, and a member of the 
board of school directors. He owns con- 
siderable valuable property, notably six 
hundred acres of land adjoining the town 
site of Vining, and has one of the finest 
country residences in the Park Regions, 



728 



RED RIVER VALLE V AND 



Mr. Lund became most widely known in 
the years 18S1, 1882 and 1883, when the 
question of liquor license came up in his 
town, at whicli time he used all his power 
and inlhience to keep the same out of his 
township, which he succeeded in doing, and 
his town lias been a temperance town ever 
since. 



RTHUR W. SHEETS. Most promi- 
P>A nent among the members of the edi- 
torial fraternity of the famous Park Regions 
of Minnesota is the gentleman whose name 
heads this article, a resident of Long Prairie, 
Todd county, where he publishes the 7wW 
Countij Arijus. He is a native of Indiana, 
born in Randolph county, on the 9th of 
October, 1851, and is the son of Lewis and 
Catharine (Sarff) Sheets, natives of Ohio and 
Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1830 the 
parents of our subject settled in Indiana, 
where they remained, engaged in farming, 
until 1871. They then removed to Todd 
county, Minnesota, where they have since 
remained, following agricultural pursuits. 
The}' are the parents of the following-named 
children — John II., Arthur W., Sophrona E., 
William P. and Lew C. 

Mr. Sheets, of whom this article treats, 
received his education in Indiana and Minne- 
sota. Pie attended the common schools and 
Ridgeville College of his native State until 
he had attained the age of twenty years, at 
which time he removed with his parents to 
Minnesota. lie completed his education in 
Carlton College, Northfield, Minnesota,where 
he attended during 1872 and 1873. After 
leaving school he engaged in the profession 
of school-teaching for two j^ears, in Todd 
and Goodhue counties. In April, 1876, lie 
formed a partnership with his brother, J. II. 
Sheets, in the newspaper business and this 
arrangement continued until January 1, 



1880. He then became foreman for W. C. 
Brower, who purchased the Argus, and this 
arrangement continued until October 8, 
1880. At that time Mr. Sheets purchased 
the ])aper and lias since been actively 
engaged in its publication, his brother retir- 
ing from the business in 1888. The paper 
has an extensive circulation, both in Todd 
and adjoining counties, and has a great influ- 
ence in all local matters. Mr. Sheets is a 
thorough scholar and is reco<;nized as one of 
the ablest editorial writers in the Park 
Regions. 

Mr. Sheets, the subject of this memoir, 
was united in marriage December 31, 1876, 
to Miss A. Ella M. Cosson, and this union 
has been blessed with seven ciiildren, named 
as follows — Royden L., Joim W., Arthur L., 
Ralph M., Ivan and Sylvan (twins), and Mer- 
riam C. Mrs. Slieets is a native of Rice 
county, Minnesota, and completed her edu- 
cation in Sauk Centre. For four years after 
graduation she engaged in school-teaching 
in Todd county, Minnesota. She is the 
daughter of Hon. Caleb Cosson. Her 
fatlier is a farmer. In 1862 he was a repre- 
sentative in the State legislature. 

Mr. Sheets is a republican in his political 
affiliations and is one of the prominent men 
of the village. He and his familv belono' 
to the Metiiodist Episcopal church, of which 
organization he is steward and trustee. 
From 1883 until 1885 he lieid tiie oflice of 
]iost master of Long Prairie. lie is a mem- 
ijcr of tlie Odd-Fellows fraternitv. 



-■»- 



-** 



WILLIAM BUDGE, wlio is closely 
identified witli I'eai estate matters 
at Grand Forks, North Dakota, deserves 
especial mention in a voliuiie devoted to the 
prominent men of the Red River Valley. He 
has been closely connected with the history 
of tiiis region since its earliest settlement, and, 



PARK REGIONS OF M/N.VESO TA. 



729 



associated with Captain Griggs in many 
important enterprises, lias done a great deal 
to aitl in tlie growth and development of 
Grand Forks and vicinity. A man of wide 
experience, energetic, enterprising and 
liberal, no man has done more to promote 
the general welfare, and his name is 
indissolubly associated with the history of 
the valley. A man of high character and 
the strictest integrity, his word is as good as 
a bond, and he is highly esteemed both as a 
business man and an exemplary citizen. 



-♦► 



WILLIAM D. BATES, editor and pro- 
prietor of the daily and weekly 
Herald of Grafton, North Dakota, is one of 
the leading newspaper men in the Red River 
Valley and Js^orth Dakota. He is a native 
of New York State, born in Cherry Valle}', 
Otsego county, on the 29th day of January, 
1S59, and is the son of William and Mary 
(Gill) Bates, natives of New York and Ire 
land, respectively. 

Mr. Bates, the subject of this biograph- 
ical review, received his education in the 
district schools of his native State, and at 
the age of twelve years entered a printing 
office and served for one j'ear as a " devil." 
He then removed with his parents to Min- 
nesota, and located in Hastings, where he 
entered a three-years' apprenticeship in the 
Hastings Gazette othce. After serving his 
time he worked in the office of the Hastings 
New Era, and after remaining with them one 
year was forced on account of his health to 
return to his father's farm in Sibley county, 
Minnesota, where he remained one year 
engaged in manual labor. He then went 
back to Hastings and i-esumed his position, 
but in the winter of 1879 he removed to St. 
Cloud, Minnesota, and worked on the Journal 
Press for about six months. At the expira- 



tion of that time he removed to Glencoe, 
Minnesota, and took charge of the Glencoe 
Enterprise. In the fall of 1880, in partner- 
ship with A. G. Ansell, he leased the paper 
and I'an it eighteen months, when Ansell's 
health failed and he had to leave for a more 
genial climate. In the spring of 1882 he re- 
turned, and the}' started a job office, but find- 
ing: that the business did not vield enough in- 
come for them both, our subject retii'ed from 
the business, and in August, 18S2, went to 
Dakota, and for the succeeding eighteen 
months was foreman of the mechanical 
department of the Grand Torks Daili/ Herald. 
He then removed to Grafton and took charge 
of the News and Times, which position he 
occupied until 1884. In the fall of 1884 he 
jjurchased the Park River Gazette, which he 
published three years, with the best of suc- 
cess, increasing the paper from a three col- 
umn to a nine, and building up the circula- 
tion from 113 to 2,000 copies. He paid $600 
for the office, and after three years sold the 
good-will and reputation of the paper for 
$1,000. He then removed his tvpe, press, 
machinery, etc., to Grafton, and in the fall of 
1887 purchased the Grafton Herald, a jiaper 
which, on account of poor management, had 
lost its patronage. He at once put in a 
first-class office, together with a River power 
press, employed ten men, and rapidly brought 
the paper from a 300 circulation up to 1,200. 
On the 1st of March he started the Dally 
Herald, and now has a good start, and as 
, long as his pati-ons give him hearty and 
proper encouragement he will give tliem a 
first-class paper. 

Mr. Bates was married in Sauk Rapiils, 
Minnesota, on the 4th of January, 1881, to 
Miss Susie May hew, the daughter of Capt. G. 
B. and Melissa (Smith) Mayhew. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bates, in this union, have been blessed 
with two children — George and DeWitt. 
Our subject is actively interested in all local 
matters. He is a man of determination and 



730 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



perseverance, and the excellent judgment, 
courtes}' and sound common sense wliich 
have characterized his management of the 
paper have given him a higii place in news- 
papei' circles of North Dakota. 



-«- 



.-^^ 



p^DWARD CONNELLY, who was one 
Vl^ of tiie earliest settlcrsof Wilkin county, 
Minnesota, is a resident of section IG, tou'n- 
siiip 133, range 47. where he owns a section 
of land and is engao'ed in general fai'ming: 
and stock-raising. He located in AVilkin 
county in 1859, but went on to Clay count}^, 
wliere he remained eighteen months, work- 
ing for the Hudson Bay Company in George- 
town. He then went to Fort Gary, Manitoba, 
and for two years worked as a fancy gardener. 
He then purchased wheat for Farrington 
& Company, of St. Paul, shij)ping from 
Fort Gary to Hatche's Battalion in Pembina. 
He then went to McCauleyville, in 1864, and 
woi'ked for D, ]\IcCauley for five years, being 
overseer of an o.x-train from St. Cloud to 
diffei'ent ])oints in Dakota. In the spring of 
ISCS he homesteaded his present place on 
section IG, town 133, range 47, where he has 
since remained 
of trees 

different varieties. He has one hundred 
head of fine graded stock and is one of the 
leading farmers of the county. 

Mr. Connelly is a native of Ireland, born 
in Enneskillen, county of Fei'menaugh, April 
2.5, 1833, and is the son of Terrance and 
Catliarine (Carlon) Connelly, also natives of 
Ireland. The father died in 1874 and the 
mother in 1889. They were the parents of 
eight children^ — Patrick, James, Edward, 
John, Hugh, Thomas, Terrance and Anna. 

Our subject, Mr. Connelly, lived with iiis 
grand])arents from the age of six niontlis 
until lie was fifteen years old. He then emi- 
grated to the United States, and after land- 



He has an extensive grove 
having set out 50,000 trees of 



ing at Philadelphia went to New Jersey, 
where he I'emained seven years. He started 
to learn the printer's trade, but as he did not 
like it and the fact of five years' appren- 
ticeshi)). he learned gardening and followed 
the same while he remained there. He 
then removed to Minnesota, remaining in St. 
Paul two years, whence he went to the Red 
River Valley, where he has since remained. 
Mr. Connelly was married Mai'ch 31, 
1868, to Miss Ellen McDonald, a native of 
Ireland and an employe of Mr. McCauley, 
for whom our subject woi'ked. They have 
been blessed with four children — Margret 
Catharine, Ellen Anna, Edward Terrence 
and Sophia Gordon. Our subject and his 
family belong to tlie Catholic church, of 
which he is a trustee. Me is a democrat in 
))olitics and prominent in all local enterprises. 
He is a county commissioner, having held 
that position for two terms. He is a man of 
the highest integrity and honor, and is highly 
esteemed. 



iTTO F. STOLTZ, proprietor of the 
Argyle livery stables, Argyle, Mar- 
shall county, Minnesota, is a native of Wis- 
consin. He was born in Jefferson county, 
Wisconsin, and is the son of Henry and Car- 
rie (Boclinick) Stoltz, natives of Germany. 
Our subject remained on the home farm 
and attended school until he was twenty- 
two, with the exception of the winter of 
1872, when he worked in the AVisconsin pin- 
eries. When he was nine years okl he 
removed to Olmsted county, IVIinnesota, 
with his parents. When he had attained 
ills twenty -second year he bought a farm, 
which he worked for one year, then sold out 
and removed to Marshall county, Minnesota, 
and located in Argyle, where he followed 
farming and took teaming contracts for five 
years. At the expiration of tiiat time he 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



731 



purchased a barn and opened his present 
livery stal)le, which he lias since run. He 
now has a first class business, owns sixteen 
horses, and in addition owns a fine village 
residence. 

Mr. Stoltz was married in Olmsted 
county, Minnesota, on the 13th of Novem- 
ber, ISSd, to Miss Elizabeth Biers, a native 
of the State of Ohio. Her parents were of 
German descent. Mr. and Mr. Stoltz in this 
union have been blessed with two children — 
Lovinia and Mj'rtle. Mr. Stoltz has been 
constable for seven years and still holds that 
office. He is one of the leading and sub- 
stantial business men of Argyle, and is 
actively interested in all local enterprises. 
He is a man of the strictest honor and integ- 
rity. 

• ■<«• — 



|^Xn5\R. JOSIAH S. RICHARDSON is the 
leading physician and surgeon of 
Perhani, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He 
was born March 8, 1826, in Lowell, Massa- 
chusetts. 

The subject of our sketch is the son of 
Josiah and Martha (Kimball) Eichardson, 
natives of Massachusetts. The father was a 
printer b}'^ occupation and was employed in 
that kind of work tliroughout the most of 
his life. The parents are both dead. They 
liad three children — Josiah S.. Obadiah W., 
and Harriette. 

Dr. Richardson lived with his parents 
during his early life, receiving his education 
at Lowell, Massachusetts. For three years 
lie attended Andover University, and then 
entered Harvard, from which institution he 
graduated in medicine in 1848, at the age of 
twenty-two years. After a short time he 
went to Wisconsin, where he remained for 
seven j'ears. Being located in one of the 
new counties in the State, he had but little 
]>ractice, so turned his attention somewhat 



to the real estate business. From "Wisconsin 
he removed to Howard county, Iowa, where 
he engaged in the practice of his profession 
and also in land speculation for five years. 
Removing thence, for two years he practiced 
medicine in Forestville, Minnesota, after 
which, for ten years, from 1861 to 1871, he 
practiced in Rockford, Wright county. He 
then removed to Chaska, Carver county, 
engaging in professional work in that city 
until 1S79, in which year he came to Perhani, 
where he has since been located. 

Dr. Richardson was married November 
20, 1854, in Waushara county, Wisconsin, to 
Miss Sarah Jane Jenks. Miss Jenks was 
born October 13, 1836, in Erie county, Ohio. 
She was the daughter of Aimer and Jane 
(McCumber) Jenks, the father a native of 
New York and the mother a native of Penn- 
sylvania. The parents are. both dead. The 
mother died at the age of sixt3'-five, in 
Wright county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenks had a family of five children — Sarah 
Jane, Oliver Augustus, Frances Augusta, 
Samuel Michael and David McCumber. 
Aimer Augustus died July 26, 1888, aged 
forty-seven years. The rest of the children 
are all living. Mrs. Dr. Richardson was 
educated in the high schools of Sandusky 
City, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Richardson have 
six children — A. O., Jennie M., Lilian Fran- 
ces, Howard M., Florence Lizzie and Nettie. 
A. O., the oldest, is one of the countv com- 
missioners of Otter Tail county and resides 
in the village of Butler. Jennie M. married 
George Ehrmantroit and now lives in 
Minneapolis. They have five children — 
Lily, Josiah, Carl and twins, unnamed, born 
January 81, 1889. Lilian Frances married 
Michael Popler. a resident of Butler, and by 
whom she has had three children. Howard 
M. is married, has no children, and is a 
resident of Butler. Florence Lizzie lives in 
Minneapolis, and JSettie lives with her 
parents. 



732 



KED KIVF.R VAIJ.EV AXD 



Dr. Richardson is a iiuin of age and mature 
experience. His professional life has been 
well and successfully spent. He is thor- 
ouglily qualified for the duties of his profes- 
sion, and has a large and extended practice. 
In ]>olitics he affiliates with the democratic 
party. 

-■ ■' > ■• 



LBERT L. HANSON. Among the prom- 



ir^>il_ inent and esteemed business men of 
the city of Hillsboro, North Dakota, is the 
gentleman whose name heads this biograph- 
ical review. He has been closely identified 
with tlie banking interests of the place since 
January, ISSl. He is a native of the State 
of Iowa, born in Allamakee county, on the 
28th daj' of October, 1854, and is the son of 
H. A. and Maren (Simonson) Hanson, natives 
of the kingdom of Norway. They emigrated 
to the United States in 1851 and located in 
Iowa, where they liave since I'esided. 

]Mr. Hanson's boyhood days were spent on 
the home farm with his parents, receiving 
the usual advantages of the district schools, 
and at the time of his majority he entered 
the State Agricultural College, from which 
hi! graduated with high honors on the 16th 
day of November, 1879. Immediately after 
graduation, he engaged in the banking busi- 
ness in Belmond, Iowa, with L. B. Clark & 
Co., and after remaining there, doing a 
successful business for one year, removed to 
Hill City, North Dakota, which was the 
former name of Hillsboro. Upon arriving 
there, he established the Bank of Hill City, 
and continued under that name uutjl the name 
of the city was changed to Hillsboro and was 
tlien ciianged to Hillsl)oro Bank, and as such 
continued to do l)usiness until December 7, 
1885, when it was succeeded by tlie Hillsboro 
National Bank, which now has a capital of 
$50,000 and a surplus of $20,000, and is offi- 
cered as follows: A. L. Plummer, president; 



D. Peterson, vice-president ; A. L. Hanson, 
cashier; J. E. Hyde, assistant cashier. They 
have since carried on a general banking busi- 
ness, and are doing an extensive loan and 
collection business. In addition to his bank- 
ing interests Mr. Hanson owns eight sec- 
tions of fine farming lands, and has $25,000 
invested in tax titles. He is one of the lead- 
ing and substantial business men of the place 
and his name is indissolubly connected with 
the interests and prosperity of the locality. 

IMr. Hanson was united in marriage in 
Cass county, Iowa, on the lltluhiy of April, 

1881, to Miss Sylvania Caroline Carter, the 
daughter of Joseph and R. M. (Pearl) Carter, 
natives of the State of Ohio. Mrs. Hanson 
passed away on the 19th day of February, 

1882, in Hillsboro. She was a lady of more 
than ordinary ability and attainments, and 
her loss was deepW mourned and regretted 
by a large circle of friends, wiio sincerely 
sympathize with her husband in his great 
bereavement. In their union Mr. and Mrs. 
Hanson were blessed with one child — Caro- 
line Alberta Leona, born February 11-, 1882, 
and died April 11, 18S2. 

Our sul)ject is a man of sterling Inisiness 
(jualifications antl is liighly esteemed by 
ail who know him. He is an exempiiUT 
citizen, activel}' interested in all local enter- 
prises, and is a strong adherent to the prin- 
ciples of the republican party. He is a man 
of the strictest integrity, and the word of A. 
L. Hanson is everywhere recognized as being 



as good as a bond. 



-«- 



«^^ 



^^RANK H. STUART, M.D., the olde.st 
[P^ resident physician and surgeon of the 
village of Ada, Minnesota, of the regular or 
allopathic school, located in that place in 
Marcii, 1880. He is a native of Savannah, 
Georgia, born October 5, 1846. His ances- 
tors were of Scottish and Spanish birth. He 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



733 



was reared and acquired his elemental edu- 
cation in the city of his birth, and in ISG'J, 
being tlien twenty -three years of age, com- 
menced the study of medicine with his 
father, who was also a physician, and form- 
ei'ly surgeon of the First Georgia Infantry, 
C. S. A., during the late " conflict between 
the States." After two j'ears of intense 
application he went with his father to 
Marietta, Georgia, were our subject acted as 
assistant surgeon in a field hospital for two 
more years. For a couple of years he was 
with Dr. Samuel Chipman, who was the 
United States Sui-geon at Atlanta, Georgia, 
but in 1S7() entered the Cincinnati Medical 
College, at Cincinnati, Ohio. After attend- 
ing three course? of lectures, in that institu 
tion, the following year he was at the Ken- 
tucky School of Medicine, from which col- 
lege he was graduated after pursuing his 
studies for two courses. 

Travel for about a year next engaged 
his attention, with the double object of re- 
cuperating his health and looking up an 
eligible location for his future work. In 1878 
Dr. Stuart received the appointment of 
assistant surgeon of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad, with headquarters at Detroit, Min- 
nesota, and remained in that village attend- 
ing to his duties and in the practice of his 
profession for about eighteen months, and 
then resigned. 

Notwithstanding his early studies, and his 
attendance upon two excellent colleges, Dr. 
Stuart was not satisfied with his knowledge 
of his profession ; having a high ideal, he 
crossed the ocean in search of more light, 
and spent some three months in search of it 
at the famous college or university at 
Heidelberg, Germany, whence, on his re- 
turn to the United States, he came to Ada. 
He purchased some 1,500 acres of land near 
Warren, Marshall county, this State, with 
the intention of stock-raising. He had an 
idea tiiat the rearing of buffalo, as well as 



domestic cattle, would be a success, both 
financially and otherwise, and with this end 
in view procured a bull and seven buffalo 
cows, but after carrying on his place for 
about a year gave it up. From his first 
advent in this county Dr. Stuart has been 
steadily in practice, giving the larger share 
of his attention to surgery, until he is now in 
the possession of an extensive and increasing 
practice. His reputation as a professional 
man is widespread and of excellent char- 
acter and he practices all up and down the 
valley, and is often called in, in critical cases, 
as consulting physician, to many points 
between this and Washington Territoi'v. 
His pre-eminent success in his profession has 
raised him to the front i-ank among his 
medical brethren, and he is recognized as the 
leading surgeon and physician of this section 
of the State. 

The doctor has, of late years, been some- 
what interested in real estate, both in this 
State and in Detroit, Michigan, and is the 
present owner of the International Hotel in 
the latter city. He was united in marriage, 
in 1882, with Miss Julia Martson, of Decorah, 
Iowa. 



-«"S^i^--»' 



PALMER is the owner 
and pro]irietor of the principal 
meat market in Yerndale, Wadena county, 
Minnesota. He is one of the oldest settlers 
in tiie village, coming to this place from 
Butler count V, Iowa, April 1, 1879. He 
had heard a great deal about the State of 
Minnesota during his residence in Iowa, and 
concluded to locate therein. So, in company 
witii his brother Joseph, he started out with 
a team of four horses and a covered wagon 
to seek his fortune in the new State. 
They came directly to Verndale, on their 
route passing through St. Paul, St. Cloud, 
and Sauk Centre. On arriving in Verndale 



734 



JiF.D RIVER VALLEY ANi> 



he decided to remiiin, for a time at least, and 
test the advantages wliich ajipeared to him 
excellent for success in some business enter- 
])rise. At this time the village consisted of 
a population of about one hundred people, 
the depot had not been built, and there were 
Ijut few imjirovements. For a time he 
engaged in team woriv and in hiring out his 
horses for livery purposes, his teams being 
tlie only ones in the village that could be 
obtained for said uses. That summei- lie 
commenced in the butcher business, opening 
up under straitened circumstances and 
being obliged to use a large tree for a 
slaushter-house. lie did not enter this line 
of work with an idea of making it perma- 
nent, but merely for tiie accommodation of 
the public for the time being. Business 
grew, however, and he found himself sud- 
denly engaged in a profitable business. So, 
in tiie spring of 1880, he built his present 
shop and commenced business on a perma- 
nent basis. He has ever since been engaged 
in tliis trade. In the spring of 18SS he put 
in another stock on the south siile of the 
raih'oad track and still runs both markets. 
During Mr. I'almer's business life here he 
has found much sharp competition, there 
having been thirty-seven other men who 
engaged in the same tratie, but thej' all finally 
gave up the business because patronage 
went mostly to the pioneer shop. 

Mr. Palmer is a native of Green Lake 
county, Wisconsin, where he was born July 
4, 1850, his early life being spent on a farm 
in his native county. He remained beneath 
the parental roof until eighteen years of age, 
when the father's family removed to Butler 
county, Iowa, where they engaged in farm- 
ing. Schools were few and far between in 
those days, but Mr. Palmer by dint of pel-se- 
verance and hard study acquired a good 
common school education. At the age of 
twenty-one 3^ears Ik; left home and com- 
menced to struffo-le with the world to make 



his own way to fortune and success. Two 
years thereafter were spent- in working to 
some extent on railroad construction and 
also in farming. In 1879, as we have already 
stated, Mr. Palmer came to Wadena county, 
where he has since resided. 

The parents of the subject of our sketch 
were Timothy II. and Susan Palmer, tiie 
former a native of New York and the latter 
born in Pennsylvania. Timothy Palmer, the 
father, came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when 
that city consisted of but a few log houses 
and a handful of people. He was but a boy 
when he came west, and the earlv part of 
his life was spent in hunting and trapping in 
Northern Wisconsin. He settled in Green 
Lake county when that territory was little 
better than a wilderness. He removed to 
Iowa in 1868, where he still lives. 

The subject of our sketcli was married in 
Charles City, Iowa, August 29, 1871, to Miss 
Catherine Clark, a native of Indiana. Her 
parents were Thomas and Betsy Clai'k, who 
went to Iowa, locating in Butler county, in 
1852, where they settled on Government 
land. The land on which they located is 
now the present site of C'larksville, a beauti- 
ful little city which was named after Mr. 
Clark. The father is still a resident of that 
county, where during many years he has 
been one of the most active and influential 
men in all public matters. 

-• ■♦ > -;^^' < '- ■ 

^^DWIN M. FAIRFIELD, a respected and 
Xfe^ successful business man of Douglas 
county, Minnesota, is a resident of the vil- 
lage of Osakis, where he is engaged in the 
hardware business. He is a native of Ver- 
mont, born in Johnson, on the 27th of June, 
18-12, and is the son of Joshua and Sarah 
(Dodge) Fairfield, natives of New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont, respectively.' The 
father and mother of the present subject 



1\4RK RECroXS OF Af/XtVESOTA . 



735 



were united in marriage in the State of Ver- 
mont, ami afterwanl settled in that State, 
where thej^ remained many years engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. They removed to 
Hennepin count\', Minnesota, and remained 
there tlii'ee or four years. At the expiration 
of tliat time tlioy went to Douglas county, 
Minnesota, where they have since remained. 
They were among the very first settlers in 
that county anil were the third to take any 
land. The mother died in 1S62, and was a 
devoted member of the Baptist church. The 
father is still living in Osakis township. He 
is retired from active life, and in former 
days was one of the substantial and active 
citizens of the county. They settled in the 
county in about 1858. They were the par- 
ents of the following-named children — 
George E., Eilwin M., Edward, Lloyd and 
John W. 

Mr. Fairfield, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, received his education in 
Hennepin county, Minnesota, near Hopkins 
Station, leaving the school-room at the age 
of twenty years. Until he had attained the 
age of twenty-one he remained at home and 
in 1863 secured a government ])osition 
as teamster for two years. In 1865 he 
received the position of wagon master, 
which he held for two and a half years. 
During this time he was in an expedition 
against the Indians. That was in 1863 
and 1864. He then removed to Douglas 
county, Minnesota, and homesteaded and 
purchased land and remained on his farm, 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising: 
until 1882. In 1877 he made a trip to the 
Black Hills, Dakota Territory, where he was 
engaged in freighting for some time; he 
returned the same year, however, and re- 
engaged in farming. In 1883 he settled in 
the village of Osakis and engaged in his 
present business, and has since followed the 
same. He carries a full line of heavy and 
shelf hardware and has the largest stock in 



the village. When he first entered into 
business he took as a partner J. R. Gallinger, 
who remained with him eighteen months. 
Mr. Fairfield then purchased the interest of 
J. R. Gallinger and has since carried on the 
business alone. In addition to his hardware 
business he has a fine farm of 320 acres, 
under good cultivation and with good build- 
ing improvements. The farm lies five miles 
from the village and is one of the most 
desirable pieces of land in the county. 

Mr. Fairfield was united in marriage in 
1870 to Miss Lizzie Carlisle, and they have 
been blessed with one child — Nellie A., 
born in November, 1871. Mrs. Fairfield 
isa native of Ohio, and received her educa- 
tion in Minnesota, where she had moved with 
her parents when quite young. Mr. Fair- 
field is one of the prominent business citizens 
of the village. 



!^M\'SS JULIA O'BRIEN. The subject 
of our present article is the editor 
and proprietor of the Press, a weekl}' jour- 
nal, published at Atwater, Kandiyohi county, 
Minnesota, and she is the only lady publisher 
in the central or northern portion of Minne- 
sota. She has already attained considerable 
prominence in newsjiajier circles of the State, 
as she is a lady of excellent literar}^ attain- 
ments, a ])ungent and capable writer, and an 
indefatigable worker. 

Miss O'Brien was born at Rochester, Olm- 
sted county, Minnesota, and is the daughter 
of John and Anna (Tierney) O'Brien, both 
of whom were natives of Ireland. Her 
father came to America when nineteen years 
of age, and after stopping a short time in 
Ottawa, Canada, in 1849 or 1850 went to 
California. There he was employed in the 
mines for about ten years, and at the expira- 
tion of that time settled in Olmsted county, 
Minnesota, where he was one of the pioneers. 



736 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



He enofiiged in farming and remained there 
until 1808, when he came with his famih' to 
Kandiyohi county, Minnesota, andsettledon 
a fai-m on Diamond Lake, Harrison town- 
siiij), about three miles from the village of 
Atwater. There he remained engaged in 
tilling the soil until his death, which occurred 
in April, 1887. He was a man of high char- 
acter, and his death was sincerely regretted 
by a wide circle of friends. The widow and 
most of the family are still living on the 
old homestead. 

Julia O'Brien, whose name heads our pres- 
ent article, received the most of her educa- 
tion in the district schools of Kandiyohi 
county, supplementing this with a course of 
study in the convent of " Our Lady of 
Lourdes," at St. JMichael's, twenty miles from 
Minnea])olis. She also spent one 3'ear in a 
seminary at Rochester, pursuing the studies 
of painting ami music. After leaving the 
convent she returned to Kandiyohi county 
and enraffed in teachino- during the summer 
months and visiting home during the winter. 
This she continued for six or seven years, 
when, early in 1888, she became the proprie- 
tor of the Atwater Press and all its appur- 
tenances, buying out the interest of D. P. R. 
Strong. The paper is republican in politics. 



ps^vJHRlSTOPHER L. COULTER, one of 
'^y the most prominent and highly re- 
sj)ected citizens of the vicinity of Mallory, 
in I'olk county, Minnesota, is a resident of 
section 22, Huntsville township. He is one 
of the representative farmers of that 
locality, and is rated as one of the 
most solid and suljstantial citizens of 
that count}'. He is a native of Ontario, 
Canada, born August 31, 1853, and is a son 
of Christopher and Elizabeth (Lee) Coulter. 
The parents were natives of Scotland, but 
were early settlers in Canada. Our subject, 



Christopher L. Coulter, was reared on a 
farm, and at an earh'^ age began to earn his 
own living. He remained in Canada until 
ISfiG, when he came to Minnesota with his 
parents and they located on a farm in 
Winona county. Our subject remained 
tiiere until the spring of 188<t, when became 
to Polk county, Minnesota, and purchased 
240 acres of land on section 22, Huntsville 
township. His farm lies adjoining the village 
of ]\Iallory, and he has neat and comfortable 
building improvements adjoining the village 
plat. The depot and a portion of the village 
is located on his land. Mr. Coulter has 
taken an active interest in all matters of a 
public nature, and is highW regarded both 
as a neighbor and an exemplar}- citizen. 

Mr. Coulter was married m "Winona 
county, Minnesota, to Miss Arabella French, 
a daughter of Oilman and Sereptha (Phillips) 
Fi'ench. Their marriage has been blessed 
by the advent of the following-named 
cliildren — Lillie P., "Wilber, Pearl and Leona. 
The family are members of the Methodist 
Ejiiscopal church. 



-.^^ 



-^> 



lOHN H. ANDERSON, the register of 
deeds of Pembina county. North Da- 
kota, is one of the best known busmess men 
of that localitj'. He was born in Pecatonica, 
Winnebago county, Illinois, September 2, 
1854, and is a son of Henry and Hilda 
Anderson, who were both natives of Sweden, 
but who came to the United States at an 
early day. Our subject remained at home 
attending school until he was eighteen 
years of age, when he began clerking in a 
general merchandise store at Carver, ilin- 
nesota. A short time later, in company with 
G. Sunwall, he engaged in the general mei"- 
chandise business at Walnut Grove, Retlwood 
county, Minnesota. Eighteen months later 
they sold out and our subject afterward 



PARK RF.GIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



737 



re-engaged in business there in company ■with 
J. R. Fitch. In 1878 he sold his interest to 
Fitch and for six months devoted his atten- 
tion to the study of hiw with attoi'ney David 
M. Thorp. At the expiration of that time 
he engaged in the drug business at Wahiut 
Grove and continued in this until May 19, 
1882, also serving as postmaster from August 
1, 1878, until May 19, 1882. On the date 
last mentioned he sold out and removed to 
the Red River Yalle}', settling at St. Thomas, 
Pembina county, North Dakota. There for 
eighteen months he clerked for different 
merchants, and then went to the Turtle 
Mountains, where for ten months he lived on 
a claim which he had pre-empted. At the 
expiration of that time he "proved up" and 
returned to St. Thomas. He' engaged in 
clerking from July 1, 1SS<>, to January 1, 1887, 
then for several months was idle. On the 
17th of April, 1887, he formed a partnership 
with M. W. Hanson and they opened a gen- 
eral merchandise store at St. Thomas, which 
they still carry on. In November, 1888, 
Mr. Anderson was elected register of deeds 
of Pembina county on the democratic ticket, 
and on the 5th of December following he 
removed to Pembina to take charge of the 
office. 

Mr. Anderson is an honored member of 
the Masonic fraternitJ^ He has taken an 
active part in public affairs, and any laudable 
home enterprise i-eceives his aid and encour- 
agement. He was the first chairman of the 
supervisors of St. Thomas township, and has 
been village treasurer of St. Thomas ever 
since the village was incorporated. 

Mr. Anderson was married in Walnut 
Grove, Minnesota, May 4, 1876, to Miss 
Carrie Button, a daughter of Peter F. and 
Randi Button, Avho were both natives of 
Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the 
parents of the following-named children — 
Frank H., Rodney J., Neil Elmer and Hulda 
Lenore. 



B. ERICKSON is the secretary and 
^^ general manager of the Farmers' 
Live Stock Association, which has its head- 
quarters at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota. His office is over the First 
National Bank. Mr. Erickson is a native of 
Sweden, and was born on the 16th of August, 
1861. 

Mr. Erickson's parents were Andrew and 
Christina (Larson) Erickson, both of whom 
were natives of Sweden. The father was a 
dealer in cattle, wood and lumber, and 
also engaged in loaning money, being one of 
the prominent men of his native country. 
They had a family of five children — Axel B., 
Ellen, Gust, Carl and Oscar. 

The subject of this sketch is the only 
member of the father's family who now 
resides in America. His younger days were 
spent at home attending school. In 1879 
Mr. Erickson migrated to America, coming 
at once to Fergus Falls, where, for some time, 
he attentled the high school. Afterward he 
attended the high school at Stillwater, Min- 
nesota, and still later commenced work in 
the insurance business as agent for the 
United States Mutual Insurance Company ; 
also was connected for four years with the 
World's Industrial Insurance Company, 
after which he turned his attention to live- 
stock insurance, organizing the company of 
which he is- the present manager in 1887. 
Mr. Erickson is a young man, but is thor- 
oughly alive to the needs of the farmer, and 
is pushing his company to its utmost limit. 
He has worked up a first-class business in 
the immediate vicinity of Fergus Falls, and 
his agents are at work all over the North- 
west. The officers and directors of this 
association are as follows : George W. Shel- 
den, president; James Compton, treasurer; 
A. B. Erickson, secretary and general man- 
ager. The directors are A. B. Erickson, H. 
Iluhlmann, P. P. Lokher, George W. Shel- 
den, W. H. Davenport, E. Larson, K. A. 



738 



RKD RIVER VALLE Y AND 



Harris, H. P. H. Stevens, F. Kuhlmann, F. 
Peters, and Nels Bergerson. The company 
has thirty-tive agents traveh'ng through the 
Western States working up their business. 

In politics Mr. Erickson is a democrat, 
and is indeed one of the rising young busi- 
ness men of the city and State. 

Mr. Ei'ickson was married in 1888 to Miss 
Nettie Johnson, a native of Norway. 



^■i^ 



«^- 



ILLIAM H. ALLEY, of Hallock, is 
^L county attorney and one of the 
leading members of the bar of Kittson 
county, Minnesota. He was born at China, 
near Augusta, Maine, Februar}- 28, 1855, and 
is a son of Elias H. and Ann H. (Braggs) 
Alley. When onr subject was between two 
and three years of age his parents removed 
to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he was 
reared to manhood. He received an excellent 
education, attending the common schools 
until he was eighteen, when he entered 
Hood's Seminary, when it was first opened, 
took a thorough course and graduated from 
that institution. He then took a course in 
the St. Paul Business College, after which 
he kept books in a hub and spoke factory in 
a AVisconsin town. Ileturning then to Eed 
Wing, he kept books there until the spring 
of 1880, wlien lie removed to Kittson county, 
Minnesota, and opened a grocer}^ store at 
Hallock. He conducted tliis until 1SS3, 
when he sold out and has since been 
engaged in the practice of law. He 
first began his legal studies while keeping 
books in Wisconsin and has kept up 
his study ever since. He is a well-read 
lawyer, a hard student and a safe counsel. 
He has met with excellent success at the bar, 
and stands higli in the community, both pro- 
fessionally and as an exemplary citizen. He 
was elected county attorney of Kittson 
county in the fall of 1888 on the republican 



ticket, and still holds that office. He has 
been village attorne}^ village recorder and 
has held various other local offices. 

Mr. Alley was married at Durand, Wiscon- 
sin, June 25, 1875, to Miss Emma Benson, a 
daughter of Orrin W. and Emma ifary 
Benson. Their marriage has been blessed 
with the following children — Arthur H., 
Archibald and Myrtle. 



gi DAM SCHMITZ is one of the leading 
p^\_ business men of Red Lake Falls, 
Polk county, Minnesota, where he is engaged 
in the harness trade. He was born in Cal- 
umet county, Wisconsin, August 18, 1800. 

Mr. Schmitz' parents were John and Ger- 
trude (Ott) Schmitz, natives of northern 
Germany. The ]iarents lived near the river 
Rhine in their native land, and wei-e 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. They 
came to the United States some years before 
the subject of our sketch was born, and set- 
tled in Calumet county. Wisconsin, where 
tliey engaged in farming. 

The subject of our sketch lived witii liis 
parents on the farm until he was fourteen 
}^ears of age. He then went to Ilibert and 
apprenticed to learn the harnessmaker's 
trade, at which he served three years. The 
following four years were spent hy him in 
work in tiie same shop. He then removed to 
Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, where 
he worked at his trade for two years, thence 
removing to Chilton, Calumet count\', 
same State. After one j'ear spent in the 
latter place, in Octoljer, 188-1, he went to Red 
Lake Falls, Polk county, Minnesota, where 
he opened up in business for himself. By put- 
ting in practice his good business ideas and by 
care and thrift he has built up an extensive 
trade, and has made many warm friends. 
He has come to be one of the substantial 
business men of the village. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



739 



Mr. Schmitz was united in marriage in 
Wooolville, Calumet county, Wisconsin, to 
Miss Maggie Kees, a daughter of John and 
Anna (Thiel) Kees, natives of Germany. 
This marriage lias been blessed with one 
child — Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz are 
both leading members of the Catholic 
church. 



w 



'HOMAS W. DUNLAP is one of the 
leading and most influential business 
men of Autlubon, Becker county, Minnesota, 
where he is engaged in the general merchan- 
dise trade. For several years he also handled 
lumber, but that was only continued for a 
short period. His attention is now given 
e.xclusively to his mercantile business, which 
has grown to large dimensions. 

Mr. Dunlap was born in the northern part 
of Ireland, near Armagh, October 9, 1845. 
His parents were James and Jane (McMeans) 
Dunlap, who came to the United States in 
1866, settling first in Ohio. They lived for 
a time in Kentuck}^ and then removed to 
Illinois, where the father still lives. The 
mother lives with the subject of our sketch. 
In the father's family there were thirteen 
children, nine of whom grew to man and 
womanhood — Thomas W., Kobert, Alexan- 
der M., Mary Ann, John G., Eliza J., James, 
Adam and Margaret M. 

The subject of our sketch remained with 
his parents during his early life, and was 
given the advantage of a good education. 
He continued his scholastic training until he 
was twenty j'ears of age, having taught 
school for one year up to that time. He 
then engaged in the profession of teaching 
for one year, when, in 1866, he came with 
his parents to the United States. For three 
years he engaged in clerking in Ohio, and 
from thence removed to Livingston countv, 
Illinois, where he taught school for one year. 
His next move was to Carlton county, Min- 



nesota, where he engaged in clerking in a gen- 
eral store for about a year. Leaving that place 
he went to Audubon, Becker county, same 
State, where he has since resided, and where 
he has built up a large and increasing 
business. 

Mr. Dunlap, in April, 1880, was wedded to 
Miss Emma L. Rollins, a native of Minnesota, 
born in Anoka county. This union has been 
blessed with five children^ — Jennie L., Flor- 
ence Ada, Winnifred E., Alexander Leonard, 
and a babe, unnamed. 

Mr. Dunlap is a man of sterling business 
qualities, is honest and upright in all his 
dealings with his fellow men, and enjoj's the 
esteem and confidence of all who know him. 
His worth as an official has been tested in 
many ways and he has been found to be cor- 
rect and painstaking. He has held the fol- 
lowing offices : Village treasurer, township 
treasurer, and was postmaster of Audubon 
for a term of four years. He is at present 
township supervisor and chairman of the 
board of county commissioners of Becker 
county. In politics he is a stanch republi- 
can, and is a leading member of the Congre- 
gational church, of which he is the present 
treasurer. In his business ventures he has 
been eminently successful, and besides his 
general store in the village, owns a one-half 
interest in 210 acres of land and the stock 
thereon. 



yL? tai 



HOMAS E. YERXA. The most impor- 
tant mercantile establishment which 
greets the stranger entering Fargo is the 
immense wholesale and retail emjiorium 
of T. E. Yerxa, who deals in dry goods, 
clothing, boots and shoes and groceries. 
This is one of the largest, if not the largest, 
general mercantile house in Dakota, and 
certainl}^ is one of the best known and most 
popular, for it was established originally in 
1875 by Mr. W. A. Yerxa, brother of the 



740 



RED RIVER VALLE V AND 



present proprietor, who was one of Fargo's 
pioneer citizens, and who was at that time its 
maj'or. T. E. Yerxa, the pi-esent proprietor, 
bought his brother's interest in 1884, and has 
since that time operated on iiis own account, 
and with marked and increasing success. 

T. E. Yerxa first came to Fargo in 1878, 
and lie remained two years in the employ of 
liis brother, W. A. Yerxa. He then left to 
go into business in Pembina, Dakota, where 
he remained four years. He was in the gen- 
eral merchandising buiness in Pembina and 
operated branch stores all through the 
county. He was ver}'^ successful there, and 
was one of the best-known and most popular 
men in that section. It was from this point 
he came in 1884, when he moved to Fargo 
and engaged in iiis present business; intro- 
ducing the same wise and correct business 
methods which prevailed in Pembina, he has 
built up a large and lucrative Ctisli business. 
His store is on the same combination plan as 
Lehmann's famous "Fair," of Chicago, with 
the single excei)tion that, wliereas Lehmann's 
establisliment in several departments is con- 
trolled by others, Mr. Yerxa's is controlled 
and managed solely by himself. He operates 
four distinct stores or departments under 
one roof, namely, dry goods, clothing, boots 
and shoes and groceries, carrying an aggre- 
gate stock of §100,000, em))loyingtwenty-live 
people and doing a business of from §250,000 
to $300,000 a year. He has unquestionably 
the largest stock of dr\' goods in tlie city and 
is doing the bulk of the business. This in a 
measure is a brief outline of Mr. Yerxa's 
business cai'eer, and it is not hard to diagnose 
a few other reasons, in an .analysis of Mr. 
Yerxa's successful business career, which 
have contributed to liis steady advances in 
business. 

Mr. Yerxa is a mild and pleasant gentle- 
man, conservative in his habits, considerate 
and courteous to his employes and does not 
live in a fog of business worry. He prefers 



sunshine to shadow and his pleasant face in 
any store would make customei's feel at ease. 
The same sjiirit of common-sense courtesy 
prevails among the emploj^es, and all work 
in a sjiirit of harmony for the general result. 
The writer spent a few pleasant moments 
in Mr. "Yerxa's company and from him 
learned many things in reference to tiie ell'ect 
of prohibition (which has been a question 
much agitated) on the trade of the city. He 
said it may stagnate business for a while, but 
it would have no permanent effect. He said 
it was absurd to think that money must filter 
tlirough a saloon before it readies the legiti- 
mate channels of trade, and thinks the country 
is a producing country and not dependent on 
the liquor traific for revenue. From his stand- 
point business is in a healthy condition and 
the outlook for Fargo is more promising 
than at any time since the " boom." 

Thomas E. Yerxa, whose name heads our 
present article, was boi'n on the 2-Hh of 
November, 1851, near Fredericton, New 
Brunswick, and is a son of Abram and Eliz- 
abeth (White) Yerxa, who were natives of 
New Brunswick and Maine, respectively. 
The parents raised a large family, the fol- 
lowing being a record of their children — 
Mary Jane, now Mrs. Jouett, of Boston, 
Massachusetts ; Catharine, now Mrs. Joiin 
Cooper, of Niles, Michigan ; Whitfield, mar- 
ried Miss Lizzie Barber, and lives in Minne- 
a])olis ; Morilda, now Mrs. Thorne, of St 
John, New Brunswick ; Woodford A., mar- 
ried Eva Gould and lives in Minneapolis;. 
Thomas E., our subject; Annie, single ami 
living with the parents in Minneajiolis ; Le 
Baron, married iliss Carrie Potter and lives 
in Salt Lake Citv ; Ida, now Mrs. Nesmith, 
of Minneapolis ; Emma Blanch, now Mrs. 
Miner, of Minneapolis ; Fj'ed P., married 
Nellie Cabot, of Boston, Massachusetts ; and 
Nella, now Mrs. Keith, of Alinneapolis. 

Thomas E. Yerxa's earl}' life was spent at 
home in attendance upon the common 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



741 



schools. When he was eleven years of age 
lie commenced clerking in a store at Fred- 
ericton, in which he I'emained for two j^ears. 
He then, with the balance of the family, 
removed to St. John, New Brunswick, where 
our subject again began clerking, which he fol- 
lowed there for three years. He then left 
home and started in life alone, coming to St. 
Paul, Minnesota, in March, 1869. There he 
began clerking for Cathcart &Co., dry goods 
merchants, anil remained with them for seven 
years, or during the time the}' continued in 
business. He then clerked for D. W. Ingersoll 
& Co. in the same line for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time, in 1878, he came 
to Fargo, and clerked for Goodman & Yerxa 
until the spring of 18S0. He then went to 
Pembina, North Dakota, and bought out the 
firm of Judson Lamoure & Company. He 
soon afterward established and purchased 
branch stores at Cavileer, Hamilton and 
Eeaulieu, North Dakota. lie ran these, 
together with his main store, until June, 
1884, when he disposed of his interests there 
and came to Fargo and purchased the stock, 
building and business of W. A. Yerxa & 
Comjian}'^, as has already been stated in the 
foregoing portion of this article. He has 
since carried on the business, and his success 
is attested by the fact that he is to-day the 
heaviest merchant in North Dakota. He is 
a man of the highest moral character and 
integrity, and his word is recognized as being 
as good as a bond. An active member of 
the Presbyterian church and an earnest and 
sincere worker in Sunday-school and all 
other moral matters, no man in the city is 
more highly esteemed. He is an honored 
member of the Masonic fraternity. He has 
always taken a deep interest in all matters 
calculated to aid in the development of the 
city, and every laudable enterprise receives 
Ills (;arnest support and encouragement. He 
affiliates with the republican party in polit- 
ical matters. 



Mr. Yerxa was married at St. Paul to Miss 
Ida M. Parsons, a daughter of John R. and 
Sallie P. (Putnam) Parsons. She was born 
in Augusta, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Yerxa 
have been the parents of the following- 
named children — Alice Maud, who died in 
St. Paul when nineteen months old ; Thomas 
F., Herbert Pt., Charles W., Ernest L. B., 
Mabel M. and Myrtle M. (twins). 



-i^ 



^^EORGE A. WHITNEY is one of the 
x^^ leading merchants and business men 
of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota. 
He has been prominently identified with 
business interests of that locality for a num- 
ber of years and his name is indissolubly 
associated with the history of the growth 
and development of both the village and sur- 
rounding country. He has taken an active 
interest in all matters of a public nature, and 
has held various local offices, ahvaj's doing 
his full share to aid any public work affect- 
ing the welfare of his home. Enterprising 
and liberal, a man of the strictest integrity, 
he stands high in the esteem of all who know 
him, and his word is considered as good as 
a bond. He is an honored member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and is the pre- 
sent senior vice-commander of the Park 
Region Encampment Association. 



..^^ 



«^^^ 



.V A. BOWMAN is one of the members 
of the firm of S. N. Horneck & Co., 
dealers in general merchandise, Detroit, 
Becker county, Minnesota. This gentleman 
has been located in this village since ISSO, 
and has taken a prominent and influential 
place among the business men in the county. 
He is a native of Buffalo, New York, where 
he was born in 1840. 



742 



RED KIVER VALLE Y AND 



The jiarents of the subject of our sketch 
were Eli II. and Ahyada (Josh'ii) Bowman, 
the former a native of New York and the 
hitter of Vermont. Tiie father, during the 
mo.st of his life, was engaged in farming, and 
to some extent in the milling business. Com- 
ing to Minneapolis in 1S66 he there engaged 
m the miUing business with considerable suc- 
cess, and from thence removed to Heron 
Lake, Jackson county, Minnesota. In the 
latter place he turned his attention to the 
lumber business and retained his residence 
there until his death, which occurred in 1881. 
The mother is still living with her children. 
Of the father's family there are now four 
children living — Melissa (now Mrs. O. B. 
King, of Minneapolis); Marv (now Mrs. L. 
Crary, of Webster City, Iowa); Ella (now 
Mrs. B. Detler, also of "Webster City, Iowa), 
and the subject of our sketch. The father 
was a man of much prominence wherever he 
lived, being a man of excellent qualities, and 
possessed of a good education. He held the 
office of justice of the peace, and was also 
postmaster for some years. The grandfather 
of the subject of our sketch was Benjamin 
Bowman, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
came to New York and settled ten miles east 
of Buffalo earl}^ in the present century. At 
that place he laid out a town and named it 
Bowmansville, it being in Erie county, ISTew 
York. He was engaged in milling and 
farming in the county in which he lived 
until his death. He reared a family of ten 
children, only one of whom is now living. 
Palmer S., now a resident of Bowmansville, 
and aged sixty-Four years. The Bowmans 
were all men noted for their stability of 
charactci', their honesty and faithfulness to 
every duty, and were revered by every one 
with whom they came in contact. They 
were men of worth and wealth, and occupied 
prominent positions wherever they lived. 

The subject of our sketch spent his child- 
hood davs in the town which bore the 



I 



family name in New York. His time was 
occupied with work on the farm and in the 
mill, and also in attending school. This life 
continued until the breaking out of the war, 
when he enlisted in Company E, Sevent3'- 
eighth" Regiment, New York Volunteer 
Infantry. He was with this regiment in the 
service eleven months, being promoted to the 
position of sergeant. He was taken sick at 
Little Washington, in A^irginia, and was 
then discharged on account of disabilities. 
After his discharge he returned to the State 
of New York, going to Buffalo, where, after 
recovering his health, he attended Hick's 
Commercial College. Graduiiting from that 
institution in 1SG3, he then eno-aged as book- 
keeper in the drug store of W. II. Peabody, 
continuing in that employment for two 
years. Changing his line of business, he 
was employed in the United States Express 
office for one year at Buffalo. At the end 
of this period he commenced a very satis- 
factory and profitable engagement with 
Sidney Shepard & Company, jobbers and 
manufacturers of tinware. He remained 
with this company as their head book-keeper 
for fourteen years, and then severed his con- 
nections with them so that he might come 
West and engage in business for himself. 
Then in 1880 he went to Detroit, Minnnesota, 
where he had been in company with his 
present partner in the same business since 
1873, the partner having had cliarge of their 
affairs since that date. TIjc liiinojiened the 
third business house in the village and are 
now the pioneer mcrciiants of tlie place. 

Mr. Bowman was married in lS6t) to ]\Iiss 
Eva L. Mooney, daughter of G. V. and E. 
Mooney, of Buffalo, New York. One son 
has blessed this union — Horace W. 

Mr. Bowman is one of the most influential 
citizens of the county, and has identified 
himself with tlie local and state politics of 
the democratic part3\ He is a member of 
the G. A. R.,"; P. C. Choat Post, No. (17, 



PARK REGlOyS OF MINNESOTA 



743 



and takes a lively interest in all matters of 
this nature. He was president of the city 
council in 1SS2, and has held other positions 
of trust and responsibility with credit to 
himself and with profit to his constituenc\\ 
He has purchased largely of city property 
and lives in a fine residence on Washington 



-«"! 



avenue. 



'%'.:;f'lLLiAM P. CLEVELAND, M. D., 
Jt'jlL the county physician and surgeon 
of Traill county, North Dakota, is one of the 
most prominent and widely -known residents 
of Caledonia. He is one of the leading ph\'- 
sicians in the Eed River Valley, and stands 
high in his profession both as a medical 
scholar and a practitioner. He was the first 
regular graduate to locate in Traill county, 
and the eniinent success which has crowned 
his efforts is indeed well deserved. 

Dr. Cleveland was born in Madison, Somer- 
set county, Maine, August 10, 1848, and is a 
lineal descendant of the same family from 
which ex-President Grover Cleveland springs. 
His father was Hon. Dinsmore Cleveland, 
who for a number of years was a member of 
the house and senate of the Maine legisla- 
ture. Our subject received a thorough 
classical and medical education in Bowdoin 
College, Maine, graduating in medicine 
June -i, 1879, and received the degree of M. D. 
He spent nine months in the general hospital 
at Portland, Maine, acquiring an invaluable 
experience, and he is to-day one of the best 
educated physicians in Dakota. In Septem- 
ber, 1879, he came to Caledonia, Traill 
county. North Dakota, where he has since 
followed his profession. He iiolds the first 
license (No. 1) granted to a physician to 
practice medicine in Dakota. He has been 
very successful in his practice both in a pro- 
fessional and a financial sense, and now owns 
a comfortable propei'ty, besides ]jossessing 
the most complete set of surgical instruments 



in North Dakota. He is a prominent factor 
in all matters which affect the welfare of 
Caledonia or vicinity. He is an honored 
member of the Odd-Fellows fi'aternity, was a 
charter member and was the first noble grand 
of the Caledonia Lodge, and has filled various 
otheroffices in that organization. He has been 
a member and surgeon of the board of health 
for a number of years, and is a representative 
man in every sense of the word. 

Dr. Cleveland was married at Anson, Som- 
erset countv, Maine, January 5, 1878, to 
Miss Sarah G. Pinkhani. a daughter of Hon. 
N. and Nancy (Marsh) Pinkham, who were 
natives of New Hampshire. Her father was 
a leatling politician, and represented his 
county for several terms in the Maine legis- 
lature. He came to Dakota with our subject 
and died here. The Dr. and Mrs. Cleveland 
are the parents of one son — Willie Elmore, 
born May 8, 1881. 

Mrs. Cleveland is engaged in raising and 
breeding Shetland ponies, and has a nice 
herd of these beautiful little animals. She 
has one pony which took the second prize at 
the Chicago State fair, and five of her ponies 
are registered animals. The doctor is fre- 
quently seen on the road with a "four-in- 
hand " team of the little roadsters, and it 
requires more than an ordinary team to 
" throw dust in their faces " as the familiar 
saying goes. It will be of interest to state 
that Dr. Cleveland is a relative of Prof. 
Cleveland of the college from which he 

graduated. 

_ ■ ^. , , 



/^^EORGE N. BIRD, the present post. 
>©r master at Clitherall, Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, is one of the most promi- 
nent business men of that localit\'. He was 
born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, on the 
18th of May, 1854, and is a son of Amos 
and Maria (Strong) Bird, both of whom were 
natives of New York State. The father 



744 



RED RTTTIR VAI.LE Y AND 



removed to Wisconsin in 1849 and settled in 
Walwortii county, where he was one of the 
pioneers and where George was born. When 
our subject was about thirteen years old the 
family removed to Hock county, Wisconsin, 
where the parents still reside. 

George N. Bird remained at home, helping 
his father on the farm and attending school 
until he was about twenty-one years old. At 
tliat time he learned the millwright trade and 
also of elevator building. For seven months 
he worked while he remained at home and then 
went to Elgin, Illinois, where he followed the 
same kind of work until the latter part of 
1876. lie then went to Winona, Minnesota, 
and for three years worked in various towns, 
going as far west as Tracy, Minnesota. He 
then went to Minneapolis and followed mill- 
wrighting and elevator work for two j'ears, 
then came up the Northern Pacific Railway 
and for two years was emploj'ed \>^ the 
Northern Pacific Elevator Company. In the 
spring of 1884, in company with C. B. Wheeler, 
he bought the building in which the post- 
office at Clitherall is now located. They 
improved the building, raised and enlarged it, 
making it some thirty feet longer and opened 
a complete hardware store. They continued 
the business in partnership until ^lay, 1888, 
when it was dissolved and Mr. Bird carried 
on the business alone until December, 1888, 
wlien he traded the stock for a farm, but 
still owns the building. On the first of 
December, 1888, he was ap]3ointed post- 
master by President Cleveland, notwithstand- 
ing the fact that he is a stanch republican. 
This will indicate his standing in the com- 
munity. He is a capable business man and a 
man of strict integritv. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and takes an active 
interest in public affairs, being at this writing 
a member of the school board. 

Mr. Bird was married February 14, 1885, 
to Miss Edna Keyes, and they have one child 
— Clement. 



l^RANK B. SIMMONS, editor and pro- 
JPr ])rietor of the Long Pi'airie Leader, 
is one of the leading citizens of Todd countj% 
Minnesota, and one of the best-known news- 
]iaper men in the northern part of the State. 
Mr. Simmons was born in Morrison county, 
Minnesota, January 18, 1859, and is a son of 
Dr. J. O. Simmons. The latter was born in 
Westfield, Medina county, Ohio, January 12, 
1821, and was the son of Jonathan Simmons. 
Dr. Simmons came to Little Falls, Mmne- 
sota, in 1856, being one' of the pioneer set- 
tlers of that locality. He still lives there. 
The mother of our subject was Harriette H. 
(Lee) Siminons, a nafive of Ontario county, 
New York, and a daughter of Amos Lee. 
She died in 1869, being at that time forty- 
seven years of age. Dr. Simmons and wife 
were the parents of eight childi'on, seven 
boys and one girl, five of whom are now 
living, as follows — Mary Jane, who married 
A. Tanner, a merchant and pioneer of Little 
Falls, and one of the leading men of that 
vicinity ; Jonathan, a merchant of Little 
Falls, where he has been a very jirominent 
man in j)ublic affairs, having represented his 
district in the State senate from 1878 to 
1882 ; Charles G., formerly of Long Prairie 
and now a resident of Little Falls ; W. L., 
of Minneapolis, and our subject. Dr. Sim- 
mons was also a pioneer of Bismarck, Nortii 
Dakota, having located there in 1872, but 
afterwards returned to Little Falls. He still 
owns a quarter section of land adjoining tlie 
plat of liisniarck. 

Frank B. Siminons, whose name lu-ads our 
present article, received his education princi- 
pally at Little Falls, Minnesota, coni[)leting 
it, however, with a ten mon ths' course at 
the Jeff'erson School. In 1874 he went to Bis- 
marck, Dakota, and remained for a short 
time on the home farm with his parents. 

In tiie spring of 1876 he went to Ontai'io 
county. New York, where for five years he 
clerked in a general store at Allen's Hill. In 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



745 



July, 1880, he returned to Minnesota and 
engaged in the printing business at Little 
Falls as a job printer in the Transcript 
office. In 1881, with W. M. Fuller, he pur- 
chased tlie Little Falls Transcript. In June, 
1SS3, he sold out his interests there, and in 
November of the same year came to 
Long Pi'airie and at once established the 
Leader, which he has since conducted. The 
paper has an extensive circulation and has 
a powerful influence in local affairs. Mr. 
Simmons is an able writer, and a man of 
wide reading and excellent business ability. 
He is an honored member of the Masonic 
fraternity and is an acJtive participant in all 
moves calculated to advance the interests of 
his home. 

Mr. Simmons was married July 13, 1884, 
to Miss Emily C. Lee, a native of Swan 
Eiver, Morrison county, Minnesota, and a 
daughter of Samuel Lee, one of the pioneers 
of that locality. 

«"S^^-^ — - 



, EORGE E. DOBELL, proprietor of 




the cigar factory and wholesale and 
retail tobacco store at Grand Forks, North 
Dakota, is rapidly attaining an excellent 
reputation in his line, and has already 
secured an extensive and lucrative business. 
Mr. Dobell Avas born in Rock county, 
Wisconsin, October 27. 1862, and is a son of 
Thomas C. and Mary (Winegar) Dobell, who 
were natives, respectively, of England and 
New York State. When our subject was 
about eighteen months old his pai'cnts re- 
moved to Independence, Iowa. There he 
grew to manhootl and received his education, 
attending- school until he was about eighteen 
years old. He then went to Elgin and 
worked in the woolen mills at that place 
for about two yeai-s. At the exi)iration 
of that time he again returned to Inde- 



pendence, where he learned the cigar- 
maker's trade and worked for a little 
over two years. He then went to 
Marion, Iowa, where he Avas employed at 
his trade for about six months. We next 
find him at Vinton, Iowa, where he, in com- 
pany with his brother, E. L. Dobell, opened a 
cigar factory and tobacco store, carrying on 
a wholesale and retail trade. They con- 
tinued in business together for about three 
years, Avhen our subject sold his interest to 
his brother and removed to Grand Forks, 
arriving there in the fall of 1885. Here he 
formed a partnership Avith his brother, J. H. 
Dobell, and they opened a cigar factory. 
The partnership Avas continued until June, 
1887, Avhen George E. bought out his 
brother's interest and has since been carrying 
on the business alone. On the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1888, he commenced carrying on a 
a Avholesale and retail tobacco business in 
connection Avith his factor^', keeping an 
excellent stock of domestic and imported 
goods and has met Avith Avell-merited success. 
He also has an interesting museum in con- 
nection, such as Indian relics, bows, arrows, 
pipes, guns, pistols, war clubs, etc., together 
Avith a large collection of old and odd coins. 
His Indian collection was secured from the 
Indians. 

The factory turns out as fine an article of 
cigars as can be found in the Northwest, and 
his home patronage attests the fact that they 
are apjireciated. ilr. Dobell is a member of 
the Knights of Pythias of Grand Forks. 




IISHIEV. FATHER E. KENNY, priest of the 
Catholic church in Grafton, North 
Dakota, is a native of Ireland. HeAvasborn 
in Licketstown, County Kilkenny, on the 21st 
of May, 1855, and is a son of Richard and 
Ellen (Delahuntz) Kenn}', also natives of 
Ireland. 



746 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



Rev. Kenny remained on the home farm 
with his ]iarents, attending school until he 
was about sixteen years old, when he ^yent 
to Waterfoid and entered St. John's Semi- 
naiy, whei'e he remained five years. At the 
expiration of that time he entered St. John's 
College, and graduated with high honors in 
ISSO, and was ordained to the ministry by 
BisJiop Joiin Power. Tliei'e were sixteen 
ordained at that time, the largest number 
ever ordained at one time in that college — 
all being intended for foreign missions. 
After receiving his ordination our subject 
sailed for Adelaide, South Australia, under 
Deacon Russel. Our subject had charge of 
Fort Lincoln, where he remained until June, 
1884, when he returned to his native land, 
and after remainingsonie time emigrated with 
Vicai'-General Ilealy, October 11, 1884, to 
the United States. They went to Chicopee, 
Massachusetts, where Father Kenny remained 
nntilJanuary. 1885. On the 21st of that 
month Rev. Kenny removed to Yankton, 
Dakota, ami had only lieen there about one 
week when lie was aji]iointed to take charge 
of the church at Grand Forks, North Dakota. 
Aftei' serving four months at that place he 
went to Pembina, North Dakota, and after 
remaining three months removed to Bath- 
gate, but still liaving charge of Pembina. 
After remaining at that mission for twelve 
months Father Kenney settled in Grafton, 
Nortli Dakota, in June, 1886. He had 
charge of Grafton, St. Thomas and Stokes- 
ville missions until September, 1888, and 
since that time has had charge of the Graf- 
ton and Drayton churches. He is a man of 
varied and excellent literary attainments, a 
true Christian gentleman, and one of the 
most prominent and iiighlyi-espected clergy- 
men in the Red River Region. lie is an 
exemplary citizen, a conscientious and con- 
sistent Christian worker, and is highly 
esteemed and respected by all who know 
him. 



J^ARREN WOODWORTH WOOD, 
^faiL who is buying grain in Argyle, 
Marshall county, Minnesota, for C. A. Pills- 
burV, of Minnea]3olis, Minnesota, is also 
engaged in the lumber business at Warren. 
He is a native of New York, born in Camillus, 
Onondaga county, New York, January 1, 
1840, and is the son of James and Theodora 
(Woodworth) Wood, also natives of New 
York. 

Mr. AVood, of whom this article treats, 
remained with his parents until he was 
sixteen 3' ears old, wlien he removed with 
them to Battle Creek, Michigan, where they 
purchased a hotel and remained ten years 
in that business. Dixring this time our 
subject attended the graded schools until he 
was twenty, when he graduated from the 
Battle Creek Institute. He then entered 
Byrant, Bell & Stratton's College in Chicago, 
and after graduating returned to Battle 
Creek and clerked in his fatiier's hotel. 
They next removed to Delavan, Wiscon- 
sin, and after remaining two years went 
to Durand, Wisconsin, and purchased 900 
acres of land, on which they carried on 
stock-raising and general farming. In 1879 
the}' sold out and took the contract to open 
the Pembina farm in Marshall count}', Min- 
nesota. The farm comprised nine sections, 
and after remaining two years he took the 
contract to open up the Key Stone farms for 
Charles Lockhart and Michael Grover, of 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The former is 
president of the Standard Oil Company of 
Pittsburgh, and Mr. Grover is a well-known 
coal king of that region. Our subject and his 
father bought all necessary farming imple- 
ments for them, and were two and a half 
years in fulfilling the contract. The farms 
comjjrised nineteen sections in Norman and 
Polk counties. After completing the contract, 
our suljject was employed by C. A. Pillsbury, 
of Minneapolis, to buy grain in Argyle, and 
since that time has been employed by him. 



PARIC REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



747 



He is also engaged in the lumber business 
at Warren, and is one of tl'.e leading business 
men of this localitj'. He owns a fine resi- 
dence and five lots and is doing a heavy 
business. 

Mr. Wood was married February 10, 1865, 
to Miss Rozetta Woods, and they have been 
blessed with the following children — Walter, 
Kate and Itaymond. Mr. Wood is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, and has been 
president of tiie village board at Warren for 
four or five years. He is an exemplary citi- 
zen, and a man of integrity and honor, highly 
esteemed by all who know him. 

—■ e--j^^-^- — 

EDWIN MATTSON, a prominent 
nier and stock-raiser of Wilkin 
county, Minnesota, residing on section 17, 
township 132, range 46, is a native of Penn- 
sylvania. He was born in Delaware county, 
May 17, 1839, and is a son of Peter W. and 
Eveline (Hannum) Mattson, also natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father died in 1880, 
and tlie mother is still living on tiie old 
homestead. 

Mr. Mattson, the subject of this biograph- 
ical memoir, received his education in Dela- 
ware county, Pennsylvania, where he at- 
tended school until he was twenty-one 
years old, finishing at Crittenden's College, 
where he took both a banking and commer- 
cial course. After graduating he enlisted 
in 1861 in the Second Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry, and served untU 1864. He was on 
General Gregg's staff, and was wounded in 
the battle of Deep Bottom, as a result of 
which he was confined to the hospital for 
some time. He was tendered a captain's 
and also a major's commission, but on account 
of tiie wound he received was compelled to 
refuse. In 1879 he removed to Minnesota, 
locating in Wilkin count}^ on section 17, 
town 132, range 46, where he has since 



remained. His well-cultivated farm com- 
prises 400 acres, and is one of the most desir- 
able tracts of land in the county. In 1887 
he was elected to the State legislature from 
the Forty-fourth District, and served for two 
years. He is one of the prominent and repre- 
sentative men of the county, and has the 
will and power to advance the prosperity of 
any locality in which he ma}' reside. 

Mr. Mattson was united in marriage May 
30, 1863, to Miss Hannah R. Gause, and 
this union has been blessed with six chil- 
dren — Evalyn, Bernard, Rebecca, Edwin, 
Frank and Harlan. Mr. Mattson is a repub- 
lican in his political affiliations, and is one 
of the best-known public men in Wilkin 
county. He is a man of excellent business 
capabilities, highly esteemed by all who 
know him. 



.-«&.- 



li-^OUlS STRUETT came to Perham, Otter 
i£^ Tail county, Minnesota, in 1872, and 
opened up in the clothing business, which he 
made a specialty until the fall of 1888, when 
he put in a large general stock of goods. He 
has one of the largest stores in the town, 
and is doing an extensive and profitable 
business. 

Mr. Struett was born in Baden, Germany, 
August 24, 1847, and is the son of Adolph 
Struett, a native of German}'. His father 
was a stone-cutter by trade, and lived and 
died in the land of his nativity. 

The subject of our sketch remained in his 
native land, receiving the advantages of a 
"•ood eilucation, until he was eighteen vears 
of age. Then with his mother and three 
sisters he came to the United States and 
located at St. Cloud, Minnesota, wliere for 
three years he worked at his trade, that of 
tailoring, which he had learned in the Old 
Country. At the end of this period he 
removed to Rush Lake, Minnesota, settled on 



748 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



a homestead of IfiO acres, nnd lived thereon 
for three years. He then obtained a title to 
his land and returned to St. Cloud, where he 
remained during the following winter. Then, 
in 1872, he came to rerham, and engaged in 
his present business. He was one among 
the finst settlers in this village, some of the 
others being Mr. Kemper, the present post- 
master; Peter Schroeder and Henr}' Ged- 
man, all of whom aie still residents of the 
village. 

Mr. Struett was married in January, 1876, 
to Miss Katie Feddema, a native of Holland. 
This lady came to the United States when 
she was six years old, and settled with her 
parents in Minnesota. She was educated in 
Stearns county. IVIr. and Mi's. Struett have 
four children- — Amy, Herman, Gracie and 
Louis. 

Mr. Struett is a democrat in politics, and 
is a stanch defender of the principles pro- 
mulgated by that party. He is a careful, 
energetic business man, and has built uj) an 
extensive and profitable trade. 

■ ■■*■ ,f ^J7l^^N T- ,^^ , , 

EV. JENS I. LONNE, pastor of the 
llillsboro Lutheran circuit, and editor 
of the Apholds Basunen, a weekly periodical 
of strong temperance principles, is a resi- 
dent of llillsboro, North Dakota. He is a 
native of the kingdom of Norway, born in 
Bergen Stift, on the 12th of April, 1854, and 
is the son of Iver and Gjerbrud (Olsen) 
Lonne, also natives of that kingdom. 

Rev. Lonne remained on the home farm 
with his parents, attending school until he 
he was sixteen years old, when he went on 
the sea as a sailor, remaining in that voca- 
tion for two years. At the expiration of 
that time he entered the Balestrand Semi- 
nary, at Sogn, Norway, from which he 
graduated with high honors, and for the suc- 
ceeding eighteen months engaged in the pro- 
fession or school-teaching. In the spring of 




1876 he emigrated to the United States and 
settled in Goodhue count\', Minnesota, where 
he remained during the summer, and in the 
fall removed to i\[innoa])olis, where he 
entered the Augsburg Seminary, remaining 
five \'ears. After graduating, in June, 1881, 
he went to Grafton as a missionary, and had 
charge of the Norwegian Lutheran church 
for about two years. At the expiration of 
that time he went to Hillsboro, in Novem- 
ber, 1883, and organized the church at that 
place, also taking charge of the congrega- 
tions at Portland, one between Hillsboro 
and Maysville, another at Peynolds. and one 
between Hillsboro and Llanchard, and one 
one west of Buxton. He still has charge of 
the above churches, except the one at 
Blanchard. In 1S87 he became editor of the 
paper mentioned, and is one of the strongest 
temperance advocates in the Noi'thwest. 

He is chairman of the Scandinavian 
Temperance Society of Dakota, and has 
been a powerful factor in temperance agita- 
tion in this region. The i)aper is devoted 
wholly to temperance work, anditsinlluence 
for good has been very great. 

Mr. Lonne was married at Neeby, Polk 
county, Minnesota, on the 26th of Septem- 
ber, 1883, to Miss Ida Saugstad. and they 
are the parents of two children — George and 
Cathrina. Mrs. Lonne was born in Vernon 
county, Wisconsin, on the 15th of Janiuuy, 
1862, and is a daughter of Rev. Chi-istian 
and Randine (Johnson) Saugstad, who were 
natives of Norway. Her father is a Lutheran 
minister, who is located atCrookston, where 
he is held in high esteem. 

Mr. Lonne, whose name heads this article, 
is a man of excellent ability. A thorough 
newspaper man, and a pungent, able writer, 
he is recognized already as one of the lead- 
ing editors of the Red River Valley. A 
man of high moral character, of strict integ- 
rity, he is highly esteemed, both profession- 
ally and as an exemplary citizen. 



PARK KEGIOXS OF M/XXESOTA. 



749 



T^L J- ROSS, a well-known lawj^er of 
JLr^L Pembina, North Dakota, and one of 
the leading members of the Red River Val- 
ley bar, will form the subject of our present 
article. He was born at Ottawa, Canada, 
on the 2-tth of Jmie, 1839, and is a son of 
Hon. William A. and Janet (Durie) Ross. 
His father is judge of the county court and 
one of the most prominent citizens of that 
locality. 

H. J. Ross, whose name heads this sketch, 
grew to manhood in his native province, 
receiving his earlier education in the common 
schools, and supplemented this with a 
thorough course at a collegiate institute, fin- 
ishing; his course when about eighteen vears 
of age. He then devoted about three years 
to the study of civil engineering and fol- 
lowed this profession for some time, both in 
Canada and Dakota. In the spring of 1882 
he came to Pembina in the interest of a rail- 
road company. He followed civil engineer- 
ing and also studied law in the office of 
Gaffne}' & Kneeshaw. 

He was admitted to the bar November 21, 
1885, at a term of court presided over by 
Judge W. B. McConnell. Mr. Ross at once 
opened an office and has since been actively 
engaged in practice. He has always taken 
an active interest in public matters and 
served as the first city justice after Pembina 
was incorporated as a city. 



-*-; 



►^^ 



s,v,-j?LARENCE E. BULLARD, attorney-at- 
law, is one of the earliest settlers and 
most active and enterprising business men in 
Verndale, Wadena county, Minnesota. Pie 
came to this ])lace in March, 1878, wiien the 
vila<i:e consisted of but one small Iniildina; 
on the south side of the railroad track, and 
one residence on the north side, built by 
Judge Smith some time during tiie previous 
fall. When he came there was no depot 



and not even a platform at which the trains 
might stop for passengers to get on or off. 
As to signs of a town there were none, 
although a village had Ijeen jilatted at that 
place. But, as the village of Wadena was 
only seven miles west, and Aldrich but four 
miles east, and both of these towns were 
started by the railroad company, there was 
notliing done to encourage or support Vern- 
dale. So for a time it seemed that the effort 
to establish a new town on the raih'oad was 
to fail utterly. A few people kept coming, 
however, until the littje settlement began to 
take on the aspect of a village. Then the 
citizens and new-comers raised some three 
hundred dollars, and donated more or less 
work, and by this means succeeded in hav- 
ing the railroad company [)ut in a side track, 
so the people could have their supj)lies 
delivered to them in the luanner customary 
in a railroad town. Mr. Buliard first 
engaged at carpenter work, which occupa- 
tion he followed for a short time. Soon he 
saw the necessity and advantage of handling 
farm machinery', so he put in a stock and 
carried on that kind of business in connection 
with his other work. The betyinnino- was 
small and business was trifling, but, as the 
surrounding countrj' became more thickly 
settled, business increased, and, in the year 
1880, he sold about twelve car loads of 
machinery. In the spring of 1881 he gave 
up the farm implement trade and opened a 
law, loan and real estate office. In Novem- 
ber of that 3^ear he had associated with him, 
as partner, James Law, with whom he con- 
tinued in business for some six years. 

Mr. Buliard is a native of Fort Madison, 
Iowa, where he was born in 18-^3. He is 
the son of Lorenzo and Sophronia Buliard. 
The parents drove with a team fi'om Gen- 
esee county, New York, to Fort Madison, 
Iowa, in 1836, at a time when Minnesota, 
Wisconsin and Iowa were all one Territor\'. 
Mr. Bullard's oldest sister was the first child 



750 



REP Rirj-.K ]'ALI.EY AXn 



born in the Territory of Iowa after its organ- 
ization, and she was named Iowa, after the 
Territory. 

In July, 1840, tlic fiunil y moved to Menom- 
onee, Wisconsin, wlierethe fatiier was largely 
interested in the lumber business. They 
were miles from the outposts of civilization, 
in tiie midst of a wild countrj', their nearest 
postofiice being at Prairie du Chien, a dis- 
tance of 280 miles, !^^ail was obtained by 
them about twice a year — in the spring and 
in tiie fall. Mrs. Bullard and two others 
were tiie only white women within 100 
miles, and, as in the fai'ther ^Vest, were a 
wonder to the natives. The Indians were 
almost constant visitors, and on account of 
their thieving and meddlesome ])ro])ensities 
occasioned many an odd and critical ex- 
perience to these whites. For some years 
their sole dependence for provisions was in 
the Government boats which brought sup- 
plies to the soldiers at Fort Snelling. Mr. 
Bullard and those with him would come 
down the Chippewa river to Reed's Landing 
in their canoes and wait there until some 
Government boat came up the river, get 
their supplies, then paddle their way back 
again to their forest home. 

Clarence E., the subject of our sketch, 
lived with his parents until he was eighteen 
years of age. Schools, like railroads, were 
few and far between in those early days in 
that timbered country, and the education 
obtained by Mr. Bullard until he was eigh- 
teen was oljtained by dint of hard study at 
home and in the little log school-house. July 
16, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth 
Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 
which was one of the regiments of the cele- 



brated "Iron Brigade." The 



regiment 



served under the noted Rufus King until the 
armies were divided into corps, when it 
became a part of the First Division of the 
First Brigade, First Army Corps, under Gen- 
eral McDowell. Mr. Bullai-d participated in 



all the battles of the command, among them 
being GainesNolle, August, 1863, Second Bull 
Run, Soutli ^fountain, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville 
and Gettysburg, where he was severely 
wounded by a musket ball, whicli forced him 
off duty for four months. January 1, 1864, 
he veteranized, and was commissioned as 
second lieutenant of the Thirty-sixth Wis- 
consin Regiment in March, 1864, being pro- 
moted to the lirst-lieutenancy of the same 
regiment in the following August. While 
with the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin he was in 
the battles of Furness Farm, Xorth River, 
Cold Harbor and all through the siege at 
Petersburg. August 25, 1864, he was taken 
prisoner at Weldon Railroad and incarcer- 
ated in Libby prison. He was paroled Octo- 
ber 27, 1864, and Decemlier 4 following 
resigned and was discharged on account of 
disability. After receiving: his discharije he 
went to Minnesota, locating at Reed's Land- 
ing, where he lived for six years. From 
thence he removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 
which place he made his home until going to 
Verndale, Minnesota, in the spring of 1878. 

Mr. Bullard was married in Eau Claire, 
W isconsin, to Miss Kate Farwell. The}' have 
an interesting family of three daughters. 

Since coming to Wadena county Mr. Bul- 
lard has occupied a prominent place in the 
management of jiublic matters. In 1879 he 
was appointed deputy clerk of court, this 
county being then connected with Crow 
Wing county for judicial purposes. In the 
fall of 1881 he was elected clerk of the 
court, holding that office for five years. 
When the village of Verndale was lirst 
organized, in the year 1883, Mr. Bullard was 
elected one of the board of trustees, which 
position he held for several years. This gen- 
tleman has always been one of the most 
active citizens in all matters of public inter- 
est, and was one of the principal factors in 
procuring the first educational institution in 



PARK REGICNS OF MINNESOTA. 



751 



tlie village. The first school meeting was 
held in an old blacksmith shop, and the dis- 
trict was organized in 18Y8, Mr. Ballard 
being elected clerk of the district, which 
position he has retained ever since. He has 
been quite prominent in educational matters 
throughout his entii'c residence here, and it 
was mainly through his influence that the 
first school-house was erected. He is one of 
the charter members of the Masonic lodge 
which was organized in Verndale in 1879, he 
having been a Mason for many years, and a 
member of the Eau Claire Lodge, No. 62, and 
also of tlie Chippewa Commandery, No. 8, 
of Wisconsin. He is a member of the C. C. 
Parker Post, G. A. E., No. 133, organized in 
July, 1S84-, in which he has been one of the 
most active and influential members, and of 
which he has held the office of first adjutant, 
and also of comnuinder for two years. Politi- 
cally he is one of the most active members of 
the reputilican part}' in northwestern Minne- 
sota, and has been a member of every legisla- 
tive and county convention during his resi- 
dence in this locality'. Mr. Bullard is a man 
of wide experience and of mature knowledge 
of all matters pertaining to the practical side 
of life. His experience and training have all 
been on the practical side of things, and he is, 
therefore, well qualified for the position which 
he occupies as a leader in politics and a promi- 
nent business man. 



-«- 



^M ^NDREW ADAMS, a prominent and 
Jfc^*"^ enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, 
residing on section 10, Fisher township, 
J'olk count}', Minnesota, is one of the most 
intelligent representatives of the farming 
element in the Ped Kiver Valley and well 
deserves mention in a volume devoted to 
representative men of northern Minnesota. 
Mr. Adams was born in Schoharie county. 
New York, on the 1.5th of December, 1855, 
and is a son of Benjamin and Harriet 



(Jackson) Adams. When he was a mere 
lail but nine or ten years old his parents 
died and he was thrown upon his own 
resources. He saw many dark and discour- 
aging days, and hard times was by no means 
a stranger in his early experiences in life ; 
but his perseverance and industry never for- 
sook him and enabled him to overcome the 
obstacles and hardships which fell to his lot. 
After the death of his parents he worked 
for various farmers in his native State, and 
remained in that region until 1875. At 
that time he came West and found work 
among the farmers of St. Croix county, 
Wisconsin. In the year 1879 he came to 
Polk county, Minnesota, and took a home- 
stead of IfiO acres on section 22, Fanny 
township. There he remained until June 
20, 1888, when he removed to a farm which 
he had ])urchased, comprising 160 acres on 
section 10, Fisher township, where he now 
lives. He still owns his homestead, and, not- 
withstanding the many disadvantages which 
have beset him, he is now in excellent circum- 
stances. 

Mr. Adams was married in April, 1883, 
to Miss Elsie Webster, a daughter of Caino 
U. and Mary T. (Carothers) Webster, who 
are noticed at length elsewhere in this 
volume. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the 
parents of the following children — Howard 
C, Charles W. and E. T. 

Our subject has always taken an active 
interest in all matters of a public nature and 
has held various local offices. An old settler, 
he is well known, and is highly esteemed 
both as a neighbor and an exemplarjr citizen. 




|SCAR YOUNGGREN, the present 
sheriff of Kittson county, Minnesota, 
is a son of Axel and Matilda (Mattson) 
Younggren, natives of Sweden. He was 
born May 1, 1863, in St. Croix county, Wis- 
consin, where he lived with his parents and 



752 



RED RIVER VAr.I.EY AND 



attended school until he was seventeen, when 
he came to Kittson county, Minnesota. He 
acted as foreman on his father's farm of 
2,5S0 acres until Januar\- 1, 1S89, when lie 
moved into Hallock and assumed the duties 
of sheriff, having been elected in November, 
1888, on the people's ticket. Mi'.Younggren 
did not accept the office for the salary, but 
rather for the experience it would giv^e him. 
In business connections regarding the farm 
Mr. Younggren was the same as a partner 
with Ills fatlier. 

His parents still live in St. Croix county, 
Wisconsin, and five of the sons are with 
them, while our subject and his brother 
Charles are in Kittson county. Charles 
is at present on the farm and will ovei'see 
the farm until the sheriff's term of office 
expires. C'liarles has been foreman on his 
father's farm at Red Wing, Minnesota, but 
severed his connection with it in the fall of 
1888. Charles is married to Miss Carrie 
Olson, being the only one of the family that 
is married. Following are the names of the 
father's family — Charles, Palla, Oscar, 
France, Emma, Fredrick, Arthur, Melvin 
and Leonard. 



-«*- 



JW. McLANE, the subject of the present 
article, is among the most prominent 
and public-spirited citizens of Fergus Falls. 
He has extensive propert}' uiterests here, and 
has been closely identified with the growth 
and development of the city, as every enter, 
prise calculatetl to be beneficial to either 
town or county has always received his 
active support and co-operation. 

Mr. McLane was born in Ontario, Canada, 
in 1830, and is a son of John McLane. Tlie 
fatlior was a native of the North of Ireland, 
but came to the United States when a boy 
and settled in Pennsylvania. There in later 
years he engaged in contracting and build- 



ing, handling some verj' extensive contracts 
in constructing the rock roads through the 
mountains. He died in Canada at the age of 
seventy years. The mother. Held, was a 
daughter of Dr. A. Reid, of Kentucky, where 
they were among the pioneers, and her 
father was prominently identified witli earlv 
public matters in that State. When she was 
only tw elve years old she, with her father 
and mother, made a trip from Kentucky to 
Kingston, Ontario, on horseback, being some 
four months on the road. 

J. W. McLane, whose name heads this 
article, grew to manhood and received his 
education in his native province. He has 
led an active business life ever since attain- 
ing early manhood, and is one of the most 
capable, thorough and successful business 
men in the western part of the State. Enter- 
prising and energetic, he has taken an active 
part in the development of Fergus Falls and 
vicinity since his settlement here, and may 
well be classed among the most prominent 
citizens of Otter Tad county. 



-♦► 



"• V* *\ 



p. HARREN is a manufacturer and 
dealer in boots and shoes in Red Lake 
Falls, Polk county, Minnesota. He was born 
in Stearns county, Minnesota, near St. Cloud, 
August 30, 1801. 

Mr. Harren's parents were Josei)li and 
Magdalina (Bauer) Harren, the father being 
a native of Holland and the mother of Lux- 
emburg. The parents came to Minnesota at 
an early day and settled on a farm near St. 
Cloud, where their son John was born. The 
son renuiined at home attending school until 
he was thirteen years of age. He then went 
to St. Cloud, where he apprenticed to learn 
the boot and shoe business, serving three 
years. He then removed to Cold Springs, 
same county, where he worked at his trade 
for eight months. At the end of this time 



PAKK REGIONS OF MIXNESO TA. 



753 



lie went to Alexandria, Douglas county, Min- 
nesota, where he found eni])loynient for four 
years, at tlie end of whicli period he removed 
to Clitherall, Otter Tail count}^ opening a 
business for himself and continuing therein 
until March, 18S2; at that time he came to 
Red Lalce Falls and opened a shop on the 
da)' after his arrival. He continued to run 
this shoe shop until September, 1886, when 
he put in a large stock of boots and shoes. 

Mr. Harren was married in Red Lake 
Falls, November 5, 1884, to Miss Maiy Peble, 
a daughter of Joseph and Rosa (Thuma) 
Peble, natives of Bohemia. This marriage 
has been blessed with two children — Rosa 
and Joseph. 

Mr. Ilarren and wife are members of the 
Catholic church, and are lield in high esteem 
in religious and social circles. Mr. Harren 
is a member of the brass band of Red Lake 
Falls, of which he holds the position of sec- 
retary. 

' • V' 'c^Si5^*~'v* — ■ — 



^^DWARD M. DARROW, M. D., a prom- 
Xfe^ inent ])h3'sician and surgeon of Fargo, 
North Dakota, is one of the best-known 
members of the medical profession in the 
Red River Vallej'. 

Dr. Darrow was born at Neenah, "Wiscon- 
sin, on the 16th of January, 1855, and is a 
son of Daniel C. and Isabella (Murray) 
Darrow, who were both natives of New 
York State. Our subject spent his boyhood- 
days at home attending tiie common schools 
until he was ten years of age, when he went 
to Oshkosh, and there attended high school. 
He then took a thorough course at the 
Lawrence University', remaining three years 
in that institution. At the expiration of that 
time he entered Rush Medical College,Chicago, 
from which he gi'aduated with honors in 
February, 1878. In the following April he 
came to Fargo and began practice. From 
the very first he has met with success, and 



now has one of the most extensive practices 
in the city. He continued alone until March, 
1882, when he formed a partnership with 
Dr. Wear. 

Dr. Darrow was married at Appleton, 
Wisconsin, October 21, 1879, to Miss Clara 
Dillon, a daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Barington) Dillon, who were natives of 
Ireland. The doctor and bis wife are the 
pai'ents of two children — Maiy and Bessie. 

Dr. Darrow is one of the most successful 
practitioners in the city, and he is held in 
high esteem, both professionally and as an 
exem])lary citizen. He has always taken an 
active and prominent part in matters affect- 
ing the welfare ot the city, and every laud- 
able enterprise receives his hearty support 
and encouragement. He was the first 
SHj)erintendent of the Territorial boanl of 
health of Dakota, and is the present superin- 
tendent of the Cass county board of health. 

The tloctor is an honored member of the 
Masonic fraternity, holding membership in 
the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and 
Consistory. 



^Ijl^HOMAS ROBB, the capable grain- 
Xlli7 buyer at the Farmers' Elevator, was 
one of the first settlers in that part of 
Wadena county, Minnesota, in the vicinity of 
Wadena city. He is a native of Edinburgh, 
Scotland, where he was born in 1854. His 
father was a merchant of the city in which 
Thomas was born, and continued there until 
the latter was about nine years of age, when 
the family removed to Perthshire. Here the 
family settled on a farm, and Thomas 
remained with them until 1873, being given 
the advantages of a good education and such 
other training as would fit him for an honor- 
able business career. 

In the fall of 1872 a Scotch and English 
colony was formed, known as the "Fur- 
ness Colony." The subject of our sketch 



754 



RED RIVF.K VALLE Y AND 



joined this company, and at one of tlieir 
meetings lie was appointed as one of a com- 
mittee of five to come to northwestern Min- 
nesota and Dakota to choose lands for their 
settlement. Accordingly, in the early spring 
of 1873, with the other members of the com- 
mittee and ten other persons, he came to 
this country and prospected in the region of 
Braiiierd, thence going to AVadena, where 
tiiey made their first consideral)le stop. The 
latter town tlien embraced but a few houses, 
there being tiie dei)(>t and section-liouse, one 
store and one dwelling. They also stopped 
at Frazee City, Ilawley, Glyndon and Fargo, 
and spent a day or two in each place, looking 
over tiie lands in the vicinity of those towns. 
From Fargo they returned to Glyndon, and 
then taking a hand-car they went out that 
line of railroad for a distance of fifty miles, 
in search of lands best adapted to agricult- 
ural purposes. After considerable inves- 
tigation they decided to purchase their 
lands from the Northern Pacific Kailroad 
Company in two or three townships adjoin- 
ing the town of Wadena. When the details 
of the purchase were completed, ls\\\ Robb 
took up a farm some three miles from Wad- 
ena, where he lived for about two years. lie 
then obtained the title to the land and joined 
his brother in purchasing farms, outside of 
colony lands, in Otter Tail county. He 
made farming his business for a number of 
years, and became one of the leading men in 
Otter Tail county, being also one of the 
original settlers in the townof Campton. He 
took an active part in public matters and held 
the office of township clerk for ten successive 
years. In 1883 the Farmers' Elevator was 
built in Wadena by a stock company, in 
which Mr. Robb was a leading spirit. In 
1887 the elevator came into his hands, and, 
in compan\' with Nels Rolan, he engaged in 
buying wheat. In the fall of that j'ear Mr. 
Rob!) became the sole owner of the business, 
and conducted the same until the fall of 1888, 



'. when he rented it to the party for whom he 
is now buyer. He still owns his farm of 220 
acres, which is rented at ])rosent. 

In the fall of 1878 Mr. Robb returned 
to the land of his boyhood, in Scotland, 
and was there married to Miss Jeniina 
Gael. The following spring they returned 
to their Minnesota home. They have a 
family of six children, all of whom are 
living. 

Mr. Robb is an active and ])ublic-spirited 
man, and is in hearty sympathy witii every- 
thing that pertains to the welfare of iiis 
adopted town. He is an active member of 
Wadena Lodge, ISTo. 156, A. F. & A. M., of 
Avhich he is secretar}-. He belongs to the 
Congregational church. Of a family of 
thirteen, Mr. Robb and a brother James 
are the onl3^ ones in the United iStates, the 
others all living in Scotland. 



-«" 



>|»ON. J. E. WOOD, of Detroit, Min- 
J^ ^ nesota, is one of the leading business 
men of Becker county. He has been closely 
identified with business interests in that 
locality for a number of years and his strict 
integrity and honorable business methods 
have given him a high place among the most 
reliable and substantial business men of that 
portion of the State. 



— 4« 



/^jLE T. LANGEN, who has a lumber 
>^^ yard and is also engaged in the feed 
business at Battle Lake, Otter Tail count}', 
Minnesota, will form the subject of our pres- 
ent biography. He was born in Norway, 
January 30, 1S44, and is a son of Tron O. 
and Bertha L. (Larson) Langen, who were 
also natives of that country. In 1852 the 
family came to America, landing at Quebec, 
proceeding. from there by boat to Milwaukee 



Park regions of Minnesota. 



755 



and made their wa,\ to Iowa, settling in AVin- 
neshiek county, wliere the parents still live. 
They were among the pioneers of that 
localit}'. 

Our subject, Ole T. Langen, grew to man- 
hood there, receiving his education in 
the district schools, helping his father 
to carry on the home farm in the 
meantime. In ISfiS he came to Otter Tail 
county, Minnesota, and located on a farm, 
taking a pre-emption near St. Olaf. When 
the village of Battle Lake was started he 
engaged in business at that point, being 
joined bv his family the next j^ear. He has 
since remained in business there, and his 
straightforwai'd and honorable business 
metiiods have built up for him an extensive 
trade. He has always handled wagons and 
various other im^ilements in connection with 
his lumber yard, and does a business of about 
§10,000 a year. 

Mr. Langen was married on the .'Id of 
February, 1870, to Miss Julia Larson, and 
they have been the parents of six children, 
four of whom are now living — Bertha, 
Agnes M., Leonai'd H. and an infant. Mr. 
Langen and wife are exemplary membei'S of 
the Lutheran church. He is a prohibitionist 
in political matters. 

Patrick KELLY, one of the pioneers 
W^ of the Xortliwest, is one of the most 
highly respected citizens of Caledonia, Traill 
countv, North Dak'ota, where he is engaged 
in the liver}' business. Having come to the 
Red River Valley in the days of its first 
settlement he has since been closely identified 
with its history, and has seen it in all the 
the various stages of its development, from 
pioneer times u]) to the present day. 

Mr. Kelly was born in Waterford, Racine 
county, Wisconsin, March 14, 1852, and is a 
son of Thomas and Anna (McAV^iiliams) 
Kelly, who were both natives of Belfast, 



Ireland. Our subject remained witli his 
parents and attended school at Water- 
ford until he was fourteen years of 
age, when he commenced work for the 
Northwestern Stage Company, and remained 
in their employ for about fourteen years. In 
1871 he came to Moorhead, Minnesota, which 
was then composed almost wholly of tents, 
and for about eleven years ran a stage 
between Moorhead and Winnipeg. He was 
here at the time of the terrible Indian scare 
of 187-4, but continued running his stage and 
many of the fugitives were his passengers. 
In 1881 he quit the stage business and 
engaged in farming in Traill countj^, North 
Dakota, settling upon a homestead of 160 
acres on section -4, Caledonia township. He 
remained there for five years, when he sold 
out and engaged in the liquor business in 
Caledonia village. This he continued for a 
couple of years, when he engaged in the 
livery business, which he has since followed. 
He is a genial, affable gentleman, a capable 
business man, and a man of the strictest 
integrity. He has always taken an active 
part in public affairs, has served as town 
supervisor, and every enterprise affecting the 
welfare of village or countj'^ receives his 
hearty aid and encouragement. 

Mr. Kelly was married in Caledonia to 
Miss Anna Brown, the adopted daughter of 
John and Catharine Brown. Their marriage 
has been blessed with the following children 
John T., Gertrude E., Robert Eai'l and 
Anna Josephine. 

JgNATZ REICHERT, proprietor of the 
IL Long Prairie House, is one of the leading 
hotel men in the Park Regions of Min- 
nesota. He is a native of Germany, born in 
Byron, on the 8tli of August, 1838, and 
is the son of John Reichert. The mother of 
our subject died when he was ten years old, 
and the father is leading a retired life in 



756 



KED niVF.K VALLEY AND 



Fond (111 Liio, Wisconsin. He emiojrated to 
tlie United States in 1850 and located about 
thirtv-five miles from Milwaukee, Wiscon- 
sin, wliere lie farmed for ten years, then 
settling in Fond du Lac, where he has since 
remained. Tiie father and mother of our 
subject were the parents of seven children — 
Catliarine, Marjraret, Ignatz, Mary. George, 
Michael and Ilenriette. 

Mr. Reichert, of whom this memoir 
treats, received his education in his native 
land, wliere h.e remained until lie was eleven 
years old. At tiiat age he emigrated to 
the United States with his father and 
located near IMilwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1860 
heenjraovd in farming on his own account in 
Wasliington county, Wisconsin, and after 
eighteen montlis sold out and engaged in 
the retail li(|iior business for three months. 
He then i)ui'chased the Fond du I>ac Hotel, 
and after running it two months sold out to 
his brother-in-law. Soon after he built the 
Wisconsin House, and followed that business 
until 1868, when he removed to Spring Hill, 
Stearns county, Minnesota. He bought a 
farm, but in a short time sold it and went to 
Sauk Centre, where he ran a hotel for four 
months, and then removed to Long Prairie, 
Todil county, Minnesota, and erected the 
hotel lie now runs. He has also been 
enoaoed in tiie livcrv. meat market and har- 

Do •- 

ness business, but devotes the greater portion 
of his time to liis hotel. 

Mr. Reichert was married in 1861 to Miss 
Elizabeth Tapp, wlio died July 4, 1862. 
Our subject was married to his second wife 
in October, 1862, a Miss Regina Jentz, and 
they have been blessed with nine children — 
George, John. Mattie, Michael, Anna, Henry, 
Regina, Frankie and Minnie. Our subject 
and his family belong to the Catholic church. 
In his political belief he is an adherent to the 
principles of the democratic party. He is 
well known as a hotel man and his house is 
well patronized by the traveling public. 



l^RITZ HENNEBOHLE, one of Moor- 
J^^ head's most prominent German resi- 
dents, and a man who does a vast amount of 
business in various directions, jirojirietor of 
the St. Charles Hotel, manufacturer of brick, 
and also a farmer, will fonn the subject of the 
following biographical sketch. 

He was born in 1843, in Germany, the son 
of Hon. Theodore Hennebohle, also of 
German birth. The parents lived and died 
upon the farm they had worked ever since 
the\' were married. They had a family of 
eleven children, four of whom are now living 
— Adolph, Carls, Frederick and Lizzie. The 
father, it may be added, was a large farmer 
and was a representative in his country for 
two terms. He was also lieutenant in the 
German army. 

Our subject was raised on the farm, living 
at home until he was si.xteen years of age, 
during which years he had been sent to 
school, as most boys in that c'ountry are. He 
learned the machinist's trade and in 1866 
came to America, settling in St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he worked at his trade. In 
1869 he had heard and read of the chances of 
Duluth being a great money-making place, 
then just springing up, so he went there, 
running a repair shop for the Lake Superior 
k, Mississippi Railroad. He also ran a 
small wagon shop at Duluth for aliout a 
year and a half, after which he came to 
Moorhead, in 1871, running a hotel and store 
for a time, when the hotel was burned. He 
continued doing business in the store for 
about five years. He next bought a farm 
and commenced to ojierate that, also engaged 
in making brick. He now owns 400 acres 
of land. In 1879 he erected his present 
hotel — the " Saint Charles" — ami has since 
operated that. He owns other buildings, 
including a store iniildiiig adjoining his 
hotel, as well as a tine block l)uilt in 1S88. 
The whole property', building and lots, is 
worth $17,000. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



757 



He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary 
Nemier, of Germany, the daugiiter of George 
and Tlieresa Neinier. Tliey have seven chil- 
dren — Mary, Fritz, Adolph, Tresha. Lizzie, 
Annie, and a baliy, nnnamed at iliis writing. 

Politically our subject is a liberal demo- 
crat. He has given much toward public 
benelit in Moorhead and was amont;- the 
early settlers there. 



^IIJI^HOMAS WALSH, of Grand Forks> 
•jL North Dakota, is one of the oldest 
pioneers of the lied Elver Valley. He was 
born in County Louth, Ireland, November 
1-t, 1822. He commenced life for himself 
when about twelve years old by learning the 
tailor's trade at Montreal, Canada, serving 
an apprenticeship of four years. Lie then 
for two years worked as a journeyman at 
Burlington, Vermont, from where he went 
to Willsborougii, Essex county. New York, 
wiiere he opened a tailor shop on his own 
account. In 1856 he removed to Henderson, 
Sibley county, Minnesota, where he ojjened 
a shop and clothing store and served as post- 
master under President Johnson's adminis- 
tration. In August, 1862, he enlisted in 
Com]iany I, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, and 
participated in all the battles and skirmishes 
in which his regiment was engaged up to the 
battle of Nashville. He was wounded in 
this battle and for three months laid in the 
hospital at Jeffersonville, Indiana, after 
whicli he joined his regiment at New 
Orleans, proceeded to Mobile, and partici- 
pated in the taking of Spanish Fort. He 
was mustered out in September, 1865, and 
returned to Henderson to resume his busi- 
ness. In April, 1871, he removed to Grand 
Forks, Nortli Dakota, and engaged in the 
lumber, milling and mercantile business as a 
member of the firm of Griggs, Walsli & Co. 
Four years later they sold out to the Hud- 
son Bay Company, and since that time he 



has been engaged in the real estate business. 
He has held about all the cit}' or countj'^ 
offices at different times and served for six 
years as register of deeds. He built the first 
house in Grand Forks. He has taken a very 
prominent part in the upbuilding of the city 
and his name is a familiar one throughout 
the entire valley. No man has been more 
prominently identified with the history of 
this region. 

Mr. Walsh was married at Montreal, 
Canada, February 2, 1846, to Miss Eleanor 
Hanson, and they became the parents of 
the following family — George H., Carrie, 
Charles A. and Edmund. Carrie and Charles 
are dead. George married Laura M., 
a sister of Capt. Alex. Griggs, and is living 
on his farm near Grand Forks. Lie is an 
attorney by profession, and is at present a 
member of the Territorial council. Edmund 
is a resident of Crookston, and is clerk of 
court, and one of the leading citizens of 
Polk county, Minnesota. 

Thomas Walsh is an honored mendter of 
tiie Catholic church, and also of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. 



PALMER W. NILES, one of the earliest 
settlers of Wilkin county," Minnesota, 
having located therein 1872, is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, on section 
4, township 131, range 47. He is a native of 
New York State, born in Bombay, Franklin 
county, December 15, 1834, and is a son of 
Reed and Sarah (Babcock) Niles, natives of 
Vermont. They were the parents of the 
following-named children — llittie, Louisa, 
Louisa, Alzina, Benjamin, Harry, Palmei-, 
Alzada, Stephen Wallace, Reed, Helen 
Maria, Ransom, Stephen Wallace and 
Ransom. 

Mr. Niles, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home with his parents until he 



758 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



was nineteen years old, when he went to 
Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where he fol- 
lowed mill work and carpentering for eleven 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
removed to Green Bay, Brown county, 
Wisconsin, and after working at his trade 
and blacksmithing for some time removed 
to Minnesota, locating in Stevens county. 
After remaining there a short time he 
went to Meeker county, Minnesota, and 
erected the first building in Litchfield. 
In 1872 he removed to Wilkin county, 
Minnesota, and after working a year 
at his trade in Breckenridge located on 
his present farm. He has improved and 
cultivated his farm since that time, and 
now has one of the most desirable farms 
in the county. His farm comprises 200 
acres of excellent land, and has good building 
improvements. 

In reviewing the life-work of our subject, 
we find that he enlisted in 1861 in an inde- 
pendent AV^isconsin infantry, and after his 
discharge he again enlisted in September. 
18(J4, in the Eighth Iowa Cavali'v, receiv- 
ing his discharge in 18G5. He served in 
tiie battles of Xashville, Franklin and Col- 
umbia. After he was mustered out he 
located in Clinton, Iowa, and after a time 
returned to New York. From New York 
he went to Wisconsin, and, as narrated 
above, from there came to Minnesota. He 
.is one of the leading farmers of the county, 
and is highly esteemed by all who know 
iiini. 

Mr. Niles was married in 1871 to Miss 
Juliette Moore, and they have been blessed 
with five children — Ernest, Benjamin, Her- 
bert, Helen and Alice. Mr. Niles is a demo- 
crat in his i)olitical affiliations. He has 
held the offices of justice of the peace, con- 
stable, supervisor, etc., and is actively inter- 
ested in all local matters. He is a member 
of Sumner Post, No. 57, Grand Army of 
i!ie Republic. 



I^ERDINAND D. KEYE, one of the 
_ll'^ prominent business men of Argyle vil- 
lage, Marshall county, Minnesota, is engaged 
in the drug business in that place. He is a 
native of New York State, born in Niagara, 
New York, on the 4tli of February, 1853, 
and is the son of Andrew and Frederica 
(Ouden) Keye, natives of Germany. The 
fatlier helped build the .suspension bi'idgc at 
that place, and later removed to Minnesota, 
pre-empting a claim of 160 acres in Goodliue 
county'. 

Mr. Keye, the subject of this sketch, spent 
his boyhood-days on the farm, where he 
remained attendmg school and assisting his 
father until he was twenty-one. At that age 
he borrowed money and built a mill in Flor- 
ence townsliip on Wells creek. He remained 
there, meeting with the best of success, but 
the mill was finally destroyed by fire, and as 
he had a great (piantity of stored wheat the 
payment of the losses left him without any- 
thing. He then removed to Argyle, Marshall 
count}', Minnesota, where he erected the first 
building, and homesteaded land on the town 
site. He then put a small stock of goods in 
his dwelling-house, and a few montlis later, 
on the ad\ace and witii the assistance of A. 
J. McCay, of Goodhue county, erected a sub- 
stantial store building, Mr. McCay furnish- 
ing the money. He put in a general stock of 
merchandise, and after following the busi- 
ness for six years sokl out to Olson A: Ilolen, 
who are now carrying on the business. After 
selling out our sul)ject entered into partnership 
with his present brotiier-in-law, H. O. Gil- 
bertson, in thedrug business, which the}' have 
since continued. Mr. Keye also owns 1,000 
acres of land, which he rents. He is one of 
the leading and successful business men of 
the village, and is a manof excellent business 
qualifications. 

Mr. Keye was married in Red Wing, Min- 
nesota, March 23, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth 
Terwilleger, the daughter of Gilbert and 



PARK RECIO.VS OF M/NA'ESOTA. 



759 



Margaret (Sandt) Terwilleger, natives of New 
York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. 
and Mrs. Keye have been blessed with one 
child— Ralpli, born June 10, 1882, and died 
January 1, 1889. 

lie has held tlie following offices : First 
president of the village council, county com- 
missioner, town commissioner, etc. Mrs. 
Keye is a lady of excellent literary attain- 
ments, and previous to her marriage followed 
the ]irofession of a school-teacher. She is 
school director and is a lady who is highly' 
esteemed by all who know her. For an ex- 
tended time she was book-keeper for her hus- 
band and is thoroughly competent in almost 
Any branch of business. 



-.<^-, 



H. WHIPPLE, senior member of the 
firm of Whipple & Spicer, proprie- 
tors of the principal livery and sale stable of 
Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, is one of 
the well-to-do and influential citizens of this 
part of the county. He is a native of 
Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he 
was born in 1845. 

The parents of Mr. Whijijile were George 
L. and Martha (Rider) Whipple, both of 
whom could boast of nativity in the Empire 
State ; the father was a contractor and 
builder, and was a man of wealth and in- 
fluence in the locality in which he lived. 
The parents moved to Minnesota in 1866, 
and settled on a farm in Foster township, 
Faribault countv, where the father lived until 
hisdeatii, which occurred in 1883. 

The subject of our sketch was an only 
child and was given excellent educational 
advantages in Pennsylvania, his native State. 



Wh 



en 



lie grew 



up 



he eneao'ed in selline: 



notions and jewehy, continuing in this line 
of business until the spring of 1862. Then, 
when he was about sixteen years of age, he 
enlisted as a fifei' in the One Hundred and 



Thirty - second Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. His enlistment was for the 
period of nine months, but he remained' in 
the service for one year, participating in the 
battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- 
ericksbui'g and Chancellorsville, being 
slightly wounded in the hand and ar'm at 
the battle of Fredericksburg. At the end of 
this year's service he returned home and soon 
after enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment, 
New York Independent Batter}^ At this 
time he veteranized, enlisting for three years, 
or during the war, remaining in the service 
until the close of hostilities between the 
North and South. Mr. Whipple was in the 
expedition against Petersburg, and was with 
the Union Army when that city was cap- 
tured. At the close of the war the subject 
of our sketch went to Fall Brook, Tioga 
county, Penns\'lvania, where for eighteen 
months he engaged in driving a delivery 
wagon. lie then came to Minnesota, 
where he lived with his parents on 
the home farm in Faribault county, for 
about two years, at the end of which 
time he moved into the town of Wells, 
where he purchased a livery stable and 
outfit. Nine months were sufficient to 
satisfy Mr. Whipple with the livery business 
in Wells. He then went to Duluth, wiiere 
he found employment at painting for 
Lavaque & Foss, who had a contract for 
painting depots, hotels and emigrant houses 
along the Northern Pacific Railroad. One 
year was spent by him at this work and 
then he came to Detnjit, Beckei- county, 
where he opened the first ]iaint shoj) in the 
village. One year later he sold out his busi- 
ness, and then engaged in running the Wilson 
Hotel for one year. The following eigiiteen 
months were spent by Mr. Whipple on a 
claim in the township of Rich wood. Thence 
removing to West Richwood he cleared up 
a farm and remained thereon two years, 
losing both crops by the destructive grass- 



76o 



RED KIVF.R VALLE Y AND 



hopper raids. This was a hard loss to bear 
and Mr. Whipple turned his attention to 
other business. He purchased a dairv estab- 
lishment at Lake Eunice, and carried that on 
for nine years with good success. At the 
end of this time he moved to Detroit village 
and leased the Northern Pacific Hotel, which 
lie conducted fer about eight months, then, 
in April, 1887, in compan\' with Mr. Spicer, 
he purchased his present livery outfit. 

Mr. Whipple was married in 1873 to Miss 
Mary A. Lee, of Ohio, and a daughter of 
John Lee. Mrs. Whipple died March 13, 
1887. 

Mr. Whipple is one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of Detroit, being at all times ready 
to assist in the furthering of matters of 
public interest. He has been successful in 
business, and has gathered to him many 
warm personal friends. He is a stanch 
I'cpublican, and is an influential nu'mber of 
the Masonic and G. A. U. fraternities. 



-«" 



-»' 



<g^WEN N. HESKIN, a resident of Cale" 
'^^^ donia, North Dakota, and the present 
sheriff of the county, is one of the pioneers 
of Traill countj\ He was born in Valders, 
Hamar Stift, Norway, on the 2yth of Sep- 
tember, 1856, and is a son of Nels N. and 
Anna (Hendrickson) Heskin. When our sub- 
ject was about twelve years old the family 
emigrated to the United States and settled 
in Iowa county, Wisconsin, upon a farm. 
When Swen was about thirteen years of age 
he began life for himself, and commenced 
working out among tlie farmers. This he 
followed for several years in Minnesota, and 
then, in 1872, he came to Traill county, 
Norlii Dakota, and took a homestead of IfiO 
acres on section 2G, Roseviile township, 
where lie lived until I'emoving to Caledonia, 
after being electetl sherilf in the fall of 1888. 
He saw very hard times during pioneer days 



and endured many hardships. He started 
out in life a poor boy, and when he settled 
on his homestead was so "hard up'' that 
he had to borrow one dollar to go to Fargo in 
search of work. Upon arriving there he found 
a teamster who allowed liim to slee]) in his 
wagon, and by buying some crackers he 
thus saved hotel bills. A part of the sum- 
mer of 1873 he worked on a steamboat for 
the Hudson Bay Company, and during the 
latter part of the summer he worked with a 
Government surveying party. As fast as he 
earned mone\' he used it in improving his 
place, and soon got in such shape that he was 
not obliged to go out to work, but could 
devote his attention wholly to his farm. Tiie 
first spring he came here Mo6rhead was 
a village of tents and Fargo was not started 
until later during that summer. For six 
years he hauled liis wheat to Fargo for 
market and the trip would consume al)out a 
week, and he would cam]) on the way, 
frequently scraping the snow off the 
ground and wrapping himself in his blanket, 
and thus find a bed on the cold ground. 
His industr}^ enterprise and frugality have 
been rewarded, and he is now in excellent 
circumstances. He owns 400 acres of well- 
cultivated land with excellent building 
improvements, and is rated as one of the 
most solid and substantial farmers of the 
county. He was elected sheriff of the county 
on the temperance ticket in the fall of 1888 
by a handsome majority. Before the con- 
vention was held he was urged to run by his 
friends, but refused, and they placed him on 
the ticket and elected him, with no effort on 
his part. He is a stanch prohibitionist, and 
he and his family are members of the 
Lutheran church. A man of the strictest 
intearitv, he is hiohly reo-arded both as an 
exemplary citizen and an official. 

Mr. Heskin was mai'ried in Traill county, 
Nortli Dakota, in May, 187-4, to Miss Kachel 
O'Hougan, a daughter of Ole K. and Mary 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



761 



O'Hougan, natives of Norwa}'. Their 
marriage lias been blessetl with tlie follow- 
ing cliildren — Julia, jSTels, Ole, Mary, John, 
Henry and Annie. 



[ANIEL W. BILLINGS, who is engaged 
in the general merchandise business 
at Aldrich, Minnesota, is tlie leading mer- 
chant of that place. He was born in the 
village of Milford, Penobscot county, Maine, 
June 37, 1S51, and is a son of John D. and 
Esther Billings. His parents were both 
natives of JNEaine, and his father was en- 
gaged in milling and lumbering. Our sub- 
ject spent his boyhood-days attending school 
and liel]iing his father in the mill. AVhen 
he was eighteen years old he went to Minne- 
apolis, where he attended school for one 
year, and then for a like ]ieriod drove a 
team for a man named John Tidd. He then 
opened a confectionery store, \vhich he ran 
for ten months, when he sold out and 
went back to the home of his parents in his 
native State. The following spring he went 
to Harrison, Cumberland county, Maine, 
and opened a confectionery store, which he 
conducted for two \'ears, and then sold out. 
He til en went to Colorado in search of a 
location and spent some three months in 
looking over the countiy, after which he 
returned to Minneapolis. For some time he 
drove a team and also followed logging, and 
then came to Wadena count}', Minnesota, 
and took a homestead about three and a half 
miles from Aldrich. For several years he 
onl}' carried on his farm at odd times, being 
gone a part of each year working in the 
pineries, cooking, etc. In the winter of 
ISSO-Sl he engaged in logging on his own 
account,followingthisin the winter and work- 
ing on his farm during the summer months. 
After three years so spent he then for two 
years devoted his attention principally to his 



farm. In 1886, in company with G. H. Bil- 
lings, he opened a general merchandise store 
at Aldricii, and six months later our subject 
bought out his partner's interest, and has 
since carried on the business alone. He also 
handles lumber and wood, and his straight- 
forward, honorable dealing has built up 
for him a good trade. He carries a stock of 
about $2,000. 

Mr. Billings is a republican in political 
matters. He is an aifable, pleasant gentle- 
man, and a capable business man. 



jTaBEZ MERRELL, the efficient postmaster 
^ of the village of Burnhamville, Todd 
county, Minnesota, is a native of the Empire 
State. He was born at Mt. Vision, Otsego 
county, New York, and is the son of Tilling- 
hast and Laura (Gardiner) Merrell, also 
natives of that State. The parents were 
married in New York State, where they 
remained until 1855, when they removed to 
"Wabasha county, Minnesota, where the 
father engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. The mother died April 18, 1870. 
She was an exemplary member of the 
Methodist church. The father died in 1881. 
They were blessed with the following-named 
children — Jabez, Charles Dwyan, Rhodes, 
Mary, Alice, Marshall and Freddie, the last 
three being deceased. 

Mr. Merrell, of whom this memoir treats, 
remained in Otsego countv until he was 
tliirteen years of age, attending the district 
schools and finishing at Chaseville. In 1855 
he removed with his ]>arents to Minne- 
sota and remained with them until lie 
was seventeen. He then secured work on 
a farm and after four years went to Michi- 
gan and engaged in farming for one 
year, and in the salt works for six months. 
In 1870 he located on section 5, Burnham- 
ville township, Todd county, JMinnesota, 



'I 



762 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



where he homesteaded land, and for fifteen 
3'ears followed farming, lie held many of 
the local otfices, including sn[)ervisor, district 
clerk, school director, etc. In 1S86 he 
received tiie a|)i)ointmont of i)ostmastcr, and 
at once removed to tlie village and assumed 
the duties of that position. 

IVIi-. Merrell was married on the Ifith of 
June, 1866, to Miss Sarah J. Adrian, a 
native of Vermont and the daughter of Eev. 
Isaac Adrian, a I'a])tist minister. Mr. and 
Mrs. Merrell have been blessed with the 
following-named children — James, Ella M., 
Charles R., Rhodes A. and Jesse G. Mr. 
Merrell and his family belong to the Method- 
ist church. In political matters he affiliates 
with the democratic party. lie is a public- 
spiritL^ citizen, actively interested in all 
local matters, and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. 



-'^; 



-<- 



J|SlON. KNUTE NELSON, who will form 
.IL^JL the subject of this biogra])hical 
article, is the most prominent citizen of 
Alexandria, Douglas county, Minnesota, and 
one of the leading men of the State. He is 
a native of the kingdom of Norway, born 
on the 2d day of February, 1843, and re- 
mained in his native land until he was six 
years old. At that jieriod in life he emi- 
grated to the United States, settling in "Wis- 
consin, where he was one of the leading 
citizens for many years. He attended school, 
receiving an academic education, and after 
completing his schooling studied law, was 
admitted to the bar, and since that time has 
more or less been actively engaged in the 
practice of his pi'ofession. He served in the 
Fourth "Wisconsin Infantry as a }>rivate and 
iion-commissiontxl officer during three years of 
the late war. During the session of 1868-69 
Mr. Nelson was a member of the assembly in 
the AViscousin legislature, and in about 1870 
removed to Minnesota, settliuii: in Alexandria, 



where he has since resided. During 1872, 
1873 and 1874 he was prosecuting attorney 
of Douglas county, Minnesota. He was State 
senator in the Minnesota legislature in 
1875, 1876. 1877 and 1878, and was presi- 
dential elector on the Garfield and Arthur 
ticket. He was elected from the Fifth Min- 
nesota District to the P'ortv-eighth Congress 
of the United States, and being re-elected at 
each succeeding election, served until the 4th 
of March, 1889, when he was succeeded by 
Hon. S. G. Comstock. He is one of the 
leading men in the State, and has been prom- 
inently identified with all political matters. 
A man of the highest integrity and honor, 
and a man of great abilit}', he has attained 
a National reputation. 

- ■ ■' > ' ■^^^•■ < '- • ■ 

fAMES V. CAMPELL, a prominent mem- 
ber of the farming community of Nor- 
man county, is a resident of the village of 
Ada. He was born in Luzerne county, 
Pennsylvania. In 1829 he moved to New 
York, and lived there until 1850. During 
that year he emigrated to I'oi'tage county, 
Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Plo- 
ver, where he resuled continuously for 
twenty-eight years, following the various 
pursuits of farming, car[)entering and log- 
ging. In 1861 he enlisted in the Tenth Illi- 
nois Cavalry, and served one year, being 
mustered out in 1862 with the rank of 
sergeant-major. In the year 1878 he made 
another move to the "West, and settled in 
Ada, Minnesota, and engaged in the farm 
machinery business, wliicii business he con- 
ducted successfully until the fall of 1887, 
when he withdrew and has since followed 
facming. He has always been a stanch 
republican. 

Since the above was written we leni-n that 
Mr. Campell has been ai)pointed postmaster 
at Ada. 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



763 



M^ MOS ROSE. The subject of this bio- 
JpSjL graphical slcetch is a resident of 
Breclcen ridge township, Willcin count}', 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in general 
fanning and stock-raising. He is a native 
of Canada West, born on the 27th of Octo- 
ber, 1S45, and is the son of Silas and Mary 
Ann (Hawldns) Rose. The father died in 
June, ISSl, and the mother in September of 
the same year. They were the parents 
of eight children — William, .Kachel, Hiram, 
Henry, Mary, Malissa, Amos, and one who 
died in infancy. 

Mr. Rose, of whom this article treats, 
I'emained at home, attending school and 
assisting liis father on the home farm until 
he was twenty years of age. In 1SG6 he 
removed to Kansas, where he foUowetl 
contracting on the Kansas Pacific Rail- 
road for five years, also working on the 
Fort Scott & Baxter Springs Railroad. At 
the expiration of that time he removed to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he took a 
contract to build a grade on the Northern 
Pacific fi'om Crow Wing river west to three 
miles east of Moorhead. He was the first 
person to Iiaul goods to be lodged in Moor- 
head for Bruns & Finkle. After finishing 
the contract Mr. Rose went to St. Cloud, 
Minnesota, and took the contract to furnish 
piles for the Manitoba Railroad from St. 
Cloud to the Northern Pacific Railroad. 
He then took a conti-act from the same road 
to grade from four miles east of Sauk Centre 
to two miles west of Melrose. After filling 
the contract he engaged in various occupa- 
tions until 1872, when he located in Brecken- 
ridge, anil until 1884 was engaged by the 
Government, furnishing teams for transport- 
ing soldiers, etc., between different points. 
He then opened the first livery stable in 
the village, which business he carried on 
until he located on his present farm. 

Mr. Rose was united in marriage April 27, 
1872, to Miss Lizzie Murph}^, a native of Wis- 



consin, and the daughter of Thomas Murphy. 
Her father worked in the copper mines until 
she was thirteen years old, when he moved 
to Dakota, setthng near Wild Rice, where he 
followed farming until his death, which 
occurred November 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. 
Rose have been blessed with four children — 
Dolly, Mertle, Orville and Willie. Our sub- 
ject is one of the prosperous farmers of Wil- 
kin coitnty, and has held the office of sur- 
veyor for three years. He devotes his time 
exclusively to farming and is prominently 
identified with all local matters. It will be 
of interest to state that while contracting on 
the Kansas Pacific road Mr. Rose served as 
boss over the original "Buffalo Bill" and 
became intimately acquainted with that 
notorious personage. 




EV. E. S. PEAKE, pastor of the Episco- 
W^ lial church in Detroit, Becker county, 
Minnesota, is one of the leading and es- 
teemed clergyman of the northern part of 
the State. He is a native of Andrias, Dela- 
ware county, New York, born January 15, 
1830, and is the son of William C.and Anna 
(Merwin) Pbake, also natives of that county. 
Our subject's ancestry on his father's side 
were of English descent, while on the 
mother's side were of Welsh extraction. 

The Rev. Mr. Peake, spent his younger 
days in attending school in his native State, 
and after passing successfully through the 
common schools, entered the academy at 
Kingsboro, New York, and then at Delhi. 
From the latter place he went to Nashotah, 
Wisconsin, and entered the Episcopal Theo- 
logical Seminary, from which he graduated 
in 1852. He then became a tutor of the 
college at Nashotah, where he remained 
three years. At the expiration of tiiat time, 
and at the request of Jackson Kemper, 
Bishop of Wisconsin and Minnesota, he 



764 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



removed to Shukopee, Minnesota. He estab- 
lished cliarges at Foi-t Eidgely, on tlie Lit- 
tle Sioux and Winnebago Indian agencies. 
He was then sent to take charge of an Indian 
village ten miles north of lirainerd, Minne- 
sota, where he remained until 185G, when he 
went to CrowWing, and had chai'ge of the pas- 
torate at Little Falls for three years. He was 
then elected cha})lain of the Twenty-eighth 
Wisconsin Infantry, serving throughout the 
war, and was niustei'cd out with his regiment. 
He then returned to Minnesota, and, after 
spending one year in Austin, accepted a call 
to San Jose, California, where he remained 
for four and one-half years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he accepted a call to San 
Francisco, and after remaining in that city 
for seven and a half years returned, in 1878, 
to Minnesota, and was assigned to the charge 
at Moorliead, Minnesota. While there he 
visited Wadena, Valley City, Breckenridge, 
Croolcston, Gl3'ntlon, Ada and Pembina. 
After remaining two years in Moorhead he 
removetl to Detroit, and for two years was 
pastor at that place. In 1882 he went to 
Valley City, Dakota Terrirory, and after 
two years again returned to Detroit, where 
he lias since remained. He is a man of 
integrity and honor, a true Christian, con- 
sistent in his relations to all, and ati excellent 
pulpit orator. 

Rev. Peake was married in 1856 to Miss 
Mary Parker, and this union has been 
blessed with three children — Amasa, Fannie 
and Elizabeth. Our subject is chaplain of 
the Grand Army Post and tlie Park Region 
Association, G. A. R. 



i^ HESTER SHOUDY, publisher and pro- 
\^y ])rietor of the 2[ercury, at Brecken- 
ridge, Minnesota, is a native of Albany 
county. New York, l)orn February 19, 1857, 
and is the son of Hiram and Catharine 
Shoudy, also natives of New Y'ork State. 



Mr. Shoudy spent his younger days on the 
home farm, and attended the common 
school until he was fifteen years old, when 
he entered the State Normal School at Cedar 
Falls, Iowa. He then clerked in a drug 
store in Campbell, JMinne-sola, where he later 
purchased a small stock of drugs, and, in 
l)artnersliip W4th Dr. Heath, j-emained in 
business until March, 1888, when he re- 
moved to Breckenridge and purchased an 
interest in his present ])aper with IT. II. 
Snell. 

In 1884 Mr. Shoudy was nuirried to ]\Iiss 
Hattie Jay. In political matters lie attiliates 
with the democratic party. 



■— fs?jsa— *■- 



^ll^HOMAS SIMPSON, the live real estate 
■3U agent of Perhara, Otter Tail county, 
Minnesota, was born in Lycoming county, 
Pennsylvania, A})ril 21, lSi9. 

Mr. Simpson is the son of Michael and 
Ann Isabella (McCoy) Sinipson, the former 
a native of Prussia, the latter of Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania. The parents settled in 
Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in an early 
day, where the fatJier became a speculator of 
considerable note. From Pennsylvania the 
father went to IVIexico, where he engaged in 
catching wild horses for some lime, going 
thence to Pike's Peak to engage in digging 
for gold. He was quite successful in his 
various enterprises and became very wealthy. 
Gathering his means together he returned to 
the East to enjoy the comforts that his 
money and position would bring to him. 
Unfortunately, however, while riding in Fort 
Wayne, Indiana, he was thrown and badly 
disabled ; he lias since resided in Fort Wayne. 
The mother died in 1SS7. 

The subject of our sicetch was the only 
child in his father's family. He received 
his education principally in Williamsjiort, 
I'ennsylvania, where he attended ami giadu- 



I- ARK REGIOXS OF MIXNESOTA. 



765 



ated from a commercial college. His early 
life, however, was one of hard toil, and much 
of his early education was obtained by study 
on the old homo farm. He remained at 
liorae with his parents until he reached the 
age of eighteen years, when he began to look 
about for some business in which he could 
engage. AVhen still a mere bo}', by his 
mother's advice he first began speculating, 
after which he became a kind of g-eneral 
speculator for some years. For sixteen 
years he held the position of depot agent at 
SusquehaniKi, in the employ of the Pennsyl- 
vania liailroad Com])any. During this time 
he was a member of the school board for sev- 
eral years and was always identified with 
some of the public interests of the precinct 
in which he livetl. He was also superin- 
tendent of a Sabbath-school and a leader of 
the choir in the Presbyterian church for sev- 
eral years. At the conclusion of this ])eriod 
of sixteen years, he made up his mind to go 
West, taking the advice of one of America's 
most eminent men. He started for Wash- 
ington Territory, going by way of Chi- 
cago, where he remained three weeks 
and then went by way of steamer to Duluth, 
where he was detained a short time. He 
then struck out on an exploring expedition, 
and becoming interested in this kind of life 
he continued for some time in examining 
lands in northwestern Minnesota. In 1880 
he came to Perham, Otter Tail county, Min- 
nesota, where he has since been engaged 
actively in the real estate business. 

In June, 1872, Mr. Simpson was married 
to Miss Cora Amelia Britton, a native of 
Lairdsville, Pennsylvania, a lady of excel- 
lent qualities and highly educated. Mr. and 
Mrs. Simpson have three children — Maud B., 
Grace E. and Guv C. 

Mr. Sim]ison is one of the brightest and 
most successful business characters in this 
part of the county, and has become famous 
as one of the "hustlers" in regard to land 



matters. He is familiar with every section 
along the Northern Pacific Railroad east of 
the western boundary of Minnesota. 

In politics ]Mr. Simpson is a loyal sup- 
porter of the ))i-inci])les of the republican 
party, and by virtue of his characteristics 
of energy and jnish has attained to con- 
siderable popularity in local politics. He 
is a leading member of the I. (). O. F. 
fraternity. 




EV. HARLAN G. MENDENHALL, 
pastor of the First Presl^yterian 
church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is 
also president of the Grand Forks Plain- 
dealer Company, that paper being owned 
by a stock company. He is one of the 
most powerful pulpit orators in the Red 
River Yalley and a man of excellent 
literar}' attainments. He is a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in Chester county of that 
State on the 12th of April, 1851, and is the 
son of W. B. and S. A. (Harlan) Mendenhall, 
natives also of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Mendenhall, of whom this article 
treats, attended the common schools in Ches- 
ter county until he was ten years old, when he 
entered the Willis Seminar}', East Hampton, 
Massachusetts, which he attended for two 
years. In 1869 he was connected with the 
Springfield, Massachusetts, Rejnihlican, and 
later he entered LaFayette College, Easton, 
Pennsylvania, and after one year went to the 
Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny 
City, Pennsvlvania, where he remained three 
years, graduating with high honors in 1874. 
From 1875 to 1878 he was pastor of the 
Third Presbyterian church at Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, and for the succeeding three years 
had chai'ge of the Sixth Presbyterian church 
at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 

From Pittsburg he was transferred to 
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where he had 
charge of the pastorate for two years, and in 



766 



RED RIVKR VALLEY AND 



November, 1883, was stationed at Lamoure, 
Dakota Territor}^ where he remained till the 
following April. In the summer of 1884 lie 
tooiv charge of the First Presijyterian church 
at Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he has 
since remained. ITe is a man of extensive 
and versatile knowledge, a thorough scholar 
antl a forcible speaker. He is a ])owerf ul ora- 
tor, and is jiopular and highly esteemed 
wherevei' he is known. In February, 1889, 
he bought an interest in the Grand Forks 
Plaindealer, of which he is president. The 
paper is owned by a stock company, and is 
one of the leading journals in the lied Ttiver 
Valley. Mr. Mendenhall is a man of the 
strictest honor and integrity, and is a con- 
scientious Christian gentleman. 

Our sul)ject was united in marriage in 
Mercersl)urg, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day 
of October, 1882, to Miss Lncretia Brewer, 
who died in that place, March 18, 1883. She 
was an estimable lady and highly esteemed 
by all who knew her for her numy virtues. 
Our subject is a member of the militar\' 
order of the Loyal Legion of the United 
States, and also belongs to the Sons of Vet- 
erans. In political matters he affiliates with 
the republican j)arty. 



fOHN P. LUNDIN is a prominent busi- 
ness man of the village of Stephen, 
Marshall county, ^Minnesota. He is engaged 
in the insurance, loan and real estate busi- 
ness, and also carries a large stock of general 
merchandise, besides having a farm of about 
four hundred acres which he is farming. Mr. 
Lundin is a native of the land of Sweden, 
and was born in Limnberga, May 6, 1851. 
His parents were Ole and Anna C. (Johnson) 
Peterson, natives of Sweden, and farmers by 
occupation. His father is deceased and his 
mother is still living in the old country. He 



has three brothers — two in the United 
States and one in Sweden. 

The subject of our sketch lived at home 
with his i)arents on the farm until he was 
twenty years of age, and then, in 1871, emi- 
grated to tlie United States. The first year 
of his life in this country was spent in farm 
work near Paxton, Illinois. He then spent 
one 3'ear at the carpenter's trade, and then 
for one year engaged in farming for iiimself. 
Turning his attention to easier manual pur- 
suits he clerked in a store for one year, after 
which, for two years, he became agent . 
for the Union Pacific Railroad Company 
selling land. He then engaged in the 
insurance and fruit tree business, which he ' 
followed until 1878. He then removed 
to Chicago, Illinois, where he became gen- 
eral Scandinavian agent for the P. tfc M. < 
Eailroad, with his office in the Ashland 
block. He continued in tliis important 
position until the spring of 1881, when he 
made a visit to Sweden, returningtoChicago, 
May 15th, of the same year. He then 
engaged as traveling agent for the St. Paul, 
Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroatl for one 
year, and in the spring of 1882 removed to 
Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota, where 
he engaged actively in selling lands as agent 
for that company in the years of 1882 and 
1883. In 1884 Mr. Lundin built a large 
store building and opened a general mer- 
chandise business, and in connection han- 
dled insui'ance loans and real estate. He 
still holds the position of land agent for the 
railroad company. 

December 29, 1881, Mr. Lundin was mar- 
ried at Paxton, Illinois, to Miss Marv E. 
Fager, daugliter of Charles Fager. Mrs. 
Lundin was born September 3, 1858, at 
Attica, Indiana. The fruits of this mar- 
riage were two children — Arthur John and 
Linda. 

Mr. Lundin has held numerous positions of 
trust since coming to this county, and in 



PARK REGWKS OF MINNESOTA, 



767 



every way has proven himself a worthy and 
efficient officer. He lias been chairman of 
the town board, village recorder, and is now 
a member of the board of school directors, 
and is also town treasurer. He is a leading 
member of the Congregational church, and 
in politics affiliates with the republican party. 
Mr. Lundin has been cai-eful and conserva- 
tive in business matters, and has been emi- 
nentlv successful in all lines in which he 



has engaged. 



-«- 



-1^. 



[OHN KABERNAGLE, county auditor of 
Pembina county, North Dakota, is one 
of the most pi-ominent citizens as well as 
pioneers of the Ked Eiver Valley. He was 
born in Baltimore, Maryland, January 3, 
1853, and is a son of Herman H. and Mary 
E. (Musterman) Kabernagle, who were 
natives of Hanover, Germany. Our subject 
grew to manhood in his native city, receiving 
his education in private schools, which he 
attended until about fifteen years of age. 
He then engaged in clerking in stores, and 
followed this until twenty-one years old. 
He then went to Washington, District of 
Columbia, for instructions preparator}^ to 
becoming connected with the Government's 
signal service. He was stationed as assistant 
at Philadelphia for one year ; then for six 
months was stationed at Boston. He was 
then ordered back to Washington, promoted 
to observer ami given charge of the Balti- 
more station. One 3'ear later he was trans- 
ferred to Pittsburg. In 1S7G he came to 
Pemljina, Dakota, and assumed charge of the 
signal service station there, and after remain- 
ing two years was ordered to Arizona. 
Not liking the country nor climate of that 
region, he resigned his position and returned 
to Pembina. In company with the sheriff, 
Charles J. Brown, he engaged in the mercan- 
tile business, and this partnership continued 



until the death of Mr. Brown, in October, 
1885. Since that time Mr. Kabernagle has 
been engaged in fai'ming, and also owns an 
interest in the brewery. He owns 320 acres 
of land near Hamilton. Mr. Kabernao'le 
was elected auditor of Pembina countv in 
November, 1888, running on an independent 
ticket, and being endorsed by the republicans. 
He also served as deputy county treasurer in 
1888. He has always taken an active and 
prominent part in everything calculated to 
aid in the development of this region, and 
every laudable enterprise has alwavs received 
his earnest support. He has held vai'ious 
local positions, such as supervisor, city clerk, 
etc. He is a memlier of both the Masonic 
and Odd-Fellows fraternities. 

Mr. Kabernagle was married at Pembina, 
September 5, 1888, to Miss Hannah Eyford. 

— — «"f^^"€— — 

fOHN RISTOW, one of the many gallant 
" boj's in blue" and veterans of the 
Civil War who live in the Ked River Valley, 
is engaged in farming on section 18, Fanny 
township, Polk countv, Minnesota. Few 
men in the northern part of the State have a 
more eventful history or a more eventful 
army record. 

Mr. Ristow was born in Prussia on the 
9th of Februar^^ 181:7, and is a son of 
Joachim and Mary (Wilk) Ristow, both of 
whom were natives of the same kingdom. 
The family came to the United States in 
1860 and settled in Buffalo count}'. Wiscon- 
sin, where the parents died. 

John Ristow remained at home aiding in 
carrying on the home farm until he was 
fourteen j'ears of age. At that time he com- 
menced life's labors on his own account, 
working for various farmers in Buffalo 
county, Wisconsin. On the 15th of August, 
1862, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty- 
fifth Wisconsin Infantrv. and was sent to 



768 



RED KirilR VALLEY AND 



Minnesota to aid in defending the settlers 
of the frontier in the famous Indian out- 
break of 1862. Six months after his enhst- 
mcnt he was transferred to the regular 
service, and assigned to Company C, 
Eig-hth United States Infantry. For some 
time lie was on iieadquarters duty for 
General Hooker, and later for General 
Mead. In July, 1808, he and his regiment 
were sent to New York City to quell the 
riot just after the battle of Gettysburg. 
He remained with the Eiglith llegulars until 
a peculiar incident occurred. He went out 
one night in the city and was detained until 
morning. In returning he met a member of 
his company and was tolil that he would be 
"court-martialed." This made him nervous 
over results and he quietl}^ joined Company 
E, Thirty-ninth New York Infantry, enlist- 
intr under the name of Charles Homan. He 
served with this regiment until the battle of 
Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1804. 
At this battle iie lost his left arm and was 
wounded in the right side and right arm. 
He was then sent to the hospital at Wash- 
ington, and two months latei' to the Chris- 
tian street hospital in Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania. From there he was transferred to 
the Broad and Cherry streets hosjtital, and 
was finally honorabl}' discharged. 

After beintr mustered out of the service 



Mr. Ristow returned to Wisconsin and 
enoaofed in farming. He remained there 
until 1878, when he came to Polk county, 
Minnesota, and took 100 acres of land 
as a homestead on section 18, Fanny town- 
ship, where he now lives. This place has 
since been his home with the exception of 
four years, when he was county jailer and 
lived in Crookston. His farm is under a 
high state of cultivation and is a valuable 
one. His building improvements are sul> 
stantial and comfortable. Mr. Ristow draws 
a pension of $-15 per month and well deserves 
it. He is a genial, hospitable and intelligent 



gentleman, well posted on all public matters, 
a man of the strictest integrit}' and is highly 
regarded in the locality in which he lives. 
He has always taken a part in all matters 
of a public nature and has filled many of the 
local offices. 

]\Ir. Ristow was married at Alma, Buffalo i 
county, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth Buehler, 
a daughter of John and ^[ary (Veraguth) 
Ruehler. She was born in Fountain City^ 
Wisconsin, but her parents were natives of I 
Switzerland. IVfr. and Mrs. Ristow are the 
parents of the following children — Charles, 
Mary, Maggie, John, Theodore and Eliza- 
beth, all of whom ai'e living at home. 



-^^ 



J^ENGT JOHNSON, of llallock, Kittson 
Jtfey county, Minnesota, is county treasurer 
of his county and is one of the most highly 
respected and prominent citizens of that 
locality. He was born in Yirke, Sweden, on 
the 20th of November, 1854, and is a son of 
John and Boel (Larson) Swenson, natives 
also of Sweden. He grew to manhood in his 
native land, receiving the same training as 
to integrity, frugality and industry which is 
so characteristic of his race. He received 
an excellent education, attending common 
schools until seventeen and then for six 
months attended the graded school at Ilvilan. 
He then worked in a foundry and machine 
shop for about two years. He then went to 
a ]n"ivate school for a year, when he entered 
the college at Malmo, where he took a 
thorough course of three years and graduated 
with the highest honors. He then kept 
books in that town for about one year, and 
at the expiration of that time, on the 1st of 
May, 1880, came to the Ignited States. 
He made his way directl}- to Dakota, worked 
on a railroad for a time and followed various 
kinds of labor until the spring of 1881. He 
then went to Kittson county, Minnesota, and 



PARJC REGIONS OF MINNESOTA 



769 



took a ]ire-emption on section 2, Skane town- 
shi]). Tie improved this and still owns the 
farm. lie lived upon it until the fall of 1888, 
when he removed to Hallock, having been 
elected county treasurer on the " Peo])le's 
ticket." 



«« 



f NICHOLAS NIMESYERN is a resident 
of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minne- 
sota, where lie has a well-stocked and ]iopular 
confectionery and notion store. His native 
place is found in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, 
where he was born January 29, 18.57. His 
parents were John and Maggie (Zinimer) 
Nimesyern, natives of Germany. 

The subject of our sketch spent his early 
life helping his parents with work on the 
farm, and also working for neighboring 
farmers and turning over the proceeds of his 
labor to his father. In those days the 
advantages for receiving an education were 
not of the highest order, but he contrived by 
home study and attending the district 
schools somewhat to obtain a fair knowl- 
edge of books. Remaining with his parents 
until he was twenty-one years old, he then 
engaged in farm work for himself. After 
two years spent in that kind of labor, he 
next turned his attention to carpentering, 
following that trade for some five years. 
Being desirous of obtaining a better educa- 
tion, during these five years he attended 
school in the '\\anter months, making a par- 
ticular stmly of architecture and draugiiting, 
as he then expected to follow the carpenter's 
trade as a life-long business. He also took a 
course of instruction in St. John University, 
in Stearns county ; three years of the time, 
or a greater part thereof, were spent in 
Albany, Steai'ns count}'. Removing thence 
he went to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, 
where he remained for six months working 
at his trade. Then, in 1882, he came 



to Red Lake Falls, purchased four lots, 
and settled down to work at his ti-ade. He 
made carpenter work his principal business 
for about two years, then, in company with 
his brother, Peter, he engaged in the fur- 
niture trade, continuing the partnership 
until 1886. In that year he bought out his 
brother's interest and has since continued in 
business alone. In 1887 to the furniture 
goods he added a stock of fruits and con- 
fectionery and also musical instruments. 
His stores are both in one building, but he 
occupies two rooms, one containing his fine 
stock of furniture and the other his notion 
store. Mr. IS'imesj'ern has become one of 
the leading men of Red Lake Falls, and b}' 
his courteous manners and public spirit has 
formed many warm friendships. Leaving 
home when a poor boy, he had no one to 
look to for support or help and had to make 
his own way by hard work at any kind of 
labor he could fine to do. Starting out with 
nothing, by thrift and careful management 
he has grown into good circumstances and 
has built up an extensive trade. He is a lead- 
ing member of the Catholic church. 



-«- 



^^> 



RANK J. THOMPSON, one of the 
P^ leading members of the Red River 
Valley Bar, a well-known lawyer of Fargo, 
is also one of the most prominent members 
of the Masonic fraternity in the Northwest. 
Mr. Thompson was born at Rockford, 
Illinois, on the 23d of August, 1854, and is a 
son of Jared C. and Sarah J. (Mason) 
Thompson, natives of the State of New York. 
At the time of his birth his parents were in 
Illinois on a visit, their home being in 
Augusta, Michigan. While our subject was 
still a small child his parents removed to 
Marshall, Michigan, where he spent the 
greater jjortion of his l)oyhood-days. He 
attended the common schools until twelve 



no 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



years of age, when lie began life on liis own 
account. Since tiiat time lie has depended 
wliolly upon ills own exertions, and is in 
every sense a sclf-niade man. Thus tlie 
work of a in;in devolved upon him while he 
was still a child; hut he succeeded l)y hard 
work and indefatigable energy in educating 
iiiuiself, and he is to-day one of the most 
able and ca]ial)le lawyers in the valley. 
When he left home he learned the machinist's 
trade, working for eighteen months as an 
office boy, and then went into the shops and 
followed this for four years. lie then sup- 
ported himself by kee})ing books and look- 
ing after hotel interests. He then, having 
a talent for music, finished a musical course, 
and for two years thereafter taught piano 
music at Centerville and Three Elvers, Michi- 
gan. At the oxniration of that time he went 
to Jackson, Michigan, and for two years 
attended the college at that place ; then 
entered the law oHice of Higley 'k. (Jibson, 
and for eighteen months diligently pursued 
his legal studies. lie was then admitted to 
the bar, and opened an olfice in ,Iac-kson, 
Michigan, continuing in practice there until 
the sjjring of 1S7S, when he removed to 
Fariro, North Dakcjta, and has since made 
that his home and pursued his profession. 
He has built u]) a lucrative business, as he is 
a successful practitioner, a safe and cautious 
counsel, an able speaker aiul a thorough law- 
yer. During early days here he also found 
time to devote some of his energies to differ- 
ent lines, being at one time connected with 
the United States land office as clerk, and 
has also devoted some attention to fai-ming 
interests. 

As has been stated, Mr. Thompson is an 
honored member of the ]\tasonic fraternity, 
a member of Sliilo Lodge, No. S, Faigo, of 
which he has served as worshipful master for 
five consecutive years. He is vener.'dile nuis- 
ter of Perfection Lodge, Scottish Kite Masons. 
At various times he has served as an officer 



in the Grand Lodge of Dakota, and is now 
for the second time serving as reporter on 
foreign cori'cspcjndencc for the Grand Lodge 
of Dakota. He is a Royal Arch Mason, 
Knight Temjjlai', and has received the thirty- 
third and last degree in Scottish Kites of 
South Jurisdiction. 

Our subject was married in Minneapolis, 
Noveud)er 12, 1882, to Miss Eluiadine IJis- 
sonette, a daughter of Antoine and I'hila- 
mene Bissonette. They have one cliilil 
named Jaredine. 



^♦>« 



►^- 



I. UNDERWOOD, deceased, was edi- 
tor and i)ro])i-ietor of the Fergus 
Falls Journal, established July, 1873. He 
was clerk of court, which position he held 
for many years with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to all concerned. He was a 
native of Clymer. New York, and was the 
son of Aliishaand Mary (Alvord) Underwood, 
also natives of New York. 

Mr. Underwood was married to Mi.ss 
Nancy Folsom in 1857, and this union was 
blessed with livechildren--Annie, IJenjamin, 
Judson, May and Elizabeth. Mrs. Under- 
wood still has an interest in the Jon null, and 
is a lady of more than ordinary attainments 
and ability. Mr. Underwood was a I'epuMi- 
can and an exemplary citizen, hiyldy 
esteemed and res[)ected by all who knew 
him. He with his family belonged to the 
Presbyterian church, of which organization 
he was deacon for many years. 

M NDREW PETERSON is the present 
_2P^^ efficient cashier of the Pank of 
AVheaton, Traverse county. Minnesota. The 
bank was incorporated on the IHth day of 
January, 1889, with the following ollicers : 
President, David Burton ; vice-])resident, O. 
R. Lifitt; and cashier, Andrew Peterson, the 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



77t 



subject of this article. Mr. Peterson is a 
native of tiie icinndom of Norway, bom in 
JBergen Stift, in tlie nortiiern part, on the 
9th day of February, 1862, and is the son of 
Peder and Sigre Pederson, also natives of 
tiiat kingdom. The father and mother, who 
are still residing in Norway, are the parents 
of the folio \ving-named children— Peder, 
David, Anna, Andi'ew and Aone. Of the 
children all are in Swift county, Minnesota, 
except Peder, who is still in Norway, and 
Andrew, our subject. 

Mr. Peterson the subject of this memoir, 
receiveil his education in his native hind, 
where lie rcsmained until 1880. Then he 
emigrated to the United States, and located 
in Swift county, Minnesota, where he woi'lced 
on a farm dui'ing that summer, and in the 
following wintei' attended school in I'enson. 
In the spring of 18S1 he secured a position 
as clerk in the general store of A. N. John- 
son & Co., with whom he remained for four 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
returned to his native land, and after remain- 
intr one week, amiin emifirated to the United 
States, bringing lifLy-two emigrants with him, 
who all settled in Minnesota. Upon his 
return he located in the village of Wheaton, 
Traverse county, Minnesota, and opened a 
general merchandise store, which he carried 
on, doing a large business until 1888. Then 
he engaged in the machinery and collecting 
business until the present Pank of Wheaton 
was established, when our subject assumed 
the duties of cashier. 

Mr. Peterson was united in marriage, in 
1885, in Benson, to Miss Randi Jjelgum, and 
this union has been blessetl with one boy — 
Albert S. Our subject anil his family 
belong to the Lutheran church. In political 
matters he is an adiierent to the principles 
whicii govern the republican party. He is 
one of the representative citizens of Wheaton 
and is pi'ominently identified with all local 
matters. 



'AMES FOREMAN. The subject of this 
^ article is a resident of the village of 
Argyle, Marshall count}^ Minnesota, where 
he is engaged in blacksmithing. He is a 
native of Scotland, born in Forfarshire, and 
is the son of David and Jane (Clyne) Fore- 
man, iilso natives of that kingdom. 

Mr. Foreman remained at home attending 
school until he was sixteen years old, whim 
he commenced in life for himself by entering 
an ap|)renticesliii) to the blacksmith's trade. 
After learning his ti'ade he worked out for 
one year and again I'eturned to the old shop. 
After remaining six weeks he again worked 
for six months in a country shop, then went 
to a new emplover, with wiiom he remained 
one year. He then went to Montrose and 
after working six months again returned to 
a country shop, where he remained one year. 
At the expiration of that time he went to 
Brechin and worked si.x months at his trade. 
In 1882 he removed to Crookston, Minnesota, 
and after working one year for McKinin 
Brothers, removed to Argyle, Marshall 
county, Minnesota, and purchased his present 
blacksmith sho]). He also runs a wagon 
sho]) in I'onnei-tion and is doing a good 
business. 

Mr. Foreman was married in Orookston, 
Minnesota, on the 19th of November, 1884, 
to Miss Josie Johnson. They are devoted 
members of tiie i'l'csbyti'rian church. Our 
subject is a member of the village council. 
He is a hard woi'ker and is an exemplary 
citizen, • highly esteemed by all who know 
him. 



PIERRE BOTTINEAU, well known as a 
guide in Sibley's expedition across the 
plains, and as Government scout, is a resi- 
dent of the village of Red Lake Falls, where 
he owns considerable land near the village. 
He is a native of Dakota, born about twelve 
miles west of Grand Forks, and is the son of 



ni 



RF.n RTVF.K V/ir.LF.V yl.VD 



Charles and Margaret (Clear Sky) Bottineau. 
About the time our subject was born Lord 
Selkirk formed a colony of Swedes and 
Scotchmen near Fort Gary, and after tlie 
death of Lord Selkirk they commenced an 
exodus. Although our subject was a boy, 
he was well skilled as a guide, and he acted 
as such to a great many families. Tn a great 
many early ex]ieditions lie was employed as 
a scout and •luide bv the Government, and 
was such in tiio noted Sibley expedition. 
He is well accjuainted with all Dakota, Min- 
nesota, Montana, etc., and his services as 
such were invaluable. In IS-tl he took a 
claim where St. Paul now stands, but later 
sold it for a horse and cow. He then bought 
a claim where St. Anthou}' Falls is located, 
and by the dishonesty of purchasers lost 
thousands of dollars. He now owns 200 
acres of line land adjoining the village of 
Eed Lake Falls. 

Mr. Bottineau was married in Winnipeg 
to Miss Jennie Larence, and they were 
blessed with the following-named children — 
Pierre (dead), John, Pierre (dead), Mary, 
Danie (dead), Eosalie (deceased), Margarette, 
Leon and Elsie (twins, deceased). After 
Mrs. Bottineau's death, our subject married 
Miss Martha Garvis, and they have been 
blessed with tlie following-named children — 
Martha, Charles, Leon, Henrv, William, 
Emilie, George (deceased), George, Norman, 
Laura, Jennie (dead), Jenn}', Agnes and 
Noah. 



-«>-: 



%^^ILLIAM H. PATTEE, M. D. a prom- 
\^md inent and leadino- physician and 



ph. 
surgeon, residing in tlie village of Pelican 

Jlapi(.ls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is 
also engaged in the drug business in connec- 
tion with his professional work. 

From the records of a meeting held in 
May, 1788, tiie orthography of the name 



Pattee has undergone various changes, such 
as Petty, Pettee, Patty, Pattee, etc., yet all 
derived from the same original word. The 
following is a brief ancesti'al record of our 
suijject's ancestry. Sir William Pattee was 
a physician to Cromwell and King Charles 
of England. He was one of the founders 
of the Koyal Society and was knighted in 
1660. He was a co[)ious and exhaustive 
writer on political economy, and Macaula\' 
in his history of England mentiuns this fact. 
Petei' Pattee, a son of Sir William was born 
in Lansdowne, England, in KUs. In Kid'.t 
on account of certain politicial ideas he enter- 
tained, he found it necessary to take a hasty 
departure from his native country. He 
emigi'ated to the United States, and settled 
in Virginia, and after remaining a few years 
went to ILaverhill, Massachusetts, where, in 
November, 1677, he took the oath of alle- 
giance. He was married at LLiverhill, and 
became the father of a large family. He 
founded the corporation at that jilace and 
established a ferry and mill, which retains 
his name to this day. Peter Pattee was the 
grandfather of Captain Asa Pattee, who 
was born at Haverhill in 1732, and removed 
to Warner county, Massachusetts, at about 
the close of the Revolutionary War. He 
was a captain in the French and Lidian Wars, 
and was j)resent at the taking of (^uel)ec. 
On coming to Warner he located where 
the village now stands and erected the iirst 
frame house, now known as the Lh: Eaton 
House, in which he ran a hotel for a. number 
of years. He was the father of John Pattee, 
who was the father of Asa, Jesse and Cyrus 
Pattee, also of Daniel, who settled in Canaan 
and whose descendants are prominent citizens 
of Grafton county, Massachusetts. Asa 
Pattee, the son of John Pattee, the grandson 
of Capt. Asa Pattee, and the great-great- 
great-grandson of Sir William, was born in 
Warner county, Massachusetts, on tiie Hth 
day of October, 1800, and was educated in the 



PARK KEGIONS OF MINXESOTA. 



773 



district scliool on Tory Tlill. In 182Y he was 
married to Miss 8allio Colby, the daughter of 
Stephen Colby, one of the Revolutionary 
soldiers and a prominent man of a century 
ago. Mr. Tattee was a practical and success- 
ful farmer through life, and served repeat- 
edly as a selectman and representative. 
He was the father of the following- 
named children — John (deceased), Dr.Luther, 
Stephen C, Dr. Asa ; and daughters, Mrs. 
Palmer and Mrs. E. C. Cole. 

William 11. Pattee, M. D., the subject of 
this sketch, is a native of Warner county. 
New llnm[)shire, l)()rn Se])tem])er 7, 1856, 
and is the son of Stephen and Sally Pattee, 
also natives of that county. The father was 
the son of Peter Pattee, who has been men- 
tioned above. Our subject remained at home 
attending school until he was twenty-one 
years old. In June, 1877, he graduated with 
high honors at Burlington, Vermont, and 
then for a few months attended medical lec- 
tures at Boston. He then went to Belmont, 
where he engaged in his professional work 
until the spring of 1878. He then went to 
London Eidge, and until 1881 followed the 
practice of medicine. In February, 1881, he 
removed to Minnesota and located at Peli- 
can Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, 
where he engaged in his profession, and in 
188G, in partnership with Dr. Rea, established 
his present drug store. Since that time he 
has been actively engaged in liis profession 
and the drug business, and is one of the most 
prominent and successful practitioners in the 
county. 

Dr. Pattee was married on the Slth da}' of 
September, 188;?, to Miss Antoinetta Scott, 
and this union has been blessed with the fol- 
lowing-named children — Stephen and Her- 
bert. Our sul)jeet is a democrat in his politi- 
cal affiliations and is actively interested in 
all local matters. He is a man of the strict- 
est integrity, and is highly esteemed both 
professionally' and as an exemplary citizen. 



M. HIGLEY, a prominent merchant 
of Lake Park, Becker county, Minne- 
sota, is engaged in the hardware business, 
handling a full line of heavy and shelf hard- 
ware, stoves, tinware, cutlerj', household 
furnishing goods, etc. He is a native of 
Potter county, Pennsylvania, born on the 
17ih day of December, 1843, and is the soti 
of Isaac M. and Polly (Felt) lligley, natives 
of New Vork State. The father removed to 
Pennsylvania in about 1840 anil in 18.52 to 
Jo Daviess county, Illinois, whei'c he followed 
farming for three years. Then in 1856 he 
settled in Dover township, Olmsted county, 
Minnesota, where he pre-empted 160 acres, 
where he is now living, engaged in farming. 
Mrs. Higley died in 1857. They were the 
parents of three children, two of whom are 
now living — our subject and Susan. 

Mr. Higley, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home, attending school until he 
was seventeen years old, when he enlisted 
in Brackett's Cavalry. They at once went 
to Benton Barracks, and formed in the Fifth 
Iowa C!avalry. Our subject was on the skir- 
mish line in Kentucky and Alabama, and in 
1864 re-enlisted and was with Genei'al 
Sully's expedition across the plains.. In 1866, 
after receiving his discharge, he I'eturned 
home and ])urchased a faiMii, on which he 
remained, engaged in farming until 1870. 
He then removed to Becker county, Min- 
nesota, and took a soldier's liomestead five 
miles south of Lake Park, which he culti- 
vated and improved, remaining there until 
1883. He then traded his farm for his pres- 
ent property in Lake Park, on the corner of 
block 10, where he has since carried on the 
hardware business. He has been piomi- 
nently identified with the ])rogress of the 
village, and has held the following offices: 
member of the school board, village recorder, 
constable, school treasui'cr, etc. 

Mr. lligley was mari'ied in 1867 to Mrs. 
E. M. Bogue, of St. Charles, Minnesota, and 



774 



KED KJVER VALLEY AND 



the daiiglitiM- of ]\rorril and Maria Chamber- 
lin. P.v iiei- first IuisIkukI l^frs. Iligli'V was 
the mother of two cliildren — William H. and 
Harriet A. '\\\\ and Mrs. lligloy are the 
|)afents of four children, named as follows — 
Miles M., Ella E., Frank B. and Mary E. 
Our subject is a rcjiublican in his political 
alliiiations. lie is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic and Sons of Temper- 
ance. He is one of the solid business men of 
the place. 



^M.LBERT P.MclNTYRE, proprietor of the 
.^^L Windsor House, and also postmaster 
of Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is a 
native of Wisconsin. lie was born in 
Kenosha county on the 25th of August, 1845, 
and is the son of John P. and Margery 
Mclntyrp. natives of New York. In 1857 
his parents I'emoved to Dodge county, Min- 
nesota, and located on Government land there. 
Mr. IMclntyre, the subject of this sketch, 
remained at home until August 21, 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Min- 
nesota Infantry. He expected to receive a 
twenty-days' furlough to go home and har- 
vest, but owing to the Indian trouble coming 
on the company were ordered to the Win- 
nebago Agency, where they renuiined nine 
mouths and then joined Sibley's expedition. 
After til is was finished tliey returned to 
Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and were ordered 
to St. Louis, Missouri, where they were sta- 
tioned for two or throe days in lienton Bar- 
racks, wiien their colonel, J. H. Baker, was 
appointetl })rovost marshal, and for nine 
montlisoui' subject's company served on pro- 
vost duty in tlie cit}'. Tiiey were then ordered 
to Cokuubus, Kentucky, and after remaining 
in camp there for two months went to Mem- 
phis, where they were for three months. Their 
brigade, under Colonel Mower, then went up 
White river to Duvall's Bluff and into Mis- 
souri to Cai)e Girardeau, and then to St. 



Louis. From St. Louis they went to Jeffer- 
son City, and then to the west side of the 
State in pursuit of General Price. Their 
brigade nnmliered 3,000, and they suddmdy 
came upon Price with troops numbering 
ai)0ut fifteen thousand, whic-ii caused a 
hast}' but orderly retreat in our subject's 
bi'igade. Tiiey then went to Jefferson City 
by boat, and from there to the western pait 
of the State to intercept Price, but i)efore 
they got there he had left. They then went 
to St. Louis, and then to N.ashville, Tennes- 
see, where they were in battle with Hood. 
They carried the pursuit to Eastport, where 
they camped three or four weeks, and then 
took ])assage to New Orleans. They arrived 
tiiere in February, 1865, and in a short time 
took passage to Mobile Bay, and after 
remaining two weeks took transport to the 
east side of Spanish Fort, where they were 
under fire for several days. On the 19th of 
A[)i'il the fort was evacuated, and wiiile on 
their way to Montgomery they received 
word of Lee's surrender. From Montgomery 
tiiey went to Meridian, Mississippi, where 
they remained nearly four months, and then 
returnetl to Minnesota and were mustered 
out August 21, 1865. After his discharge 
our subject returned home and engaged in 
farming until 1878, when he located in Mar- 
shall county, Minnesota, wiiere he took a 
homestead and three and one-quarter sec- 
tions of sciiool land and one-half section of 
railroad land. In ISSl he l)uilt his home in 
Warren, where he has since lived. He 
opened a real estate office, and was appointed 
agent for raili'oad lands, and served an unex- 
pired term as sheriff, also county ti'easurer. 
He has been county commissioner and 
chairman of that body for tiii'ce years, also 
chairman of the school iioard. In 1885 he 
opened the Windsor House, wliich he still 
runs. In Mav, 1886, he was appointed post- 
master, which position he still fills. He is 
one of the solid business men of the place, 



PARK RKGJOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



775 



and is higlily esteemed by all who know 
him. 

Ml'. Mclntyre was united in marriage 
December 26, 1869, to Miss Margaret 
Hunter, the daughter of William and Mar- 
garet (Furgerson) Hunter, natives of Scot- 
land. 

In political matters he affiliates with the 
ileraocratic party. 

— — *— S^}^-*— ^ 

E. REYNOLDS is the editorand manager 
^ of the AYadena Pioneer. Mr. Kej'nohls 
came to Wadena, Wadena county, Min- 
nesota, in June, 1888, to take charge of the 
above-named papei', which office he had pur- 
chased in company with his father. Prof. 
B. M. Eeynolds, a short time previous. This 
])aper is the oldest and most influential 
republican journal in AVailena county, and 
when first established by S. S. Gardner, in 
1878, it bore the name of Northern Pacific 
Farmer. There have been numerous changes 
in the ownersiiip and editorial nmnagement 
of the paper, but through all the changes it 
lias adhered to the principles of the repub- 
lican party. In 1885 the paper was under 
tiie management of Messrs. Beerman & Will- 
son, and in tliat year its name was changed 
to the Pioneer. In 1886 Mr. Beerman 
became the sole proprietor of the paper and 
continued in charge untd June 1, 1888, 
when it was purchased by the present 
owners, B. M. &c J. E. Reynolds. Since Mr. 
Re^'nolds took charge of the paper it has im- 
proved very materially, and it is now one of 
the briglitest and newsiest journals in the 
Northwest. Mr. Reynolds also has a large 
department in his office where he j)rints 
blanks of ail kinds. He carries a large 
amount of iidvertising and lias made his 
paper an eminent success in ;ill of its deiiart- 
ments. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of 
Lockport, New York, wliere he was born I 



November, 1, 1863. His parents were Prof. 
Benjamin M. and Mary A. Reynolds. When 
Joseph E. was but three j'ears of age his par- 
ents removed to Madison, Wisconsin, where the 
father was superintendent of the city schools 
for four years. For two years he was super- 
intendent of the schools of Monroe county. 
In 1873 the family removed to La Crosse, 
Wisconsin, where the father was princijial of 
the high school foi- four ye;irs. He is now 
residing in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where 
he is superintendent of the city schools. 
Joseph E., the subject of our sketch, while 
the family was in La Crosse apprenticed to 
learn the printing business in the office of 
the Liberal Democrat, a daily pajier issued 
by Symes & Usher. This paper is now 
known as the 31orning Chronicle. After con- 
tinning some time in the office of the Dem- 
ocrat lie entered the office of the Repuhlican 
ami Leader, remaining in these offices two or 
three years, being for one year foreman in 
the latter office. At the end of this period 
he accepted a position in tlie office of the 
Morning Chronicle, with which he continued 
some six or seven years, for four years of 
that time beino- assistant foreman. Leavins: 
La Crosse he spent two years in Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin. October 1, 1887, he went to 
Ashland, same State, where lie accepted a 
position as foreman of the composing room 
of the Morning News, a leading daily paper. 
Remaining eiglit months with this paper, he 
then removed to Wadena, Wadena county, 
Minnesota, where he has since resided. Mr. 
Reynolds is thoroughly qualified both by 
natural endowments and education, experi- 
mentali}' and otherwise, to occupy his present 
position at the head of the leading ])aper of 
Wadena county. He has had foui-teen years' 
experience in the newspaper business, and, 
therefore, understands it in all its details. In 
politics Mr. Reynolds is a loyal repulilican, 
believes in the principles of that part\' and 
always votes a " straight ticket." 



776 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



J^^ H. NOLEM, who is engaged in the 
-l.''\- general merchandising business in 
partnership witli Mr. Tiioni])son, lias been a 
resident of liarnesville, JMinnesota, since 
1882. AVhen he first settled tliere he was 
employed by the railroad company as bag- 
gage man, and later had cliarge of the trans- 
fer. In the spring of 1883 he was employed 
as cleric, from which he gradually worked 
up, and f rom Se]itember, 1887, to September, 
1888, was agent at Glyndon. Then he 
returned to Barnesville, where he has since 
been engaged in his present business. He is 
a native of Kings county, New IJi-unswick, 
where he remained until coming to Barnes- 
ville in 1SS2. He is a leading merchant of 
that place and is doing a good business. 



-«« 



ARVIS A. GRANT is CTigaged in the 
lumber business and handles farm ma- 
chinery at Detroit, T'ecker county, Min- 
nesota. He is also engaged in the manu- 
facturing of all kinds of furniture, and is 
conductino- some of the largest business 
enterprises in this part of the county. The 
place of his nativity' is in the sea-bound 
Province of New Brunswick, where he was 
born in 1831. 

Mr. Grant is the son of William and 
Hannah (White) Grant, the former being a 
native of New Brunswick, the latter boi'n in 
Maine. The father was engaged for many 
3'ears in farming on an extensive scale, and 
also in conducting a large lumber business in 
New Brunswick-. At the time of his death, 
in 1884, he was a resident of the State of 
Maine. The mother died in 1854. In the 
farmer's family were fourteen children, four 
of whom are now living — William, Margaret, 
(now Mrs. Hovey, of Maine); Jarvis A. (the 
subject of our sketch), and George F. AVill- 
iam Grant's father was also named William, 
and was a native of Ireland. He cam-e to 



America early in the eighteenth century, 
settled in the United States, and was a soldier 
in the Bevolutionary War. Hannah (White) 
Grant, the mother of the subject of our 
sketch, was the daughter of William White, a 
native of Connecticut. In early life he set- 
tled in the State of Maine, where he lived 
until his death. 

Jarvis A. Grant, of whom this sketch treats, 
remained with his ]iarents, receiving a good 
common school education in New Brunswick 
and in the State of Maine. When the gold 
excitement broke out and the stories came 
to his ears of the wonderful discoveries and 
large fortunes found in California, lu'. too, 
was taken with the fever, and, going by way 
of the Isthmus, went to the gold ticlds on 
the Pacific slope. This was in 1851, and so 
successful was he that he remained until 
1853, at which time he returned to the State 
of Maine and engaged in hotel keeping. He 
was also interested largely in the lumber 
business, remaining in the Old Bay State 
for some fifteen j'ears. At this time he re- 
moved to New Brunswick, where he was 
born, and engaged in lumbering and farming, 
following these occupations for about ten 
years. He then concluded to remove to the 
far West and seek a new location \vhere he 
might "grow up with the country'." So in 
1877 he came to Minnesota, locating in (May 
county, and engaging in th(^ same lines of 
business that he had pursued in his native 
province. He was engaged largely in the 
hunbering business, and his farming opera- 
tions were carried on on an immense scale in 
the township of Riverton, where he owned 
1,500 acres of land and activelv cultivated 
1,000 acres. He engaged largely, also, in 
raising stock, both horses and cattle, and 
employed nearly two hundred men. Con- 
tinuing the personal management of these 
large interests until 1884, he then removed 
to Detroit, Becker county, where he has 
since lived. He had. however, made this 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



777 



city his headquarters for shipping supplies 
to his himber camp in Beltrami county 
since 1879. 

Ml'. Grant was married in 1854 to Miss 
Elizabeth Pennington, of Holton, Maine. 
She was a daugliter of James and Mary A. 
(Gallop) Pennington, her father being one of 
the wealth}^ and prominent farmers of that 
country. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have a family 
of five children — J. Byron, Alva A., Ratch- 
ford, Ella and Hudson. 

Mr. Grant is a director of the First National 
Bank of Detroit, of which he was one of the 
oro-anizers. He has the onlv furniture fac- 
tory in the town and the only one on the 
Northern Pacific Eaih'oad west of St. Paul. 
He owns considerable village property, and 
resides in an elegant tiveihousand-doUar 
residence located on Minnesota avenue. 
Wherever he has lived he has taken an ear- 
nest and active interest in all public matters, 
and besides holding many minor offices was 
justice of the peace while in Maine and also 
while in Clay county, Minnesota. In politics 
Mr. Grant affiliates with the republican 
party. He is a man of sound principles, 
and when necessary can defend his princi- 
ples by strong and persuasive ai'gument. 
Looking at his career from a business stand- 
point, it can well be said that he has reached 
the height of merited success. In all respects 
Mr. Grant is a man who will command the 
confidence and esteem of all those with whom 
he comes in contact, by virtue of his excel- 
lent business qualities and integrity of char- 
acter. 



PETER HERBRANDSON, the present 
deputy postmaster in the village of 
Caledonia, Traill county, A'orth Dakota, is a 
native of Norway. He was born near 
Drammen, on the 0th of August, 1847, and 
is the son of llerbran and Bergret (Narvesen) 
Peterson, also natives of that kingdom. 



Mr. Herbrandson, of whom this article 
treats, remained at home attending school 
until he was about fifteen years old. At 
that age he learned the baker's trade, which 
he followed for about three years. In 18t!4 
he emigrated to the United States, and after 
landing, located in Clayton count}'^, Iowa, 
where he worked for farmers for about four 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
boughta team and threshing machine, rented 
a farm and worked at farming and threshing. 
About that time he l)ought a piece of timber 
land, and in the winters put in choppers and 
got out wood and [>osts. He was thus 
employed until 1874, when he moved to Otter 
Tail county, Minnesota, with the intention 
of taking land, but as the country did not 
suit him and it was just at the time when 
the grasshoppers were a great pest in that 
region, he did not settle. In his travels 
he went up into the Red River Yalley, 
but soon returned to Otter Tail county, 
where he had left his family. The}'^ removed 
to the unsettled portion of tliat county, 
where he put u]) hay and built a house and 
stable. While there he was troubled with 
the Indians, who camped near there every 
winter. They would l)eg or steal, and 
although there never was an outbreak, they 
were a constant worry to the settlers, who did 
not know what moment there would be an 
uprising. In the spring of 1875 he removed 
to Caledonia, Traill county. North Dakota, 
where he took a preemption claim, which he 
afterward proved upon as a homestead. He 
engaged in shijiping and buying cattle, 
which he followed for two years. He 
proved up on his claim in August, 1878, and 
after living upon it fornine months removed 
to the village, where he has since lived. In 
January, 1882, he was appointed postmaster 
of the village, which position he filled until 
April, 1886, when he was a[)pointed deputy 
postmaster. In the fall of 1878 he was 
elected county commissioner, and since that 



778 



A'/-./) /■/ ; i-.R I -.I //./■: y aa'd 



time has held that office. He was form- 
erly interested in the real estate business,and 
now owns somethinjjover one-half section in 
Dakota and 200 acres in Minnesota. He 
owns a fine dwelling house, and is aniongthe 
prominent business men of Caledonia. 

Mr. Horbrandson was married in Clayton 
county, Iowa, in June, 1873, to Miss Carrie 
Nelson, and they have been blessed with the 
following-named children — Emma, Anna, 
Nina and Harry. Our subject and his fam- 
ily belong to the Norwegian Lutheran 
church. He is a substantial and careful bus- 
iness man, and since his residence in Cale- 
donia lias been prominently identified with 
the local pi'osperity of the place. Pie is a 
man of excellent business qualifications, and 
his uniform straightforward and honorable 
course in all business transactions has caused 
him to be rated as one of the most honorable 
men in the countv. 



^^^ 



/^^•^USTAF A. HOKENSON, the proprietor 
v^ of the liattle Lake House, at Battle 
Lake, Otter Tail countv, l\Iinnesota, will 
form the subject of our present sketch. He 
was i)orii September 21, 1S47, and is the son 
of llokcn and Johannah (Anderson) Hoken- 
son, both of whom were natives of Sweden. 
They were well-to-do farmers in that coun- 
try, and lived there until their death. 

The subject of this sketch remained with 
his parents in the old country until 1808, 
when he came to the United States, landing 
in New York City and going to St. Paul, 
Minnesota. He obtained work on the Mani- 
toba Raili-oad during the summer, and that 
fall returned to St. Paul, remaining there for 
about one ^^ear tending bar. He next 
removed to Conner, Minnesota, where he 
engaged in teaming for two years. Then 
some six months were spent in tending 
bar in St. Paul, after which time he went 



to Otter Tail City, Minnesota, where he 
engaged in the saloon business. From 
there he went to Monitor Falls, where 
he built a dam and commenced the erection 
of a large mill. After he had got the work 
on the mill under good headway, a freshet 
swept the dam away and destroyed all that 
had been ilone on the mill, and by this disas- 
trous stroke he lost all he had. Remaining 
there about one year he then removed to 
Balmoral, where he starteil a liotel and opened 
a saloon, and continued in these lines for two 
years. At the end of this time he turned his 
attention to agricultural i)ursuitsand rented a 
farm near the tov.n. Two years of farm life 
found him ready foi' Ijetter times. He pur- 
chased a farm and conducted that for two 
years, when, in 1882, he came to Battle Lake 
and built the hotel which he now runs, 
lie still retains his farm. 

Mr. Hokenson was married December 18, 
187*1, to Miss Lucia Larson and they are 
the parents of two children — Augustine E. 
and Alma L. 

In politics Mr. Hokenson affiliates with 
the re])ublican pai-ty. He is a capable busi- 
ness man, with that ]ierseveranceanil enei-gy 
that knows no such tiling as fail in what he 
undertakes. Although beaten back by ill- 
fortune several times in his life, and at those 
times having lost nearly everything he had, 
he has pursued a steady coui*se and lias 
regained all and more than he lost in those 
disastrous days. He runs a first class hotel 
and he has an excellent class of trade. 



-«"f^^-*- 



^^EORGE W. BARRY. The subject of 
^^A this biographical sketch is one of the 
leading and representative business men of 
the village of Grey Eagle, Todd county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in a success- 
ful drug business. He is a native of New 
Yoi'k, born in Jefferson county, on the 14th 



^AkK kEGIONS Of MINNESOTA. 



779 



of June, 1851, and is the son of James and 
Sarah (Woodman) Barry, both of whom are 
natives of New York. They are now pros- 
pei'ous farmers of Wisconsin, where they 
settled in 1S04. They are the parents of the 
following-named children — Albert, James, 
Cynthia, Sarah, George, William, Samuel, 
Mary and Robert. 

George W. Barry received his education in 
Canada, where he had removed with his par- 
ents at the age of tiiree years. There they 
remained eleven years, then removed to Rich- 
land county, Wisconsin, and he remained at 
iionic, assisting his father operate the home 
fai'ni until he was twenty-one years old. At 
that age he engaged in farming on his own 
account, and remained in that locality, 
engaged in general farmingand stock-raising, 
for eighteen years. He tiien went to Todd 
count}', Minnesota, and located in tlie village 
of Grey Eagle, where he has since remained. 

Mr. Barry was united in marriage to Miss 
Maggie M. Karnes, a native of Wisconsin, 
and the daughter of Adam Karnes. In this 
union our subject and wife have been blessed 
with the following-named children — Lillian, 
Burton, Allen, Clark, Jennie, Willie and 
Nellie. Our subject is a I'epublican in his 
political affiliations, and is activel}' interested 
in the campaigns of that ])arty. He is well 
and favoral)ly known thi'ougliout the county, 
and is a man of the strictest integrity and 
honor. 



--*-J^^-*' 



J^tON. J. H. VAN DYKE, the present 
JlrSL incumbent of the office of city justice 
of Alexandria, Minnesota, is a native of 
Albany county, New York. He was born 
April, 20, IS.jCi, and is the son of Aaron and 
Polly (Hughs) Van Dyke, also natives of 
New York. 

Mr. Van Dyke received his education in 
Pennsylvania, and in the summers assisted 
his father operate the home farm. In 1857 



he located in St. Cloud, IVfinnesota, and 
engaged in farming for a number of years. 
He then settled in Alexandria, Minnesota, 
where has since remained, prominently iden- 
tilied with the local history and prosperity 
of that locality. In 1883 he was elected to 
the State legislature, and has been closely 
connected with the political history of the 
north central part of Minnesota. He is a 
stanch republican in his political aiHliations, 
and is actively interested in the campaigns of 
that party. 

/^^EORGE FRITZ, of the firm of Fritz & 
\^^ Falley, publishers and proprietors of 
the DalvUi Glohe, of Wahpeton, Dakota, is 
one of the leading editors and newspaper 
men in the Red River Valley. He is a native 
of Dane county, Wisconsin, born in Bell- 
ville April 30, 1855, and is the son of John 
Fritz, a native of Germany, and who emi- 
grated to the United States and located in 
Wisconsin. 

Our subject was raised on the home farm, 
with the usual educational advantages of the 
common schools, until he was eighteen years 
of age. He then entered a j)rinting office 
in Cresco, Iowa, and after remaining a short 
time went on the Mississippi riveix where he 
remained one season. He then went to Lan- 
caster, Wisconsin, where he com])leted his 
trade in two years. After learning iiis trade 
he went to Aurora, Nebraska, and bought 'a 
half interest in the Telegraph, remaining 
there until 1879. In Marcli of that year he 
removed to Keokuk, luwa, and took a course 
in the mercantile college, when he again 
returned to Lancaster, Wisconsin, and after 
working at his trade one year went to Du- 
buque, Iowa. He then visited the Southern 
States, and on his return settled in Postville, 
Iowa, and after remaining one year again 
went to Wisconsin. After one year's sojourn 
in Wisconsin he went to Wahpeton, and after 



78o 



KED KIVER VALLEY AND 




working on the Timcfi one year went into 
business with P>ed Falley, with whom lie 
has since remained. In the spring of 1883 
he went to INfilnor, Dakota Territory, wliere 
he remained tiiree years, hohling a half 
interest in the Sargent County Teller. He 
tlien sold out and returned to "Walipeton, 
wiiere lie iuis since remained. He ownscon- 
siderable property in Sargent and Marshall 
counties, comprising 480 acres of fine farm- 
ing land. 

Mr. Fritz was married in 1883 to Miss 
Lucy Clubb, the daughter of John Ciubb, of 
Lancaster, Wisconsin. Our subject is a 
stanch adherent to the principles of the 
republican party, and is a member of the 
Odd- Fellows fraternity. 

^ORGER P. HOV, sassistant editor of 
A/holds Basunen, of Hillsboro, Da- 
kota, is a son of Frants E. Hovsveen and 
Mari Torgersdatter, natives of Norwa\', and 
was born in Oier, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, 
December 11, 1861. 

Up to the age of sixteen he worked on the 
farm of his pai'ents and attended a common 
school ; he was then employed in a judge's 
office for nearly six years, during which 
time he became well informed as to the prac- 
tice of law. Besides his office work he 
studied English, German, mathematics and 
otlier Ijranclies belonging to a higher educa- 
tii^n ; got his "Middle-school" graduation, 
and for some time continued his study at 
higher schools in Oliristiania. Sickness 
obliged him to give up his studies, and lie 
went home. He stayed there six months, 
then clerked about two 3'ears in a general 
store, after which he returned home, and on 
June 0, 1887, he arrived at Hillsboro, 
Dakota. He worked a short time at 
the carpenter's trade, and stopped with 
friends until he was em])loyed by Goodman 



»fc Shields in their loan and insurance office. 
After three months with them he accepted 
the position of assistant editor, which he 
now holds. 

Mr. Hov is a member of the Scandinavian 
Baptist church at Fargo, Dakota. He 
believes prohibition the one thing needful to 
this countr\', and is one of the stanch and 
faithful members of the prohibition party. 
He is an intelligent, well educated gentle- 
man, posted on the different public ques- 
tions, and is an able writer. 



..^^ 



/p^ L. THORPE, one of Ada's most 
^^A active and enterprising liusiness men, 
engaged in the mercantile i)Usinoss, is a 
native of New Jersey. He was born in 
Bergen county. New Jersey, in 1812, and in 
1855 located in Delphi, Iowa. In August, 
1861, he enlisted in Company I, Second Iowa 
Cavalry, and participated in a great many 
engagements in the late war. After receiv- 
ing his discharge in October, 1S(>4, helocated 
in Earlville, Iowa, and until 18*17 was 
engaged in business there. He then went 
to Manchester, Iowa, where he has since 
held business interests. In 1882 he settled 
in Ada, where he has since remained. 



actively engaged in business. He also owns 
interests in various elevators along different 
lines of railroads, and has small branch 
stores established in various towns in the 
Red River Valley. He is a prominent citi- 
zen and well known in the northern part of 
the State, and is highly esteemed b\' all who 
know him. 



\'1L) B. TODD, a prominent and suc- 
cessful agriculturist of Wilkin county, 
Minnesota, is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising on section 2-t, Breckenridge 
township. He is a native of Indiana, born 



PARK' RECIUXS OF A/fA'/VESOTA 



781 



in Jennings county on tlie 17th of Novem- 
ber, 1835, iiiid is a son of Levi W. and 
Deniia (Butler) Todd, natives of Ohio. The 
father settled in Jennings county, Indiana, 
after his marriage, and served as county 
treasurer, also paying some attention to real 
estate matters. Later in life lie was a ph\'- 
sician, and died in 1887. The mother died 
in 187n. They were devoted members of the 
Cliristian church. They were blessed with 
the following-named children — John, Jane, 
Eliza, Ovid, Irby, Jerome, William, Levi and 
Alice. 

Mr. Todd, of whom this article treats, 
receivetl his education in Vernon, Jennings 
county, Wisconsin, and at the age of sixteen 
years entered an aj)]n-enticeshi]) to the tin- 
ner's trade. After serving three years he 
followed the trade one year and then secured 
a position as clerk in a dry goods store for 
his brother-in-law, at Franklin, Johnson 
county, Indiana. In 1858 he returned to his 
farm, and in the spring of 1859 removed 
to Meeker county, Minnesota, where he 
remained one summer. He then returned to 
Indiana, and after remaining a short time 
again located in Meeker county. He fol- 
lowed farming until 18G1, when he went to 
Forest City, and September 2, 1861, was sent 
out with a company of forty men to rescue 
some families on tlie frontier. Our sul)ject's 
party were surprised by the Indians and 
driven back to Foi-est City. Our subject 
was wounded and his father, on learning of 
his trouble, took him by boat from Clear- 
water to IMinneapolis, as he was not able 
to stand the jar of a journey overland. 
In 1878 our subject located in Brecken- 
ridge, Minnesota, where he opened a hard- 
ware store, which business he carried on 
until he was burned out in 1884. He then 
removed to his farm, which he had purchased 
previous to tliis, and where he has since 
remained. He was town treasurer from 1879 
to 1887, and has been |>r()minently identified 



with all local matters, since his residence in 
the county. 

Mr. Todd was united in marriage in Sep- 
tember, 1870, to Miss Emma Kelly, a native 
of New York State. She was born in 
Ontario county on the 7th of Decembei', 
185-t, and located in Forest City with her 
parents in 1867. She is a daughter of Will- 
iam and Eachael (Haubert) Kelly, also 
natives of New York. The}' were the par- 
ents of the following-named children — Nil- 
son, Emma, Elva, Ella, Eugene, Allen, Min- 
nie, Jennie and Dolly. Mr. and,Mrs. Totid 
are the parents of three children — Ovid, 
Walter and Erma. Our subject is a repub- 
lican in his political affiliations and is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. 



— «" 



kENNIS HANNA is one of the leading 
citizens of the town of Stephen, Mar- 
shall county, Minnesota, and is engaged 
extensively in the general merchandise busi- 
ness. He has built up a large trade and car- 
ries a large stock of goods. Mr. Hanna was 
born May 2, 1847, in New Berlin, Waukesha 
county, Wisconsin, his jiarents being Dennis 
and Elizabeth J.(Dugdale) Hanna. The father 
was a native of Ireland, and the mother of 
the Isle of Man. 

The subject of our sketch remained on the 
home farm, working at farm work and 
attendingdistrict school until he was twenty- 
two years of age. He then went to St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he worked on a railroad 
for seven weeks, this being his first experience 
in shoveling dirt. From St. Paul he went 
to the vicinity of Hastings, where he turned 
his attention to farm work during harvest, 
and then went to Mankato. Blue Eartli 
county, Minnesota, to attend the normal 
school at that place. He was determined to 
obtain an education, and, through the kind- 
ness of Professor Gage, found a place where 



782 



KED klVER VALLE Y AND 



he worked to pay for a part of his board, and, 
between terms, also worked in tlio liai'vest 
field to obtain money to carry hiin tlirough 
his course. lie finally accomplislied his 
cherished ends and completed his course 
of training at the normal school, after 
which, for eight 3'ears, he taugiit school 
in the vicinity of New Ulm and Man- 
kato. In 187!> he removed to Marshall 
count}', Minnesota, settling in the village of 
Stephen with about $■100 in his pocket. As 
soon as he arrived he commenced his busi- 
ness operations and put up a store building 
and opened the pioneer store. In selecting 
this location Mr. Ilaiina was fortunate as to 
a place for business, but, unfortunately, be 
chose the wrong side of the river for the 
depot, so in the coui'se of two yeai'S, after 
the depot had been located on the other side, 
he built the store he now occupies. By 
careful attention to business Ilr. Hanna has 
built up a lai'ge and profitable trade. His 
§400 continually grew and became several 
thousands in goods and proj)erty. 

In the fall of 1876 Mr. Hanna was married 
to Miss Mary Agnes Lynch, of Marikato, 
Minnesota, the amiable and Christian daugh- 
ter of Edward and Mary Lynch. Mrs. 
Hanna died in the summer of 1878, leaving 
one child — Julia Agnes. After two years of 
lonesome wandering, in June, 1880, Mr. 
Hanna was married to the estimable and 
accomplished Miss Annie T. Russell, at Man- 
kato, Minnesota, daughter of Francis and 
Nancy (Bohan) Russell, natives of Ireland. 
1*3' this union there are five children — I'^ran- 
cis D., Edmund C, Jaines T., I'atrick Leon- 
ard and Eleanor Mary. 

Mr. Hanna is a man of extensive travel, 
and is possessed of a mind of broad ideas 
and well stored with practical truth. His 
|)rinciples are of the ))urest kind, and 
his character has been fashioned on these 
decided lines. He is a warm frientl and 
supporter of temperance and is a devoted 



follower of the teachings of Father Ire- 
land, tlie great apostle of the temperance 
movement in Minnesota. Mr. Hanna has 
observed the success and failure of the 
men with whom he has come in con- 
tact, and the ideas he has gathered there- 
from, together with his own practical ex- 
perience, lead him to think that success and 
prosperity are largely the results of the 
belief and practice of temperance principles. 
Seeing things in this light he has come to be 
an ardent supporter in every movement that 
tends toward sobriety and total abstinence, 
but he is not a i)rohibitionist. In politics he 
believes in the princijtles of the democratic 
party, and with Webster believes tiiat 
we should have '• freer tr-ade."' In various 
wa\'s Mr. Hanna has been honored by 
his fellow-townsmen, having held the 
offices of postmaster, su|)ervisor, town- 
ship treasurer, and has been clerk of the 
school board ever since he came to the vd- 
lage. Ml'. Hanna is a consistent and promi- 
nent member of the Catholic church, and is 
an honorary member of Bishop Ireland's 
Crusaders. He has had experience, also, in 
the editorial chair, being editor of the Mar- 
shall County Leader for one and a half 
yeai's, being also one of the owners of the 
same. 

Mr. Hanna came to Marshall county 
among its earliest settlers, and he has had 
excellent opportunity to watch the ups and 
downs of his fellows. The most of them 
were poor when they made their settlement, 
but the}' have been fairly successful, and are 
most of them better off, as far as this world's 
goods ai'e concerned, than when they came. 
Some have done jioorly because of a too 
avaricious nature anil because of trjnng to 
do more than was possible for them to do. 
On the whole, viewing the success of most 
of his neighbors, and having himself made 
l)roHtable use of his time and advantages, he 
firmly believes that the West is the place for 



park: regions of Minnesota. 



7^3 



the industfions poor man, principally because 
it offers the opportunity of a home of one's 
own. He believes the young men who drift 
from the legitimate society of women, neg- 
lecting the duty to build homes, almost neces- 
sarily become the loafers, tramps, drunkards, 
thieves, debauchers and murderers of sociei,y 
He believes that the chastity of the man 
should be held as sacred as that of woman. 
He beheves with Dr. Brownson that the 
constitution of the Catholic church and that 
of the United States are so identical that we 
must eventuate in a great catholic people, 
the freest in tiie worhl. He Ijelieves tliat the 
teachings of the Catholic church on mar- 
riage, which it has held in past ages even at 
the risk of losing whole nations from its 
fold, to be the only safeguard of the home 
and of society. He believes the education 
of the family to belong primarily to the 
parents, and that the State should not inter- 
fere, except when the duty is neglected by 
the parents. He believes in the temjjoral 
freedom of the Pope, for similar reasons to 
those whicli promjited our forefathers to pro- 
cure the District of Columbia for the seat 
of the general government of the United 
States. 

Mr. Hanna does not feel that what little 
success in life he has had is entirely due to 
his own wisdom or exertion, but ascribes it 
rather to the encouragment and faithful 
co-operation of the two truly Christian 
women who have been his wives. 



-♦► 



-«^1 



>^tON. JUDSON LA MOURE, the sub- 
JL'^^ ject of tliis sketch, is one of Pem- 
bina's oldest settlers, and he has built up one 
of tlie best records for usefulness of any 
man in Nortli Dakota. He is a merchant 
and vice-president of the First National Bank 
of Pembina. 



Mr, La Moure's arrival in Pembina, North 
Dakota, dates back to October, 1870, and, 
with the establishment of a United States 
district court there, we find him the first 
deputy United States marshal and also an 
attache of the United States Survey Depart- 
ment there. He was among the, first to 
extensively engage in farming, and for three 
years he was deputy collector of customs, 
and later was returned for three years as 
member 'of the Territorial legislature from 
Pembina county. In 1878 he laid out apart 
of the town plat and has been activeh'^ 
interested in the prosperity of that place. 
About that time he estal)lislied a sreneral 
store, and as a member of the firm of La 
Moure, Webb, Traill it Company, he has 
assisted in building up the cit3''s leading man-, 
ufacturing institution. 

Such is in brief the outline of a career of 
local usefulness which finds no superior, if 
an equal, in North Dakota. A man of promi- 
nence and influence, he has the will and 
power to advance the prosperity and progress 
of any locality in whicii lie may reside. 



^^EORGE BRUNELLE is tlie present 
^& chief of police of Bed Lake Falls, 
Polk county, Minnesota. He was born in 
Upper Canada, February 2, 1855. He is the 
son of Joseph Casamire and Calice (Marshal- 
den) Brunelle, natives of Lower Canada. 

The subject of our sketch spent his early 
days on the home farm, and was given the 
advantao-es for receiving an education such 
as is furnished by the district schools. At 
eighteen years of age he took charge of the 
farm and continued its management until 
1S78, when he came to Bed Lake Fails. 
He purchased a farm and followed the busi- 
ness of an agi'icultnrist for five years. He 
tlien S(jld his kind and moved into the city, 
built a large barn and engaged in the livery 



784 



RED jaVEIi VALLEY A K'r 



business for tliree years. He then sold out 
and opened a meat market, which he con- 
ducted for ten months, then sold and kept 
a saloon for nine montlis. In the spring of 
1888 he was elected city marshal and ciiief 
of police, which position he still holds. 

Mr. Brunolle was married to i^Iiss Eugenie 
Marshal, daughter of Louie and ]\Iargaret 
(St. Arnault) Marshal. The fruits of this 
union arc five childi'en — liebecca, Casamire, 
Alljert, Clements and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. 
Erunelle are members of the Catholic church. 

He is a man of strong convictions, fearless 
and progressive in his opinions, and as an 
officer of the law he has proven himself 
efficient and capable, and has given entire 
satisfaction to his constituents. 



JW.ON. MOSES E. CLAPP, attorney-gen- 
JL-^tlL eral of Minnesota, has been promi- 
nently identified witii the interests of Fergus 
Falls, Otter Tail count}', Minnesota, since 
1881. IJe is a native of Indiana, born in 
Deli)]ii, Indiana, May 21, 18.57. and is the son 
of Henry and .lane (Vandercoot) Clapp, 
natives of Oiiio and Vermont. They are 
now residents of Wisconsin. 

Mr. Clapp sjjent his younger days in school 
attendance in Wisconsin, where he had re- 
moved with his parents in 18G3. After com- 
pleting his education lie studied law at Hud- 
son, Wisconsin, graduating from a law school 
in 1873. He then removed to New Richmond, 
where he engaged in his profession for one 
3'ear, and at the expiration of that time 
removed to Hudson, Wisconsin, and until 
1881 was engaged in law practice at that 
place. Wliile tliere was elected county 
attorney in 1878, and was one of tlie leading 
lawyers in tiiat locality. In ISSl he removed 
to Minnesota, locating in Fergus Falls, where 
he has since resided. During the years 1883, 
1884 and 1885 he held the office of citv 



attorney, and in 1886 was elected attorney- 
general of Minnesota, which position he has 
since held. 

Mr. Clapp was married in 1S7."j to Miss 
Hattie Allen, a native of Indiana, and they 
have been bles,sed with two children — Cath- 
arine and Harry. Mr. Cla]ip is one of the 
leading citizens of the Noi-thwest, and his 
name is indissolubly associated with the 
prosperity and progress of Fergus Falls. 



.■i^ 



«». 



_^ RANK WEIGEL, one of the proprietors 
1^ of the Wadena Eoller Flouring Mills, 
has been identified with the business inter- 
ests of Wadena, Wadena county, Minnesota, 
since March, 1884, when, in company with 
his brother, he purchased his present plant. 
On becoming owners of this property they at 
once commenced improving it, and expended 
some $3,000 in putting in the new i-ollers\'s- 
tem and other modern improvements, bring- 
ing the capacit}' of the mill up to 110 barrels 
per day. This firm has a large and increas- 
ing business and manufactures several fine 
grades of flour, among them being the 
"Home Comfort" and the "Pride of Wadena," 
tiie latter being the finest quality of patent 
make. The firm has a fift^'-six horse-power 
engine and employs five men. 

Mr. Weigel is a native of German}', 
where he was born in 1831. When he was 
about.eight months old his parents came to 
this country and settled fii'st in New York, 
where they lived some years. They then 
removed to Ohio and made that State their 
home for five or six years, when the}' started 
by team to drive to Chicago, Illinois. This 
was in 1844, before the days of railroads, 
and in this way they removed all their 
effects to Chicago, being five or six weeks on 
the journey. Chicago at that time was a 
town of about one thousand inhabitants, and 
projihesied but little of the grand future 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



785 



that was before it. The father still lives in 
tliat city, his residence being on the corner 
of State and Folk sti'eets. 

Mr. Weigel was quite a lad when his 
parents moved to Chicago, and as soon 
as he reached the age of eighteen . he em- 
harked in life for himself. He engaged at 
carpenter work, building up a large pat- 
ronage in contracting, and continuing suc- 
cessfidly at that business until 1855. He 
then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, then a 
cit\' of 4,000 people, and started a planing 
mill and sash and door factory. This 
business he kept up for five years, and then 
went up the Minnesota river to Louisville, 
Scott county, where he bought antl ran a 
tlour mill for one 3'ear. He then went to 
Dayton, Wright county, where he l^uilt a 
mill and continued in business in the original 
Iniilding until 1876. He then built a new 
merchant mill and carried that on until 
1880, when, on account of ill-health, he sold 
out and engaged in farming. In 1881 he 
removed to Anoka, where he purchased a 
larg(! mill and refitted it by putting in the 
patent roller S3'stem. He continued in 
Anoka for about two years, when by wheat 
s|)eculation he lost $10,000, about all he had. 
He then sold his property in Anoka, and in 
1884 came to Wadena. 

In 1854, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. AVeigel 
was united in marriage to Miss Margaret 
Greibler. They have no children. 

While in Wright county, this State, Mr. 
Weigel was one of the most active men in 
public matters, and was one of the county 
commissioners for some years. He held that 
office when the court house was built in tliat 
county, and was one of the parties who 
selected and staked out the ground on which 
tile structure was built. He is an active 
member of the Catholic church and, since 
coming to Wadena, has taken a deep inter- 
est in the welfare and progress of that 
society. Through his instrumentality this 



society has been enabled to build the finest 
church edifice in the city. Mr. Weigel has 
been very successful in the management of 
his milling interests, and has built up a large 
and profitable business. He is a man of 
high character and, by fair dealing and 
honest practices, has won the confidence and 
respect of all who have had business relations 
with him. 



^^f ILLIAM G. DEACON, editor and 



\miL ])roprietor of the JVtno Era., St. 
Vincent, Kittson county, Minnesota, is one 
of the leading editors of the northern part 
of the State. He is a native of England, 
and, after coming to the United States, 
located in St. Vincent, Minnesota, where he 
was engaged in various occupations for 
about six years. He then purchased the 
paper which he now runs, and, by untiring 
energy, has placed it among the liest local 
journals in the count_v. He has held the 
office of justice of the peace, village trustee, 
county commissioner, and is the present 
efficient ]iostmaster of the village. He is 
activelj' interested in all home enterprises, 
and is highly esteemed by all who know 
him. 



-«-: 



v-^^ 



BARRETT, an old settler of Polk county, 
Minnesota, is engaged in fanning near 
the city of Crookston. He is a native of 
Canada, and emigrated to the United States, 
settling near St. Paul, Minnesota, when that 
city was composed of a few rude shanties. 
He located in Polk county and settled on 
his farm, which is now in the city limits of 
Crookston, where he has since lived, engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. His farm 
comprises forty acres of fine farming land. 
He is an exemplary citizen, and is actively 
interested in all local matters. 



yS6 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



Joseph p. CLARK. The subject of tins 
biography is a resident of the village of 
(•aledonia, Traill county. North Dakota, 
where he is engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness. He is a native of Vermont, born 
in Peacham, on the Sr.th day of May, 
1850, and is the son of J. A. and Sarah L. 
(Prime) Clark, natives of Vermont and New 
Hampshire, res[)ectively. 

Mr. CLark, of whom this article treats, 
remained at home, attending school and 
working on the farm summers, until he was 
twenty-two yeai'S old. During three or four 
years of this time he had worked for neigh- 
boring farmers, but had spent a great deal 
of time at home, receiving his education. 
At the age of twenty-two he went to Con- 
cord, New Hampshire, where he learned the 
stone-mason's trade, at which he worked 
four years and a half, in Concord, New 
Hampshire, and St. Johnsbury, Vermont. 
In October, 1877, he removed to North 
Dakota and located in Caledonia, Traill 
county, where he engaged in the farm 
machiner\' business. He followed that 
business until the fall of 1881, when 
he engaged in the hardware business, 
in which he has since been engaged. He 
has a line building and carries a full line of 
heavy and shelf hardware. In addition to 
his store he owns 480 acres of good farming 
land, and has a comfortable residence in the 
village. Since his settlement in the village 
he has been actively interested in all local 
matters, and has held the offices of town 
treasurer for three j'ears, and town supervisor 
for three years. 

Mr. Clark was married in Caledonia, on 
the 6th of September, 1881, to Miss Edie 
Houghton, the daughter of L. E. and Louise 
(White) Houghton, natives of New York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Clark in this union have been 
blessed with one child — Emma June, Mi\ 
Clark is a man of sterling business qualifica- 
tions, and any local enterprise receives his 



hearty support and encouragement. Al- 
though not in the best of circumstances 
when he commenced in life for himself, by 
perseverance and strict attention to business 
he has placed himself on a good footing, 
financiallv. 



.^fy.^ 



¥SRAEL LEMIEUX, M. D., is one of the 
•IL most popular and influential physicians 
in Polk count}', Minnesota. He I'esides in 
Red Lake Falls, where his office is hjcated. 
He was born in St. Urban, Chateauguay 
county, Province of Quebec, in 1S52. 

The subject of our sketch resided wilh his 
parents until he grew to manhood, l)eing 
given the very best advantages for receiving 
a thorough classical education. At the age 
of ten years he was sent to college, whore he 
took a complete course, after which he 
attended Bisho))'s Medical College, in Mon- 
treal, Canada, lie graduated from tlie med- 
ical institution in 1874, and for six years 
thereafter practiced his profession in Can- 
ada. He then went to lied Lake Falls, 
Minnesota, where he has been engaged in 
active pi'actice ever since. 

Dr. Lemieux was marrietl in Montreal, 
February 2, 1874, to Miss Ezilda Laforce, 
daughter of Solime and Eleanore (Rousse) 
Laforce, natives of Canada. This mari'iage 
has been blessed with the following chil- 
dren — Archibald, Willferd, Joseph, Fleur- 
dina, Rosalba, Alberta, Adelard, Albina, 
Ida, Arthur and Amelia. Archibald, 
Fleurdina, Rosalba, Alberta and Arthur are 
now dead. 

The doctor occupies a prominent position 
in social and religious circles in thecit}', and, 
besides being a ])hysician of wide I'epute, is 
an acknowledgetl authority on musical mat- 
ters, being the ])resent organist of the Cath- 
olic church, of which society he is a member. 
He is president of the St. John the Ijaptist 



PARK REGrONS OF MINNESOTA. 



7S7 



society, president of tiie village council, and 
is also county pli3'sician. The doctor has an 
extensive and profitalile practice, and has 
performed many difficult operations and 
brought about many remarkal)lo cures, for 
which he has gained an enviable reputation. 



"• V' '1 



-^. 



JUSTUS K. HINMAN, a highly respected 
farmer of Todd county, is a resident of 
tlie village of Grey Eagle. He is a native of 
New York, born in Cattaraugus county, on 
the 19th of September, 1835, and is the son 
of Justus and Rebecca (Ellis) Hinman, natives 
of the Empire State. The father and mother 
of our subject were married in 1833 and the 
mother died in 184-1. The father removed 
to Jlinnesota in 1884. He has always fol- 
lowed tlie machinery business. The father 
and mothei" were the parents of three chil- 
dren — Ilarrietta, Justus and Ellis. 

Mr. Ilinman, of whom this article treat.s, 
remained at home, receiving the usual educa- 
tional advantages of the common schools 
until he was fifteen years old. When he had 
attained the age of seventeen }'ears lie 
went to Pennsylvania and worked in a 
mill for two years. In the. fall of 1854 
he removed to Minnesota, locating in Hen- 
nepin county, and the succeeding summer 
worked in the Minneapolis mills, then 
engaging in farming near Lake Minnetonka. 
He then sold out and went to Eockford, 
Minnesota, and pre-em])ted land, where he 
remained engaged in farming for one year. 
At the exjiiration of that time he went to 
Missouri, and after remaining one year was 
employed as salesman for Washburn & 
McFarland, hard ware merchantsof Ottum wa, 
Iowa. After some time he I'emoved to 
Rochester, Minnesota, and during the sum- 
mer was engaged in hauling goods from that 
place to Lake City. In August, 1SG2, he 
enlisted in the Ninth Minnesota Infantry 



and served until August, 1865, when he w-as 
honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. He 
particijmted in the battles of Price's Cross 
Roads, Tupello and Spanish Fort, besides 
many skirmishes. After his discharge lie 
followed trapping for a few months and 
then worked in the mills at Minneapolis. 
From Minneapolis lie went to Mankato, 
Minnesota, and after remaining there for 
four years settled in Todd county, Minne- 
sota. He located in Grey Eagle township, 
on section 4, and after remaining for over 
three years returned to Blue Earth county. 
At the expiration of another four years he 
returned to Todd county and located in the 
village of Grey Eagle, where he engaged in 
the saw-mill business in partnership witli 
Jacob Callahan for six years. 

Mr. Ilinman was married July 4, 18C6, to 
Miss Cornelia Matterson, and tliis union has 
been blessed with three children, named as 
follows — Albert, Alfred and Cora. Mr. 
Hinman is a republican in his political affilia- 
tions, and has been prominently identified 
with the local prosperity of the village since 
his residence there. He is commander of 
Post No. 129, Grand Army of the Republic. 



l^RED FALLEY, the subject of this 
UP^ biographical review, is in partnership 
with George Fritz, under the firm name of 
Fritz & Falley, proprietors and publishers 
of the Dakota Glohe. Our subject is a 
native of Illinois, born in York, Clark 
county, Illinois, Jidy 1, 1S59, and is the son 
of lion. Richard and Fannie (Scranton) 
Falley. During life the father of Mr. Fal- 
ley was engaged in the mercantile business 
in Clark county, and died in 1S77. The 
father was a representative citizen foi- many 
years, and was a member of the Illinois 
State legislature. 



788 



RED RTVER VALLE Y AND 



Mr. Falley spent his younger daj's in 
school, and received a good academic educa- 
tion. At the age of eighteen years he com- 
menced to learn the printer's trade at Lancas- 
ter, Wisconsin, where he remained two ^-ears 
and at tiie expii-ation of that time removed 
to Breckenridge, Minnesota, and worked 
in tlie Free Pret^s office until 1883. He then 
est.ii)iished the Sargenf County Teller, with 
wiiich lie continued until 1887, when he sold 
(Hit, removed to Walipeton, Dakota Terri- 
tory, and purcliased tlie Dal-ota Globe, and 
went into partnership with Mr. Fritz. Tiie 
paper is tiie olHcial paper of the county, 
and strongly rei)iiblican in its poHtical pro- 
clivities. 

Mr. Faiiey was married in 188.5 to Miss 
Chira Mitchell, of Lancaster, Wisconsin, and 
the daughter of S. Mitciiell. This union 
has been blessed witli one child — Richard. 
Our sul)ject is a republican in his political 
belief and is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 



S^ELS E. ACKER, the popular proprietor 
.L^'^ of the billiard hall at Ilillsboro, 
Dakota, is a son of Eener A. and Anna L 
(Aaker) Tofty. He was born February 24, 
1850, at Sundalen Noi'more, Norway, where 
he lived on a farm, going to school until he 
was fourteen years old, when he commenced 
for himself liy liecoming a sailor, which he 
followed until tlie spring of 1869, when he 
came to the United States. He first stopped 
in Lanesboro, Fillmore count v, Minnesota, 
where he worked on dams for the railroatl 
compaiu' until fall, when he commenced 
work for the Southern Minnesota Railroad 
Company, continuing until the spring of 1872. 
He then went to Glyndon, worked in a railroad 
yard until the fall of that year, when he went 
to Brainerd, where he cut cord wood all winter 
receiving no ]iav, however. He then went 
to Aitkin. Li the spring of 1873 our subject 



went to work on a steamboat called Dakota 
for the Hudson Bay Company, running 
between Fargo and Winnipeg, where he was 
emplo^'ed until the freeze-up in the fall of 
1873, but still remained in their employ. He 
was sent to Georgetown, then to Grand Forks, 
where he worked in the lumber yard for 
them until the fall of 1875. In January, 
1S7<!, he, with fifteen others, went to the 
Black Hills, where they engaged in mining 
that summer, and in the fall came back to 
Bismarck, then went to Fort Rice on the 
Missouri river and hauled hay for the 
Government until llie spring of 1877, when 
he worked on a steam ferry boat part of tlie 
summer between Bisnuirckand Fort Lincoln; 
then went to freighting l)ctwcen Bismarck 
and the Black Hills, following this until June. 
1880, when he went to Caledonia, Dakota, 
where he remained some two months. He 
then came to Hillsboro, which was then 
called Hill City, and in company with 
Albert Pattrud completed the first business 
building and engaged in the saloon business, 
which he followed until the fall of 1887, 
since which time he has run a billiard hall. 

Mr. Acker was niari'ied to Miss Lena L. 
Thorstead, a daughter of Lars. O. Thorstead 
of Hillsboi'o. They are parents of the 
following children -Enliart Lewis, Bertha 
Amelia and Norris Oliver. Our subject is 
member of the L O. O. F., Hillsboro Lodge, 
No. 32. 



%T^ W. CALKINS, of the firm of 



y^M. Phelps it Calkins, attorneys-at-law, 
Ada, Minnesota, has been identified with 
Ada's business interests and ))rosperity since 
1885. When he first settled there he was 
agent for the St. Paul Harvester Works 
until 1887, when he formed a partnership 
with Mr. Phelps, and since that time they 
have been active!}' engaged in the practice 
of law. Mr. Calkins is a native of Oswego 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



789 



county, New York, born December (5, 1859, 
and when seven years of age removed to 
Randolph, Wisconsin, where he attended 
school until he was seventeen j'ears old. 
Then after teaching school for six or seven 
years he studied law for three years, and 
after being admitted removed to Minnesota. 
Mr. Calkins was married in 1883 to Miss 
Anna liasmusson. He is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows and is 
an exemplary citizen. 



l|grON. NELSON E. NELSON, deputy 
X"^*!!!, collector of United States customs, 
at Pembina, North Dakota, deserves especial 
mention in a volume devoted to the pioneers 
and prominent men of the Red River Valley, 
as he is a thorough representative of both 
these classes. He has been a resident of 
Peuibina since 18()9, having come here when 
lliere were only two settlers, Chai-les Cavi- 
leer and collector Le May, and has been 
j)rominently identified with the history of 
that locality ever since. 

Mr. Nelson was born about thirteen miles 
from CJIiristiania, Norway, on the 25th of 
December, 1831, and is a son of John and 
Anna Knudson, who were also both natives 
of Norway. IJefore the birth of our subject 
his father died, and his mother died when 
he was about seven years of age. He was 
then sent to his mother's parents, Ole and 
Martha Knuteson. He attended the common 
schools until he was ten years old, and was 
then admitted to Lier's Seminary, from whicii 
he graduated when fourteen years of age. 
After teaching school in his parish for about 
one year he came to the United States, 
st(jpping for a short time in New York City, 
and then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
Tiiere he remained for a time doing chores 
and attending .school to learn the English lan- 
guage, lie then spent a short time in Prairie 



du Chien, and in the fall of ISiO went to P.iack 
River Falls and was engaged at lumbering 
during the ensuing winter. In the following 
spring he went down the river on a raft to 
St. Louis, and tlien returned to La Crosse, 
Wisconsin. For nearly a year he did but 
little aside from traveling around, and in 
the fall commenced clerking in a store; for 
Hon. Samuel I). Hastings, in La Crosse, and 
remained with him about one year. He then 
spent a 3'ear clerking in another store, and in 
1853 began clerking in the United States 
land office at La Crosse, under Judge C. K. 
Lord as register, and at about this time was 
married. In 1855 he went to Winona, Min- 
nesota, and helped to open the United States 
land office at tliat place and remained as a 
clerk for about one j^ear. In 1856 he went 
as clerk in the United States land office at 
Red Wing, and when, in 1857, that office was 
removed to Henderson he went with it and 
continued acting as clerk until the spring of 
1861. He then enlisted in Company A, of 
that famous and gallant body of men, the 
First ]\Iinnesota Volunteer Infantry, and 
served with that regiment through all the 
battles and conflicts in which it won inimoi-- 
tal fame, being discharged for disability in 
November, 1863. He enlisted as private and 
was discharged as second sergeant. He par- 
ticipated with tlie Ami}' of the Potomac in 
all its battles from the first Bull Run to Get- 
tysbui'g. Shortly after the last named he 
was taken sick and honorabh' discharged. 
He returned to his home at Hen- 
derson, Minnesota, and took a prominent 
part in public affairs there. He served as 
deputy county auditor of Sible\' county, 
judge of probate two years, and register of 
deeds four years. In 1869 he was appointed 
special deputy collector of customs for the 
district of Minnesota, and was stationed at 
Pembina, Dakota, then the chief port of the 
district. He has held this important office 
ever since, with tlie exception of one short 



790 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



interval, wlicn he represented his clisti-ict in 
the Teri'itoriai legislature at Yankton, 
during tlie famous capital-removal times of 
1882-83. He also hold the position of United 
States commissioner for about twelve years. 
In 1884 he was one of the two delegates 
from Dakota to tiie national republican 
convention at Chicago, and supported 
James G. Elaine for president. In many 
ways he has been a leader in public affairs, 
and his name is indissolubly associated with 
the growtli and ili;vel()i)inent of this region. 
Enterprising, liberal and energetic, every 
move calculated to benefit this locality has 
received his aid and support, and no man has 
done more to advance the public welfare. A 
history of liis life demonstrates the possibil- 
ities afforded b}- our free institutions. lie 
came to this countr\' a poor boy, imused to 
hard labor of any kind and unable to speak 
a word of English. Siiortly after landing 
he was taken sick and soon spent what little 
means he had. He soon recovered, however, 
and the native cnei'gy, industry and fru- 
gality so characteristic of his race soon 
gave him a start, and his life, to say the 
least, has been much more than ordinarily 
successful. On the first day that the land 
office was opened at Pembina he entered a 
homestead adjoining what is now the c\\.y 
plat, and his entry was the first made (No. 1), 
and his homestead i)atent the first issued 
(No. 1) in the land district, which then 
included all of North Dakota. lie now owns, 
besides other j^ropeity, about 720 acres of 
land. 

Mr. Nelsor, is au honored uieinbcr of tiie 
Grand Army of the Republic and also of the 
Masonic fraternity. He established the lat- 
ter lodge (No. 10) at Pembina, and was its 
first W. M. He also is a member of the 
Royal Arch Masons. 

Mr. Nelson was married at La Crosse, 
Wisconsin, to Miss Martha Hansen, and they 
became the pai'ents of the following chil- 



dren — Minnie E., now wife of Hon. Judson 
La Moure, who is mentioned elsewheie in 
this volume; Charles P., who died April 3, 
1888; Helen V., Annie, Martha, Mary, 
George W., who died March 30, 1880 ; Cora I. 
and Lulu M. 



—^^ 



OHN WEEKS, of the hardware firm of 
Green iS Weeks, has been identified 
with the interests of "Wadena, Mmnesota, 
since the spring of 1883, when he settled in 
that place and engaged in the hardware 
business with Miller I't^ Foss, as clerk, for 
three years. At the expiration of that time, 
in June, 1886, he formed a partnership with 
George H. Green, in the hardware business, 
which they have since followed. Oui' sub- 
ject is a native of Cumberland county, Nova 
Scotia, born in 1859. He remained on the 
home farm until he was fifteen years old. 
He then went to Pathurst, New Prunswick, 
and after remaining one year entei-ed tiie 
tinner's trade, at which he worked for two 
years. In 1880 he went to Poston, then to 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, and from tiiere to 
Wadena. 

Mr. Weeks was married October 14, 1SS6, 
to Miss Nettie Dean. He is a mendjer ol 
the Odd-Fellows fi'aternity, and is actively 
interested in all local matters. 



-«— 



-^^ 



I^REDERICK ROSENTHAL is the pro- 
W^ prietor of the most popuhir bilHard 
hall in Red Lake Falls, Polk count\', Min- 
nesota. He was born in Sheboygan county, 
Wisconsin, October 28, 1860. 

The i)arents of the subject of our sketch 
were Frederick and Ernestina (Kuck) Rosen- 
thal, both of whom were natives of Ger- 
many, where the father was engaged in the 
a-rocerv business. 



PARK RF.GIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



79T 



Frederick Eosenthal dutifully remained 
at home with his parents throughout his 
minoi'ity, and assisted his father with tlie 
business in the store. He was given a good 
education in the schools of his native county. 
When he was twenty-one years of age he 
commenced buying hogs and cattle and 
shipped them to Chicago. In 1883 he came 
to Red Lake Falls, bringing a lieavy team 
with him, intending to work in the mill 
yard. Getting a ciiance to trade his team 
for a saloon he accepted the trade, and 
embarked in tl)e retail liquor business for 
two years. Then in company with O. M. 
Champ] in he ran the Nicollet House for one 
and a half years. The partnership was then 
dissolved, and Mr. Rosenthal again returned 
to the retail liquor business, in which he is 
still engaged. He has the finest place of the 
kind in the village, and keeps a neat, orderly 
resort, where everyone is given courteous 
treatment. 

Mr. Rosenthal was united in marriage 
May 24, 1883, to Miss Anna Werthman, 
daughter of Frederick "Werthman, and a 
native of German3\ This marriage has been 
blessed with two children— Hattie and Fred- 
erick. 



lUDGE L. S. BAYRELL. Prominent 
among the leading and influential men 
of the village of Argyle, Minnesota, is tiie 
gentleman whose name heads this article, 
who is actively engaged in the practice of 
law. He removed to the Red River Valle}^ 
and located in Ada on the 28tii day of 
September, 1882, and since that time has 
been prominently identified with the local 
and political history of Marshall county. 
He was appointed judge of probate of IVfar- 
shail county by Governor Hubbard, and was 
elected to that olKce in 1886. In his poUtical 
affiliations he is an adherent to the principles 
of the repuljlican party. He is an exem])lary 



citizen, and any laudable home enter- 
prise whereby the prosperity of either town 
or county is enhanced receives his hearty 
support. 



>-*■- 



^<M\> LIVER IVl. HOLMES is the postmaster 
of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Min- 
nesota, and also abh' edits and is tlie propri- 
etor of the Red Lake Falls Gazette. He was 
born in St. Paul, April 16, 1861. 

The parents of the subject of our sketch 
were J. B. and Caroline F. (Friend) Holmes, 
the former a native of Virginia and the latter 
of Pennsylvania. They came to Minnesota 
among the earlj^ settlers, and underwent the 
trials and hardships usually met with by the 
pioneers of every new country. The father 
had a sutler's store at one of the trading 
posts, but after the Indian troubles were 
over among others the post where he was sta- 
tioned was abandoned, and he concluded to 
remove to Winnipeg. So, packing his goods, 
he removed with a military escort to what 
is now the important capital of Manitolja, 
then but a small trading post with but few 
houses and a mere handful of peo[)le. 

The subject of our sketch remained with 
his parents until he had secured a thorough 
education and had been prepared to grapple 
with tlie problem of life alone and single- 
handed. He was educated at St. John Col- 
lege, Winnijjeg, and his success as an editor 
and publisher has proven the value of the 
excellent training he received at that institu- 
tion. After leaving home in 1877 he went 
to Detroit. Minnesota, where he learned the 
printer's trade, wiiich he has followed ever 
since. In September, 18S3, he removed to 
Red Lake Falls and started the Gazette, 
meeting with merited success from the very 
start. On his subscription list he has now 
over a thousand names, and these are being 
added to everv week. 



702 



KED RIVER VALI.r.Y Al^D 



December 27, 1883, in Detroit, Minnesota, 
Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Virginia 
Jolinsoii, (latigiitor of Col. Georj^e 11. and 
Amanda (Jenkins) Johnson. Three children 
have blessed tiiis union — George B., Oliver 
M. and Mary A. Oliver M. died July 9, 
18S7. 



-«« 



^^^R. D. C. DARROW, who is engaged in 
the practice of medicine in Moorhead, 
Clay county, Minnesota, is a native of Win- 
noi)ago county, Wisconsin, horn in 1S50, and 
is the son of Daniel C. and Isabella (Murray) 
Darrow. The doctoi' j)assod his younger 
days at home on the fai-m, and until he was 
twenty-one received the usual common 
school educational advantages. He graduated 
from Hush "Medical College in 1884 and at 
once located in Moorhead, where he has 
since remained, engaged in clinical work. 



-«« 



«$-^ 



/p^nWARD J. SUTTON, a in-osperous 
v^^ and very successful farmer of Todd 
county, Minnesota, is a resident of section 
33, Ward township, where he is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. lie is a 
native of Indiana, born in liandol])h county, 
on the 2-ltli of January, 1845, and is the son 
of Tlnmias and TMartha (Johnson) Sutton, 
natives of \'irginia and Ohio, resjiectively. 
The parents of our subject were married in 
Ivandol])h county, Indiana, where the}' 
remained foi'ty-seven yeai's. The father 
died in Todd county in 1885, at the age of 
seventy-two years. The mother is still liv- 
ing at the age of sixty-nine years. They 
were devoted members of the Christian 
church, and were blessed with a family of 
the following-named children — John A. 
(deceased), John A., Joseph, Caroline 
(deceased), Edward J., Jacob, Thomas, Noah, 
W'illiam, Mai-tha, Elizabeth and George. 



Mr. Sutton received his education in Ran- 
dolph county, Indiana, and Jacksonville, 
where he i-emained until seventeen years of 
age. At the age of twenty lie engaged in 
farming in Randolph county, and in 1871 
removed to Todd county, Minnesota. I'pon 
locating there he took a homestead of HiO 
acres on section 28, Hartford township, 
which has since been named Ward. He 
remained there eight years, and then 
removed to section 33, where he has since 
been actively engaged in tilling the soil. He 
assisted in the organization of the townshij). 
and has always been jirominent in local mat- 
ters, holding the oJKce of chairman of the 
town board for many years. He has a fine 
farm of 305 acres, well under cultivation. In 
1885 he bought the saw-mill at Rrowersville, 
in ]iartnership with Jacob Goodwin, and 
since that time the}' have cai'ried on that 
industry. 

Mr. Sutton was married in 1871 to Miss 
Sarah Smith, and this union has been 
blessed with the following-named children — 
Thomas, Francis, Minerva, Daniel, Rosclta, 
Henr\', Henrietta, Noah and Geijrge. In 
political matters oursubject isa " free-trader." 
Mrs. Sutton died in 1887, and was an exeni- 
plai'y lady, highly respected and beloved l)y 
all who knew her, and a devoted member of 
the Christian church. 



i^£^EORGE P. GARRED 



lublisher and 
pi'opriett)r of the Wahpeton Timen, 
Wahpeton, Dakota Territory, formerly the 
Ji'ed River I'ress, established 1870, is one of 
the pi'ominent and successful members of 
the newspaper fi-aternity in the Noi-thwest. 
He is a native of Lawrence county. Ken- 
tuck}', born December 22, 1852, and is the 
son of Anderson and Elizabeth (Dyer) 
Garred, also natives of Kentucky. They 
left their native State in 1802, removinfj to 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



793 



Minnesota, and locating in Winona, where 
they remained a short time, and tlien went 
to Austin, Minnesota, where the father is 
now extensively interested in real estate 
transactions. 

Mr. Garred remained at home, attending 
the district schools, until he was ten \'ears 
old, when he removed to Minnesota, and 
completed his education in Winona and 
Austin, lie then entered the Rc(jidcr office 
in Austin, and remained three years, leai'ning 
the printer's trade. At the expiration of 
that time he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
and after a two-years' sojourn there removed 
to St. Paul, and workeil one year on the 
Pioneer Press. At the expiration of one 
year lie removed to Winnipeg, Manitoba, 
and had charge of the Standard from A})ril, 
1877, to April, 1880. He then removed to 
Waiipeton, Dakota Territory, and purchased 
his present paper, wiiich he has since 
operated with marked success. 

Mr. Garred was married January 2, 1882, 
to Miss Lena Trost, the daughter of John 
and Lena (Casperry) Trost. Our subject is 
a democrat in ])olitics, and for the past two 
years has been a member of the city council. 
He was one of the first aldermen of the 
city. 




Charles r. Andrews, of the iii'm of 

Andrews A: Co., is one of tiie lead- 
ing lousiness men of the village of Ada, 
Minnesota. lie is a native' of Ohio, born in 
Cleveland in Noveml>er, 1852, and at the 
age of two years removed with his parents 
to Oberlin. Ohio, where Charles attended 
the Obei'lin College, receiving a good 
academic education. In 1875 he removed to 
Glyndon, Minnesota, whore he spent a 3'ear 
for his health with his brother. He then 
went to Minneapolis, and, in jjartnershij) with 
Major Tenny, engaged in the safe and scale 
business, following that for three years. At 



the expiration of that time he returned to 
Gl3'ndon, and with his brother ojjened a 
lumberyard and also engaged in the machin- 
ery business. In 1882 they opened a Ijranch 
office in Ada, which was under the control of 
F. L. Ilampson for a year or more, when he 
was taken in as a partner of the firm. In 
1883 a branch oHice was established at Ilal- 
stad, and in 1884 our subject's brother 
removed to Fargo, Dakota Territory, and 
our subject and Mr. Hampson took chai-geof 
the business at the different places. In 
1880 they met with considerable loss b\' fire, 
and in the fall of that year bought out a 
general store in Ada, under the firm name of 
Andrews &, Hampson. Our subject then 
removed to Ada, where he has since had 
charge ; Mr. Ilampson looking after the 
business in Ilalstad and Glyndon. They are 
doino- a good business, and are the Icadinii- 
merchants of the place. 

Mr. Andrews was married in 1879 to Miss 
Mary Fai'iner, of Glyndon. They are 
devoted members of the Consrefrational 
church. Our subject evinces a deep and 
active interest in temperance and local mat- 
ters, and is a man of the utmost integrity and 
honoi", highly esteemed by all who know 
him. 

nS) p. BODINE is the able editoi- and 
-1&^ publisher of the N'ews, at Red Lake 
Fails, Polk county, Minnesota. Mr. Podine 
has attained merited success in the profession 
of joui'nalism, in which he has received a 
thorough practical training. An orphan, 
and l)eing thrown upon the mercies of the 
world at an early age, he had to battle his 
way alone and single-handed. For 3'ears 
friends were few and far between, and what- 
ever of success has been attained by the sub- 
ject of our sketch has come to him by virtue 
of ills " gi'it " and eneriiv. lie is of French 



794 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



descent, his parents being Paul and Bridget 
Bodine, natives of France. 

Mr. Bodine was born in Waupaca county, 
"Wisconsin, June 24, 1854. Wlien he was 
quite a small child his ])arcnts l)oth died and 
left liini to be cared for by strangers until he 
was fifteen years of ajre. He was then 
]>iat'('(l in school and continued his studies 
until lie was eighteen years of age, when he 
went to Stillwater, Minnesota, and learned 
the printing trade in the Me.%^eiiger office. 
Concluding that he must be better educated 
in order to be prepared for the duties he 
liad maj)ped out for himself, he determined 
to enter the State University of JMinnesota, 
and if necessary do any kind of labor to 
furnish the means to pursue a course of 
study. He succeeded well in his plans, 
working at different kinds of labor until he 
completed his course at the university. 
Leaving that institution he went to ]\rorris, 
Stevens county, and shortly after arriving in 
that city purchased an interest in the Morris 
Trihune. The year 1885 found him on his 
way to Red Lake Falls, and arriving in that 
place he at once started the News, which he 
still successfully runs. 

Mr. Bodine v/as united in marriage Feb- 
ruary 14, 1878, in Minneapolis, to Emily Dies. 
Two children have blessed this union — 
Elnora and Kay. 

The subject of our sketch is a meml)er of 
tiie L O. O. F. fraternity, with which he 
became associated in Stillwater, Minnesota. 
He has a well-fitted newspaper office, and is 
l)repared to fill all orders for advertising or 
job work in neat, tasty styles. His machin- 
ery is all run by horse-]iower, and all work 
can be done expeditiously. 

/^EORGE EDWARD WESTON, the pop- 
V^^ ular and esteemed proprietor of the 
Merchants' Hotel in Hillsboro, North Dakota, 
has been identified with the hotel interests of 



that place since 1886, when he located there 
and rented the Plummer House, and, after 
operating it for one year, purchased the build- 
ing, remodeled it, built an addition, and 
opened the Merchants', which he has since 
run. He has a first-class house, and is highly 
esteemed by the traveling public. He is a 
native of England, born in London on the 
20lh day of Xovember, 1832, and is the son 
of Thomas and Eliza (Gray) Weston, also 
natives of England. 

Mr. Weston commenced in life foi' himself, 
when he was ten years old, by clerking in a 
grocery store in London for two or three 
j'ears. He then emigrated to the United 
States, and after landing in New York City> 
where he remained a few days, hired out to a 
merchant in Albany, Xew Yoi'k, with whom 
he remained three years. At the expiration 
of that time he went to the city of Buffalo, 
New York, and remained during the summer, 
engaged in a wareiiouse as copying clerk. 
He next removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
and secured work in a hotel for a few months, 
then moved to Chicago, Illinois. Aftei- 
remaining there for a few days he went to 
Kentucky, settling in Paducah, where he 
served as overseer on a plantation until 1856, 
when he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, 
and took a homestead near Lake Calhoun, 
and which he mortgaged. After losing his 
farm he secured work with a lumber com- 
pany in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and after 
working three years went to Sioux City, 
Iowa, where he had headquarters until 
the winter of 1866. Dui'ing that time 
he made several trips to Fort Pierre 
and F'ort Al)erci'oml)ie, where he remained 
until the spring of 1806. He then went 
to Devil's Lake in charge of supplies 
for a company who were cutting up hay. 
Our subject li;ul tliii'ty-six wagons of provis- 
i(ms, and did an extensive trading with the 
Indians. In the fall of that year he went to 
1 Fort'Ransom, ami clerked in a sutler's store 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



795 



during the winter, and in March returned to 
Fort Abercronibie, wlierche built a boat and, 
after putting in a stock of ]irovisions, ran 
(h)\\'n tiie lied riA'er to the nioutli of Goose 
rivei', u here he took a chiim and remained 
until tlie fall of 1SS(>. He was 'the first set- 
tler in tiie county, and his nearest neighbors 
were at a distance of thirty-five miles. 
Twenty-five miles to the south there was an 
Indian mission, but the country did not 
begin to settle up until 1875. "When the 
county was organized he was the first county 
clerk and register of deeds, which position he 
held for five years. During the first summer of 
his settlement he "ot out log's, and was then 
emplo^'ed hy the Hudson Ba}' Company to 
take charge of a store in Georgetown, where 
he remained from June until the next 
October. In July, 1S73, he joined a survey- 
ing party going to Yellowstone Park. This 
part\' had an escort of 800 soldiers and a bat- 
tery, and had a number of sharp engagements 
with the Indians in Sitting Bull's country, 
through which they p;issed. At one time 
our subject went up the Missouri and pur- 
chased 800 buffalo hides, and on his return 
they were attacked by tiie Indians. They 
were closely ]uirsued, but were rescued by a 
party of cavalry. In ISSG he removed to 
Hillsboro, as before stated, and since that 
time has been connected with the hotel 
interests of that place. 

Mr. Weston was married in 1858 to Miss 
Hannah llawkes, the daughter of James and 
Mary Hawkes. James llawkes was a vet- 
eran of the noted First Minnesota Infantry. 
Tiiis union has been blessed with three 
children— Frederick, Edward and AVilliam. 
Mrs. Weston passed away in Minneapolis in 
September, 1804:. On the 3d day of January, 
1883, our subject was married, the second 
time, to Miss Elizabeth McDonald, the 
daugliterof Peter and Catharine (McMullen) 
McDonald, natives of Scotland. Mr. and 
Mrs. Weston have been blessed with the 



following-named children — Walter, Oscar, 
Thomas and Elizabeth, who died in the 
summer of 1888. Frederick, who now lives 
in California, married Rhoda Smith. Mr. 
Weston takes an active interest in all local 
matters. He is an exemplary citizen, and is 
highly esteemed by all who know him. 



-«- 




REDERICK JAMES TRIPP, the subject 
of this biographical memoir, is a resi- 
dent of the town of Warren, Marshall county, 
Minnesota, where he is engaged in the 
livery business. He is a native of Canada, 
born in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, on the 
13th of August, 1849, and is the son of 
Frederick and INFargaret (McGrall) Tripp, 
natives of England and Ireland, respectively. 
When our subject was quite young his 
father died, and he remained with his motlier 
on the old homestead until October, 1860, 
when they removed to the United States 
and located in Hastings, Minnesota. From 
there they removed to Dundas, in Eice 
county, Minnesota, where they remained 
about twenty years. 

Mr. Tripp, the subject of this article, 
secured work in the Dundas Flour Mills 
when he was fifteen years old. After serv- 
ing five years as an apprentice he worked 
six months as a journeyman. At the 
expiration of that time he learned the 
coopers trade, and after working for five 
years at the trade went into the livery busi- 
ness. After four years he sold out and one 
year later, in 1881, removed to Marsliall 
county, Minnesota, where he homeslended 
160 acres and took a tree claim of a like 
number of acres, lie proved up on the 
homestead and remained five years, engaged 
in successful farming and stock-raising 
During this time he had resided in the vil- 
lage of Warren in the winters, and in 1886 
settled there i)ermanently, and in the fall 



796 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



of 1887 opened a livery stable in partnership 
with J. W. Harris. They remained together 
until March, 1888, when Mr. Tripp bought 
out his partner's interest, and also bought 
the business of Mr. Bolton, who was also 
engaged in the livery business in the vil- 
lage. Since Mai'ch, 1888, our subject has 
been lunning one (jf the best livery stables 
in tiie county keeping twelve excellent 
roadsters. 

Ml'. Ti'ipp was uiarrictl in Dundas, Decem- 
ber 26, 1870, to Miss Almeda Empey, and 
this union has been blessed with the follow- 
ing-named ciiildren — Robert, Nellie and 
PhilJij). Our subject and his family belong 
to the Ejiiscopal church. He is one of the 
solid and prominent business men of the 
I)lace, and any laudabla home enterprise re- 
ceives his hearty support. He is the village 
constable, and has held other offices in the 
township, town clerk, etc. He is a man of 
the strictest integrity. 



-«- 



J^LON. LARS. K. AAKER, ceiverof the 
JKL United States land office at Crookston, 
Minnesota, is a native of Norway ,born Sep- 
tember 10, lS2o, and remained in his native 
land until he was twenty years old. In 1845 
he emigrated to the United States and lo- 
cated in Dane county, Wisconsin, and for 
the succeeding few years worked for his 
father. In 1850 he engaged in farming and 
for seven years was a prominent and repre- 
sentative citizen of Dane county, Wisconsin. 
In 1857 he removed to Goodhue county, 
Minnesota, where he jire-empted a farm in 
Holden township, and in 1859 was elected 
to the State legislature, and was re-elected 
in 1861. Before tiie legislature convened, 
howevei', he enlisted in defense of his 
country in Comjiaii}' I), Tiiird Minnesota In- 
fantry, serving until thespnngof 1802, when, 
on account of disaljilitv, he resigned. He 



then returned to his claim and met with 
the extra session of the legislature. In 1867 
he was again elected to the legislature, and 
re-elected in 1869. In the spring of 1860 he 
was apiiointed receiver of the land office at 
Alexandria, in which office he remained until 
1875, when he was suspended for jiolitical 
reasons b^' W. S. King. In 1874, in part- 
nership with M. L. Johnson, he established 
a general store in Alexandria, and soon aftei' 
purchaseil Mr. Johnson's interest, anil in 
1879 took in another partner. Our subject 
still retains his business interests in that 
place. In 1880 he was elected to the State 
senate from the Thirty-ninth Senatorial Dis- 
trict, and served a term of four years. In 
August, 1884, he was appointed receiver of 
the land office in Crookston, which })osition , 
he still holds. Mr. Aaker has always been 
an active and prominent adherent to the 
republican party, and in 1856 was a delegate 
to the first republican convention held in 
Wisconsin. lie is one of the first and lead- 
ing citizens in the Noithwest, aiul his name 
is indissolubly connected witii the political 
and official historv of the State. 



IP^ARTHELMY SIVIGNY is a carpenter 
_lMy and a leading citizen of Eed Lake 
Falls, Polk county, Minnesota. He was 
born in Quebec, July 28, 1859, and is a son 
of Oliva Sivigny, also a native of Quebec. 
Bartheliny's mother died when he was quiie 
a small child, and he lived with his grand- 
father until he was nine years old. He then 
came to Minnesota with Francis Bedard, who 
settled near Benson, Swift county, on a large 
farm. Here he remained until he was 
twenty-one years of age, when Mr. Bedard 
gave him a f;iim of 160 acres.* He worked 
the farm during one season, then rented it 
and went to Benson to learn the carpenter's 
trade. He continued at work in Benson 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



797 



until tlie spring of 1S88, when he sold his 
farm and removed to Red Lake Falls. He 
bought twelve lots, upon one of which is a 
tvvo-storj' building 20x30 feet and well built. 

October 22, 1S8S, at Benson, Mr. Sivigny 
was married to Miss Carrie Cota, a daughter 
of Francis Cota, who now lives witii her. 
Her mother died some years since. 

Mr. Sivigny is one of the most competent 
mechanics in his line in the city. In all his 
building work he has proven himself a man 
of practical ideas and possessed of a thor- 
ough knowledge of the details of his trade. 
Himself and wife are members of the 
Catholic church. 



^^^ 



NDREW WALKER, who is engaged 
P^>^ in the loan and real estate business 
in Grafton, North Dakota, is a native of 
Canada. He was born near Lindsay, On- 
tario, Canada, January 12, 1832, and is the 
son of John and Catharine (McDonagh) 
Walker, natives of Ireland. 

Mr. Walker remained at home, attending 
the district schools and assisting his father 
on the home farm until ho was sixteen years 
old, when he commenced in life for himself. 
At the age of twenty-three, after assisting 
his father from the age of sixteen, he took 
an adjoining farm, and for the next twenty- 
three years was engaged in general farming- 
operations. He tlien removed to Essex 
county, Ontario, where he farmed for four 
years, when he emigrated to the United 
States, and in May, 1882, located in Graf- 
ton and made arrangements for locating and 
building. He then returned and brought his 
family in August, 1882. In the fall of 1882 
he engaged in the brick-3'ard business, and 
in 1885 emba/i^kod in the loan business, in 
which he lias since; been engaged. In 1886 
he took his nephew into partnership and 
they iiave since remained together. In addi- 



tion to this business he is actively engaged 
in the real estate business, owning consider- 
able land and building projierty in the 
neighborhood and village. He is highly 
esteemed by all who know iiim. 



JOHN GIERIET, proprietor of the Tremont 
House at Grand Forks, Noi'th Dakota, 
is one of the most pojiular and best-known 
hotel men' in the lied TJivei' A'alley. He 
was born in Tavetsch, Switzerland, February 
6, 1829, and is a son of Jacob and Uarljara 
Cutherina (Berter) Gieriet. His father was 
a hotel keeper, mayor of the city and sena- 
tor from the district in which he lived — and 
in fact he held some city office during most 
of his life. Our subject remained at home 
and attended the common schools until nine 
years of age, when he took a three yeai's' 
course at Dasatas College. He then for four 
years was at Chur, State of Graubiinden, 
Switzerland; then returned home. At this 
time the rebellion was in progress in Switz- 
erland, and his father, who was a member of 
the legislature and a very prominent man, 
of course made many political cnoinies. 
Some of these circulated the report that he 
(our subject's father) was a traitor, and he 
was tried and fully vindicated and further 
honored before the legislatui-e. During this 
rebellion our subject carried dispatches 
between the armies. It was dangerous and 
perilous work, as he was required to cross the 
mountains through a hostile countiy in the 
night. He went as often as four times a 
week for three weeks, and received $25 per 
trip. After remaining at home about two 
months he went to Lyons, France, by coach. 
He could not speak French and hired out in 
a hotel to wash dishes. He soon learned 
to speak the language and was ])romoted 
to waiter, then head waiter, and held 
this position for nine months in Cafe La 



798 



RED KIVER VALLEY AND 



\ 



Perle. He then went into the Hotel Impe- 
rial as liead waiter, and a short time later 
lii'fame head clerk and stowai'd. He served 
ill this rcsponsihle position for seven years, 
atteiidini^' to all the liiiying, and during the 
last tliree 3'ears lie had entire charge of the 
whole house during the summers, the pro- 
prietor being away. In 1854 he came to the 
United States, and first stopped in New York 
Cit}', where, on the second day after his 
arrival, he secured a position as waiter in tlie 
Germania Club, in the Bowery, an organiza- 
tion composed of importing merchants. 
Nine months later, through the kindness of 
the president of this club, he was introduced 
to General Thonuis, and was engaged b\' him 
to go to AVasliington, District of Columbia, as 
his steward, remaining with liiiii for thirteen 
months. The general wanted him to 
accompany him to France, but he decli ned and 
General Thomas secured him tlie position 
of steward in the Wiiite House for President 
Franklin I'ierce. He remained in the Wliite 
House until one year after the beginning 
of Buchanan's ardiiiinistration. Mr. Gieriet 
then went to Stillwater, Minnesota, and a 
short time later bought the Minnesota House, 
which he ran for about three years. He 
tlien sold out and went to Hastings and 
bought the Minnesota House there, wliicii 
lie ran nearly four years, when he sold and 
returned to Stillwater, re-purchased his old 
liouse and ran it for two years. At tiie 
ex[)iration of that time he started the Star 
Billiard Hall, which he ran for some 
time. About four years later he went 
to Minneapolis and for two 3'ears was 
engaged in the grocery business, losing 
some $7,000 by tiiis transaction. Selling- 
out he went to St .Paul and started a saloon, 
which he ran for eight months, then sold 
and returned to Stillwater, wiiere he opened 
a saloon and restaurant, which he ran for 
seven or eight months. He tlien sold out 
and went to the Black Hills, prospecting, 
and opened a saloon at Miles City. After 



five months he was taken sick and went to 
Bismarck, where he started a restaurant and 
remained for seven or eight months. He 
then sold out and went to Fargo, where he 
opened the first fruit stand in tiie cit\', it 
being called "The California Joiin." He 
also budt the first ice house in Fargo, and 
remained in business there for about four 
years. He then took his sick son to the 
mountains of Colorado prospecting, and 
while there took several claims and still 
owns several of them. After remaining 
there one summer he returned to Fargo 
and started a saloon and restaurant in the 
Union block. After two years he sold out 
and went to Ped Lake Falls, Minnesota, 
where lie bought ])ropeity and erected, fur- 
nished and opened a liotel at a cost of $14,- 
000. As the business did not pay, eighteen 
months later he closed his hotel, shipped 
his furniture to Duhitii, and opened what 
was known as the Hotel La Perle, which 
he conducted for about two years. At 
the expiration of tliis time he returned 
to ills hotel at Red Lake Falls and 
eighteen months latei', in December, 1887, 
shipped his furniture to Grand Foi-ks, 
Dakota. A few months later he leased tlie 
Tremont House, and furnished and oj)ened 
it. He still runs tliis hotel, which is one of 
tlie best in this region, and has an excellent 
trade. He still owns the hotel at Red Lake 
Falls. 

Mr. Gieriet was married January' 27, 1859, 
to Miss Mary Genelin, who died in Still- 
water, October lU, 1876, leaving the follow- 
ing children — Andrew, Katy and Nellie. 
Andrew and Katy are deceased. 

Mr. Gieriet was married a second time in 
Fargo, June 28, 1881, to Miss Mascalin Burn- 
ham, a daughter of Gilbert and Melvina 
(Rubert) Burnham. Her father was a sol- 
dier for three years in the Union army dur- 
ing the Rebellion. After he was honorabh' 
discharged he was poisoned and robbed, but 
reached home before he died. 



PARK A'KG/O.VS OF MhVA'FSOTA. 



799 



JMenry t. 

M"!. villaire c 



WALKER is a resident of the 
of Buffalo, Wriglit county, 
Minnesota, whei'e he is eno-ao-ed in the mill- 
ing business. He is a native of Canada, born 
in Hawksburg, Ontario, on the lith da_y of 
September, 1S32, and is the son of William 
and Agnes (Cunningham) Walker. 

Mr. Walker, the subject of this bio- 
gra])hical article, received his education in the 
excellent schools of his native land. After 
leaving the school-room he learned the 
miller's and carpenters trade. In 1856 he 
removed to the United States and located in 
St. Paul, Minnesota, on the 14th day of Octo- 
bei-, 1S.56. He removed to Hasting.s, Minne- 
sota, where he remained until March, 1857, 
then starting lor Forest City, stopping two 
weeks at Monticello. On the 8th of 
March he arrived in Forest City, where he 
took chai'ge of the steam saw-mill for J. H. 
Robinsan, and also worked at the carpenter's 
trade. On the 2Sth of July he went to St. 
Paul, where he paid a visit and again 
returned to Forest City, where he remained 
in charge of the mill imtil the winter. Early 
in 1S5S he returned to Canada, where he 
remained five years. At the expiration of that 
time be returned to Minnesota and located at 
Monticello, where he worked three years on 
the construction of the Sioux City Railroad, 
and then proved up on his homestead in 
Meeker county. 

In 1877 he took a saw-mill outfit and 
crew and went to the Black Hills, and after 
running it one season returned across the 
plains, sold out, and removed to Buffalo, 
Wright county, Minnesota, where he pur- 
chased an interest in a saw-mill. He also 
operated a saw-mill for three years and then 
moved to IMinneapolis, where he lived until 
the fall of 1888, then returning to Buffalo, 
where he has since remained. 

Mr. Walker was married January 1, 1858, 
to Miss Ann B. Bvrant, and this union has 
been blessed with eifi'ht children — Asrness, 



Melissa, Charity and Narcissa (twins), 
Adelaide, Ambrose, William and Stewart. 

Our subject and wife are members of the 
Universalist and JVIethodist church, respec- 
tively. Politically he affiliates with the 
democratic party. He is actively interested 
in local enterprises, and is highly esteemed 
by all who know him. 

— «"^^- < '- ■ — 

*Ip|,ON. C. L. BROWN, of Morris, Min- 



L'^'SL nesota, is judge of the district coui-t 
of the Sixteenth Judicial District, and is one 
of the most prominent citizens of northern 
Minnesota. He was boi'n in Goshen, New 
Hampshire, and is a son of Hon. John H. 
Brown, of Willmar, now judge of the Twelfth 
Judicial Disti'ict and one of the most alile 
jurists in the West. Our subject entered his 
father's office in boyhood, and it may be said 
has spent his life in legal study and associa- 
tion. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 
and opened an office in Willmar, Minnesota, 
removing in July, 1878, to Morris. In 
March, 1887, he was appointed judge of the 
district. He is a genial, warin-heailed gen- 
tleman, one of the best read lawyers in the 
State, a hard student, and his record on the 
bench has been highly creditable to himself 
and satisfactorv to all concerned. 



'«" 



IjlmR. EVERETT W. FISH, of Glenwood, 
ji^J editor and proprietor of the Central 
MiimesoUaii, is one of the most highly edu- 
cated, intelligent and able men in that part 
of the State. He is a native of Livine- 
ston county. New York, born December 
2, 1845, and is a son of David B. and Pru- 
dentia (Pattison) Fish, who were natives, 
respectively, of New York and Vermont. 
The father was engaged in the mercantile 
business for years in New York, and later in 



8oo 



KED KIVEK VALLE Y ANJ) 



the wholesale tea trade in Detroit, and died 
in j\richigan in 1880. The mother died in 
Canada in 1847. They were the parents of 
two sons— Everett AV. and Charles P. The 
latter died in New York City. 

Everett W. lived with liis grandparents, 
Dr. and Mrs. Pattison, from tlio time lie was 
four years of age, attending sciiool and 
receiving an excellent education. He was 
graduated from the Union Seminary at 
Ypsilanti in 1803, and prepared for tlie uni- 
versity at the State Normal. Before finish- 
ing his university course, however, he took a 
scientific course in tiie medical and labo- 
ratory department, spending six years of 
faithful work and study in this institution. 
In his youth he learned the printing busi- 
ness, and when eighteen years old became 
an editor on the staff of the Detroit Daily 
Free Press. Subsequentl\' he {)ublished the 
Cincinnati Medical Advance and Ijocame the 
professor of chemistry in the Pulte Medical 
College of Cincinnati. He also ))ublished 
his text book on (jualitative anal3'sis. After 
practicing medicine for five or six yeai-s he 
was called to Chicago to puljlish tiie scien- 
tific montldy, tlie Ilhistmled Cosmos. Within 
tiiis time he had brought out the first two 
editions of his woi-k on the Great Pyramid 
of Egypt, and translated what is known as 
the Taurian Myth. For some fifteen years 
he was an invalid from a surgical disease, and 
devoted his time to scientific study and to 
the translation of antiquarian work and 
in.scriptions, often taking the lecture field for 
scientific societies. In 1881 he was subjected 
to a surgical operation at the hands of the 
celebrated Dr. Gunn, of Chicago, which 
was successful, and he was restored to active 
life again. Upon iiis recover}^ he went 
West to engage in out-door pursuits anil 
invested in a stock ranch on the Missouri 
bottoms, in western Iowa. This he followed 
foi' three 3'ears, but did not meet with finan- 
cial success. In the winter of 188G-87 he 



was invited to visit Glen wood. Pope county, 
Minnesota, to publish a paper, and seeing a 
fine opening he established the Central 3fin- 
nesotian in the following May. He is an 
energetic, enterprising man, a forcible 
writer and thoroughly conversant with all 
the details of the newspaper business. lie 
has met with merited success. 

Dr. Fish was married in 1871 to Miss 
Elizabeth A. Patterson, a daughter of Hon. 
J. C. Patterson, a prominent politician and 
canal shipper of Brockport, New York, and 
laterof Michigan. P>oth Mr. and Mrs. Fish are 
people of high literary attainments, education 
and refinement,''and are held in iiigh esteem. 
Dr. Fish is one of the most able and forcil)le 
writers in the State, anil his paper is as 
widely known and quoted as an^- journal in 
the Northwest. 



««— 



ll'HOMAS HAWLEY CANFIELD. No 
yiL man is more woithy of an extended 
and creditable notice in a volume devoted to 
the eminent men of northern Minnesota 
than Thomas H. Canfield, who will form the 
subject of our present article. He is a resi- 
dent of Lake Park, Minnesota, although on 
account of extensive interests in Burlington, 
Vermont, much of his time is spent in the 
East. A history of his life is, to a great 
extent, a history of the inception and inau- 
guration of that great enterprise, the North- 
ern Pacific Railroad, as he \\ as one of the 
founders, and to him, more than to any 
other one man, was due its organization and 
getting it into some practical form and sys- 
tem in its earl\' days. He has, therefore, been 
closely identified with the growth and devel- 
opment of the Northwest, and his name is 
indissolubly associated with the history of 
both State and Nation. A man of bi-oad 
ideas, wonderful vitality and energ}^ incon- 
querable will and indefatigable perseverance, 



PARK' REGIONS OF M/jVJVF.SOTA. 



80 1 



the history of the gigantic enterprises which 
he has inaugurated and placed in shape for 
successful consummation demonstrate the 
characteristics of the man. A man of the 
strictest integrity, kind and courteous, of 
extensive reading and observation, together 
with his keen foresight and executive abili- 
ties, he has indelibly impressed his individu- 
ality u))on the history of the great under- 
takings with which he has been connected. 
The generation in which we live has scarcely 
furnished a more worthy subject foi' the pen 
of the biographer. 

GENEALOOr. 

James De Philo, a French Huguenot and 
citizen of Normandy, France, in the six- 
teenth century, in reward for meritorious 
services to the crown of England, received 
honorable mention, a new cognomen and a 
grant of land on the river "Cam," county 
of Yorkshire, England, to which he removed 
and afterward occupied as a lo\'al subject of 
the crown. He received the cognomen of 
"Cam," in distinction of the land grant. 
Subsequently from "Cam De Philo"' the 
name was changed in England in the six- 
teenth century to " Cam-philo," then to 
" Camphilo," and l)v his descendants in 1G39, 
in New Haven, Connecticut, to "Cain|ihie!d." 
Later in Milford, Connecticut, in 1680, to 
"Camlield," and still later in Milford, in 
1720, to "Cantield," which has since been 
retained by the descendants in the United 
States. 

One of his descendants, Thomas Cantield, 
and Phebe Crane, his wife, came to Milford, 
Connecticut, in 16-1:6, and he died there 
August 22, 1689. His son Jeremiah, who 
was l)orn in 16G0, resided in Milford until 
1727, when he removed to New Milford and 
died in 1739. He had ten children. The 
ninth son, Zerubtahel, in 1733 married Mary 
Bostwick, and they became the parents of 
eight children. Theii- third child, Matliew, 



was born July 28, 1739, in New Milford, 
Connecticut, and removed to Arlington, ]»en- 
nington county, Vermont, in 1768. For his 
first wife he married, Novendjer 14, 1765, 
Lois Hard, a daughter of James Hard, by 
whom he had four children. After her 
death he married Betsy Burton, by whom 
he had seven sons and one daughter. Sam- 
uel, the sixth son, was born in Arlington, 
July 2, 1792, and died September 28, 181:0. 
He was the father of the subject of this 
sketch. 

Now to trace the genealogy on the mother's 
side : Joseph Hanley,who was born in Derby- 
shire, England, in 1603, came to Stratford, 
Connecticut, and died in 1690. He iiad 
eight children, five sons and three daughters. 
His oldest child, Samuel, was born in Strat- 
ford, Connecticut, in 1617, and married for 
his first wife. May 20, 1673, IMary Thompson, 
grand-daughter of Governor Welles of Fai'ui- 
ington, Connecticut. They had six sons and 
one daughter. After her death he married 
a second time, and had four sons and one 
daughter. He died August 24, 1734. Eph- 
raim, the oldest child by the second mar- 
riage, was born in New Milford, Connecticut, 
in 1690, and married, October 5, 1711, 
Sarah Curtiss, of Stratf(n'd, Connecticut, and 
removed to Arlington, Vermont, where he 
died in 1771, and was buried in the church- 
yard adjoining the church. They had eight 
sons and two daughters. Their oldest child, 
Jehiel, was born in New Milford, Connecti- 
cut, Februar3^ 14, 1712, and married Sarah 
Dunning, March 30, 1731, and removed to 
Arlington, Vermont, about 1764. They had 
five sons and five daughters. Andrew, their 
oldest child, was born June 22, 1732, at New- 
town, now Bridgeport, Connecticut, and 
married, January 2, 1757, Ann, a daughter of 
James Hard. He died June 24, 1801. They 
had ten children — seven sons and three 
daughters. Eli, their oldest child, was born 
in New Med ford, Connecticut, November 20, 



8o2 



RED HIV ER VALLEY AND 



Vl^l ; removed to Arlington, Vermont, and 
maiTied, November 4, 1787, Marj' Jeffers of 
Cli;ileur, Lower Canada, and died at Alton, 
Illinois, January 19, 1850. They Lad four 
sons and one daughter, Mary Ann, Avho was 
born November 6, 1795, in New Carlisle, 
on bay of Chaleur, Province of Lower 
Canada, and was married to Samuel Canfield, 
in Arlington, by the Rev. Abraham Bronson, 
October 29, 1820, and died July 22, 1825. 
They had two children, one a daughter, 
Marion, born .lanuary 2, 1824, in Arlington, 
and married to the Tlev. Fletcher J. ITawle}^, 
I). I)., by the Itight liev. Bishop lIo]ikins, in 
Burlington, Vermont, November 2, 1853, and 
now residing at Lake Park, Minnesota; the 
other a son, Tiiomas Ilawley Canfield, the 
subject of this sketch, who was born at 
Arlington, Bennington county, Vermont, 
March 29, 1822. 

Vermont, especially tiiat part west of the 
Green mountains, was mostly settled by peo- 
ple from Connecticut, commencing about 
1760, who received the titles to their lands 
by charter from Benning Wentworth, the 
colonial governor of New Hampshire. Sev- 
eral families had come to Arlington to 
make it their home, among them the Can- 
fields, Ilawleys, Hards, Aliens and Bakers, 
the most prominent. The new settlers went 
on to improve their lands and fix up their 
new homes, when they were startled, July 20, 
•1704, by a decision of the crown that the 
territory was adjudged to be under the juris- 
diction of New York, su])posing that the 
great seal of a royal governor was a sufficient 
guarantee that their titles were valid. Hence 
ther'e arose at once the great question of the 
con Hiding claims of New York and New 
Hampshii'e, and the territory known as Ver- 
mont, in which each State attempted either 
to control the whole or at least to divide the 
territory between them, and thus obliterate 
Vermont comjiletely as a separate Territor}' 
and from ever becoming an independent 



State in the future. This involved a long 
and bitter controvers}' between New Hamp- 
shire and New York, which, together with 
the increasing feeling among the colonies 
of hostility to England, ])laced the settlers in 
a very unpleasant, not to sa}' dangerous, situ- 
ation. Bordering, as Vermont did, upon 
Canada, subject u])on the slightest provoca- 
tion to attacks from the British, and with 
Lake Champlain upon her western bor- 
der, which was the great route of 
the English between New York and 
■Montreal, her territory became tiie Ijattle- 
ground between the three contending pai'ties, 
with England upon the one hand endeavor- 
ing to prevent her from joining the other 
colonies in their movement for indejiendence, 
while New York and New Hampshire de- 
sired to blot her out entirely. Under such 
circumstances the situation of a mere hand- 
ful of settlers was very trying as well as 
dangerous, and I'equired not onlv great 
bravery, patriotism and courage but great 
wisdom, forethought and prudent action in 
the management of their afifairs, bringing to 
the front men of the most varied ability and 
different views. Some turbulent spirits like 
Gen. Ethan Allen, Remember Baker and 
Col. Seth Warner were ready to declare oi)en 
hostility against all the claimants, wiiile 
others like Chittenden, Hawley and Canfield, 
of a more mild, conservative and ])i'udent 
character, were disposed to move more 
cautiously, awaiting the development of 
events. Arlington was the gi'eat central 
point of all operations. Here was the head- 
quarters of the "Council of Safety," which 
had unlimited powers for government of the 
State; here resided Thomas Chittenden, its 
president, the George Washington of Ver- 
mont, who was afterward elected governor 
of the State for twenty years. Here hvcd 
Gen. Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, 
who, with a handful of Green Mountain boys, 
demanded its suri-ender in the name of the 



PARIC REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



803 



" Great J eho vail and the Continental Con- 
gress." Here assembled his companions and 
associates, Eemember Baker, Col. Seth 
Warner and others, to concoct their plans to 
resist the New Yorkers and to teach them 
that the " gods of the valley's were not the 
gods of the hills." 

Capt. Jehiel Hawley and Nathan Canficld, 
from their well-known sound judgment and 
common sense, as well as irreproachable ])ri- 
vate characters and high moral worth, 
became the leaders, and for some time man- 
aged and controlled the chaotic people. 
After all other attempts had failed to satisfy 
New York of the justice of the title to their 
possessions from New Hampshire, at a meet- 
ing held October 21, 1772, Capt. Jehiel 
Ilawlev and James Breckenridge were sent 
to England to lay before King George 
III. the state of affairs, and succeeded in 
o'etting' an order from the king foi'bidding 
the governor of New York from interfering 
with the titles and lands granted by the gov- 
ernor of New Hampshire. With this decision 
of the crown in their favor, Hawley and 
Breckenridge returned, expecting that it 
would settle all disputes, and the settlers 
naturally expected to go on in peace and 
clear up the wilderness. But the order of 
the king was but little regarded bv the gen- 
eral assembly of New York, which offered 
a bountj^ of £50 for the apjirehension of 
either of the leaders. Up to this time the 
people of this section were substantially one, 
a common danger compelling all to unite. 
But this act of the general assembly of New 
York aroused to action all classes, and was 
answered by a series of resolutions of a gen- 
eral meeting " of the committees of the sev- 
eral townships on the west side of the Green 
mountains," held at the house of Jehiel Haw- 
le}' on the third Wednesday of March, 1774, 
counseling resistance to all encroachments 
of New York. To show how determined 
these people were to maintain their rights 



against great superiority of numbers, in 1774 
Dr. Samuel Adams, holding lands under title 
from New Hampshii'e, exasperated his neigh- 
bors by advising tliem to re-purchase their 
lands from New York. lie was arrested and 
carried to the Green Mountain Tavern at Ben- 
nington, where the committee heard his 
defense and then ordered him to be tied to an 
armchair and hoisted up to the sign (a cata- 
mount skin, stuffed, sitting upon the sign-post, 
twenty-five feet from the ground, with large 
teeth grinning toward New York), and there 
hung two hours in sight of the people, as a 
punishment merited by his enmity to the rights 
and liberties of the people. January 26, 1 775, 
Benjamin Hough, of Clarenden, a Baptist 
minister who had just obtained a commis- 
sion from New York as justice of the 
peace, was arrested by (ieneral Ethan 
Allen and tied to an apple tree in front of 
his house at Sunderland and whipped, in 
pursuance of a sentence of the committee of 
safety. 

During all this time from 1704, amid all 
the accessions to this colony from Connecti- 
cut and elsewhere, there was no minister of 
any denomination. Captain Jehiel Hawle\' 
was the acknowledged leader, to whom all, 
even the most tui'l^ulent spirits, yielded. He 
built the first frame iiouse in Ai'lington, 
and, being a man of high moral character 
and a devoted and exemplary communicant, 
of the Church of England, to his house, Sun- 
day after Siinday, tlie people from all ])arts 
of the surrounding country came for public 
worship. Captain Hawley read the service 
of the Church of England and a sermon, the 
"Protestant Episcojjal Church in the United 
States" at this early day not having been 
regularly organized in America. The diffi- 
culties of the times delaj'ed the building of a 
church, although the services were kept up 
regularh' by Captain IIawle3% which formed 
the nucleus of a congregation, and in 1784 a 



pans 



h was organized. 



Two shillings on a 



8o4 



XED RIVEK VALLEY AND 



|)oun(l were levied on the inhabitants to 
build the church, now St. James church, 
Arlington — that building now being replaced 
by a stone one on the same site — which 
\vas the first E])isco])al church organized 
in Vermont. In 1787 this j)arish was 
represented in the convention of the Pro- 
testant Episcoi)al church, at Stratford, 
Connecticut, by Nathan Canfield, the first 
delegate. 

Notwithstanding the continued aggres- 
sions of New' York the inhabitants, under 
the leadershi]) of Captain Hawley, were 
making i-apid improvements, when a new 
trouble was approaching in 1775. The trouble 
between the colonics and Eng-land had cul- 
minated and the battle of Lexington opened 
the War of the lievolution. A convention 
of the people of Vermont was called in 
1776 to draft a constitution, which was done, 
dechiring Vermont an independent State ; 
but before the constitution could be ratified 
by the people General Burgoyne, with his 
splendid army of 10,000 men, had entered 
Lake Champlain and anchored in Vermont 
waters. It became necessary, to meet the 
emergency, to form a provisional govern- 
ment without an hour's delay, and a "Council 
of Safety " was appointed, invested with all 
the powers of government, both civil and 
militar3\ Its power was unlimited and abso- 
lute, and, in fact, the urgency was so great 
that it was necessary to place in the hands 
of the fourteen men composing the "Council 
of Safety '' the legislative, executive and 
judicial powers of the State, and intrust 
them with tlie life, liberty and ]iro]ierty of 
every iniiividual. It was a dark hour — no 
money in the treasury, no time for taxation, 
no credit to borrow; desperate measures 
were necessary. A commission of sequestra- 
tion was appointed, " invested with full 
authority to seize the goods and chattels of 
all persons who had or should join the com- 
mon enemy, sell them at public vendue and 



the proceeds to be paid over to the treasurer 
to be appointed by the council." 

The council of safety as well as com- 
missioners of sequestration made their head- 
quarters at Arlington. Thomas Chittenden, 
aftei'ward governor of the State for twenty 
years, was its president, and Ira Allen, 
brother of Gen. Ethan Allen, its secretarv. 
This sudden change of affairs compelled the 
people at once to decide what cour.se to 
pursue, whether to join the revolutionists or 
i-emain loyal to the crown, whence tliev 
had received by gift all their lands and 
possessions. It was a very trying time, 
especially with the commissioners of 
sequestration encamjied among them, urged 
on by such tumultuous spirits as Ethan 
Allen, Seth Warner and Eomembei- llakcr, 
to seize, u2)on the slightest shathnv of loyaltv 
to England, the propertj^ of any one and 
confiscate it. The town was in a critical 
position. Most of its inhal)itants, while 
feeling grateful for all that had been done 
for them by the crown, felt that it would be 
better for the colonies to be an indei)endent 
nation ; but whether the time h.ad come to 
throw off the 3'oke of the mother country 
was the question ; and whether, if over- 
throwing a good government then existing, 
they would be assured that the Kevolution 
would succeed and a better one arise out of 
the wreck, or whether anarchy and chaos 
would be the result for a long time to come. 
It was a difficult question to determine, 
especially after having been several years in 
conflict with New York, and now, by the 
order of King George III., sustained in the 
position they had taken. It was a tiying 
time — there was no time for delay. Families 
were divided amons' themselves; nei"hbors 
arrayed against each other, some joined tiie 
revolutionists, others remained loyal to the 
king and left for Canada, while otiiers, " who 
did not think it right to rebel against a king 
who had done them no harm," remained at 



PARK REGIONS OF MmNESOTA. 



805 



their liomes, submitting to thepowers of the 
government do facto, believing that colonies 
so far from the mother country ougiit at some 
time to be independent, but was tliis the 
time ? This was sufficient cause in the eyes 
of the commissionei's of sequestration, 
backed up by restless spirits, to seize their 
property and confiscate it. Captain Jehiel 
Ilawley may be said to have belongeil to 
this last class. Plis high moral worth, peace- 
ful manners and kind consideration and 
friendshi[) for all the settlers for so many 
years long secured him from molestation. 
Ilis age was such that there was little dan- 
ger of his going to the enemy and he could 
not well be a fighting man. But the exten- 
sive property which he and his faraih' pos- 
sessed was a strong temptation to the 
sequesti'ators. Anonymous letters were sent 
to him thi'eatening midnight assassination, 
and there were circumstances that satisfied 
him that the writers would not shrink from 
making their worils good. Yielding to an 
emergency, which he regarded necessary to 
save his life, he abandoned his entire woi'klly 
wealth and started for Canada, and died on 
his way on Lake Champlain, November 2, 
1777, and was buried on the shores of the 
lake in Shelburne, Vermont. It was a sad 
day to Arlington when Jehiel Hawley left 
the settlement, mainly of his own planting, 
to seek safety in Canada. Thus ended the 
life of this truly great and good man, of 
whom it ma}' be said his enemies could find 
no fault. 

Nathan Canfield remained at Arlington 
during the war. He was the leading busi- 
ness spirit of the town, merchant, landlord, 
justice of the peace and town representative 
aftei' Vermont became a State. He built a 
large saw mill aiul furnace for smelting iron 
ore, the first in the State, organized the first 
churcii, and at his house the preliminary 
ai'rangements for the first convention of the 
Protestant Episcopal churcli in Vermont 



were made 100 years ago. The house he 
built is still standing, and in it Samuel Can- 
field and his son, Thomas Hawley Canfield, 
were born. 

At this distant day it is very difficult to 
understand the difficulties and dangers of 
those troublesome times, and the fact that 
two such men as Jehiel Hawley and Nathan 
Canfield could have passed tlirough them all, 
retaining the confidence of the whole com- 
munity, managing the [)ublic business to the 
satisfaction of all factions, demonstrates that 
they were men of uncommon, judgment and 
common sense, as well as extraordinaiy char- 
acter for integrity and ability. 

Samuel Canfield inherited many of the 
prominent traits of his father, Nathan Can- 
field, and from 1820 to 1840, the time of his 
death, was the leading man of Arlington, 
and during the most of that time was sheriff 
or deputy sheriff of the county of lienning- 
ton, an office of prominence and distinction 
in those days. He became one of the most 
popular men in that portion of the State, 
practically controlling the politics of the 
county. He was a m;in of fine presence, 
cheerful and persuasive manners, a good 
judge of men, upriglit, relial)le, energetic, 
the soul of honor, and true as steel to his 
friends. He died September 20, 1840, being 
at that time representative-elect to the legis- 
lature of Vermont from Arlington. His 
wife, Mary Ann Hawley, great-graiul- 
daughter of Capt. Jehiel Hawley, above 
mentioned, possessed many of the traits of 
her ancestors. A lady of commanding 
presence, attractive features, charming num- 
ners and bright intellect, of rare executive 
ability, universally respected and the 
acknowledged leader of every society where 
she was known. She died July 22, 1825, 
leaving her only son, at three years of age, 
Thonuis Hawley Canfield. 

Such were his ancestors and such the try- 
ins: times in which thev lived. 



So6 



RED KIVKK VALLEY AND 



THOMAS HAWLEY CANFIELD, 

whose name heads our present article, was 
brought up on a farm, rising early and work- 
ing from morning to night witli the men, 
taking iiis share in every kind of woi'k until 
lie became familiar with all the details of 
farm work, which, with the habits of order, 
economy and management then formed, 
have been of great service to him in after 
years. His early education was obtained 
mostly in the common schools of his native 
town, although he soon evinced a strong 
desire for something more advanced than 
they afforded. Accordingly, he was placed 
by his father at IJurr Seminar^-, in ilan- 
chester, Vermont, at its opening in May, 
1S33, under those able professoi'S, the Eev. 
Dr. Lyman Coleman, the Rev. Dr. John H. 
Worcester, John Aiken, Esq., and Wm. A. 
r>urnliain, where he renuvined until he was 
iltlcd for college at the age of fourteen. 
Notwithstanding the standai'd of this semi- 
nary was very high, and he the 3'oungest 
pupil among 150, all much older than him- 
self, yet he acquitted himself very creditabl}^ 
taking the highest rank in all his classes. 
Having a decided taste for practical matters, 
and not desiring to enter college at this early 
age, he returned home to the work of the 
farm for two years, when he was transferred 
to the Troy Episcopal Institute with refer- 
ence to a scientific course of study, which 
had a very eflicient corps of insti-uctors, 
among them the present bishop of Vermont. 
He was particularly fontl of mathematics, 
and it was while demonstrating a. difficult 
pi'oblem at a public examination in the city 
of Troy, New York, that he, although an 
entire strangei', ai-rested the attention of the 
late Bishop Alonzo Potter, of Pennsylvania, 
who was one of the examiners, and then the 
acting })resident of Union College, Schenec- 
tady, New York. The principal of the Troy 
Episcopal Institute subsequently published 
an arithmetic for schools, based mostly upon 



problems and exam])les .-which he had pre- 
pared and which were worked out anil solved 
for him by young Canfield. President Pot- 
ter became so interested in the promptness 
and accuracy with which he ilisposcd of 
all examples presented to him that he 
determined to insist upon the young man 
having a higher and broader education, and 
finally prevailed upon him to abandon his 
idea of becoming a civil engineer and to 
enter the junior class in Union College in the 
fall of 1S39. It was a very trying ordeal for 
him to pass through, being by far the young- 
est in a class of over eighty, who had had all 
the advantages of the freshman and soph- 
omore years, but yet, through the same inde- 
fatigable energy and perseverance which iiad 
characterized his conduct thus far in life in 
everything which he had undertaken, he was 
one of the "wuw/y/iM/rt ten^'' who came out at 
the head of the class. Soon after the begin- 
ning of the senior year he was summoned 
to Vermont by the sudden death of his 
father, and although strongly urged by Pres- 
ident Potter, who, during the junior J'ear, 
had taken great interest in him and offered 
to assist him to any j)osition he should want 
after graduation, as well as b\' his own I'cl- 
atives, to return and complete his college 
course, he considered the duty he owed to 
his mother and only sister pai'amount to 
everything else, and again took up the i)ur- 
den of the farm, and thus, at the early age 
of eighteen, his business life began, which 
has continued constant and uninterrupted 
to the present day. 

In adtlition to tiie cai-es and duties of the 
farm, he was active in all public matters 
having for their object the im])ro\('nient and 
well-being of societ}'. He organized a 
lyceum, established debating societies, and 
procured prominent lecturers upon various 
subjects (among them Colonel Crockett), 
which, during the winter months, called out 
crowded houses. About this time a new 



PARK RRGIOXS OF MINNESOTA. 



807 



element appeared in tlie temperance move- 
ment, the coining out on the stage of "six 
reformed drunlcards from Baltimore," who 
took the platform throughout the country, 
and were enabled by their own experience 
to portray more vividly than had ever been 
done before the terrible consequences which 
followed in the ti-ail of intemperance. Mr. 
Cantield org-anized a series of meetings in 
Arlington and adjoining towns, and secured 
one of these men to address them as well as 
himself, and soon had enrolled upon the 
total abstinence pledge large numbers, tlie 
result of whicii was a great improvement in 
the morals of the community. 

Finding the labor of the farm too severe 
for his slender constitution, he removed, in 
184:4, to Williston, Vermont, where he became 
a merchant, having in the meantime mar- 
ried Elizabeth A., only daughter of Eli Chit- 
tenden, a grandson of Thomas Chittenden, 
the first governor of Vermont. Slie tlied in 
184:8; and he subsequently married Caroline 
A., the youngest daughter of the Et. Rev. 
Bishop Hopkins, of Vermont, a chanuing 
and accomplished lady, who is still living, 
and by whom he has two sons and three 
daughters — Emily, John Henry Hopkins, 
Marion. Flora and Tiiomas H., Jr., all now 
engaged in completing their education in 
Burlington, Vermont, at the Diocesan Church 
Schools and the Universit}' of Vermont. 

In addition to the ordinary business of 
mercliaiulise, Mr. Canfield added to it the pur- 
chase of the products of the counti-y, butter, 
cheese, wool, starcli, cattle, sheep, horses and 
everything which the farm raised, thereby 
carrying out the idea of home protection 
and creating a home market for their pro- 
duce. Hei'e he built up and carried on an 
extensive business under very pleasant cir- 
cumstances until Api'ii, 1847, when he 
removed to Burlington, Vermont, where he 
still resides, to take the place in the firm of 
FoUett & Bradley, the leading wholesale 



merchants and forwarders in northei-n Ver- 
mont, made vacant by the withdrawal of 
Judge Follett, who had taken the [)residency 
of the Rutland & Burlington Railroad, 
then in course of construction. Mr. Canfield 
for some time resisted this arrano-cment, 
believing himself too young and inexperi- 
enced for the impoi'tant ])osition tendered 
him, but finally was induced to yield to the 
persistent entreaties of Follett & Bradley, 
who had recognized in his short business 
career at Williston the peculiar traits in his 
character which fitted him particularly for the 
responsible position which they desired him 
tooccupv. Their office and headquarters were 
at the stone store on Water street, Turling- 
ton, near the steamer wharf and railroad 
depot. As there were no railroads in 
Vermont in those days, all of the pro- 
duce of every kind of the farm, mine or 
manufactory came to Burlington for ship- 
ment to market, and the goods for the mer- 
chants in the country, from Boston and 
New York, came here in return. To accom- 
modate and facilitate this business, Bradley 
& Canfield had extensive wharves and ware- 
houses, as well as a line of boats to New 
York and Boston for the transportation or 
this property both ways, their wharves 
also being the regular landing place of the 
passenger steamers and other vessels, result- 
ing in an extensive business, requiring not 
only much capital, but also great care and 
ability to manage this part of it, which 
devolved principally upon Mr. Canfield. 
About this time. Professor Morse having 
brought his telegraph into practical ojiera- 
tion between the principal cities, Mr. Can- 
field, in connection with Professor Benedict, 
the Hon. Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell 
University, and Colonel John H. Peck, got 
up a line between Montreal and Tro}'^, New 
York. Mr. Canfield visited Vergennes, 
Orwell, Middlebury, Rutland and many 
other towns along the line, getting stock- 



So8 



RF.n K1\HR VALLEY AND 



holders and organizing the comjnmv, and on 
the 2d day of February, ISiS, the Mrst 
message passed: 
From tlm City of Troy to tlic City of Burlington : 

Wu do sincerely congratulate yon as having be- 
come, at tliis early day, one of those favored com- 
munities, united by the life blood of speedy communi- 
cation, and as sincerely congratulate ourselves on being 
able to salute, face to face the queen city of Lake 
Champlain. 

But the time had come for Vermont to be 
invaded by railroads from Boston ; one via 
Concord and Montpelier, and the other 
via Fitchburg, Bellows Falls and llutland, 
were being extended across the Green 
mountains by two different routes to Bur- 
lington. Ilis firm, Bradlej^ & Canfield, witli 
two or three other gentlemen, were engaged 
in building the one from Bellows Falls by 
the way of llutland, which was completed in 
December, 1849. At the same time, in con- 
neeliou with George W. Strong, of Eutland, 
and Merritt Clark, of Poultney, they built 
the Butland & Washington Eailroad from 
Eutland to Eagle Bridge, Xew York, con- 
necting at that point with a railroad toTro\' 
and another to Albany, thus opening the first 
line of railroad to Xew York as well as to Bos- 
ton from northwestern Vermont. While these 
were in progress Messrs. Bradle\' & Canfield, 
in connection with T.F. Strong and Joseph 
and Selah Chamberlin, built the Ogdensburgh 
Eaili'oad from Eouse's Point to Ogdensburgh, 
as well as other railroads in New York and 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Canfield w^as now fairly 
enlisted with a fleet of boats in the trans- 
portation business between Montreal, Ver- 
mont and New York, as well as in mercantile 
pursuits and in the building of railroads, 
which at tluit time but few contractors 
undertook. In the management of these 
great interests Mr. Canfield formed an exten- 
sive ac(|uaintance and gained alcnowledgoof 
the resources of the country on both sides 
of Lake Champlain, which gave him an 
I'xperience in handling and transporting the 



products of the country that attracted the 
attention of the directors of the Eutland & 
Washington Eailroad, and commended him 
as a fit man to manage its aH"airs, and to 
open and organize it for business. As soon 
as completed they selected him for superin- 
tendent, which he declined. But so man}' 
of his friends were interested in it, and it 
being a new departure in the transportation 
of western A^ermont, he yielded to tiieir 
appeals and accepted the situation, retaining 
at the same time the management of his 
former business at Burlington. ]\Ir. Canfield 
afterward became pi'esident of the Eutland 
it Washington Eailroad, and subsequ(nitly 
took a lease of it and ojierated it on his own 
account, being probably the first railroad in 
the country ever leased by a jn'ivate indi- 
vidual. It was while Mr. Canfield li:id this 
lease that Jay Gould appeared upon the 
stage, and endeavoi-ed at an annual meeting 
of the stockholders by a cotip d'etat to get 
control of the road, but he found his match 
in Mr. Canfield, who had antici])ated his 
plans and completely defeated them. Sub- 
sequently, after the termination of the lease 
and surrender by Mr. Canfield of the road to 
the trustees, Mr. Gould acquired an interest 
and afterward controled whicli laid the 
foundation of his subsequent notable and 
prosperous career. 

The o]ierating of railroads was then com- 
paratively in its infancy, and there were few 
experienced men to be employed. He at 
once instituted a rigid system of discipline 
and accountability, in which at first he met 
with opposition ; but after a time all became 
impressed with the justice and importance 
of it, and he received the hearty cooperation 
of the employes and directors, and thus 
established an esprit de corps among all con- 
nected with it which nnide the "Eagle Ijridge 
Eoute" celebrateil for its promptness, speed 
and regularity, its accomodation to the 
traveling and business pul)lic, and its em- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESO TA. 



809 



ployes as among the best railroad men in the 
country. 

Heretofore it requireil two clays for the 
mails as well as j)assengers to go between 
Burlington or Montreal and New York. Mr. 
Canfield first ]iroposed to make a day line 
between the cities. He went to New York 
to eidist Governor Morgan, then president 
of the Hudson River Railroad, in the plan, 
but he was coldly received by him, for the 
reason that the governor believed it was 
simply im]iossible. But after several in- 
terviews the governor consented to make 
the trial foi* three months, on condition 
that Mr. Cantield would guarantee his 
company from any loss. It is 300 miles 
from New York to Burlington, and about 
four hundred to Montreal, which involved an 
average speed of about forty miles an hour. 
Accordingly', on the 15th day of May, 1852, 
at 6 o'clock, A. M., a train left the Chambers' 
street depot in New York, Mr. French, super- 
intendent of the Hudson River Railroad, Mr. 
Johnson, superintendent of the Troy & 
Boston Railroad, with two or three reporters, 
being all that would risk their lives 
upon such a crazy exjieriment. The train 
arrived at Rutland on time at 1:25 p. m., hav- 
ing made the run from Eagle Bridge, sixty- 
two miles, in eighty-five minutes, making five 
stops, with Nat. Gooken, engineer, anil Amos 
Story, conductor. Burlington was reached 
at 3:20 v. m., and Montreal at 7 p. m. But 
for the fact that it had on board the New 
York papers of that morning it would have 
been impossible to have made the public 
believe that it came from beyond Troy. 
Tims was settled a question of great imj)or- 
tance, the establishing of a daily intercourse 
between Montreal and New York, since 
which time two daily trains have been kept 
up most of the time. 

Burlington, pi'evious to the advent of rail- 
roads, had been the commercial center of 
northern A'ermont, ami had been Imilt u[) 



from the trade arising from its being tiie 
point of shipment to the New York and Bos- 
ton markets of the produce of the countiy, 
and the receipt and distribution of merchan- 
dise in return. Large numbers of eight and 
ten-horse teams from Woodstock, Northfield, 
Bradford, St. Johnsbury, Hyde Park, Derby 
Line, Montpelier and other places, with their 
loads of starch, butter, cheese, wool, scales 
and manufactured goods, kept up a lively 
business with the interior, bringing to Bur- 
lington much nu)ney to be exchanged for 
fiour, salt, iron, steel, nails ami other mer- 
chandise. In addition to tiiis the lines of 
boats running to Troy, Albany, New York, 
Montreal, and all points on the lake, created 
an active and prosperous business for Bur- 
lington, and it became a very thriving and 
beautiful town. 

When the question came up of connecting 
by railroad Boston and Burlington, two 
routes were pi'oposed, one via Montpelier 
and Concord, and the other via Rutland and 
Fitchburg. There was much difference of 
opinion among the citizens which would be 
most for the interest of Burlington, or in 
other words, which would injure it the least, 
or least interfere with its alread}' prosperous 
business. Public meetings were held, much 
excitement and feeling prevailed ; one party, 
headed by the old established house of J. & 
J. H. Peck & Co., advocating the Vermont 
Central route via Montpelier, of which Gov- 
ernor Charles Paine became pi'csident, and 
the other party, represented by Bradley & 
Canfield, urging tlie Rutland line, of whicli 
Judge Follett became president, who main- 
tained that as Burlington had always derived 
its business more or less from eastern 
and northeastern Vermont, and parts of 
New Hampshire adjacent, that a railroad 
from Boston, ])cnetrating these sections, 
would divert the trade direct to Boston, and 
tliereby injure Burlington correspondingly ; 
wiiile from the south Burlington had never 



8io 



KED RIVER VALLEY AND 



had any trade, the connection with market 
from tiiat portion of Vermont being made 
direct!}' with tlie different shipping ports on 
the lake, and hence it was evident that while 
Burhngton iiad nothing to lose, but every 
thing to gain by opening a trade with the 
towns of western and southern Vermont, at 
tiie same time tlie line to Boston would be 
shorter than In' ]\Iontpelier, and, besides, a 
connection could be made at Rutland with 
railroads to Troy and Albany, and tiuis have 
a direct rail communication with New York 
and the West in tiie wmter as well as in the 
summer. The result of tiiis controversy was 
the building of botii lines, wliich was greatly 
accelerated b\' the powerful aid and influ- 
ence contributed by the two contending 
))arties, and on the ISth of Decemi)er, 1849, 
the first train from Boston via Rutland came 
into Burlington, and on the 25th day of the 
same month the first train via Montpelier 
arrrived at "Winooski, the bridge over the 
river at that i)lace not being finished to 
admit it to Burlington. With the advent of 
the Vermont Central train the fine ten-horse 
teams of Governor Baine and others ceased 
their trips forever to Bui'lington, and the 
elegant and celebrated six-hoi'se teams and 
coaches of Mahlon Cottrell, of Montpelier, 
took their departure for the last time, as had 
before nuu'li of tlie business from that part 
of the State ; and the prostration and decline 
of Burlington began, and stagnation in busi- 
ness reigned supreme, as Bradley & Canfield 
had maintained would be the case if the 
A'ermont Central line was built. 

Originally, to counteract the injury to a 
certain extent which might arise to Burling- 
ton fi'om a diversion of its business by the 
Central line, it was contended by its friends 
that, its terminus being in Burlington with 
its shops, ofiices, etc., new business would be 
created to offset in part the loss of the old. 
It was also understood that an independent 
railroad should be built fiom Burling'ton 



north to Canada to accommodate both the 
Boston lines, which were to make their 
termini in Burlington. l!ut the excitement 
ran so high during the buildinjr that Gov- 
ernor Paine, after becoming sure that his line 
would be built, gave up coming to Bui'ling- 
ton, and arranged, with the aid of John Smith 
and Lawrence Brainerd. of St. Albans, 
and Joseph Clark, of ililton, three of the 
shrewdest and most capable business men 
ever raised in Vermont, to make a line noith 
from Essex Junction, thus pi-ictically extend- 
ing the main line of the Centi-al to Rouse's 
Point, leaving Burlington at one side to be 
reached by a branch of six miles. This 
move gave the final i)low to liiirlington, and 
left the Rutland Railroad without any rail 
connection north, and forced it to nuike its 
connections with the Ogdensburgh and 
Cliam))lain and St. Lawrence Railroads to 
]\Iontreal, at Rouse's Point by boat. To 
meet this emergency, as the Rutland Rail- 
road Companv had not the right by its 
charter to build boats, Bradley & Canfield 
came to the rescue, and within ninet\' days, 
early in the spring of 1850, constructed four 
barges of the capacity' of 3,000 barrels of 
flour each, and the steamer "Boston" to tow 
them between Burlington and Rouse's Point; 
and this enabled the Rutland line to compete 
successfully for the western business with the 
A''erraont Central. 

Previous to this, as early as 1847, Mr. 
Canfield felt that a change in the character 
of the business at Burlington was inevitable 
so soon as the railroads should be completed, 
and to supply what would be destroyed new 
branches would have to be built up. All 
the flour and salt heretofore, for northern 
Vermont and New York, came from Troy 
and Albany b}'' canal via Whitehall, while 
that for the rest of New England, after ))ass- 
ing through the Erie canal, found its way 
to Boston and other ports either by water, 
by way of New York, or by the lioston & 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



Sii 



Albany Eailroad to the inland towns. He 
tluis early took the ground that, with the 
new proposed lines of I'aih'oads completed 
between the Atlantic and River St. Lawrence, 
a new route would have to be opened by that 
way and the u|)ptr lakes to the wheat 
regions of tlie West. Upon consultation 
with leading- forwarders at Troy and 
Albany, a movement of this kind, he 
found, would incur the hostility of New 
York and all parties interested in the 
navigation of the Erie canal, which at 
that time was the main channel of trans- 
portation between the lakes and Hudson 
river. But Mr. Cantield, nothing daunted 
by such intimations, went in the spring of 
1848 to Montreal, and laid his views and 
plans for a northern route before Messrs. 
Holmes, Young & Kna])p, tiie most promi- 
nent merchants in Canada, and who carried 
on an extensive business with Cleveland, 
Detroit and Chicago in wheat, flour and 
pork. They concurred witli liim in the 
desirability, but not the practicability of the 
scheme. From thence he went up the St. 
Lawrence river, stopping at Ogdensburgh, 
Kingston, Sackett's Harbor, Oswego, Roch- 
ester and Buffalo, to Cleveland. Here he 
met Messrs. A. H. & D. IST. Barne^', who 
were engaged in boating on the western 
lakes, and who liave since become so promi- 
nent in the railroad and express business in 
New York City, and engaged them to send 
a vessel witii a load of flour to Montreal, 
wliicii he purchased on his own account. 
Tiiis vessel, althougli passing the locks in the 
Welland and St. Lawrence canals to Mon- 
treal, was too large to pass those of the 
Chambl}' into Lake Ciiamplain, and hence 
Mr. Cantield iiad to unload the flour at 
Montreal, and after much trouble witli the 
custom-house officers transferred it by ferry- 
boat to La Prairie, nine miles above Mon- 
treal, on the opposite side of the St. Law- 
rence, thence by rail to St. Johns, at the 



foot of Lake Champlain, and then by 
steamer to Burlington. Tiiis was tlie first 
cargo of flour ever sent from Lake Erie to 
Lake Champlain via "Welland canal and St. 
Lawrence river, and the entei-ing-wcdge 
which Mr. Canfield then believed, ami still 
believes, to a great water communication 
from the west end of Lake Su]ierior to Lake 
Champlain, by which steam vessels of much 
larger size than any now on the lakes, will 
make the whole passage without break- 
ing bulk, and ultimately going through 
to New York l)y the conversion of 
the Champlain canal between Whitehall 
and Troy into a ship canal. Although it 
was an expensive experiment, yet it showed 
that there was another route than that by the 
Erie canal, which was sooner or later to be 
developed into an important one. Tlie next 
season Bradley & Canfield, in order to more 
fully demonstrate the practical)ility of their 
new route, chartered tiie steam propeller 
"Earl of Cathcart" to run between Detroit 
and Montreal, agreeing to furnish at Detroit 
1,500 barrels of flour every two weeks, at a 
fixed rate of freight, to be paid whether the 
flour was shipped ornot; and toenablethem to 
comply with this contract they purchased a. 
large flouring mill at Battle Creek, Michigan, 
to manufacture the flour, and stationed 
Eli Chittenden at Detroit to attend to the 
shipments, and thus opened a regular trade 
via Montreal to Burlington the whole season. 
Meanwhile the Ogdensburgh Railroad was 
completed, and Mr. Canfield, still determined 
to. carry out his original jdan of opening 
a more practicable northern route for much 
of the business between New England and the 
West, went to Oswego and Buffalo, and after 
investigating more fully the operations of 
steam propellei-s on the lakes and Welland 
Canal, made a contract with E. C. Bancroft, 
of Oswego, to build two propellers of full 
size for the Welland Canal locks, costing 
$20,000 each, and arranged with Chamberlin 



8l2 



KED J<IVKR VALLE Y AND 



& Crawford, at Cleveland, to supply two 
more, with which to make a regular line 
from Detroit to Ogdensburgh. The Erie 
Canal forwarders, becoming alarmed at this 
new departure, procured from the legislatui'e 
of New York a reduction of tolls on wheat 
and flour, which intei'fered seriously with the 
new route, compelling a reduction of price of 
freight to about actual cost. This reduction 
was unneci;ssary, as it did not alter the pro- 
dut'lion, and Mv. Canlicld contendeii that 
the inci'cased production of griiiii in the 
new-developed Westei'n States would keep 
pace with all the increased facilities of 
transportation, Avhich has since proved to 
be true, notwithstanding there are now 
eight through lines of railroad, as well as 
the Erie Canal and various water lines 
on the St. Lawrence river. Very few peo- 
ple at tliat day could be induced to concur in 
Mr. CanHeld's views of the future development 
of the great Northwest, and in looking back 
now it is as difficult to realize why they 
could not. Ijut for the broad views and 
almost prophetic ideas of a few such men, 
backed up by tremendous energv and perse- 
verance, tiie gi'eat internal inii)rovements of 
this countrv might yet be comj)aratively in 
their infancy. 

The next season, 1850, opened with the 
line of projiellers between Ogdensburgh and 
Deti'oit. But the fates were against them. 
One of tlie new ones with a large caro-o ran 
onto a rock in the upper St. Lawi-ence and 
sank on the first trip, and another was 
wrecked on her second voyage, entailing a 
very heavy loss upon Bradley & Canfield. 
Otiiers were immediately procured to take 
their places, and the line was kept up, so that 
it was demonstrated at the end of the season 
tiiat with proper vessels a regular line could 
be sup])orted, the result of which was tiie 
establishment of the Nortliern Transpoi'ta- 
tion Line from Ogdensburgh to Detroit and 
(^hicago, consisti}ig of a fleet of ten or fifteen 



propellers, which forever settled the ])rac- 
ticability of the Nortliern route, so that at 
the present day nearh' all the business 
between northern New England and the 
West is done that way, either by rail or 
water. During the four or five yeare of its 
inauguration Mr. Canfield was the main 
advocate and j)romoter of it, and it was 
through his persistent efforts and repeated 
journeys between Burlington and the various 
ports on the St. Lawrence and upper lakes, 
and after various trials and experiments and 
great loss of time and money, that he saw 
his plans succeetl and the route thoroughly 
opened and maintained. But there were 
some obstacles which he still encountered, 
and especially the delay and damage incitlent 
to transshipment at different points, which 
led him to consider the plan of a continuous 
water route without transshipment from the 
uj)])er lakes, involving the construction of a 
ship canal from Caughnawaga, above the 
Lachine Eapids, in the St. Lawrence river, 
to Lake Cliami)lain. He had frequent inter- 
views in Montreal with the Hon. John Young, 
Benjamin Ilolmes. Harrison Stephens, Peter 
McGill, ilessrs. Ilolton it JrcPherson. for- 
warders, all of whom were men of broad 
views and extended knowledge of the 
resources of the vast AVest on both sides of 
the line. Mr. Young had already agitated 
the subject in Canada, and thei-e was no man 
in the States or Dominion who was better 
informed upon the subject, or who could 
present it in a more convincing and magnetic 
manner. Mr. Canfield arrangeil a series of 
meetings to bring the scheme before the pub- 
lic. One was held in Burlington, August 14, 
1849, which Avas addressed b\- Mr. Young, 
Judge Follett and Charles Adams, Escj., of 
Burlington, the later gentleman entering into 
it very enthusiastically as well as intelli- 
gently. Another was held at Saratoga, 
August 21, over which General John E. 
Wool presided, which was also addressed by 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



8t3 



Mr. Youno-, Mr. Adams, Chancellor Wal- 
worth and many other jirominent men from 
Montreal, Troy, Albany, Whitehall and other 
cities. A committee was appointed, consist- 
ing of ]n'ominent citizens in the States and 
Canada, to devise measures to carry on the 
enterprise. A survey was made, and it 
looked as thougli the project might be 
accomplished. But when tiie matter came 
up in tiie Parliament of Canada for a charter 
an unexpected resistance arose from Mon- 
ti'eal, and although the charter was finallj' 
granted, tiiere were so many impracticable 
conditions attached to it that Mr. Young and 
his friends did not deem it wise to proceed 
under its provisions. 

Tiie fact that tlie large lumber trade with 
Canada and Michigan has grown up since at 
Burlington, even with the much inferior and 
more distant connection by the way of the 
Chaml)]y Canal, demonstrates the necessity 
of a canal of much larger dimensions, and 
had the original plan of Mr. Canfield and Mr. 
Young been carried out, Burlington would 
long since have become the distributing' 
point for the flour and grain of the AVest 
as well as lumber for nearly all of New Eng- 
land ; the large steamers leaving Dulutli and 
Chicago would have disciiargetl their cargoes 
on the docks at Burlington witiiout breaking 
bulk, thereby creating a business which 
would have added greatlj' to its population 
and prosperity, and made it one of the most 
important cities of New England. Mr. 
Canfield still believes that this canal will, 
sooner or later, be built; that the necessities 
of trade and commerce will demand it, and 
that nothing would conduce so much to the 
growth and advancement of Burlington as 
the construction of the Caughnawaga Shi]) 
Canal. 

While Mr. Canfield w^as thus engaged in 
tliese various enterprises he formed the ac- 
quaintance of Mr. Edwin F. Johnson, then 
perliaps tiie most experienced railroad engi- 



neer in America, who spent most of his time 
at Burlington in the stone store of Bradley 
& Canfield. Mr. Johnson, having been pro- 
jector of the Erie "Railroad in 1836 from 
New York to the lakes, as well as having 
been engaged in the construction of the Erie 
Canal, had given much thought, and col- 
lected from army officers, trappers and 
traders much information relative to the belt 
of country between the groat lakes and the 
Pacific ocean, and had become so thoroughly 
impressed with the importance of a I'ailroad 
to the Pacific coast that he was constantly 
talking with Mr. Canfield upon the project 
to induce him to take hold of it. Mr. (Jan- 
field, w'lio was then about thirt}'^ years old, 
liecame so much convinced by Mr. Johnson's 
arguments, as well as by his own study of 
the countiy, (if tin; practicability of a i'ail- 
road across tlie continent, that he resolved 
to inalvc it the business of his life and <levote 
his energies and talents to the accomplish- 
uKMit of it, l)clieving lie could in no way lie 
so instrumental in jiromoting the happiness 
and welfare of his fellow-men as in opening 
to settlement that immense tract of fertile 
land in the Northwest, and which would 
furnish homes for millions of the poor and 
down-trodden of all nations. 

The first active step toward it was the 
taking of a contract in 1852, by himself and 
partners, to build the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac Railroad, now known as the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, from 
Chicago to St. Paul, Minnesota, and Fond 
du Lac, Wisconsin. Mr. Edwin F. Johnson 
was made chief engineer. At this time there 
was no railroad into Chicago from the East, 
and the materials and supplies were trans- 
ported from Bulfalo by boat thi'oiigh the 
lakes and straits of Mackinac to Chicago. 
Hobert J. Walker, secretary of the treas- 
uiy of the United States, N. P. Tall- 
mailge, ex-United States senator from N(>w 
York, and other jirominent men were the 



8r4 



KED KIVF.n TALLEY AA'D 



'lirectoi's of the company. It was while 
Mr. Johnson was thus engaged on this road 
tliat lie used to have long talks with Mr. 
Canlield about a line of radroad to the 
l*acific ocean from St. Paul, and wrote an 
exhaustive treatise upon Pacific railroads, 
sliowing that the nortliern via the Missouri, 
Yellowstone and Columbia rivers was the 
most feasible route, as well as passing through 
the most productive country. This made a 
volume of 150 pages, with an extended map, 
which Mr. Canfieid and his partner published 
at their own expense, upon which was traced 
the isotiiermal line, showing that the climate 
became milder from Minnesota to Puget 
Sound, until a mean temperature there was 
warmer than Chesapeake J!ay. 

The Iloii. Jefferson Davis at this time 
was secretar\' of war, and with the 
prominent leaders of the South was very 
desirous to extend Southern territory, and 
tloubtless had in mind at some future time 
tiie acquisition of Mexico. Hearing from 
his associate in the cabinet, the Hon. 
Robert J. Walker, that Mr. Johnson had in 
manuscript the above-mentioned volume, he 
came to New York and sought an introduc- 
tion to him, whom he knew to bean engineer 
of extensive knowledge and that whatever 
he had written was reliable and im- 
portant. At his request Mr. Johnson loaned 
him the manuscript for a few days, and after 
reading it, a/id seeing the conclusion to 
which Mr. Johnson ^lad come, that the 
northern route was the most feasible, not 
only witii respect to its topographical feat- 
ures, soil, climate and mineral resources, but 
also of great importance, being so near to 
the Pritisli line in the mditary and commer- 
cial point of view, he came on to New York 
to return the manuscript and see Mr. John- 
son again. Inasmuch as this came in con- 
flict with Mr. Davis' cherished plans, he 
endeavored to convince Mr. Jolinson that he 
must have greatly underrated the difficulties 



of the northern route, the obstruction b\' 
snow, the elevation of Ww main summit 
of tiie Ilocky mountains, which w;is really 
3,000 feet lower than those by the Union 
Paciflc, and tliat lie did not realize how 
rapidly the ground rises near tlie source of 
streams; while to any pratical engineer the 
most feasible point for crossing the Ilocky 
mountains which would naturally strike 
him, would be at the divide, where the 
watere of the two rivers to the Pacific ocean 
and the Gulf of Mexico take their rise — tlie 
Mississippi and Columbia. Mr. Johnson lis- 
tened attentively to what Mr. Davis had to 
say and replied: "that he had given the 
subject much thought and ])atient investiga- 
tion, but his conclusions were strictly logical 
from tiie facts, and tliat he had no doubt 
of the full verilication of his estimates 
by actual measurement hereafter to be 
made,'' which the actual surveys for the 
Northern Pacific Pailroad have since con- 
firmed; and if the profile of the Northern 
Pacific of to-day be compared w'ith the profile 
accompanying the above manusci'i])t of Mr. 
Johnson, the coincidence would be found 
wonderful. 

Mr. Davis, finding he could not change 
Mr. Johnson's views and that Mr. Johnson 
was going to publish his manuscript, 
returned to Washington and on the 3d of 
March, 1853, procured the passage of a 
resolution b\^ congress, authorizing him, the 
secretary of war, to make such explorations 
as he might deem advisable, to ascertain the 
most practicable route for a railroad from 
the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. 
He at once organized three exjieditions, one 
by the wa}' of the Southern route, one \>\ 
the middle or Central route, and the other by 
the Northern route. He placed in charge 
of the expedition at the eastern end of 
the Northern route, Major_^Isaac I. Stevens, 
then the secretary of the national demo- 
cratic committee, and Lieut. George B. 



I-AkfC REGIONS. OF MINNESOTA. 



8t5 



McClellan in charge of the Western end, 
both of whom were particulai" friends of his 
and whom he had expected would probaljly 
report iinfavorabl}' to the Northern route. 
In Lieut. McClellan he realized his expecta- 
tions, but Major Stevens, although entering 
upon the work with strong predjudices 
against it, become a convert as he progressed 
to the Noi'thern route, and fully confirmed 
all Mr. Johnson had predicted. Major 
Stevens became so convinced of the superior- 
ity of this route that he got the appointment 
from Pi'esident Piei'ce of the governorship 
of "Washington Territory, and removed there 
and devoted most of his life in presenting to 
the public the great importance of this route, 
and enlightening public opinion with respect 
to its wonderful resources. To Edwin F. 
Johnson, more than any other man, at that 
early day, is due the true presentation to the 
public of the merits of the Northern Pacific, 
based upon reliable facts, when there were 
but very few people in this country who 
knew anything of its real merits and the re- 
sources of the countr}' through which it was to 
pass; and fewer still who believed it was pos- 
sible ever to buikl it. Then and there was 
inaugurated the first practical steps toward 
tlie construction of a railroad by the North- 
ern route in 1852 from Chicago. 

In those days railroad building was slon' 
compared with what it is now, materials 
difficult to get, capital timid, contractors 
inexperienced, and, before the railroad was 
finished to Fontl du Lac, the panic of 1857 
overtook it and stopped all work, embarrass- 
ing the company and contractors. Before 
the company could be reorganized the War 
of the Rebellion came on, when the urgent 
necessity of a railroad to the Pacific became 
apimrent, and the Government selected the 
middle route, or Union Pacific, as the first 
line to be built, granting it lands and a 
money subsidy, it being understood at the 
time that the same money subsidy should at 



some future time be given to each the 
Northern and Southern routes. But this was 
never carried out by congress, and the rail- 
roads by both these routes had to be built 
by private enterprise, with only the land 
grant, but without an}' money subsidy from 
tiie United States Covernment. 

Soon after the war broke out and tiie 
Government assumed control of the rail- 
roads of the country. Col. Thomas A. Scott, 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was made 
assistant secretary of war, having for his 
special duties the collecting of tiie armies of 
tlie United States. He sent for Mr. Canfield 
and placed him in charge of all the railroads 
about Washington as assistant manager. 
At this time AVashington was surrounded by 
the rebels, and all communication was cut 
off, both by land and water, except b}' the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, with a single 
track — all the materials and supplies for the 
daily support of all the citizens, the arm}' 
and everything, as well as all passengers and 
troops, had to be taken over this line. It 
required from thirty to forty trains a day 
each way, of about thirty-five cars each, and 
the fear that the enemj- might intercept 
them at any time caused no little uneasiness 
to the president and his cabinet. Even the 
western end of this road was in the hands of 
the enemy, its officers and managers, with 
one honorable exce[)ti(jii, the superintendent, 
William Prescott Smith, were in symiiath}' 
and co-operating with tiie rebels. That 
portion between Baltimore and Washington 
was guariled, esiiecially at the culverts, 
embankments and bridges, by a regiment 
under the command of Col. John 11. 
Robinson, of Binghamton, New York. 

It was a ver}' responsible and tr^-ing posi- 
tion. The flower of the Confederate army, 
under their experienced and popular leader, 
General Lee, was encamped upon the 
"sacred soil" in sight of the capitol ; rebel 
spies and allies were everywhere present in 



8i6 



f!F.D fUVKK VAir.E Y AXD 



disguise, occup\'ing positions of trust in the 
different d'epartments of the Government, 
keeping up ;i constant secret communication 
with tiic rebel leaders; the whole North in 
a state of anxiety and excitement lest the 
capital of the Union, wilii its treasures and 
archives, should fall into the hands of the 
enemy, while tlie Soutii was hourly ex- 
pecting to hear of its surrender to rJeneral 
Lee, and its occupation by their ti'oops. 

Every avenue of communication by land 
and water with the District of Columbia was 
in the iiands of the rebels, except the single 
ircju track to Baltimore, over which the 
300,000 soldiers for the Army of the 
Totomac were to be transported for the de- 
fense of Washington, as well as everything 
for the support of man and beast in and 
about Washington. It was only after fre- 
quent interviews and repeated assurances 
that Mr. Canfield could satisfy President 
Lincoln that he could, on the single track, 
keep oi)en a communication with Washington 
until the Army of the Potomac should be 
collected, provided tlie Government would 
furnish troops enough to pi'otect the line 
froni destruction. 

Put the rigid system instituted by Mr. 
Canfield of guarding the track the whole 
distance by day and night, the employment 
of exjjei'ienced, loyal railroad officers and 
men whom he knew, and in whom he had 
confidence; an implicit obedience of all 
employes to the rules and regulations, 
enabled him to transport the immense 
amount of freight, passengers and troops 
during the whole blockade without an 
accident of any kind. Never, perhai)s, has 
there been, before or since in this country, so 
much business done in the same length 
of time, with so much promptness and 
safety, upon a single-track railroatl. Upon 
its successful operation the fate of the 
nation nuiy then have been said to de- 
pend. Even after the Army of the Po- 



tomac had been collected, had the opera- 
tion of this railroad been cut off by the 
rebels, Washington with all its treasures and 
archives, and even the Aruij^ of the Potomac 
itself, would probably have fallen into the 
hands of the enemy, the effect of which at 
that time uponthe future of this nation no one 
can imagine. The recognition of the South- 
ern Confederacv bv foreiji-n governments 
\voul(l iiave been assured, wliich, togetlun' 
with the small Northern army then in the 
field and the sympathy of the copperhead 
element in the North with secession, the 
preservation of the Union and the suppression 
of the liebellion wa^uld, to say the least, have 
been much more difficult. The j)revcntion 
of such a calamity was due to a great extent 
to the great experience, untiring watchful- 
ness, cool judgment and careful manage- 
ment of Mr. Canfield, who was master of the 
situation, keejiing his own council as well as 
the secrets of the Government entrusted to 
him, so very necessarj' in those critical times. 
Soon after rea'ching Washington, Mr. Can- 
field, with the assistance of the Hon. Solomon 
Foote, senator from Vermont, got jtermission 
from Mr. Cameron, secretai-y of war, to raise 
a cavalry regiment in Vermont, and within 
twenty-four hours from the time it was sug- 
gested he received a conmiission for Col. 
L. B. Piatt, of Colchester, with instructions 
to purchase the horses anil raise the regiment 
at once. As Mr. Canfield could not be 
spared from Washington, he wrote to lead- 
ing men in different parts of Vermont, ap- 
pealing to them to assist, among them Z. H. 
Canfield, of Arlington, and J. 1). Hatch, of 
Wintlsor, the result of which was, within 
sixty daj's. Col. Piatt reported with his regi- 
ment at Washington, which rendered service 
during the war second to no other in the 
army. The general movement of the army 
the next season into Virginia and the South 
raised the blockade and removed the 
necessity of further vigilance at Washington; 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



817 



and the death of Mr. Doolittle, the sui)ei in- 
teiulent of the steamers on Lake Chainplain, 
created a vacancy which the directors of 
the company desired Mr. Canfield to fill, 
which he accepted, returned to Bur- 
lington, Vermont, and for several years 
was the general superintendent and treas- 
urer of the company. 

During his superintendency tlie business of 
the company increased rapidly, and tlie few 
years during his administration were the 
most ])rosperous the company ever saw. 

In 18G5 the Clyde Coal and Mining Com- 
jiany, of ISTova Scotia, owned mostly in New 
York and Pennsylvania, secured his services 
to go to Cape Breton to open some mines 
of gas coal, from which place the gas com- 
panies of New England, New York and even 
Washington \vere supplied. While there 
Mr. Canfield, in the winter of 1805-66, 
made an examination of Louisburg Harbor, 
the best harbor on the Atlantic coast, from 
Cape North to Cape Sable, thinking it would 
ultimately become the terminus of the trans- 
continental railroads, from which point a 
steamer can make Liverpool in foni' days. 
Since that time railroads have been built 
from the Pacific Ocean to within 100 miles of 
this place, thus practically confirming his 
views on the matter. 

During the war Josiah Perham, of Maine, 
had procured a charter from the State of 
Maine for a railroad from IMaine to the 
Pacific coast, which he called the Peoples' 
Railroad. His plan was that no person 
should have more than one share of stock, 
and that it should never be mortgaged, a 
purely visionary scheme. Subsequently his 
friends induced him to abandon it, or in 
other words, apply to Congress for a new 
charter with more practical provisions, which, 
by the assistance of Maj. Isaac I. Stevens, . 
Colonel Aldrich, of Minnesota, and others, 
he procured under the name of the North- 
ern Pacific. After the war was <n'er lie 



made an attempt to oi'ganize it and carry it 
forward, but his jilans were too impracticable, 
and after spending much time and all his 
means, as well as some of that of his friends, 
having issued $600,000 of preferred stock, 
also, he became discouraged and pro])osed to 
transfer the charter and franchise to a for- 
eign party. One of his neighbors, the Hon. 
R. D. Rice, of Maine, hearing of this, called 
upon the Hon. J. Gregory Smith, of Ver- 
mont, and Benjamin P. Cheney, of Boston, 
who knew of the value of the franchise, and 
they arranged with Mr. Perham, the ostensi- 
ble proprietor, to transfer the whole enter- 
prise to them to save it to this country' and 
from ffoing; into the hands of the Grand 
Trunk Railroad of Canada, which was 
endeavoring to get control of it. An active 
man was wanted to take charge of the busi- 
ness, to attend to all the details, to bring the 
merits of the enterprise before Congress and 
the country. Mr. Canfield, who was well 
known to all these gentlemen as having given 
much attention to the matter in former years, 
with Mr. Jolinson, was appointed a director 
and general agent of the company, with 
power to take such measures as he thought 
necessary to get the company into operation, 
and to carry out the provisions of the charter 
in the work of construction, under the advice 
of the directors from time to time. After 
the failure of Congress in 1866 and 1867 to 
grant aid, it was evident that the temper of 
that body was hostile to fui'ther government 
aid to railroads, which was encouraged by 
those interested in the Union and Central 
Pacific Railroads, to prevent, if possible, the 
building of the northern and southern lines. 
The directors of the Northern Pacific were 
much discouraged, and at times were about 
ready to abandon the enterprise and lose 
what money they had ah'eady put in. But 
the charter would expire in two years. Mr. 
Can held, who had been so many yeai-s work- 
ing for the enterprise, would not consent to 



RED RIVER. VALLEY AND 



give it up without one more effort to save 
it, knowing full well that with the state 
of public sentiment then existing, if this 
charter expired, another would never be 
granted. 

To secure an extension of the charter and 
sive it a more national character than it 
seemed to have had before, in consequence of 
most of those identified with it being from 
New England, Mr. Canfield conceived the 
idea of a syndicate of gentlemen, to be made 
up from those occupying prominent posi- 
tions in the leading railroads of the country. 
He went to St. Albans and laid the matter 
before Governor Smith, who was then presi- 
dent of the Northern Pacific Railrond. who 
concuri'ed in it; but, being too busy with 
the affairs of the Vermont Central Railroad 
to give much personal attention to the plan, 
he told Vlv. Canfield to go ahead and he 
would endorse anything he might do. Mr. 
Canfield left Burlington for New York on 
the 2nth day of December, 1866, with a 
heavy heart, but resolved to make a last 
desperate effort to save the magnificent 
enterprise about which he had already spent 
so many yeai'S of liis life. Mr. William B. 
Offden. of Chicajio, with whom Mr. Canfield 
had long been acquainted, was the president 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, 
was better informed upon the resources of 
the great Northwest, and had spent more 
time in investigating them than any other 
man of his time, and could better appreciate 
the magnitude of the Northern Pacific and 
the development of an empire which must 
follow its construction. ]\[r. Canfield felt 
that his first point was to secure the active 
co-operation of Mr. Ogden and induce him 
totake hold of it, notwithstanding he was 
overwhelmed witli business. 

It was some days before he could get Mr. 
Ogden to give any attention to it; but 
finally secured an appointment with him to 
spend a day at his home at Poscobel, near 



High Bridsre, twelve miles from New York, 
and take up the subject. 

Mr. Canfield, early on the day appointed, 
went to Boscobel with his maps, plans and 
printed copies of the charter, and commenc- 
ing with its pi'ovisions and discussing them, 
he soon enlisted the interest of Mr. Ogden 
to such an extent that they continued" their 
discussion from 9 o'clock in the morning 
until midnight. Mr. Canfield's plan was to 
form a syndicate of twelve men, representing 
the leading railway, express and transporta- 
tion interests of the countr}', and to give to 
each one-twelfth of the enterprise, they paj'- 
ing therefor their proportion of the original 
cost. Thus the twelve would own the enter- 
prise, each subscriber coming in on the 
"ground floor." The twelve names pre- 
sented by Mr. Canfield were acceptable to 
Mr. Ogden. 

During this interview at Boscobel, in con- 
sidering the various questions and emer- 
gencies which might arise in the uidcnown 
future before the road sliould be " put 
upon its feet," and the woi'k of construc- 
tion commenced, ]\rr. Ogden said to i\Ir. 
Canfield, " How much money will it requii-e 
to bring this about? how much nutney will 
each one have to pay, and how long will it 
take ? " 

Mr. Canfield frankly replied, " that it was 
a long road to travel, that it had bitter and 
strong enemies in and out of congress to 
contend with, and that you, Mr. Ogden, with 
your experience, know that it would take 
considerable money to make surveys and do 
preliminary work upon so long a route 
across the Rocky mountains, of which each 
one is expected to furnish his pro]iortion 
from time to time." 

" What then," said Mr. Ogden, "will be 
the chance of our getting our money back ? " 

"About one in fifty," said Mr. Canfield. 

" A line chance," said Mr. Ogden ; " and 
upon what ground then, Mr. Canfield, do 



PARK KF.CrONS OF MINNESOTA. 



819 



you ask us to put uj) our money, witli so 
little prospect of return ? " 

" Upon this ground, Mr. Ogden, which 1 
have no doubt will commend itself to your 
good judgment: This enterjirise is one of 
tiio greatest ever undertaken in the woi-ld — 
it is equal to that of the East India Com- 
pany — it is the only continuous charter 
ever granted across this continent, from 
water to water, and with the prevailing- 
sentiment, which is increasing in this coun- 
tr}', of hostility to railroad grants, assisted 
by Government aid of subsidj^ or even wild 
lands, if this is allowed to lapse, another 
will never be granted ; it will open up an 
empire, now occupied Ijy the savages, whicii 
will furnish happy homes for millions of the 
poor of this and other countries, and the 
resources and wealth which it will develop 
will simply be incalculable ; and witiial it 
will l)e the great highway for the trade of 
China, Japan and the East Indies, across 
the continent. It is due to tlie peoi)]e of 
this country and to tliis nation, tliat you, 
gentlemen, whom Pi'ovidence has placed at 
the heail of the great transportation inter- 
ests of the countiy, should step in at this 
crisis and use your influence and advance 
your money to save this magnificent enter- 
prise from destruction." 

" xlnd suppose I put my money in for 
such a laudable purpose, what have you got 
to give me or others who may be associated 
with us to show for it?" 

"I have nothing to give. I have sug- 
gested the names of twelve men, including 
ourselves," said Mr. Canfield, " whom I 
believe to be honorable men, and wiiose 
word, once given, will serve every purpose." 

" I suppose it is, tlien," said Mr. Ogtlen, 
"simply a matter of honor between gentle- 
men." 

"E.xactly." 

" Well, Mr. Canfield, tiiat is high and noble 
"•round. The cliarter must be saved and I 



will take hold with you. Jleet me at my 
office, 57 Broadway, to-morrow morning, 
and we will lay siege to the directors of the 
Chicago & Noi'th western Railroad, whose 
influence we must enlist." So saying, Mr. 
Ogden rang his bell for his coachman and 
directed him to drive Mr. Canfield to tlie 
Fifth Avenue Hotel. 

It was ])ast midnight, and Mr. Canfield 
retired much lighter-liearted than when he 
left Vermont, and feeling that a good day's 
work had been done, and tiiat daylight was 
about to dawn upon his favorite project. 

In order that there should be no cause for 
disagreement in the future and that the 
objects for which the S3^ndicate was formed 
should be distinctl}^ understood, as up to this 
time Mr. Canfield had made only a rougii 
sketcli of them, he telcgrapiied to Vermont 
to Governor Smith to come to New York, and 
with him spent most of the 10th day of 
January, ISOT, at the Fiftii Avenue Hotel, in 
])utting on to paper in a condensed form the 
agreement for tlie twelve j)ai-ties to sign, 
wliich was really the constitution upon whicii 
was based the future proceedings and which 
was afterwards known in the affairs of the 
company as the " Original Interests Agree- 
ment." It was late in the afternoon when 
tiiey took this document to .57 Broadway to 
submit to Mr. Ogden, which, after discussion 
and explanation, received his hearty approval 
without a single alteration. It was getting 
dark, and as Mr. Ogden had to drive 
to his home at Boscobel, twelve miles, he 
said : 

" Well, gentlemen, is tliere anything else 
to do ? " 

" Yes, there is one thing more," said Mr. 
Canfield, "tiiat is, for you to take the pen 
and put j^our name to this paper for one of 
the one-twelfth interests." 

"But it is so dark," said Mr. Ogden, " I 
do not know as I can see to write, and if I 
do, as you can read it." 



820 



RED RIVER VALLE Y AND 



" Well," said Mr. Canfield, " try it and Ave 
will accept the signature for better or 
worse." Mr. Ogden then signed his name 
and they separated. As Governor Smith 
and Mr. Canfield walked up Broadway, 
passing Trinity church, Governor Smith said 
he felt that a critical turning-point in the 
Northern Pacific enterprise had been passed 
and that tliat signature fixed the star of the 
Nortiiern Pacific. 

Mr. Canfield and the Governor soon after 
procured the remaining signatures to the 
agreement, whicli composed the syndicate, 
as follows : J. Gregory Smith, of St. Albans, 
Vermont, jirosident of the Central Vermont 
Railroad ; Itichard D. Eice, of Augusta. 
Maine, president of the Maine Central Rail- 
road ; Thomas II. Canfield, of Burlington, 
Vermont; William B. Ogden, of Chicago, 
Illinois, ))resid('nt of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad ; Robert 11. Bardell, of 
New York, president of the Erie Railroad ; 
Danforth N. Bai'ry, of New York, president 
of Wells, Fargo & Co., Express Company ; 
Ashbel H. Barney, New York, president of 
United States Express Company ; Benjamin 
P. Cheney, of Boston, president of United 
States & Canada Express Company ; Will- 
iam G. Fargo, of Bufl'alo, New York, vice- 
president of New York Central Railroad 
and president of the American Express Com- 
pany; George W.Cass, of Pittsburgh, Penn- 
sylvania, ])resident Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne 
& Chicag(j Railroad; J. Edgar Thompson, of 
Philadelphia, Pa., president of the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad ; and Edward Reille}', of Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania. At a later day a 
division of some of these interests was made 
by which Jay Cooke & Co., Charles B. 
Wrigiit, Thomas A. Scott, of Philadelphia ; 
Frederick Billings, of Woodstock, Vermont, 
and William Windom and William S. King, 
of Minnesota, became activelj' interested, 
the two latter gentlemen being the onljf men 
from Minnesota, except Governor Ramsey 



and Mr. Donnelly, who manifested at that 
day an}' great interest in the undertaking, 
and the only men from that State who ad- 
vanced any mone}' to help along the enter- 
prise. Strange docs it seem tluit the citizens 
of a State which it was evident then must 
receive, and since has received, so much 
benefit from this railroad, should not have 
taken more interest in ]iromoting it, when it 
needed the most assistance in its dark days, 
and when men from the East who had not 
a dollar of propert}' in Minnesota were de- 
voting their time and money to organize and 
put into operation this magnificent under- 
taking. 

And at this day it seems hardly possible to 
believe that all the dele<rati(jn in conji-ress 
from Illinois except General Logan and Nor- 
man B. Judd ; from Indiana except Gov- 
(M-nor Morton, Daniel V(5oi-liees and ^I. C. 
Morton ; from Ohio excei)t Senatoi' Sherman 
and two or three others, should have opposed 
it in congress, and that such men as E. B. 
Washburn, .John Wentworth and Columbus 
Delano should fight it bitterly on the floor 
for many days, and finally defeated any 
aid of any kind, either in subsidy of bonds 
or guarantee of interest. 

Six of the former directors resigned, and 
Messrs. Ogden, Cass, Thomson, Berdell, 
Fargo and Canfield were elected in their 
places. 

The new board found it necessary, in order 
to satisfy the numerous inquii'ios made in 
congress as to the ])racticability of the route, 
and in order to fix a definite location, to 
institute surveys from Lake Superior going 
west and from Puget Sound coming east. 
In order to do this Edwin F. Johnson was 
chosen chief engineer, and Thomas U. Can 
field general manager to collect funds, make 
disbursements and attend generally to the 
business of the company. Thus the two 
men who, in 1852, so often laid plans for a 
Pacific railroad in the " stone store " at Bur- 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



821 



lington, Vermont, were, after fifteen years, 
hrought togetlier again as the active men in 
starting forward and taking cliarge of this 
great enterprise. 

Gen. Ira Spaulding was detailed as assist- 
ant engineer of tlie Minnesota division, with 
instructions to run a line from Bayfield, Wis- 
consin, to St. Cloud, Minnesota, thence via 
Sauk Centre and Alexandria, keeping south 
of the Leaf Hills, to some point on the Red 
River near Georgetown ; and another line 
from Supei'ior, Wisconsin, in charge of M. C. 
Kimberly (now assistant manager of the 
road), via French Rapids (now near Brain- 
erd). Leaf River and Detroit Lake, to inter- 
cept the other line, which was done, making 
tlie point of intersection on the south branch 
of the Buffalo river, about two miles west of 
Glyndon. At that time it was the expecta- 
tion that the road would run north of the 
Missouri river, via Devil's Lake, Fort Ben- 
ton and Cadott's Pass, to Missoula, although 
the route via the Yellowstone was under 
consideration, and which was finally 
adopted, crossing the Rocky mountains at 
MuUan Pass to Missoula. The point of diver- 
gence of the Yellowstone route from the 
upper Missouri route was at the west end of 
the cut, two miles east of Audubon. Gen. 
James Tilton, of Delaware, who was the 
Government engineer appointed by Pres- 
ident Pierce to establish the Willamette 
meridian and to survey the original town- 
ships in Oregon and Washington Territory, 
was employed on account of his familiarity 
with that country to examine the Cascade 
mountains, which presented the most formid- 
able barrier to the passage of a railroad. 
His examination determined the existence of 
at least three or four practicable passes in the 
Cascade range, viz : Peck woods or the Caw- 
litz, south of Mount Tacoma, leading from 
the Cawlitz river on the west to the Atah- 
nam branch of the Yakinui river on the east ; 
another, the Snotjualmie pass, north of I 



Mount Tacoma to Lake Kitchelas, a trii)- 
utary of the Yakima ; and Cady's pass, still 
farther north, between the waters of the 
We-nach-ee and Skykomish. Since that 
time a fourth one has been discovered 
between the Snoqualmie and Mount Tacoma, 
the Stampede pass, through which the rail- 
road now runs. 

As there were hai-dly an}" settlements or 
roads then through the country where these 
lines passed, and the only way to reach the 
Pacific coast being by Panama and the Isth- 
mus, consequentl3% so soon after the war 
closed, when gold was 175 to 200, the expenses 
of all preliminar}^ surveys or work over a 
country of thousands of miles, so inaccessible 
for ordinary transportation, many of the sup- 
plies having to be carried in upon the backs 
of horses and in some cases by Indians, 
became very great, and at times it seemed 
almost impossible to cariy on the work at 
all. At the same time, while these surveys 
and other explorations were being made, its 
enemies were at work with congi'css to pre- 
vent an extension of its charter, desti'oy its 
land grant, and defeat a money subsid}^ such 
as had been given to the Union Pacific. 
To accom])lish this, strong inducements were 
offered by powerful parties for a surrender 
of the west end of the line from IVFontana to 
Puget Sound to competing routes, coupled 
with the assurance that with such surrender 
their assistance would be given to secure a 
subsidy for the whole line, but without such 
surrender the}' would defeat it. Tempting 
as such a projiosition was financially, in the 
straitened circumstances of the com])any, 
yet it was spurned with contempt by the 
officer's, and Mr. Canfield gave the party 
nmking it to understand that it was the only 
continuous charter that ever was or proba- 
bly ever would be granted across the conti- 
nent, and that under no circumstances or 
emergency, however pressing, would the 
promoters submit to its dismemberment, 



RED KIVEK I'ALLE Y AND 



subsidy or no subsidy, and that the raih'oad 
woiiJd be built as a continuous, unbroken, 
transcontinental line, under its cliarter, 
intact and unimpaired, from the Gi'eat Lakes 
to llie Pacilic Ocean. 

The result lias b(H;n tliat the promise of 
tiie ]iarty was fullilled, aiul tlie sul)sidy was 
defeated, while tiiat of Mr. Cantield has also 
been fulfilled, and the Northern Pacific Rail- 
roail lias been l)uilt from Lake Superior to 
Pu^et Sound with its charter unimpaired. 
Too much credit can not be given to the pro- 
moters for taking- their strong stand against 
dismemberment in tliose stormy days. 

Notwitiistanding all tliese difficulties, in 
addition to numerous others which the lim- 
its of this article will not permit to be men- 
tioned, the subscribers to the syndicate con- 
tinued ciieerfully to make advances for the 
cost of surveys and other expenses of the 
com])any until tiiey had furnished about a 
quarter of a milli<tn of dollars fi'om their 
own ]u-ivate pockets, and until the company 
was fairly under way b\' tiie financial arrange- 
ment witJi Jay Cooke & Co., Mr. Caufieldin 
tiie meantime receiving all the monevs, 
making the disbursements, keeping the 
accounts until tliey were turned over to the 
new organization, arising from the ari'ange- 
ment with Messrs. Cooke & Co., and the 
original twelve parties to the syndicate 
relieved from their personal ol)ligations. 
During the wliole of tiiis time not a member 
of the syndicate hesitated for a moment 
when called u]ion for iiis propoi'tion, nor 
entertained a doubt as totjje ultimate results 
of the undertaking. 

To those of the present day who pass over 
tiiis beautiful, diversified country of 2,000 
miles, from Lake Superior to Pflget Sound, 
at the rate of forty miles per lioui-. in the 
elegant palace cars of the Nortliern Pacific 
Railroad Company, through fioui'isliing 
villages and cities, amid the golden wheat 
fields of Minnesota and Dakota, the ricii 



mines, and flocks and "herds upon a 
thousand hills " in Montana, and tlie mag- 
nificent forests of Washington Territory, 
it is impossible by any language to con- 
vey to them an idea of the innumerable 
trials, the almost insuperable difficulties and 
insurmountable (obstacles which surrounded 
this enterprise for two or tiii-ee years, even 
before a bar of iion was laid, not to mention 
those wliich the panic of 1S73 entaiknl upon 
it. Put for the advances, courage, faith and 
influence of these twelve men, there would 
have been no Nortliern Pacific Railroad to- 
day. Those were the dark days of the enter- 
prise, when it required faith and courage, 
when the project was ridiculed as impossible, 
and its advocates as crazy and visionary ; and 
in view of the ignorance uiiicli then pervaded 
the whole country as to the climate, resoui'ces 
and practicability of this route to the Pacific, 
and the consequent oblcKpiy and ridicule 
wiiich was poured out iqxm those who had 
undertaken it, it is safe to say that at least 
as much credit is (hie to those twelve men 
who, amid good anil evil re()ort, stood u|i 
witli tlieir brains and money and carried it 
through, as to those in later days, who, after 
its practicability liad been demonstrated, 
confidence created, money raised and success 
assured, have been instrumental in its final 
completion. 

Mr. Caufield s|)ent much time in Wash- 
ington at different times to secure the neces- 
sary legislation for extending the charter of 
the company, procuring tiie right to mort- 
gage, and the right to build from Portland to 
Puget Sound as well as I'esistingthe repeated 
attacks upon the land grant. Inasmuch as sec- 
tion 10 of the original charter prohibited tiie 
com[)any from nuiking any mortgage or issu- 
ing any bonds, without wliicii it would be im- 
possible to construct such a road, ]\Ir. Caufield 
went in the winter of 1808-69 to Wasliington, 
and by the assistance of Senator Edmunds, of 
A'ei'uiont, and others, got an amendment to 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



823 



the charter passed, authorizing the company 
to issue bonds and secure the same by mort- 
gage, for the purpose of raising funds to 
build the railroad. At the extra session f)f 
congress called b\^ President Grant in 
March, ISfiO, for one month, he also got 
through an act extending the bi'anch line 
from Portland to Puget Sound, upon which 
was the first iron laid by the company, which 
has proved to be an important link in its 
chain, connecting, as it does, Oregon and 
Washington Territory. 

TiiK Chartek Almost Lost Twice. — But 
for Mr. Canfield's vigilance the company 
would have lost its charter in 1866, and 
again in 186S. The jealousy of the Union 
Pacific, which by the aid of the Government 
subsidy had been constructed, as well as that 
of the Southern Pacific, developed a strong 
indication that it would require considerable 
work at Wasiiington to save the life of the 
infant Northern Pacific. They would not 
consent to an extension of over two years, 
while it should have been ten years for such 
an enterprise. Upon tiie first opportunity, 
which soon came up, Col. Thomas A. Scott, 
an old friend, who was interested in the 
Southern Pacific, had gotten his bill reported 
by the railroad committee, and all ready to 
bring up in the house for an extension of 
his charter on the next Monday morning, as 
soon as the house should be called to order, 
Ijefore many of the members should get 
there, except his own friends, who under- 
stood, what was to be done. 

Mr. Canfield went to him and wanted him 
to allow a short section to be added to his bill, 
extending the time of the Northern Pacific. 
He would not consent, but said, "Pass mine 
first and then I will have my friends take 
iiold and pass yours." While friends of the 
Xorthern Pacific would and did vote for his, 
tiie}' could not reh' upon his southern men 
to go for a northern route — and dared not 
try the experiment. After congress ad- 



journed on Saturday, Mr. Canfield went 
over to Mr. Stevens, better known in those 
days as "Uncle Thad " (who, by the way, 
witii Senator Jacob Ilowai'd, of JNfichigan, 
tiie chairman of the Pacific Kailroad com- 
mittee in the senate, known as " Honest 
Jake," were both natives of Vei'mont, the 
former from Peacham, in Caledonia county, 
and the latter from Shaftsbury, Bennington 
county, and were both warm friends of the 
Northern Pacific), and told him his interview 
with Colonel Scott. "Ha! ha!" said he, 
" don't be troubled, I will take care of 
Thomas A. You see Speaker Colfax and 
tell him I want to be recognized Monday 
morning when Thomas' bill is called up." 

Monday morning came. As soon as the 
speaker's gavel fell, Scott's man called up. his 
bill and at once the shrill voice of " Uncle 
Thad" was heard, "Mr. Speaker, I offer the 
following amendment, which the clerk will 
please read — 'and be it further resolved, 
that the time for commencing and com])leting 
the Northern Pacific railroad an<l all its sev- 
eral sections is extended f(jr tiie term of two 
years.' " 

No one dared oppose Uncle Thad. 

"Those in favor of the amendment," said 
the speaker, "will say aye, and those ojiposed, 
no; the aj^es have it, and the amendment is 
adopted. Those in favor of the bill as 
amended will say aye; op[)osed will say no; 
the bill is passed." There was not an oppo- 
sition vote, and all was done quicker than ttis 
is written. Tlius the child's life was pro- 
longed two years, until July 2, 1868. Had 
it not been for this maneuvering and watch- 
fulness, it is most likely the charter would 
have expired, as it was impossible in the 
state of feeling then existing to have got 
enough Southern members with the friends 
of the Xorthern Pacific to have passed it. 

At this time, also, a bill was before con- 
oress asking the guarantee of interest on the 
bonds of the company, as it had become 



S24 



KED KIVEK VALLE V AND 



satisfied that it was useless to attempt to get 
a subsidy, as tlu; Union Pacific had done. 
To show the great benefits to the nation, ]\ri'. 
Canfield conferred with General Grant, 
General Meigs, quartermastei'-general, Gen- 
eral Ingalls and other officers of the arm}', 
wiio had been stationed many years 
on the Northwestern coast, and procured 
their views with respect to the Northern 
Pacific, all of whom, in every aspect of the 
case, deemed it a matter of great impoit- 
ance to the nation. General Meigs, in his 
communication, says: "The construction of 
the road will make the now wild and waste 
regions through which it is to pass centers 
of national wealth and ]iroduction and mili- 
tary strength, and from tiie luountains 
themselves a liaidy ])opuhvtion will pour 
down upon the coast, at every hostile demon- 
stration. A guarantee of a fixed rate of 
interest upon the cost of construction is a 
mode of assistance to their great enter])rises, 
now common in the heavily taxed counti-ies 
of Europe. If those governments, burdened 
with the immense annual expenditure of 
standing armies, almost as large in times of 
peace as we have been compelled to support 
in time of war, find it in the interest of their 
revenues tlius to aitl free travel and trans- 
})ort tlu'ougli countries already provided 
with navigable rivers and excellent wagon 
roads, we may confidently assume that our 
countiy will find ample reward for any such 
expenditure in opening up a highwa}' for 
fraternal intercourse between our older com- 
munities on the Atlantic and the risinc 

o 

settlements on tiie Pacific coast; a highway 
to wliich tiie inevitable laws of commerce 
will attract the trade of the East. The 
trade of China, Japan and India, a trade 
along wlioso slow and painful traciv, when it 
was conducted by beasts of burden and by 
oars and sails instead of the iron horse and 
ocean steam.ship, great cities sprung up in 
(lie desert sands of Asia and on the coast of 



the Mediterranean, Babylon, Nineveh, Pal- 
myra, Bagdad, Damascus, Constantinople, 
Alexandria, Rome, Venice, Geneva and 
London, the outgrowths of this trade in for- 
mer centuries. The lines of Pacific railway 
will found such cities in the new, liealtliful 
and inviting regions tlirough which its east- 
ern flow is destined to enrich the world ; 
and Oregon as well as California, Montana 
as well as Utah, will hereafter have their 
San Franciscos, Chicagos, St. Louises, Cin- 
cinnatis, great emporia of an internal com- 
merce heretofore unknown, as well as the 
world-encircling commei'co of the Indies."' 
General Grant sent the following : 

Headquarters Armies of the United States, ) 
Api-il :.'(>, 1SG6. \ 
The construction of a railroad by the proposed 
route would be of very great advantage to the Govern- 
ment pecuniarily by saving us the cost of transportation 
to supply troops whose presence in thecountry through 
which it is proposed to pass is made necessary by the 
great amount of emigration to the gold-bearing regions 
of 'the Rocky mountains. In my opinion, too, the 
United States would receive an additional pecuniary 
benefit in the construction of this road by the settle- 
ment it would induce along the line of the road, and 
conse(|Uently the less number of troops necessary to 
secure order and safety. IIow far these benefits should 
be compensated by the CJeneral Government beyond the 
grant of lands already awarded by congress, I would 
not pretend to say. I would merely give it as my 
opinion that the enterprise of constructing the Northern 
Pacific Railroad is one well worth fostering by the 
General Government, and hat such aid could well be 
afforded as would insure the early prosecution of the 
work. U. S. GiiANT, 

Lieutenant-Oenerat. 

But two years soon passed away, and 
meanwhile the Northern Pacific; began to 
attract considerable attention, as well as to 
increase the hostility of the LTnion and 
Southern Pacific towards it. But after 
about four months' hard work another bill 
was passed by the house and concurred 
in by the senate on the 2Sth day of June, 
while the charter expired on the 2d day of 
July. The bill had been returned from the 
senate, reported to the house, engrossed tmd 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



825 



passed over to the committee on enrolled 
bills, of whicli Mr. Holman was cliairman, 
to be taken to the President for his signature. 
Mr. Canfield, finding- the bill did not reach 
the White House as it should, and as there 
was i)ut a day or two left, became very nerv- 
ous and uneasy, as well as unable to find Mr. 
Holman, who had taken charge of tiie bill. 
In this emergency he consulted with Messrs. 
Windom and Woodbridge, members of the 
house, and they went to the speaker, Mr. 
Colfax, who ordered the desk of Mr. Hol- 
man to be opened, and there found the bill, 
and gave it to another member of the com- 
mittee to take to the White House. It is 
supposed Mr. Holman was sick somewhere 
and had forgotten about it. But for this 
watchfulness on the part of Mr. Canfield, 
the Northern Pacific charter might have 
slept the sleep of death in the desk of its 
worst enemy in the house. It was signed 
by the President July 1st, onW one da\' be- 
foi-e the charter expired. 

To most people it would seem that an 
enterprise which was to confer so much 
benefit upon mankind — which was really to 
dispense with the necessity of an arm}' to 
keep the Indian tribes in subjection — which 
was to open up the millions of acres of wild 
lands of the Government, furnishing a mar- 
ket for them, which were heretofore worth- 
less, to industrious and hardy settlers and 
thereby increase tlie wealth of the nation, 
would receive attention from congress and 
an act to facilitate its operation be passed 
without delay. But such is not the case. 
Opposition arises in uiiexi)ected quarters; 
secret combinations are formed; jealousiesand 
sectional interests tuin up which ougiit not 
to have any bearing upon such an important 
subject, all of which would require close 
attention in order to carry through legisla- 
tion of even mei-itorious chai-acter. Truly 
the ways of congress " are past finding out," 
especially to the uninitiated. 



Mr. Canfield was one of the committee, 
consisting of Messrs. Smith, Ogden and Kice, 
who went to Ogontz, Mr. Cooke's country 
residence, near Pliiladi'ljihia, in ^lay, 1869, 
to make the arrangement with Jay Cooke & 
Co. to negotiate the bonds of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad. After spending a day or 
two and finally agreeing to the terms of the 
arrangement, just as the committee were 
leaving, supposing all things were done, Mr. 
Cooke proposed a condition, as a ])ostsci-ipt 
to the agreement, that the agreement should 
not be binding upon him, unless by a per- 
sonal examination by himself or his agents, 
of the whole line, it should be shown as equal 
to all the representations as to resources and 
practicability which the directors had made. 
This Mr. Cooke insisted ui)on, even if it 
should take a year to do it. 

Mr. Canfield was very much annoyed by 
this unexpected demand of Mr. Cooke, fear- 
ing that it would so delay the commencement 
of construction, which had already been 
made the basis of objections before con- 
gress to an\' further extension of charter, 
and he remonstrated with Mr. Cooke, ex- 
plaining to him the dangers of further 
delay. 

Mr. Cooke replied, that so far as he was 
concerned, he was entirely satisfied with all 
the directors had represented about the 
practicability of the line, the wonderful 
resources of the country through which it was 
to pass and the great benefit to the nation, 
but that he had to engage bankers all 
over tills country and Europe to assist him 
in ])lacing tlie bonds, that capital was timiti, 
that thousands of (juestions would arise 
which we could not anticipate, and that to 
answer them satisfactorily it was necessary 
he should be able to say that his own experts 
had examined tiie whole country, and that 
his information was based upon their exam- 
inations and not upon the reports of any 
one identified with the road, and that in the 



826 



KED KIVEK VALLEY AND 



long run it would be seen his condition 
would be for the benefit of the enterprise. 
Mr. Ogden, pci'ceivingthatMr. Cixnfield was 
annoyeti, called him one side and said: " I 
think you are a little vexed with Mr. Cooke." 

" Yes, I confess," said Mr. Can field, "I am a 
little mad, after we have spent so much time 
to make an agreement, now not only to have 
it upset, but to have all our plans endangered 
befoi'e congress." 

" But," said jMr. Ogden, " I have been two 
years endeavoring to negotiate a loan for the 
Northwestern I'.ailroad of only $4,000,000 
secured upon a road of 1,000 miles, now in 
operation through a rich and prosperous 
country, while this man proposes to nego- 
tiate $11)0,000,000 upon a line through an 
unknown country and not a bar of iron laid 
yet. You must remember no negotia- 
tion of such a magnitude has ever been 
undertaken in the history of the world under 
such circumstances, and while he may not be 
able or live to entirely complete it, yet if 
he only negotiates ]iart of it, it will put us 
on our feet and ultimately secure the con- 
struction of the Northern Pacific Railroad, 
and we can not allord now to break up our 
contract with him." 

"Well," said Mr. Canfield, "I appreciate 
as fully as you do the force of your 
argument, as well as tlie importance Mr. 
Cooke attaches to this proposed explanation 
which will delay us six months more, but I 
accede to it, and let us get about it at once 
and be done with it before congress meets 
in December." 

The wisdom of Mr. Ogden's theory has 
been demonstrated since in the raising of 
money to build the road. 

One can well imagine why a man of action 
like Mr. Canfield should have been annoyed 
at a delay of six months more in the work, 
after he had been for years struggling with 
opposition, rebuff and difficulties of all kinds, 
in order to reach a point, where, at least, he 



had hoped to show to the world by actual 
work of construction that the Northern 
Pacific was sometliing besides a railroad on 
paper. Mr. Canfield was selected by the 
directors to take charge of Mr. Cooke's party, 
consisting of W. ]\Iiinor Roberts, engineer; 
Samuel AYilkeson.AVilliam G. Moorehead, Jr., 
the Rev. Dr. Ciaxton, and William Johnson, 
a son of the chief engineer, which was to 
meet him at Salt Lake City on the 1-lth of 
June. 

From there they went by the Central 
Pacific Railroad to Sacramento and l\t;ii'ys- 
ville, and then by stage tiirougli A'orthern 
California and Oregon, TOO miles, toPoitland, 
Oregon, arriving there on the 4tli of July, 
1 SCO. From there tiiey went to Puget Sound 
— most of tlie way by stage — procured a 
small steamer, making a tiioi'ough examina- 
tion of all the bays, towns and harbors, and, 
returning to Portland, they went by steamer 
■ up tiie Columbia river to AValla Walla, which 
was about the end of all settlements, and 
where for some years had been a Gover?i- 
ment militar}' post. They were now about 
to enter upon an unknown country, wliere 
there were only scattering settlers for a short 
distance ; no roads, no bridges noi'any means 
of subsistence, when on Puget Sound an amus- 
ing incident occurred. George Fi'ancis Tram, 
who was at Portlantl to deliver the Foui'tii of 
July oration, accompanied tiie party to the 
Sound, and wiien at AVhatcom, on Beliingham 
Bay, he telegraphed to the mayor of Victoria, 
Britisli Columbia, that he would be there 
the next day to deliver a lecture, subject, 
"The downfall of England! get out your 
guns !" ' The steamer with the party airived 
at Victoria about 3 o'clock in tlie morning 
aDd anchored. When dayliglit came a man- 
of-war lay off-side a few rods with hei- 
"guns out" and shotted, ready for action. 
The party were not allowed to land, and 
it was with much difficult}' Mr. Canfield, 
with the aid of the American consul. 



PARK REG lays OF MINNESOTA 



827 



persuaded the official of Victoria tliat 
Mr. Train was a luiriiiless man, and tliat 
liis message was intended as a joke. But 
|)Oor Train iiad insulted Jolinny l>ul] and 
was not permitted to go ashore after all. 

At Walla Walla Mr. Canfield fitted out a 
horseback expeilition, consisting of thirteen 
saddle and pack-horses, and as there were no 
settlements of any consequence bej'ond 
Walla Walla, was obliged to take provisions 
and cooking utensils upon the backs of his 
horses, sufficient to last the party thirty 
days, which it was estimated would bring 
them to Helena, Montana, 500 miles. Their 
supplies were confined to tea, coffee, iiam, 
tlour, butter, a few canned goods, the long 
distance preventing the transpoi'tation of 
vegetables or other kinds of meat. Every- 
thing had to be in the most condensed 
form. They left Walla Walla on the 20th of 
July, 1869, with the thermometer llu degrees 
above zero, making about twenty miles a 
day, 13'ing upon the ground at night without 
any tent to cover them. They went from 
Walla Walla to Iventuck's Crossing on the 
Snake river; thence to Hangman's Creek, 
Schnebley's bridge, near where Spokane Falls 
now is — then but one log cabin. From there 
to Pend d'Oreille Lake. Here they found a 
small steamer, " Mary Moody," Avhich had 
been used in former mining da\'s, but 
now dismantled. To save a journey of 
several days around the lake, they put 
the engine together and took their horses 
across the lake on the steamer to the 
foot of Cabinet Rapids. Here they disem- 
barked, and, following Clark's foi'k of the 
Columbia river, crossing many of the 
mountain ranges at an altitude of several 
thousand feet to Thompson's Falls, Horse 
Plains, along the Flathead and Jocko rivers, 
through the Coriacen Defile to Missoula, 
thence along the Jjlackfoot to Gold creek ; 
now near Garrison's, where they made a 
detour through the Deer Lodge valley to 



examine the Deer Lodge pass. They went 
over to the Wisdom river, one of the trib- 
utaries of the Jefferson, by very easy grade, 
and which they found to be the easiest pass 
in the mountains, and which Mr. Cantield 
advised as the true route for the road to take, 
following, after crossing the mountains, the 
waters of the Jefferson to Gallatin valley, 
and which he still believes will be the route 
sooner or later adopted for the through busi- 
ness; although in order to reach Helena, the 
capital of Montana, the road has been built 
through the Mullan pass. There were but 
two or three miners' shanties then at Silver 
Bow, and the city of Butte, now with 20,000 
people, then " was not. " Returning to Gold 
creek, the first place gold was discovered in 
Montana, they crossed the Rocky mountains 
to Helena at Mullan's ])ass, where the I'ail- 
road tunnel now is. Here they disbanded 
their liorses and took stages to Fort Ben- 
ton, examining Cadotte's pass on their 
return, which was the pass Governor Stevens 
and his expedition crossed in 1854. Here 
they met an Indian outbreak, in which Mal- 
colm Clark, a graduate of West Point and 
for many years a Government agent, met 
his death, which threatened much danger, 
their horses being stolen from them by the 
Indians at Dearborn river. It was a critical 
time, as General De Ti'obriand, who was in 
command at Fort Shaw, some thirty 
miles beyond, where they arrived at 
cioht o'cU)ck that evening, I'cfused to 
give them any assistance. It was ver^^ 
important that Cadotte pass should be 
examined, inasmucii as it would ]irobabl\' be 
the place of crossing the main range of the 
Rockies, if the road went north of the Mis- 
souri river. Mr. Cantield, at Fort Benton, 
endeavored to get Cadotte himself to pilot 
them over it, as he had done General Stevens 
in 185-f, but his fear of being massacred by 
the Indians made him refuse absolutely to 
accompany them, however great the induce- 



82S 



RED RTTER VALLE Y AXD 



ments offered. Mr. Canfield then returned 
to Fort Shaw, and, after much urging, 
induced General De Trobriand to give them 
an escoi't of six men, really of no use in case 
of an attack. Fortunately, iiowever, none 
was made, and they crossed the pass over and 
back and returned to Helena without injury. 
At Helena and Deer Lodge he was warmly 
welcomed by the citizens, as being the first 
director of a railroad who had ever visited 
Montana, and to tiiem the harbinger of 
brighter days. From Helena they went to 
Bozenian, crossing at the Three Forks, where 
Madison, Gallatin andlJetferson rivers meet, 
and form the Missouri. Here a consultation 
was held with Colonel Brackett, in command 
of Fort Ellis, near IJozeman, General Sully, 
the old Indian fighter, and General De 
Trobriand, who had in the meantime come 
down from Fort Shaw, as to the expediency 
of continuing their expedition down the ' 
Yellowstone river to Fort Buford, or across 
from Glendive to where Bismarck now is 
located. Although the Crow Indians, whose 
reservation was about 200 miles East, were 
friendly, yet Sitting Bull and his band of 
Sioux, who were encamped aliout the Big 
Horn, Tongue and Powder rivers, was not 
friendly, but upon the other hand, hos- 
tile. The officers decided that it would 
be siin]ily impossible for them, with all the 
troops at their command, to escort the 
])arty thi'ough the Sioux territory safel}', 
and advised Mr. Canfield to abandon 
the expedition without going any further 
East. There still were the Bozeman moun 
tains, which had not been examined, and 
which it would be necessary to cross in case 
the Yellowstone line should be adopted, 
and Mr. Canfield determined at all hazards 
to cross it to the Yellowstone, if no further. 
He accordingly raised a few men and horses 
at Bozeman, and went over the pass to a 
point where Livingston now is. Here they 
remained for a dav, and as the rest of the 



route to the east was by the valley, the Yel- 
lowstone, where there were no serious 
obstacles, and as all that part between here 
and the Pacific ocean, about one thousand 
miles, where were all the mountains and 
difficult parts of the route had lieen 
carefully examined, and passes found which 
would admit of a railroad being built, 
the re])resentatives of Mr. Cooke decided 
their mission had practically boon accom- 
]ilished ; and assuring Mr. Cantield that their 
declining to go down the Yellowstone Val- 
ley would not afTect the substance of their 
report, he returned to Bozeman. Mr. Can- 
field then turned back with his party, went 
across the country with a mule team 150 
miles to Virginia City, and took stages to 
Corrinne, and then by the Union Pacific Kail- 
road to the East, reaching New York after 
an absence of about three months. During 
the trip the engineers had been very reticent 
as to their views of the route, which created 
no little anxiety on the part of Mr. Canfield, 
lest they might not nuike a favorable report. 
This was a very important matter to the 
company at this time, as upon the report of 
these men I\Ir. Cooke would furnish the 
money or not to go on with the cinistruc- 
tion. Mr. Canfield felt that a great res])ousi- 
bility was placed upon liim, as in the event 
of his not showing them a good route, such 
as would be satisfactor\', the whole arrange- 
ment with Mr. Cooke must be abandoned, as 
well as the construction of the road. But 
Ml'. Canfield, by his study of the route in 
former j-ears — from the information he had 
obtained from prominent and intelligent 
citizens in Oregon, Washington and IMon- 
tana, and officers of the army — was enabled 
to conduct the expetlition through a favor- 
able route, which subsequent surveys have 
confirmed, and the railroad from the Colum- 
bia river to the Yellowstone has been finally 
built on the route he reported and most of 
the way in sight of the very trail which this 



PARIC K EC IDA'S OF MIXNESOTA 



829 



party made in 18G9. The result of the expe- 
dition turned out favorably, and the gentle- 
men sent on by Mr. Cooke unanimously 
reported that the half had not been told by 
the directors, and that the country was far 
better than they had ever represented. 

In the meantime Mr. Cooke's party, wiiich 
had been sent out from St. Paul under the 
charge of Governor Smith and Mr. Rice, two 
of the directors, to explore and examine the 
eastern end of the line from Lake Su])erior 
to the Missouri river, had returned and 
reported ver\- favorably upcjn their part 
which complied fully with the condition 
required by Mr. Cooke in the postscript to 
the agreement, much to his satisfaction, and 
heat once commenced negotiating the bonds, 
and the work of construction began. 

Thus, after nearly four years of continuous 
struggle by the syndicate, they had reached 
the great turning point of the commencement 
of construction of their cherished under- 
taking. 

It was soon found tiiat many of the cross- 
ings of rivers and other places favorable to 
the location of towns were upon even sections, 
while the com[)an\-, under their grant from 
congress, received onl\' the odd ones, and 
had no right under their charter to buy 
lands. In order to get over this ditficulty 
a company was formed called '• The Lake 
Superior & Puget Sound Company," of 
whicli Mr. Canfield was matle president, 
which was empowered to buy lands, build 
boats, and do most any kind of business to 
further the interest of the railroad company. 

In carrying out tlie plans contemplated liy 
the Lake Superior & Puget Sound Corn- 
pan}', Mr. Canfield located, platted and laid 
out on the line of the Northern Pacific Rail- 
road, between Lake Superior and the Red 
river, the towns of Kimlwri}', Aitkin, Hrain- 
erd, Motley, Aldrich, AVadena, Perham, 
Audubon, Lake Park, Hawley, Glyndon and 
Moorhead. 



In 1870, when the only railroad north or 
west of St. Paul was the one to Sauk 
Rapids, Mr. Canfield and Governor Smith 
came up from there by team to old Crow 
Wing and stop[)ed with Captain Peauiieu, 
which Avas the end of white settlement in that 
direction. They tiien went upthe Mississijjpi 
river to find a place wliere there were two 
high banks that the road could cross without 
the necessity of a dra w-lji'idge, and selected 
the place where Prainerd now is, and, at tiie 
same time, selected the place for the shops, 
also the station and iieadquarters. This was 
then a wilderness, and Mr. Canfield at once 
surveyed the tract and laid out what is the 
present city of Brainerd, and placed Lyman 
P. White in cliarge as agent, who has filled 
the position ever since, Mrs. Wiiite being the 
first white woman to live in Brainerd. 
Engineers then proceeded to locate the rail- 
road east and west from this place. The 
next year, when the track had been laid about 
eighteen miles west of Brainerd, Mr. Can- 
field, in com])any with several tiii-ectors 
of the roa<l and others, made a ti'ip into 
Dakota, with Pierre Bottineau for a guide, 
who is still living near Red Lake Fails. 
The}' had to carry their provisions with 
tiiem, both for nuiti and beast. From the 
end of the ti'ack they jjassed through 
the woods, encamping the first night west of 
the Crow Wing river, a few miles north of 
Aldrich, and the second night at Otter Tail 
lake. Here they found a few huts which 
had been occupied jirevious to the Indian 
outbreak in 1862. Thence they went across 
the prairie south of Perham, crossing the 
Otter Tail where the railroad now does, 
also at Frazee City, then through woods on 
the banks of Detroit lake, and camping that 
night on the banks of the lake near where 
Deti'oit now is. There was but one house at 
Detroit, and that a log one built by Mr. 
Tyler. Thence to Audubon, the next day 
striking Sand Beach lake where Mr. Bover 



§30 



RED RIVER VALLEY AVI 



now lives and through the woods to the 
north side of Lake Flora, on which I^ake 
Park is now located. Here they sto])i)ed for 
lunch. They were particularly pleased with 
the surrounding scener3\ and all thought 
that this was the most beautiful country they 
had ever seen. J\Ir. Mai'tin Olson had just 
got here a few days before in a " jirairie 
schooner" with his family and took up a 
claim on Lake La Eelle, where he still resides. 
The jiarty encamped that night on the high 
ground beyond Muskoda, in full view of the 
Red River Valley. Next morning, while the 
most of the party moved on toward the Red 
river, Mr. Cantield took four or five of the 
directors across the Ruffalo and went on to 
where Moorhead and Fargo now are, to 
show them the place he had selected for these 
towns and the crossing of the Red river, and 
in the afternoon went down the river, join- 
ing the I'est of the party at George- 
town, the Hudson I'ay post, the only settle- 
ment in that part of the country. The next 
day — Sunday — was spent at Georgetown, on 
the Dakota side of the river, where religious 
services were lield. There being no clergy- 
man with the party, Dr. Samuel W. Thayer, 
of Burlington, Vermont, the medical director 
of the company, read the services of the 
Fpiseopal church, assisted by Mr. Canfield, 
in which all the party joined heartily, and 
especially in the psalms and hymns ; con- 
sjiicuous in their strong voices were Vice- 
President ColfaXj Messrs. Ogden, Billings 
and Nettleton. The party consisted of Gov- 
ernor Smith, of Vermont, president of 
the Northern Pacific Railroad ; Frederick 
Billings, of Woodstock, Vermont ; W. B. 
Ogden, of Chicago; A. IL Barney, of 
New York; Richard D. Rice, of Maine; 
William Windom, of Minnesota, and Thomas 
11. Caniield, all directors; Dr. S. W. Thayer, 
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Gen. A. B. Nettle- 
ton and George B. Wi'ight, of Minneapolis; 
Carleton Coffin, of Boston ; Mr. Linsley, 



assistant engineer of the road; Thomas C. 
Hawley, now of Lake Park ; Mrs. Rice, Mrs. 
Coffin. Mrs. Governor Morris, of New York, 
and two daughters, and Miss Audubon, 
grand-daughter of the great ornithologist, 
after whom the town of Auduljon is named, 
and J. Young Scaramon, of Chicago. On 
Monday the party went into Dakota some 
twenty miles, and then striking south came 
across to Fort Abercrombie and thence 
back to St. Paul via Pomme de Terre, 
Alexandria, Sauk Centre and St. Cloud. 
Mr. Canfield left the party at McCauley ville, 
and came back across the country on horse- 
back alone, with some provisions in his 
pocket, to examine more fully the projxsr 
lilaces for towns and to look out a line from 
the Buffalo river for the railroad to the 
height of land at Lake Park. 

In May, 1872, before the railroad track 
had reached the Red river, while there was 
but one white inhabitant west of it, he 
crossed the j)lains with his horse and buggy, 
accompanied by General Thomas L. Rosser, 
Mr. Bly and others, carrying their own pro- 
visions from Moorhead, 200 miles to the 
Missouri, while it was yet Indian Territory, 
and located Fargo and laid out and located 
Valley City, Jamestown and Bismarck, and 
determined the point for the crossing of the 
Missouri by the railroad, where the long iron 
bridge now is. Great care had to be taken 
in the selection of sites for the various towns, 
so as to accommodate the surrounding countr}^ 
after it should be settled up, l)ut especial 
care was important that the title to the land 
should be perfect. Innumerable were the 
difficulties that ap])eared in this resjiect — all 
sorts of questions arose suddenly, various 
anil unexpected claimants turned up, which 
required much patience and a knowledge of 
the land laws to overcome. Great difliculties 
were experienced with those towns west of 
the Red river, because the lands were 
unsurveyed, and especially because the panic 



PARK RECrOA'S 

■_ 



OF MINNESOTA. 



831 



of 1873 caine on before the railroad was 
built in Dakota, which caused a suspension 
of the worlv for two years, during wliicli 
time tlie various points had to be kept pos- 
session of, at an enormous expense, by agents 
residing there the }'ear around in log huts, 
the provisions for whose maintenance the 
wiiole year had to be transported across the 
country in summer, as no one would ven- 
ture to make such a journey in winter. 
The original log iiouse at Jamestown, wliich 
Merritt Wiseman, agent of the company, 
occupied as a ])ost for two years is still 
standing, as well as some of those occupied 
by the em|)loyes of the company at Bis- 
marck. 

Notwitlistanding all the various claims 
made by different parties, whether under the 
homestead, pre-emption or town-site laws, or 
whether upon the surve3'ed or unsurveyed 
lands, the whole was so thoroughly examined 
and cleared up that there has never been a 
flaw found in the title to any of the lands or 
lots in these various locations, where now 
are floui-ishing villages and cities, and the 
deed or contract of the Lake Superior & 
Piiget Sound Compan\' is regarded as safe as 
a Government patent. 

In November, 1871, he crossed the desert 
500 miles from Ogden on the Union Pacilic 
Railroad, when there were very few settlers 
in that country, to Snake river near Sho- 
shone falls; thence to Boise Cit\% Idaho, 
and to Baker City, eastern Oregon, via the 
Burnt creek crossing of the Snake river, 
near where the Oregon Short Line Railroad 
now crosses ; thence across the Blue mount- 
ains to Umatilla, on the Columbia river, 
and thence b\' steamer to Portland, Ore- 
gon, meeting there Mr. Rice, the vice- 
president of the company, who liad pre- 
ceded him via San Fi'ancisco and an 
ocean steamer, and with whom he was a 
committee of the board to arrange for com- 
mencing the construction of the road from 



Columbia river to Puget sound. The alkali 
dust of the plains, so ligiit tiiat it rises like 
a cloud and covers everything the fii-st mile 
traveled, which fills the hair and clothes, 
penetrates the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and 
throat, constant!}' irritating them and pro- 
ducing soreness; the scarcit}' of water and 
provisions, and the rcnigh trails and dillicull 
crossings of streams; the rather familiar 
attention of wild animals, with their raven- 
ous demands upon him and his teamstei-, his 
onh' escort most of the way, made this trip 
across the country the hardest b}' far he ever 
experienced. 

"While on the coast, this time he ex- 
plored Puget sound for the second time, 
accorai)anied by Mr. Rice and some engi- 
neers, and also went up the Columbia river 
as far as the Cascade rapids. 

While it always had been the intention 
and policy of the Northern Pacific Railroad 
Company to use the navigable waters of the 
lakes and rivers across the continent in the 
first instance and connecting the })ortagesby 
railroad, in order to get a communication 
through the whole route as soon as possible, 
which would at fii'st nudjc the Columbia 
river route available and Portland the ter- 
minus of the branch line, and the commer- 
cial center of Oregon, yet Mr. Canlield 
alwa\'s insisted that sooner or later the 
interest of the railroad would demand the 
construction of the short line across the 
Cascade mountains to Puget sound. How- 
ever much the views of the directors of that 
day may have been modified in favor of 
Portland as a final terminus in consequence 
of the obstacles presented by the Cascade 
rano-e. he never subscribed to their views, 
but took the ground that the future great 
commercial city on the Pacific coast would 
be on the waters of Puget Sound, where it 
could be approached with ease through the 
Straits of Fuca by the largest vessels from 
all parts of the world, without being sub- 



832 



KF.D nrVER VALLEY AND 



jectecl to delays, damage and shipwreck by 
the bars which necessarily are formed at the 
mouths of the great rivers. Accordingh', 
he secured large tracts of land at various 
points on the sound from Olymjiia to Bell- 
inghain bay, and had a thorough examina- 
tion made of all the bays and harbors, as 
well as of the country contiguous, as to the 
practicability of apjjroach by a railroad, and 
the supply of fresh water for a city with 
reference to selecting a site for the future 
terminus of the Northern Pacific Ilail- 
road. 

At Tacoma he purchased a large tract, 
believing it would be the point on the sound 
where a railroad from the south would first 
touch it, and connect it with the Willamette 
valley and all the immense productive coun- 
try west of the Cascade mountains for hun- 
dreds of miles to California and beyond by 
branches to Utah and Nevada, at the same 
time being located, as it were, in front of 
the Cowlitz, Natchez, Stampede and Snoqual- 
mie passes of the Cascade range, one of 
which he believed the railroad would, sooner 
or later, adopt as its crossing, as it would be 
the easiest point of access for the main line 
from the east, forming a junction at Tacoma 
with the lines from Oregon, California, Utah 
and Nevada from the south, even if in the 
future it should be deemed expedient b}' the 
compan3^ to continue the line down the 
sound to some point nearer to the entrance 
of the Straits of Fuca as the final terminus. 
The wisdom of this selection has since been 
demonstrated b^' the construction of a rail- 
road from Californiii- to Tacoma, and by the 
extension of the main line from Lake Su])e- 
rior across the Cascade mountains through 
tlie Stampede pass to the same place, which 
although at the time of his purchase was a 
wilderness, is now a city of 20,000 people, at 
whose wharf float vessels from all parts of 
the world, exchanging the ])i'oducts of China, 
Japan and the Central and South American 



States for those of Washington and Montana, 
Dakota and the Eastern States. 

Thus, through the agency of ^\\\ Canfield, 
tiie Nortiiern Tacific Itailroad Companx' has 
been enabled to secui'c a large tract of land 
on the ]\Iediteri'anean of the Pacific, iiivinir 
it ample facilities for its terminus, shops, 
buildings, , side tracks, wharves and ware- 
liouses, approachable without difficulty by 
the largest vessels in the world, as well as 
enabling it to lay out a city upon a plan and 
scale which shall adequately provide for all 
the wants and comforts of future genera- 
tions, and which shall be a fitting counter- 
part to one to be built at its eastern terminus 
on Lake Superior, at the mouth of the 
waters of the St. Louis river, where Duluth 
and Superior now are, and which shall be the 
great center of Ijusiuess of that empire of 
the Northwest now being so rapidly devel- 
opeil, and second only to Chicago in popula- 
tion and commercial importance on the 
great chain of lakes. 

Li the words of the late first engineer of 
the company, Mr. Johnson, " It should be 
the ambition of all who are instrumental in 
its growth to render it the queen city of the 
Pacific coast, the model city of the world. 
No unfriendly elements should be allowed to 
mingle in or mar its fair proportions. It 
should be in all respects a fitting exponent 
of the benign and elevating infiuence of 
our free institutions, and should occupy 
the very foremost place among the great 
cities of Christendom, reflecting upon 
the isles of the Pacific and the shores 
of Asia, over which it is destined to exert 
a vast influence, the light of the most 
impi'oved civilization." 

At this time, also, Mr. Canfield located 
Tcnino, Newaukem, Olequa and Kalania on 
the line between Tacoma and Portland. 
Kalama was selected because it was at the 
head of highwater navi<;;ition of the Colum- 
bia river, at the same time being near Coffin 



PARK' REGION'S OF MINNESOTA, 



533 



Rock, which was one of the few places 
where the Cokinibia river coukl be bridjrecl. 
Kalama was the place on the Pacific coast 
where the Northern Pacific Railroad laid its 
first rail, and which was its headquarters for 
several years on that coast. 

It was while here l\rr. Canfield foresaw the 
impoi'tance which the Oregon Navigation 
Company might be to the Northern Pacific 
Raih-oad Company, especially during the 
progress of construction and until the com- 
pany should build their Portland branch. 
This was a company owning twenty steamers, 
navigating from the ocean at Astoria, the 
waters of the Columbia, Willamette and 
Snake rivers and Pend d'Oreille lake for 
thousands of miles into Oregon, Washington, 
Idaho and Montana Territories. It was 
principally owned by Messrs. Ainsworth, 
Thompson and Reed, of Portland, and 
Alvinza Hay ward, of San Francisco, and ijud 
been built up from one small boat, each run 
by Capts. Ainsworth and Thompson, and one 
of the best and most S3'stematically man- 
aged companies in this country. Upon their 
showing to Mr. Canfield a full statement of 
their business from the beginning, he com- 
menced negotiations with them for the whole 
property, which finally resulted in Messrs. 
Ainsworth and Thompson meeting Mr. 
Canfield and Mr. Jay Cooke at the latter's 
residence, Ogontz, near Philadelphia, in the 
following winter, and the sale was consum- 
mated, the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany buying three-quarters of the stock of 
the Oregon Navigation Company, and the 
original parties retaining one-quarter and 
Jigreeing to manage the property the same 
as they had done so long as the Northei-n 
Pacific Railroad desired. Rut unfortunately 
the control of the Oregon Navigation Com- 
pany was lost in the panic of 1873. Subse- 
quent events connected with the Oregon and 
Transcontinental Company have shown how 
important to the Northern Pacific was the 



Oregon Navigation Company, justifying the 
views originally entertained by ]Mr. Canfield 
of the importance of the Northern Pacific 
Company owning and controlling it. 

In 1872 Mr. Canfield escorted a majority 
of the board of directors of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad to Oregon and Washinjrton 
Territory, going via the Union Pacilic Rail- 
road in a special car to Sacramento, tiiencc 
overland by stage and rail to Portland and 
Puget Sound. JMessrs. Cass, Ogden, Wright, 
Billings, Stinson and Windom, directors; 
Samuel Wilkeson, secretary of the company' ; 
Milnor Roberts, engineer; Dr. Thayer and 
Colonel W. S. King, of Minnesota, com])os- 
ing the party. This was the first time tliese 
gentlemen had visited the Pacific coast, and, 
as what they then saw would probably 
determine many imj)ortant matters about 
the future of the company's alTairs, especially 
the crossing of the Cascade range and the 
terminus, Mr. Canfield chartered a steamer 
and visited by daylight all the jirincipal 
places on the sound fi'om Olympia to Victo- ^ 
ria and Bellingham bay, returning through 
Deception pass, back of Whidby island, 
into Holmes" harbor, the best harbor on 
the sound, thence to Seattle, then a 
place of 3,000 people, on Elliott bay ; 
then to Commencement ba\', which was 
then surrounded by a wilderness, but it 
was subsequently settled upon as the terminus 
— being where Tacoma is now located. At 
that early day, with nearly 2,000 miles 
between Puget Sound and Lake Superior to 
be traver.scd by an iron rail, much of which 
was then unsurve3'ed or even explored, except 
by Mr. Catilield's expedition in ISO'.), tlie 
idea of crossing so high a range of mount- 
ains as the Cascades was not I'cgai'ded by 
the directors as an easy matter, especially 
by those accustomed to building roads across 
the ])rairies ; but Mr. Canfiekl took the 
ground that an enterprise of this magnitude 
would sooner or later demand the cri>ssinf!: 



S34 



RED RIVER VALLEY AND 



of the mountains, and, although some who 
were present might not live to see that day, 
yet he predicted the demands of trade 
and commerce would be so great, that 
before 1890 trains would run from 
St. Paul and Duluth to the waters of Puget 
suiiiid without l)reaking bulk across the Cas- 
cade mountains, whicii prediction has been 
fulHlled three years in advance of the time 
named b\' iiim. 

Twenty-tlirec yeai's ago Mr. Canfield 
visited the Island of Cape Breton, the last 
of Deceml)er, and nuule an examination of 
Louisburg harbor, the best harbor on the 
Atlantic coast from Cape North to Cape 
Sable, witii reference to the facilities for a 
shipping port, and he came to the conclu- 
sion then and still firmly believes it will 
become the terminus of the northern chain 
of railroads across the continent, being only 
four days from Liverpool, with abundance 
of coal witiiin ten iniies. That the tea of 
Cliina and Japan, and the spices of the 
Indies destined for Europe will go on board 
the cars at Tacoma, and not be transferred 
until put on l)oard of steamers for Liverpool 
at L()uisl)urg. It was one of the three-walled 
towns built on this continent although now 
entirely deserted, having been destroyed in 
ITtJo tluring the French and Englisii wars. 
It was once a city of 10,000 people and it 
was tiiere that Genei'al Wolfe fitted out his 
expedition against Quebec. In fact, since 
Mr. Canfield was there the railroads have 
been extended from Montreal to witliin 
100 miles of Louisburg, and a car of freight 
can now be siiipped from Tacoma to the 
Straits of Canso, in Cape Breton, without 
breaking bulk, and it can not be long beiore 
this hist 100 miles will be constructed. 
Then, with a train of Pullman Palace 
Sleeping and Dining cars standing on the 
wharf at Louisburg upon the arrival of 
a steamer from Europe with a load 
of sea-sick passengers on board, it will 



require no great stretch of imagination to 
determine how man}' will remain on board 
to make the rough passage along the coast 
when they can step on board the vestibule 
train, retire and be in Boston the next day 
to dinner and New York to supper. 

The result of Mr. Canfield's exjierience is, 
he has traveled over nearly all the country 
between Lake Superior and the Pacific ocean 
via the northern i-oute, on foot, or horseijack, 
or muleback, in carts or wagons, long before 
the iron horse was heard in the land, and 
consequently has become familiar with the 
general topography and character of the 
country, and entertains the most sanguine 
views as to its great capacity in the future. 

Pew men comprehended so full}- at an earh' 
day, even when St. Paul and Minneapolis 
were in their infanc}', the great cajjability 
of this immense countr\' — the fertility and 
extent of the Red Eiver Valley, equal to that 
of the Nile — the abundant resoui'ces of vari- 
ous kinds awaiting future develo})ment be- 
tween Lake Superior and Puget Sound — 
their capacit}' for easy and rapid develop- 
ment, such as no other country has ever 
before shown, which, combined with the facili- 
ties offered by the Northern Pacific and 
Manitoba, and other raili'oads yet to be built, 
to hasten settlements and accommodate 
the people, will create a great Northwestern 
empire, which will not onl}' add incalculable 
wealth to the nation, but will form an 
important factor in its future government. 

Amid all the ups and downs of the times 
— amid all panics and financial storms — 
notwithstanding all the discouragements of 
the early days of the Northern Pacific and 
the hostilit}' of congress to itsap|)lications — 
Mr. Canfield has always maintained the same 
abiding faith in this magnificent undertak- 
ing and the same confidence in its ultimate 
success, and he still believes it will become 
the great transcontinental liighway across 
the continent to Euroi)e, not only for the 



PARh' REGIONS OF MI^TNESOTA. 



835 



products of tlie farm, forest and mines along 
its border, but for the products of Japan, 
China and the Indies. 

Mr. Canfield continued as president of the 
Lake Superior & Puget Sound Company 
and a director of the Northern Pacific Pail- 
road until the bankruptcy of the company in 
1873, when, upon its reorganization, it became 
the principal owner of the Lake Superior 
»fe Puget Sound Company, and no necessitj' 
existed longer for an active manager. Mr. 
Canfield resigned after having devoted over 
twent}^ years of the prime of his life to inaug- 
urate and put into operation this magnifi- 
cent enterprise, with which his name must be 
forever identified as its most active organ- 
izer and promoter in its dark days, when 
very few had the faintest idea it would ever 
amount to anything. 

It is a little remarkable that during all 
these many years, amid all tiie various modes 
of transportation, and in so many difl^erent 
places where there were no roatls or other 
conveniences, he has never met with any 
accident nor has he ever carried any fire- 
arms of any description for a single rod ; has 
never had any serious trouble with the 
Indians or " roughs " of the frontier, although 
meeting them at times under not very agree- 
able circumstances, where, but for his quick 
perce])tion, good judgment of human nature 
• and discreet action, serious results might 
have occurred. 

The board of directors of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad decided at an early da\' as 
soon as construction commenced not to 
become personally interested in any lands or 
property on the line of the proposed route; but 
the difficulty of getting emigrants to go into 
an unknown country with ail their worldly 
effects, uncertain as to what the land would 
produce, compelled the directors to modify 
their policy to a certain extent, and to adopt 
one which Mr. Canfield had frequently laid 
before them, namely, that in order to demon- 



strate to the world the great fertility of the 
soil and its adaptability to farming, they 
should at distances of, say thirty miles apart, 
take up a section of land along the line in 
advance of settlements, break it up and 
sow it to wheat, and thus show by facts, 
instead of talk and advertisements on 
paper, what actual 1\' could be done. As 
he was the advocate of this policy, of 
course, it fell upon him to lead off, 
and he accordingly ])urchased about 5,500 
acres in the Park Ilegion of Minnesota, at 
Lake Park, at the point where the outer rim 
of the Red River basin connects with the 
timber region. Other directors, Mr. Tower 
took 3,000 acres at Glyndon, and Messrs. 
Cheney and Cass 6,000 acres at Casselton, 
Dakota, which has since become celebrated 
as the Dalrymple farm, being managed by 
Oliver Dahymple, one of the oldest wheat 
raisers in the Northwest. All these were at 
once put under cultivation, and the enormous 
crops of No. 1 hard wheat the first year gave 
an impetus to emigration and settlement; thus 
the great farms which have been so much 
abused did more to advertise and develop the 
country and bring in emigrants and settle 
it up than $100,000 expended in advertising. 
Nowhere in the history of the work! has such 
a rapid and extensive development been made 
as in northwestern Minnesota and Dakota, 
over 40,000,000 bushels of wheat having been 
raised this last 3'ear, besides all other crops, 
and that, too, mostly upon what was Indian 
territory in 1870, and where there was then 
no white inhabitant. 

Mr. Canfield, since his retirement from the 
railroad company, has devoted more or loss 
of his time to liis fai'm at Lake Park, and has 
taken the ground that to make a farming- 
country prosperous and successful, it should 
not be confined to one single crop, like wheat, 
but all crops adapted to the soil and climate 
should 1)0 raised ; and he has endoavoi-cd to 
sliow what can bedonebvdivei'sified farming. 



836 



RED JirVER VALLEY AND 



The beauties and advantages of the Lake 
J'ai'k Hegion, as well as the efforts of Mr. 
Canlield in demonstrating the advantages 
and importance of diversified farming, are 
strikingly described by an eminent writer and 
traveler, on his return across the continent a 
few years since, after having visited most 
parts of the United States. He saj's: 

" That vast forest, the admiration of wood- 
men and the wonder of travelers, bordering 
on Lake Superior, as it proceeds westward, 
stoutly contests the earth's surface with open 
space and limpid lake. Graduall}^ however, 
the forest weakens, until here, thirty miles 
from tlie Hed river, at about the highest 
nortiicrn point of the Nortiiern Pacific Rail- 
road, between Miles City and Duluth, it 
loses its hold, for westward are the un- 
bounded un wooded prairies, alwa\'s to be 
artificially watered, with exceptional cases, 
while surrounding and eastward is perhaps 
the most placidly beautiful country the e3'e 
ever rested upon. 

'• This connecting link contains the last 
lakes — if Devil lake be excepted — of size, and 
the last woods or forests for many hundred 
miles, and as such is not inaptly termed the 
Park Region, although hereabouts the Lake 
Park Region, from the name of this town, 
and is consequently about the only and near- 
est resort for the Dakotian of the plain for 
change of scenery, recreation and pleasure. 
The Park Region, taking this town as the 
objective ])oint, extends sixty miles south to 
Fergus Falls, thii'ty north, is in width nearh' 
thirty miles, while its altitude goes over 
1,300 feet. It is unlike Dakota or Montana, 
for it is ' neither fiat nor mountainous, but 
undulating, as the ocean, interspersed with 
lakes, groves, and an open, nuignificent agri- 
cultural country. Within twenty rods of 
the de})ot is Lake Flora, a half mile wide, 
endjowered with forest trees, and a half mile 
farther on is Lake La Belle, over two miles 
long, and well known for its pure waters and 



beautiful surroundings. Still in the same 
direction are other lakes, intersj)crsed with 
farms, and vying in their admirable features. 
In Minnesota, according to the statistics of 
the land oflice, are over 10,000 lakes, and 
within fifty miles of Lake Pai-k are 200 of 
these ; Lake Cormorant, in a direct line 
south a few miles, is the most westerlj' lake 
of size in Minnesota, easily accessible, has a 
gravely beach of 100 miles, surrounded by 
wooded hills on three siiies, variegated with 
forest-covered islands, abounding in fish and 
game, and capable of steamboat navigation. 
It must become the great summer resort in 
the future, and divitie the honors with L.ake 
iMinnetonka, esjjecially for the citizens of 
Dakota. This Lake Cormorant in ])arti(iilar, 
and this Lake Park region in general, are t lie 
hunter's and fishernum's paradise, for on these 
hills are found game of various kinds, and in 
these lakes the finest-fiber fish, only waiting 
the angler's skillful hook. 

"Renowned, however, as the Lake Park 
Region is becoming, and must continue to 
become as a summer region, its forests and 
farming lands mdicate far more. What of 
these? The forests are inviting indeed and 
resemble cultivated parks, so much so that 
Baj'ard Taylor, who described them years 
since, alleged they bore a striking like- 
ness to English parks in their stateli- 
ness, the grassy grounds underneath being 
devoid of underbrush and stumps. Those 
near by seem to be only fifty years old, and 
have caused much studv to the scientific as 
to how the\' came there. Four and five 
miles out, however, they seem older, not so 
cultivated, and larger. In these forests are 
found the white oak, basswood, maple, iron- 
wood, Cottonwood, ash, birch, poplar, box 
elder and some other varieties. Their utility 
is easily seen, for in the open prairie the fuel 
question is an absorbing (me ; but when it is 
further stated that these thick forests cut off 
the fierce winds — the bitter, biting curses of 



PARK RF.GWXS OF MINNESOTA. 



837 



tlie smooth praii'ies — their further provident 
use is apprehended. Thus these forests are 
not alone a tiling of beauty, but of utility and 
protection. 

" Now tlien as to the country between 
lakes and woods- — -the farming lands. It is 
divided up, more than in any other place vis- 
ited, into farms of 160 acres. On each of 
these, almost without exception, are small 
lakes, so that with the natural grass, which 
is similar to the bunch grass of Montana — 
only the bunches are smaller and more fre- 
quent — they seem specially designed for the 
raising of cattle, horses and sheep. This 
grass, together with the pure water and 
atmosphere, makes the very best of milk, 
butter and cheese. The soil is a rich, black 
loam, from eighteen to thirty inches deep, 
with subsoil of clay, and has the same char- 
acteristics of the best portions of the Red 
River Valley, for the Lake Park Region is 
the eastern edge or rim. The Red River 
Valley wheat has attracted attention deserv- 
edlv throuo-hout the civilized world, and is 
the result of the peculiar ingredients of 
the soil no less than the climate, and these 
togetlier have produced the best Scotch 
Fife wheat in existence, known hereabouts as 
jSTo. 1 hard, meaning Scotch Fi fe wheat, weigh- 
ing, when cleaned, fift\'-eight pounds to the 
bushel, often sixty and sixty -one pounds, and 
hard. Duluth and Minneapolis are its great 
markets. The latter with its vast mills turns 
out 20,000 barrels per day. This is done by 
means of a series of rollers. The first set 
ci'acks the kernels of wheat in two, then it 
passes through a bolt and pui'ifier, then 
through a second set of rollers, cracking- 
it finer than before ; then more dross 
eliminated by bolt and purifier, and so 
on clean down to the last roller, bolt 
and purifier, and the final result is the 
most perfect flour in the world, so much 
so that it is shipped direct from thereto Ger- 
many, EnglantI, Scotland, France, and is 



consumed in preference to any other by the 
best families in the United States. Now it 
will be perceived why the famous St. Louis 
flour and celebrated Richmond (Va.) flour 
has been literally sus})erseded. The Red 
River Valley flour, bluntly stated, is for sale 
in the markets of the world. This isnot all. 
The Red River Valley wheat, of which this 
region is part and ))arcel, is sought after by 
all the important milling centers in the 
United States. Why ? To mix with infe- 
rior grades — tone them up so as to i)ro<luce 
their 'superfine' flour. Thus in large 
quantities this famous wheat is in St. Louis, 
Richmond, Cincinnati, Rochester, Buffalo, 
Boston, etc. The logical inference to be 
drawn from this is that the lands from which 
such wheat flour is produced must be not 
simply wonderful, but exceedingly valuable. 
They are valuable, however, in the additional 
fact that the Lake Bark Region is the one 
naturally adapted to diversified farming. In 
order to understand this and some other 
points, a little digression will be necessary. 

"Lake Bark was located and laid out on 
the 4th of July, 187.'5, by the Lake Superior 
& Buget Land Company, which was 
organized as an auxiliary to the Northern 
Bacific Railroad Company, with the object 
of purchasing land at proper i)laces for 
stations on the railroad, establishing ferries 
across rivers, and doing anything else which 
was necessary to advance the construction of 
the road and which the Northern Bacific 
Railroad Company could not do by their 
charter. 

"Mr. Thomas II. Canfield, of Burlington, 
Vermont, was pi'csident of the former and 
director of the latter. Between these two 
positions his duties called him to critically 
examine sites, soils, climates, ingress and 
egress, depressions and elevations — in fact, 
nearlv everything connected with the ad- 
vancement and permanency of the Noithcrn 
Bacific Railroad, and thus he located and 



S3S 



RED RTVER VALLE Y AND 



laid out most of the towns from Lake 
Sii|)erior to tlie IMissoiiri river, and man}' on 
tiic Puget Sound and Columbia divisions, 
and tliis is how lie came to select and lay out 
J^ake Park, in his opinion, as well as that 
of many others, the most desirable place on 
the whole line of road for beauty of land- 
scape and variety of resources. It was diffi- 
cult in the early days to get settlers on the 
railroad line. They were afraid of Indians, 
knew nothing about thesoil. crops or climate, 
excepting vague rumors born of ignorance 
and incredulity. How then Avas this to be 
done? "Why, 'if the mountain won't come 
to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the 
mountain;' in other words, the directors 
had to do it themselves, and this common- 
sense solution proposed by ]V[i'. Canfield was 
carried out. It was absolutely necessary, for 
even after the railroad reached the Red 
river the settler would not go beyond, and, 
furthermore, at this time there was no settle- 
ment west of the Mississippi river north of 
the forty-fifth parallel, for this whole stretch 
of country was then considered by outsiders as 
Indian territory. In this solution of the jirob- 
lem, soils, crojis, etc., as above stated, Messrs. 
Cass & Cheney selected about 3,000 acres 
each west of the Ped river, near Casselton, 
Dakota, Ml-. Tower nearly the same amount at 
Glyndon, Minnesota, and IMr. Canfiehl the 
farm he now occupies of 3,000 acres south 
of Lake Park, and 2,500 acres in the adjacent 
town of (!ul)a, three miles north, for Pev. 
Dr. Ilawley, now of Brainei'd, Minnesota, 
formerly of Connecticut, by whose ha])py 
suggestion this town received the appropriate 
name of Lake Park. On these two farms 
Mr. Canfield has most successfully carried 
out his ideas of diversified farming. The 
writer, in company with this gentleman, had 
the pleasure of examining these properties. 
His farm was seen first. It touches the rail- 
road limits and extends south in onecom))act 
uxly. At about its center, on an eminence. 



Avas the large, elegant two-story residence 
of the foreman, surrounded by houses for 
workmen, a fine barn for horses, sheds for 
cattle, a granary, and a warehouse 120 feet 
long by 30 feet wide for machinery, for this 
hist is the feature of Western farming. The 
hands were threshing the wheat with the 
steam thresher at the rate of a thousand 
bushels per day, and there in the open field 
the bundles of wheat brought upon wagons 
were put into the machine and came out 
shelled and were immediately i>laeed in 
bags and started for the railroad elevator, 
to be shipped to Dulutli by the N'orthern 
Pacific Railroad. See b\' this the startling 
difference between the time of Abraham and 
the nineteenth century. Here were also 
some of the finest cattle, unexcelled by any 
seen in Montana, with such shapely limbs, 
elegant coats, silky, shiny haii-, intelligent 
eyes — but who can describe them ? The 
writer can not. They are beyond him, and 
are fit subjects for the wondrous tongue of 
Daniel Webster or the vivid brush of Rosa 
Bonheur. And now, what shall be said 
of the horses ? They were the best and 
largest lot of blooded stock seen in this 
Western tour, for there was not a stick 
among them all. No wonder that a man 
likes to steal horses. The writer in looking 
at this magnificent lot felt like taking one 
himself. On the eastern part of this farm 
thei'e is an unusual eminence, to which 
Mr. Canfield took the writer, which eminence 
could only be compared to the j)lace where 
the devil took the Savior, not so much on 
account of its elevation as the vast stretch 
of vision it afl'orded. It was a clear, sun- 
shiny day and the whole country was 
spread out before us. There were the 
groves, the lakes, the cattle, the horses, the 
fields of grain cut and uncut, the threshers 
in various directions, trains of cars on the 
Northern Pacific, and last, not least, over 
300 farm houses, where ten years ago was 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



839 



not one. Never lias the writer liad such an 
extensive and varied view in ever^' direction, 
not even from tlie highest elevation of the 
Rocky mountains. Mr. Canfield commenced 
operations on these two farms in 1876, and 
has now under the plow about 900 acres on 
one, and 600 on the other. He has built 
about fifty miles of fence composed of oak 
rails and barbed wire, introduced some of 
the best Short-horn herds of the country, 
superior blooded stock, until he now has 400 
head of thoroughbreds and high grades. 
These have been bred with reference to 
form, best adapted to carry the greatest 
amount of muscle and fat, disposed in the 
best manner to secure the choicest beef, 
at the same time having in view the strain 
possessing the highest qualities for milk and 
butter, thus making them particularly valu- 
alile for this section of the country, both for 
beef and the dairy. All these animals have 
been bred with care by the most experienced 
breeders, their pedigrees showinga line direct 
from some of the highest and best English 
stock. He has also purchased two 
Percheron Norman stallions from France, 
from which he has raised many supe- 
rior colts as well as enabling his neigh- 
bors to do the same. This breed of horses is 
pai'ticularly adapted to a farm where so 
much machinery is needed. They weigh 
from 1,-1:00 to 1,600 pounds each, and being 
fast walkers accomplish much more every 
day with the machinery than ordinary horses, 
and thus being strong in proportion they are 
a great profit in the course of a year by the 
excess of their strength and (luickness. To 
those who have considered tarniingon a large 
scale, where the raising of grain is the main 
object, the unsolved problem has been how 
to keep their men and teams employed 
between seeding and harvest, and also in the 
winter season. This gentleman does this 
by cutting the natural meadow grass for the 
winter season, and letting his cattle run out 



on the pastures to fatten from spring to fall, 
and in the winter season both men and teams 
are at liberty to attend to them. Thus with 
scarcely any extra cost cattle-raising with its 
profits goes side by side with wheat-raising 
with its profits without in any way inter- 
fering." 

" He has also made several valuable experi- 
ments, among which may be mentioned seed- 
ing with tame grasses, such as timotiiy, 
clover, red top, at sundry times, all of which 
have turned out well. He has, besides, 
adopted what is known in the East as ' sum- 
mer fallowing,' and this also has been suc- 
cessful, for it gives the land a year's rest. 
All these things and many others liave been 
accomplished in six short years, and they 
reflect not only the untiring energy and con- 
summate aljility of this gentleman, but have 
forever settled the adajitability of the soil 
of Lake Park for wheat-raising, and what is 
more important, its peculiar natural atlai)ta- 
bility for diversified farming, which system 
has since been adopted more or less by neigh- 
boring farmers. JNIuch has been said in these 
latter days about ' large farms,' but the 
investigation of this andother sections demon- 
strates that they aroused the whole country 
and hastened the settlement of the North- 
west by a decade of years ; and no where 
along the Northern Pacific line is this more 
plainly visible than in the Lake Park Ilegion. 
' Never forget the bridge which carries you 
over.' 

" The village of Lake Park is situated north 
of the Northern Pacific Railroad track, on a 
sloping elevation, admirable for sanitary and 
drainage purposes, overlooks the surrouiul- 
ing countr}', and has thus avoided those 
unfortunate divisions caused bv being located 
both sides of the track or a half a mile apart. 
Thus the first impression — and it is every- 
thing to a stranger — is favorable. The second 
is the natural beaut\'of the town. Outside 
of its picturesque location, the kikes, the 



S40 



Kf-:r> A-rrEA' valley .ixn 



trees, the srreen irrass, are beautiful as well 
as useful, and here they abound. The third 
and last impression indicated in innumerable 
ways is the iron tenacity and rigid economj'- 
of its citizens. 

The first settlers came to what is now 
called Lake Park in 1869. a few more in '70, 
not many additions in '71, but in 1872 houses 
commenced to be built. There were then 
twenty -five people, and the place had three 
names, %-iz : Liberty for the town, Loring for 
the postoffice, and Lake Side for the railroad 
station . About 1 876 the three, at the sugges- 
tion of the Rev. Dr. Ilawley. were merged 
into Lake Park. The railroad reached here in 
1871,' and the care have run regularly ever 
since. The greater portion of the people 
were Norwegians and Swedes, the rest 
Americans. All had come to this section 
to better their fortunes by cultivating the 
soil, although almost nothing was known 
about it. There is a tendency in the 
human mind to paint the rose without its 
thorn — the ocean without its tempests and 
hurricanes — the skies without their thunders 
and lightnings — the "West without its clouds 
— as the material heaven. It looks in the 
apt words of the poet as if — 

" Life is a sea ; 
How fair its face ; 

How smooth its dimpling waters pace ; 
Its canopj' how pure." 

" The reality, however, shows that — 

" rocks below 

And tempests sleep 
Insidious o'er the glassy deep, 
2sor leave one hour secure." 

" The further histor\' of this place proves 
the truth of the lines. During '70 and '71 
very little wheat was sown, but that was 
consumed b\^ grasshoppers. In '72 more 
wheat was sown, and that, too, was de- 
voured by the grasshoppers. In '73 
wheat was again sown — the grasshoppers 
didn't come, probably surfeited by their 
three vears' feast: but what was not much 



better, cold and wet, and the crop was little 
or nothing. In '74 wheat was again sown, 
and grasshoppers ate up everything, probably 
hungry and mad because they gave the 
settlers a rest the year before. In 1875 
another crop was put in. The weather was 
cold, but the grasshoppers wouldn't stay 
away. They knew too well the deliciousness 
of Red River Valley wheat, much better than 
some Eastern wiseacres, and desired once 
more ' to roll it as a sweet morsel' into their 
maws. The weather, however, killed them 
off, but not until tbey had destroyed some 
sections. The crop that year averaged 
twenty-five bushels jier acre, which went 
sixty and cleiin up to sixty-four pounds to 
the bushel. Since then the grasshoppers 
have ceased their visitations, and the crop 
of wheat has been good, particularlj' during 
the last two years, including this present one. 
Alany an American, during these five yeai"s 
of wheat famine, left for ' other fields and 
pastures new,' but the Scandinavian raised 
his ' garden sass,' killed muskrats, bartered 
the skins to the storekeepers to settle his 
grocery bills, and lived through, and the 
most of them are in a prosperous condition 
to-day. 

" Lake Park derives its importance not sim- 
ply from its surroundings and resources, l)ut 
from its being located on that grand trans- 
continental route, the Xorthern Pacific Rail- 
road, which Mr. Thomas H. Canfield, before 
alluded to in this history, spent the best part 
of his days in its dark and gloomy days to 
inaugurate. Pardon, reader, but if this 
gentleman would cease his active life (for he 
is an intensely busy man) and write a history 
of that road from its inception to date, how 
it was received and voted upon by distin- 
guished men in public life, who would now 
hang their heads were their votes reprinted, 
how scientific, learned and profound men — 
not a few regarded him as visionary — who 
witM seer-like vision prophesied the glories of 



PARK REGIONS OF MINtfESOTA. 



841 



tlie Northwest, and urged, with all the 
earnestness of his nature, its immediate adop- 
tion ; how the project, after going up and 
down, received a gigantic impulse forward 
from 'Old Thad,' and was further accele- 
rated by the cool, hard sense of Gen. Grant; 
how on the eve of success it foil throus'h 
under tiie unfoi'tunate, but to-day even mis- 
understood, financial operations of Jay Cooke, 
the ludicrous and humorous incidents con- 
nected therewith, as well as the serious ; how 
it finally revived under President Villard, 
and has now been consummated, it would 
have all the intense interest of the iiest writ- 
ten novel, as well as the weight of authenti- 
cated history. Yes, yes. The Northern 
Pacific Railroad is part and parcel of the 
history of Lake Park as well as the lakes, and 
this episode properly belongs here. 

" On this road, 2'±0 miles from St. Paul and 
218 from Duluth on the one side and 1,700 
fi'om Puget Sound on the other, Lake Park 
is situated. Three passenger trains eastward 
and westward halt here each day as they 
pursue their journeys. Innumeral)lo freight 
trains also go backward and forward, which 
not only interchange tiie products of States 
and Territories as now, but tiie best of East- 
ern and Western civilization ; for the pro- 
phecy of Thomas Benton, 'There is India, ' 
is no myth. Thus the reader will see that 
Lalce Park is in the centerof civilization and 
one of the most easily accessible places in 
the West. 

" Thus Mr. Canfield has demonstrated that 
here is a section which can produce wheat 
e(]ually as well as any other part of the lied 
Iliver Valle}', and in addition has the natural 
advantages for stock-raising. Altiiough 
higher than Quebec, reaching near to the -17th 
parallel, this region in its quickness of 
growth, variety of crops, salubrity of cli- 
mate and health of its people, is unsur]iassed. 
To sum it all up : That lie who would fol- 
low farming as an avocation, and not as a 



speculation, must do so on the diversified 
plan." 

Mr. Canfield has now been engaged in 
active business forty-nine years, during which 
time he has never taken a day specially for 
recreation or pleasure, so called, but has 
found his pleasure in the work in which he 
has been engaged, believing thereby he was 
doing some good to his fellow-men and his 
country. 

Although of a slender frame and fragile; 
constitution, he is yet a]iparcntly as well and 
active and moves with the same elastic step 
as twenty years ago, which he attributes in 
a great degree to his constant busy life and 
temperate habits in all things except work, 
lie is a good judge of human nature, enab- 
ling him to be an excellent organizer and 
manager of men, quick in observation, clear 
in judgment and rapid in execution. While 
being naturally self-reliant, to which his 
varied experience has contributed, yet he is 
ready at all times to listen to others and 
ad()])t their views, even if they differ from 
his own, if they have merit in them. Modest 
in his pretensions, he is ever ready to give to 
others the credit of any good work, although 
he may have been niaiidy instrumental in 
bringing it about. Having been engaged 
most of his life in work of a public character, 
and connected with many great enter- 
prises, he has an extended knowledge 
of the country and broad and compre- 
hensive ideas as to its capacity and re- 
sources, and entertains the most sanguine 
views as to its future greatness and 
power. When once enlisted in any sclieme 
wiiich commands his approbation, he is very 
persistent and persevering until it is accom- 
plished, no matter how difiicult it may be or 
how serious the obstacles to be encountered. 
The idea of defeat never enters into his cal- 
culations. He is very retiring, talks but 
little, is a good listener, but clear in his ideas 
of right and w mng and firm in maintaining 



842 



RED KIl'KR V.KLLEY AND 



tliem. He is generous almost to a fault, 
and in anything in wliicli he beheves he is 
ready to back his acts with iiis money, so 
far as lie is able; a true and lirm friend to 
those who gain his confidence — and many 
ai'e the men in good circumstances and 
|)i'oniinenl positions, in different parts of the 
country, who are indeljted for them to his 
early aid and assistance. 

ITe is averse to undue disjilay and also 
notoriety, disliking anything which smacks 
of " fuss and feathers," and dreads to appear 
before the public, unless his duties or the 
necessities of the work upon which he is 
engaged require it. 

He is never so happy as when at his 
country home, on Lake Chamjilain, sur- 
rounded by his charming-family, and joining 
in all the details of their plans and schemes 
with the greatest pleasure. 

At ditl'ercnt times he has been actively 
engaged in political matters, but always 
refusing to accept any office of any kind, 
pz'eferring to aid those whom he deemed 
capable of filling public stations. Arriving 
at his majority when the old whig party 
was prominent, his first vote wag cast for its 
nominees, and he continued identified with 
it until it was succeeded by the republican 
party, to which he has since belonged. lie 
understands thoroughly all the great politi- 
cal issues which have agitated the country 
for the last forty years, as well as the great 
commercial questions which involve the busi- 
ness and prosperity of these United States. 
Few men have had a more extensive ac- 
quaintance and knowledge in the last genera- 
tion of the ]irominent men of the nation, 
whether in politics or business. 

lie is an active member of the Protestant 
Episcopal church, liaving been brought up in 
it from childhood, the house in which he 
was born in Arlington, \^ermont, being the 
one occupied by his grandfather, Nathan 
Canfield, the lay delegate to the first conven- 



tion of the Diocese of Vermont, which was 
orjranized at Arlinolon in 1790. He was 
baptized in infancy in the old original church 
at Arlington by "Priest Bronson," one; of 
the first clergymen in A'ermont, and con- 
firmed by Pisliop IIo])kins in St. Paul's 
church, P)Urlington, Good Friday, 184S. He 
was for many years a vestryman and warden 
of St. Paul's church, had charge of the en- 
largement of the church in 1802, raising the 
money for it, and again in ISOS in building 
the transept, devoting much time as well as 
money. He has attended every convention 
of the Diocese of Vermont for thirty -seven 
years, twent\'-eight of which he has been tlie 
secretary' of it. For several years he was a 
member of the standing committee of the 
diocese, and also represented it as deputy in 
the five general conventions of the ciiurch in 
the United States, held in Philadelphia in 
1856, in Richmond, Virginia, in lS5it, in Xew 
York in 1874, in Boston in 1877, and in f'lii- 
cago October, 1880. 

Of the original incorporators and trustees 
of the Vermont Episcopal Institute, char- 
tered in 1854, he and the Hon. E. J. Phelps, 
the present United States Minister at the 
Court of St. James, are the only survivors. 
He has been the resident trustee ever since, 
having charge of its affairs, and as treasurer 
for the last twenty-five years. He was 
closely identified with the late Bishop Hop- 
kins in the negotiations for the 100 acres at 
Kock Point, Burlington, Vermont, for an 
Episcopal residence and church schools, and 
in the erection of the large stone building 
for tiie theological and academical de})art- 
ments. During the last two years he iias 
been very active and instrumental in raising 
§60,000 for the buildings for the young 
ladies' department, and has hail full charge 
of the erection of them upon the same 
property. 

There is probably nothing which Mr. 
Canfield has done in his whole life in which 



PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA. 



843 



he has takon more interest, or regards of 
more importance, than theerectionof "Bisiiop 
Hopkins' Hall," at Burlington, Vermont, for 
the purpose of a church school for young 
hi(lies,not only on account of thehigh standard 
of intellectual, scientific and classical instruc- 
tion maintained therein, but especially for 
the moral and religious culture which the 
jtupils will receive througli the elevating 
influences and Christian training of the 
church. Considering the positions these 
young ladies may be called upon to occupy 
in different parts of our wide-spread land 
hereafter, whether as teachers, wives or 
mothers, their influence upon the civ- 
ilization and improvement of the c'om- 
munity where their lot may be cast 
must necessarily reflect the training and 
instruction received at their Alma Mater, 
and constitute a continual living force for all 
time to come, the usefulness of which to 
society, the church and future generations 
can not be estimated by any human mind. 

Around a refined and well-ordered home, 
the center of which is the wife and mother, 
cluster the most intense affections and 
endearments of all — on them, under God, 
depend the most precious interests of the 
rising generation. The most persuasive and 
active influence in every religious work rests 
in their hands, and without them in these 
degenerate days we should have neither 
church, minister nor people, and how import- 
ant then that their education have for its 
foundation the Christian religion. 

Mr. Canfield regards the establishment of 
this institution as the climax of liis life's 
work ; and although perhaps of not as much 
magnitude in the estimation of the public as 
some other things which he has done, yet 
the real intrinsic good which it will confer 
upon mankind will be constant and perpet- 
ual ; a high and important destiny awaits it 
— it will be a fitting exjKmcntof the refined 
and elevated influence of our church institu- 



tions, maintaining that thoroughness of 
intellectual, scientificand Christian education, 
whose solidity of structure and completeness 
of proportions will cause it to harmonize 
with all the beauty and grandeur of the 
teachings of the church, as does the build- 
ing itself with the beauty and grandeur 
of the magnificent and extended scenery 
by which it is surrounded. He has 
so managed the finances of this cor- 
poration that the Diocese of Vermont has 
now this beautiful projjcrty on the banks of 
Lake Champlain, of 100 acres, with an epis- 
copal residence, a large stone Iniilding for 
the theological de])ai'tnient and boys' school, 
and another of equal dimensions for the 
young ladies' school, both in successful o]iei'- 
ation, and the whole paid for — not a dollar 
of debt outstanding or any lien upon the 
property. 

He was luainly instrumental in raising 
the money for building Trinity cliai)el, 
Winooski, Vermont, the plan being pre[)ared 
b}' his brother in-law, the Rev. Dr. Hopkins, 
as was also that of the Episcopal church at 
Brainerd, Minnesota, which he founded, 
furnishing the block on which it stands and 
half the money for the building. He also 
furnished the sites for the churches at Moor- 
head and Lake Park. Minnesota, r>isniarck, 
Dakota, and Kalania, Washington Territory, 
and assisted in Iniilding the churches. How- 
ever mucii he nuiy be absorbed in business, 
he alwa3'S finds time to attend to the 
church and its interests. 

Few men have ever had a more busy life, 
which from present indicaticms is likely to 
continue in the same way to the end ; and 
he probably will, as he says he expects to do, 
"die in the harness." 

As the writer pens the closing sentences of 
the life history of this truly great man, a 
newspaper, the Mandiester Journal, one of 
the leading journals of Vermont, falls into 
his hands, eoiilaining an article which forms 



844 



RED RIVER VALLEY AA'D 



a fitting conclusion for tliis biography, illus- 
trating the standing of Mr. Cantiekl in liis 
native State, the respect in which he is held 
and tlio jtrominence he has attained. The 
Rev. Dr. Wickliani referred to in tlie article, 
one of the most able men in Vermont, suc- 
ceeded Dr. rolenian as principal of Burr 
Seminary for tiiirty years. He had evi- 
dently written concerning an article on 
tiie Northern Pacific Kailroad, for the 
Manchester Journal says : " Rev. Dr. Wick- 
ham sends us a note, saying that he 
was very greatly intei'csted in the article on 
the Northern Pacilic Railroad. Thomas II. 
Canlield was a student at Burr Seminary 
just before Dr. Wickham came here, fifty-one 
years ago, but the doctor was well acquainted 
with him before he left Arlington, and went 
down thereat liis solicitation and gave a tem- 
perance lecture to an association formed 
mainly by the efTorts of Mr. Canlield, then 
considerably less than twenty years of age. 
Dr. AVickliam was then greatly impressed 
with his energy and fornietl high hopes for 



the future of the young man, which have not 
been disappointed. Dr. Wickliam adds : 
' If Burlington can boast of her Edmunds, 
the leader of the United States senate, and 
of Phelps, the eminent jurist and distin- 
guished representative at the Court of St. 
James, slie has not anotlier citizen that 
has honored iier more than Thomas H. 
Canlield.'" 



aENRY H. wells, of I^forris, Minne- 
sota, is president of the Stevens 
County Bank, and is also engaged in the mer- 
cantile business, having interests at various 
])oints near Morris. He was born in Upper 
Canada in 1851, and is a son of A. Wells. 
On attaining his majority he came to Min- 
nesota and located in Scott county. He 
removed to Stevens count}* in 1872, and has 
since resided tliere. He has represented his 
district in both upper and lower house of the 
Minnesota leiiislature. 




AD J -EK T J SEMEN TS. 



845 



^JV D. STEPHENS, a Minnesota born boy, 



does a large 



Real Estaik and 



Fari[ Loan Businkss 



AT 



THE 



® T. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS AND MANI- 
TOBA RAILWAY 



traverses the Eed River Vaij.kv and Park 
Regions of Minnesota. Maintains a niair- 



nificent train service. 



Elegant Dining Cars, 



CROOKSTON, MINNESOTA. 



FROM HIS OWN STATEMENT HE IS A PRETrY 



GOOD FELLOW AND HOPES TO GET A 



REPUTATION AS AN ANCESTOR. 



CORRESPONDENT CORBIN 



KANKIXC; VO. 



Palace Sleeping Cars, 



AND Free Colonist Sleepers. 



. THE 



^ ORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD 



IS THE 

Great thorouglifare of freight and travel 
to the Pacific Northwest. Its main lines 
and brandies extend tiiroughout all por- 
tions of the 

Red River Valley 

AND Park Regions. 

The ecjuipnient of this road is nnsurjiassed. 




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